Page 12 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge

Her brain said Owen leaving would be for the best.It reminded her that she’d lived on her own in Dallas, and she could be by herself here in this town.Maybe losing her sister in such an unexpected way had caused Evie’s nerves to be on edge.It had been a reminder that no one was guaranteed to wake up tomorrow or the next day, and so on.Maybe it was how quickly her own life had turned upside down that had her wanting—needing?—company.

Returning to this place had activated an ache in her chest that had been long-since dormant.It probably should remind her that being around Owen was dangerous.Instead, she wanted to spend an evening with someone who knew and understood her.

“What are your plans?”Owen asked, cutting into her thoughts.

“I have no idea.”Her five-year plan to climb the corporate ladder was shattered now that she was responsible for two young children.“I did.Once.Not that long ago.”She issued a grunt.“Life has a way of redirecting your course.”

His grunt said he knew all about it.

“And just when you think you have a direction and have everything figured out.That’s when life laughs at you and decides to throw a curveball.No, a curveball is way too calm a term for whatever this is.”

“A raging storm,” he said.

“Yes.Exactly.You end up in the middle of a war between elements you have no control over and are just trying not to let them rip you to shreds.”She exhaled, but her pulse raced as she worked herself up.“And no matter how hard you try to stay ahead of the damn thing or out of its path, you can’t.When you move, it moves.”

“Just like driving on ice, it’s probably in all our best interests to aim straight for the guard rail or another obstacle we’re trying to avoid because you never end up where you thought you would.”His words struck a deep chord.

“That’s right.”She reminded herself to breathe.And then she caught Owen’s gaze.“Can I get you a beer?”

5

“Abeer sounds good.”Owen didn’t like the idea of Evie being alone out here with no other houses within shouting distance if someone followed her.

Evie grabbed two from the fridge, handed one over, and motioned toward the back porch, where he saw two chairs.Before he could say a word, she gave a small headshake, closed the blinds on the sliding glass doors, and headed toward the living room.

He followed, opting for a chair rather than a spot next to her on the couch.Now that he knew someone had been following her, he wanted to know if it could be somehow related to her sister’s death.“Mind if I ask what happened to Simone?”

“SCD.”

“Which is?”He had no idea what the acronym meant.

“Sudden cardiac death.She collapsed in the garden while the children were inside napping.”Evie managed a calm monotone.However, it looked to be taking some effort on her part.“It can happen without warning, even in people with no previous heart problems.”She took a pull from the longneck bottle in her hand.“Without immediate help, it’s deadly.My sister was working in the garden out back when it happened.”

“And there was no sign of foul play?”Recent events within his family caused him to be suspicious of anything and everything until proven otherwise.

Evie shook her head.“None.The doctor said it’s rare for this to happen to young people, but it does happen.”She turned her face away after frowning.

He gave her a moment, not wanting to overstep his bounds if she needed time.Evie held emotions inside until they practically burst out of her, leaving her no choice but to express them.

“Sorry,” she said softly.She sniffled and then took in a deep breath.“To say these kids are unlucky is an understatement.”

“They have you.”He couldn’t let her discount herself like that.“Who else will care about their futures more than you, Evie?”

“Caring is one thing.Being present every single day to guide them and help them through all of life’s challenges is a whole other ball game.”She brought her gaze to meet his.“I never saw myself in the white dress or having kids hanging off my arms.”She shivered, which made him hold back a smile.The way she described parenthood wasn’t too far off from how he saw it.

Still, he was surprised she didn’t want anything to do with the institution.

“Any particular reason you don’t want a family?”

She shrugged.“I like to sleep in on Sunday mornings.Like, really sleep in.I don’t want to be bothered by anyone.I work long hours during the week, and then Saturdays are for the two Es.”

He shot her a confused look.

“Errands and exercise.”

“Thanks for the clarification,” he said with a smile.

“I go hard and basically don’t stop until I drop.Then, it’s food in front of the TV to catch up on my shows before a hot bath and then bed.”

---