Page 5 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge (Rescue Ridge #5)

The dark circles underneath Evie’s eyes made more sense now that he knew about her sister.

Not to mention, she was left caring for her nephew and niece.

He glanced at her wedding finger. No band.

This information shouldn’t cause relief to wash over him as much as it did.

In the thicket, he hadn’t had a chance to ask her personal questions.

Personal questions had taken a backseat to the more direct ones involving them.

Based on the taut muscles in her face, he might never find out. Could he live with that?

Evie didn’t want the image of Owen as a father stamped in her thoughts. She’d checked his ring finger in the thicket, and a seed of hope had been planted in the darkest parts of her—parts that would never see the light of day, let alone provide soil to grow.

“Sorry, Olivia,” she whispered, truly sorry for the kid drawing Evie as a new guardian. I promise to get better at this. The kids’ worlds had been turned upside-down.

“Where’s Mommy?” Luca asked Owen, breaking Evie’s heart. How do you explain to a three-year-old that his mother was never coming home?

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. Pull it together.

There was no time to break down. Food.

“I just realized that I haven’t fed these guys dinner yet,” Evie muttered, shooting an apologetic glance toward Joann. The woman had been a saint so far.

“What if I come back to collect statements after I check the area?” Joann asked. She must have realized that having an adult conversation would be next to impossible under current conditions.

“That works.” Evie tried to find the right approach to tell Owen he could go, too, except he was being helpful, and she needed all hands on deck if she was going to survive this evening.

Joann offered a smile. “I’ll check in later.”

Owen was on his feet and opening the door for the warden in a matter of seconds. The man could move fast. His athletic grace had always been impressive. She tore her gaze from his muscled back and moved to the fridge.

Balancing the baby on one hip, Evie managed to heat dinner for the kids.

“Can you get him back in his highchair?” she asked Owen, who was happily playing on the floor with Luca.

The kid had a smile on his face that caused a pang in her chest. She didn’t know how to do that, to make him smile like he hadn’t just lost the one person in the world who had loved him the most. Like he hadn’t become essentially an orphan in a matter of minutes.

And like he hadn’t inherited a completely incompetent caregiver.

She sighed as she managed to get Olivia seated. Owen somehow convinced Luca to leave the toy and come to dinner. Another miracle.

Or did the boy miss having a man in his life?

Being in the military, his father had spent most of his time overseas on active duty, and then he’d been killed on a mission before Olivia’s birth. There were no living grandparents on Simone and Evie’s side of the family. The ones on the other side weren’t fit, according to Simone and her husband.

In the next second, Owen was next to her. He stood so close their arms grazed. An electric jolt raced up Evie’s arm at the point of contact. She sucked in a breath before she could rationalize what she was doing.

“Are you okay?” he asked, turning to study her.

“Good,” she said quickly. Too quickly?

The short answer…yes.

Instead of going down that path, she thanked him for helping with Luca.

“How are you at feedings?” she asked as she retrieved a plate for the little one. The chicken and veggies were cut up, and Luca preferred to eat with his hands, but it was helpful to have someone keep watch. The little guy occasionally ate too fast and choked.

Owen’s eyebrow shot up.

“He just needs someone to keep an eye on him.”

“That, I can do,” he said.

By the time the kids were fed, bathed, and put to bed, Evie was beat. She picked up her cell and plopped down on the couch. “Thanks for all your help.”

Owen waved her off.

“Seriously, I couldn’t have survived tonight without you,” she said, not looking at him as she sent the text to let Joann know they were finally able to have a conversation without interruptions.

“Seems like you’ve been doing okay on your own.” There was something in his voice that she couldn’t initially pinpoint. The answer came to her in a flash…distance.

“I got here two days ago and have barely kept my head above water since.” She didn’t mind admitting her faults to Owen. “Ms. Bart has been all too quick to point out my shortcomings.”

“That old biddy?”

Evie laughed. She couldn’t help it. She hadn’t heard the term in a long time, but it fit. “She has been saving my ass.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “I keep forgetting to watch my mouth.”

“Hearing you cuss isn’t the worst thing…”

His voice trailed off as he seemed to catch himself.

“I’m sorry about Simone,” he said.

Evie couldn’t go there. Not again. Not when she’d already shown her weakness in the thicket. Her breaking down wouldn’t do the kids any good, and it sure as hell wouldn’t bring her sister back.

“Thanks,” was all she said before deciding a subject change was in order. “What were you doing on the property earlier?”

“Driving to Watcher’s Lake for a fishing retreat,” he said. “What were you doing out there?”

“I went for a run.” She sighed. “It clears my head.”

Her former best friend’s smile stirred up other feelings. “Still listen to Eighties Metal bands while you run?”

“You know it.” She held up a closed fist with her index and pinky fingers extended. “Ronnie James Dio style.”

Owen’s smile widened. The ache in her chest returned. She’d wasted too much time being sick over the fact Owen would never see her as anything but a friend.

How on earth was she supposed to avoid him while bringing up her niece and nephew in the same town?

A saving grace came to mind when she realized he would never live in Saddle Junction again, not full-time.

“When do you head out of town again?” she asked. She could stand a few days, a week, or even a month, if needed. She could keep her feelings in check. What she was feeling now was nothing more than vibrations from a storm that had happened long ago.

“I live here now.”

Those words threatened to shatter her resolve. Better gear up for the long haul, sister.

After tonight, avoiding Owen would be her best line of defense.