Page 39 of Mountain Refuge

“Have you received another text?” The sheriff asked.

She patted her pockets. “Oh. My phone is in the house. When I spotted the fire, I rushed outside without grabbing it. Hold on.” She darted into the house and snatched it from the kitchen counter where she’d set it before doing dishes.

“I’ll be bringing out coffee and sandwiches in a minute,” Mrs. White told her. “The men and first responders will be hungry.”

“You’re a saint.” She flashed a grin and lit up her phone screen. Her smile quickly faded.

The fun has just begun.

“What is it?” Mrs. White glanced over Dani’s shoulder. “Fun, is it? What else happened out there?”

“I don’t know, but the sheriff and Dylan are very bothered.” She took a deep breath and headed back outside where she handed her phone to the sheriff. “What happened other than the fire?”

The men exchanged a glance.

“I have a right to know, same as anyone else on this ranch.” She planted her fists on her hips. “This is all because I’m here.”

Sheriff Westbrook gave a long exhale out his nose. “Bill Washington was murdered right before the barn caught fire. Dylan saw it happen.”

“Oh, no.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “I’m so sorry.” She’d liked the gentle-spoken cowboy. “This isn’t the end, is it?”

“The camping trip is in two days. It’ll be over then.”

“What if someone else is killed?”

“The men will patrol in pairs from now on. There they are.” Dylan bent over as the three dogs stopped next to them. “Where have the three of you been?”

“They’re wet, so my guess is they lost the perp in the creek.” The sheriff shook his head. “I’ll need you to come to the station tomorrow, Dylan, for a formal accounting of what you saw.” Shoulders slumped, the sheriff trudged to his car.

“That man is carrying the weight of the world.” Dylan sighed. “Makes me nervous. Like maybe he doesn’t believe he’ll catch this guy.”

“We can’t think that way. If we do, we’ve lost.” Dani clutched his arm. “Bill won’t be the only catastrophe. We have to stay positive.”

“It’s hard when friends are dying, and everything you’ve worked for is lying in ashes at your feet.”

“The barn can be rebuilt,” she said. But Bill would never again draw a breath.

The paramedics passed with a sheet-covered body on a gurney.

She gripped Dylan’s hand, giving him whatever support she could. Again, the thought of leaving overtook her. If she hadn’t come to the Rocking W, Bill would be alive. The barn would still be standing.

She glanced at Dylan’s strong profile. She hadn’t know what she’d be missing, this man and his boys. Their lives would have gone on without the jeopardy she’d brought with her. Unknowingly, but still, tonight’s events laid solely on her shoulders.

They had to catch this guy. He had to pay. She’d see to it personally.

Steel formed in her backbone, in the set of her jaw. Seeing Mrs. White carrying a tray with coffee and sandwiches from the house, she pulled her hand free of Dylan’s. No more showing him how much she cared for him. From now on, she’d keep her distance. Growing close to him would only put him and his boys in harm’s way. She took the tray from Mrs. White. “Let me carry this to the men.”

“We’ll set up a table.” She left Dani holding the tray, returning a few minutes later with one of the cowhands carrying a folding card table. “Put that right there, and let the others know about the coffee and food.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tipped the brim of his hat and went to spread the word.

“This wasn’t your fault, Dani.” Mrs. White said as she set the things on the table.

“Trouble followed me here.”

“True, but that wasn’t your fault. The one responsible for Bill’s death s at fault. He made the choice to commit a heinous crime.”

“Because of a choice I made months ago.” Tears spilled from her eyes.