Page 9 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge

“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.

4

Joann interrupted the conversation with a soft knock on the door.Owen hadn’t even heard her SUV pull up.He had been about to tell Evie that he didn’t mind pitching in to help with the kids until she got her bearings.Losing her sister and inheriting the family home, as well as Simone’s children, would be too much for any one person.

After giving his statement and hearing Evie’s, he was determined to find a way to help Evie.

Joann leaned forward, resting her elbows against the dining table where they’d settled after letting her in, and locked gazes with Evie.“I confirmed a set of footprints, large, size eleven, men’s.”

“Owen’s?”Evie asked.

Joann gave a small headshake.He could have told Evie the prints didn’t belong to him, considering he wore a size thirteen.

“I noticed Owen wearing cowboy boots when he showed up earlier, and the prints came from hiking boots.”Joann clasped her hands.As it turned out, size wasn’t needed as a determining factor.

“How did you determine they were hiking boots?”Evie asked.

“The lug pattern,” Joann responded.“It was deep, meaning someone looking for a good grip on uneven or loose terrain would use them.”

---