Page 30 of Home Town Knight

“Sure, I saw him earlier. Mean guy with a mustache?”

“That’s him. I want to know everywhere Ellis goes.” I had some theories about what might have happened between the hunting buddies. I wasn’t ready to lay it out yet. But following Ellis could give us a lead. “Ask local departments to donate whatever officers they can to the stakeout. If we get stretched too thin, I’ll ask the state for extra help. But I’d rather keep a tight lid on this.”

She tapped her lip. “I have an idea. Ellis is back at the Alpine Hotel with his buddies. They’re supposed to stay a few more days. I’m friendly with the manager, and I can ask for a heads-up if Ellis leaves the property.”

“Good thought.” I got up from my chair and grabbed my jacket and hat. “The autopsy is scheduled for this evening. Until then, I’ll be out for a couple hours for dinner. You should do the same. But keep me posted.”

I was going back to Last Refuge to see Genevieve. This couldn’t wait. We had to finally sit down, stop arguing, andtalk.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Genevieve

I wokefrom my nap to a rumbling stomach and a knock at my door.

I got up and checked through the window. Jessi, the woman from reception, was outside. Smoothing down my hair, I opened the door. She smiled and held up a paper grocery bag. “Hey, Gen. Sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, don’t worry about it. I didn’t realize it was getting late.” The snow-flocked trees behind Jessi glowed with late afternoon sun. I took the offered bag. There were plastic-wrapped cookies and a sandwich inside. “This is so nice. I’m starving. Thank you.”

“I’d love to take the credit, but I can’t. A certain someone with a cowboy hat and sheriff’s badge brought it. Asked me to make the delivery.”

I felt a frown darken my expression. “Oh.”

Jessi laughed. “Exactly the reaction he expected. That’s why he sent me as a neutral messenger. I’d been meaning to check in on you myself, though. You’ve had a rough time. It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself at moments like this.” She sounded like she knew what she was talking about.

“True. But I didn’t think Owen would be the one to do it.”

“I’m not surprised. Owen’s a keeper. He said he’d like to talk. If you want, you can enjoy your sandwich in peace and I’ll tell him not to bother you. But if you ask me, the better option is to hear him out.”

I sighed. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt. Where is he?”

“Waiting in the main building.”

I set the bag of goodies in the kitchenette, then grabbed my boots and coat to follow her.

A pregnant woman carrying a laundry basket came toward us on the path, clearly heading to another cabin. A little girl trailed after her, singing quietly and forming a snowball between her pink mittens.

Jessi stopped to greet them. “Hey, how are you two today?”

“Just fine, thanks Jessi.” The mom wore jeans and an oversized coat over her baby belly. Her eyes darted to me, widening. “New guest?”

“I’m Gen.” I pointed at her laundry basket. “Need any help with that?”

“No, thank you,” the mom mumbled, ducking her head. She hurried her daughter along, and they disappeared into cabin two.

I was curious why the woman had wanted to avoid me. No, it had been more than that. She’d been wary of me. Was she just shy? But she’d seemed friendly with Jessi. And Jessi hadn’t used the woman’s name.

I glanced over at my hostess, who was giving me an assessing look. Almost like she was waiting for me to ask questions and was bracing herself for it.

“Guess I shouldn’t keep Owen waiting,” I said. “Since he came all this way bearing gifts.” I wondered what he wanted to discuss with me. Was it about the murder investigation?

As Jessi and I walked into the reception area, Owen turned around, and our eyes met. He had his off-whitecowboy hat in his hand. A guarded expression on his face. But instantly, relief flooded me.

Even with how awkwardly we’d left things earlier, and all my indecision about the man, I was glad to see him. Not just because he held all the information, both about the murder investigation and the story I was working on.

Owen radiated stability. Like he was a man who didn’t bend easily, for better or worse.

We both moved forward, meeting halfway. “Thanks for the snacks,” I said. “Jessi dropped them off.”

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