LITMIR.BIZ

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was at the door.

      “Twice in one week,” Yuma said. “Nothing serious I hope.”

      “I think it is, but if you ask my dad, you’ll get a different answer.” Luke went back to tell Abe the sheriff had arrived, but his dad was asleep in front of the TV. Odd. Luke turned off the TV, then filled in the sheriff on what had happened.

      “So,” Luke said. “You know the area, the locals and their crimes, do you have any idea what’s going on here?”

      “None yet. I’ll have to take a trip out there. There have been similar incidents on other properties. Some ranchers think they’re connected to the corporation that’s trying to buy up the land around here to build a spa resort.”

      Abe hadn’t mentioned anything about that.

      “Others say it’s kids. Rich kids with nothing better to do.”

      “Rich kids? When I went to school here, most ranch kids had to scrape by.”

      “There’s been a big real estate boom in the past few years, spreading out from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Condos, planned communities, people with money.”

      “Whoever did this, rich or poor, they’ve got some real problems.”

      “True,” Yuma agreed. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning to take a look.”

      When the sheriff left, Luke headed for Julianna’s room.

      THE KNOCK on her door made Julianna jump. She checked her watch. 10:00 p.m. It wouldn’t be Abe, and that left only one other person. “Hold on,” she said, “I’ll be there in a minute.” She saved the story on her laptop, closed the cover and went to the door, opening it a few inches. Luke stood with one arm resting on the door frame.

      “We need to talk,” he said.

      Her heart thumped. “What about?”

      “Abe.”

      She expelled a silent sigh of relief. “Okay. Just give me a minute.”

      “Sure. I’ll be on the patio.”

      He’d always liked the outdoors, the fresh air, at the beach or wherever. Closing the door, she quickly threw on the pink zip sweatshirt that matched her sweatpants, and then slipped on her flip-flops. She took a quick peek in the mirror. Plain. She’d always been plain. Nothing like her classy sister. She ran a comb through her hair, then dabbed on a bit of lip gloss before realizing the futility. What did she think? That the gloss would somehow transform her into something she wasn’t. Dammit, she’d come to grips with her self-image a long time ago. So why were the old insecurities resurfacing now? What the hell, she dabbed on some blush, too, and then headed down the hall.

      At the back door she saw Luke sitting outside on a bench. She stopped to look at him. So handsome, so…masculine. Instantly, she remembered how she’d felt being the other half of the couple people whispered about and said, “What is he doing with her?” She’d always wanted to feel his equal, like they belonged together. She’d tried hard, but it never quite came together for her.

      But when she and Luke were alone, he always made her feel beautiful, as if he saw something in her that others didn’t. Something even she didn’t see. She realized later it had been easy to forgive a lot in their marriage because of those stupid insecurities.

      The door creaked as she went out. “Hey.”

      “Hey,” he said, then indicated the place next to him on the bench. He wore jeans and a black sweatshirt and was sitting near the beehive-shaped chiminea in the corner. A crackling fire radiated warmth and the pungent scent of cedar, instantly conjuring memories of better times. The first time she’d met Luke’s dad. The Christmas they’d spent here when she was pregnant. Memories she didn’t have time for anymore. Luke wanted to talk and that’s what she was going to do.

      But as she lowered herself to sit next to him, she sensed something was wrong. “What’s up with Abe?”

      “That’s what I want to know. Has he said anything to you about problems on the ranch?”

      She shook her head. “No, but he did say he thinks Mrs. Hancock wants him to sell his property.”

      Luke shifted uncomfortably, as if she’d hit a nerve. “Sheriff Yuma was here a little while ago and mentioned something about a corporation trying to buy up land for a spa resort.”

      “Do you think someone approached Abe about it? And maybe Mrs. Hancock, too?”

      “Could be.”

      “If she comes by again, I’ll ask her.”

      “No need. Pops wouldn’t sell to anyone for any amount of money.”

      “So, why was the sheriff here again?”

      “I called him because when I was out on the line, I found a dead calf.”

      “Oh, that’s awful. But why call the sheriff?”

      “The calf’s throat was slit.”

      “Oh, my.” Goose bumps rose on her arms. Had the caller found her and was this a warning? “What did the sheriff say about it?” There’s no way anyone could possibly know where she was. With help from Patrick, the private investigator she used as a resource, she’d effectively disappeared. Except for calling her editor once a week, she had no contact with anyone else.

      “The sheriff said there’s been some vandalism at other ranches and they suspect some high school kids may be involved.”

      She breathed a sigh of relief. That made more sense. “But killing a helpless animal? That’s sick.”

      “I know. Sociopaths are sick. And they start young. Usually with small animals.”

      The thought made her shiver. She rubbed her arms. “Does Abe know?”

      “I talked to him before calling the sheriff.”

      “How’s he feeling?”

      Luke shrugged. “With him, you never know.”

      “I do. I can tell when something bothers him. It’s subtle, but noticeable. I see it every time he talks to you.”

      “Yeah. Well, I’ve been bothering him since I was thirteen. That’s nothing new.”

      “What I mean is that I can see it bothers him that you two don’t get along.”

      He gave her a sideways glance. “You take up psychiatry somewhere along the line?”

      She smiled. “I have learned a few things in that area, but no, my knowledge of your father is based on years of watching how he reacts when you say something that hurts him.”

      “I don’t say things to hurt him.”

      “Not intentionally, but some of the things you say, do hurt him.”

      “Well, I’m not going to debate your sixth sense when it comes to my dad. And I’m not going to monitor my words either. He and I have never understood each other and we probably never will.”

      “So, why are you staying? I thought you were leaving as soon as you could.”

      Wearily, he leaned against the post behind him so he was facing her. “Things changed.”

      “Like?”

      “One…my dad seems…not himself. Two, I need to find him some hired help, and three, the dead calf. I wouldn’t feel right about leaving until those things are resolved.” His gaze narrowed as he turned to look at her. “I’d also like to know why you’re really here,” he said softly. Teasingly.

      There it was again. The question that wouldn’t go away. She cleared her throat. “When I spoke with your father before I decided to come, he sounded a little flat, depressed almost. I thought maybe my visit would cheer him up.” That part was true.

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