Page 10 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge

Evie’s nose wrinkled, and she compressed her lips.“Who would be hiking out here?”

Joann didn’t respond.

Folks ended up on ranch property sometimes without realizing they were trespassing.At least, that was normally the excuse.Hunters and fishermen drifted on forbidden land from time to time for the isolation and game.

“The animal encounter most likely prevented you from finding out.”Joann exhaled.

Owen didn’t like the sound of that statement.“How so?”

“Based on the tracks, the person wearing the hikers was most likely following Evie.”

Evie gasped.She brought a hand up to cover her mouth as her gaze unfocused, like she could somehow find answers inside her own head.

Well, damn.Owen certainly didn’t like this development.

“I’ve alerted the sheriff.”Joann reached across the table and patted Evie’s hands, no doubt a move to reassure her that everything was still under control.But was it?

Travis Barrett was Owen’s newly minted brother-in-law.He was also acting sheriff, and a damn fine one, too.Would the family be clued in to Owen’s activities?Because they would freak out after everything they’d been through.“Was I named as—”

“A witness?Yes.”

The confirmation meant his cell would be buzzing like crazy once word got out.He fished it out of his pocket and quickly realized he’d let the battery run down.A classic Owen move if ever there was one.“Did you let Travis know that I’m fine?”

“I did,” Joann confirmed.“Though the tracks appeared to be fresh, there’s no conclusive proof the hiker was following Evie.”

“But he was,” she said, lifting her gaze.“I knew it.”

“It’s possible the hiker saw the mountain lion and planned to help,” Joann offered.

Her point was valid, though Evie didn’t appear to be sold on the idea.

Owen studied Evie before asking, “Do you have a charger, by chance?”He saw a cord dangling from a wall outlet on the bar-height counter but didn’t want to make any assumptions or overstep any boundaries.

She nodded toward the cord.

“Thank you,” he said, standing up to walk over.Joann stood at the same time.

“Contact me if you remember anything else that might impact the investigation,” she said, first looking to Evie and then to Owen.

“Will do,” he said, noticing Evie sat almost trance-like at the table.Her movements were robotic as she nodded and then stood up.

Owen plugged in his cell and then walked Joann to the door.When he returned to the table, Evie still stood there.

“Tell me why you thought someone was following you,” he said.

“I heard him.”She picked up an empty plate and walked into the kitchen before placing it in the sink.

He followed, noticing the sink was full of dishes.

Mechanically, she turned on the faucet and started washing.Most houses had updated kitchens with dishwashers, but the Ashworths had never seen fit to make the addition.Apparently, Simone hadn’t minded working in the outdated space.Or, more like, she hadn’t gotten around to renovating.She’d had her hands full with two young kiddos.

“I can do this,” Evie said, urging him to step aside.

“Let me help.”

“It’s fine, Owen.Really.I can wash dishes on my own.I promise.Plus, I’m sure you have better things to do.”The edge to her voice sent a cold chill between them despite the near-constant electric impulse he felt.

Was he about to be asked to leave?

---