Page 35 of Engaging the Deputy

“There was a storm.” There appeared to be no recognition in Dean’s expression. “A tornado.”

“No kidding?” He shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t remember a storm. Is everyone else all right?”

Not everyone, he thought as a nurse came in to take Dean down for more tests and Jaden left.

* * *

While the sunhad set, it wouldn’t be dark for a couple of hours yet. Olivia drove to the spot where Cody’s dad used to drop them off on weekends. The Ryans had the property next door, so Cody’s dad would pick Olivia up on his way to town to work at the hardware store. She and Cody used to spend hours by the river skipping rocks and wading in the water until he returned—or her mother got worried and would come to take her home.

Too cold for playing in the water now, she mused as she parked next to his SUV and climbed out. She felt a chill and wasn’t sure if it was the time of year—or finding out what was so important that they had to meet here. Jaden thought she hadn’t gotten over her high school boyfriend. Meeting him down here at the river would only reinforce that misconception, but there was nothing she could do about that.

How could she explain that Cody was part of her every memory of growing up here? He’d always been there for her. Look how he’d been during the tornado. He’d saved her life. How could she not care about him?

She spotted him sitting on top of a picnic table close to the river’s edge, chucking rocks out into the water as she walked up. “You came,” he said, sounding surprised. Or maybe it was just relieved. She recalled the argument they’d had that night in Starling. Even if he couldn’t remember Halloween, she knew he was still upset with her for leaving him and this town.

When they’d seen each other at the hardware store earlier, she’d been angry with him. She hadn’t wanted to leave it like that. “What’s up?”

“You want to sit?” he asked as he moved over to give her room.

“I’m fine standing.”

“You’re still mad at me,” he said, nodding to himself. “Not that I blame you. I should have told you about Krystal.”

“I wouldn’t have gone to Starling with you if you had.”

He chuckled. “Probably why I didn’t tell you. I wanted to spend some time with you.”

She had wanted the same thing. “You weren’t very happy with me Halloween night.”

“Sorry, I don’t remember,” he said, giving her an embarrassed grin. “But I’m sure I said some things I shouldn’t have. I was hurt when you left.”

“I know, but you’ve moved on, and I’m sure Krystal wasn’t the first.”

He gave her a bashful look. “You know me so well.”

“If this is what you wanted to talk to me about—”

“No,” he said, hopping off the table to walk down to the water’s edge. He picked up a rock and skipped it across the dark surface of the cold river before turning to look at her. “I’m hoping you can help me remember what happened.”

“You really still don’t remember any of it?”

He shook his head. “I’ve talked to Emery. I know we all went out to Starling, there was a tornado, you and I were trapped in a root cellar. Somehow, you got out and went for help, and when you came back, I was unconscious and bleeding. That about cover it?”

“Pretty much, except for the part where you saved my life. We would have been killed if you hadn’t talked me into going down into that root cellar to begin with. When the tornado hit, you pulled some heavy shelves over us and sheltered me with your body.”

“Wow, I can’t believe I did all that.”

She smiled. “Yes, you can. It sounds just like you. You like being a hero.”

That made him laugh, but it was as if he were holding back.

“Are you worried that whoever attacked you will try again?” she asked.

“I hadn’t thought of that… Thanks. Something more to worry about.”

“I’m serious. I can tell something’s bothering you.”

He looked at the ground for a few moments before he said, “When you went for help, did you see anyone?”

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