Page 11 of Burning Secrets

“I’m sorry.”

She nodded, sighed. “Wouldn’t have been so bad, but she was killed by a neighbor who knew her and just didn’t trust her.”

His mouth closed. He nodded. He knew a little about neighborhood betrayal.

A man entered the deck area. He sat at a table, his cap low. Crew glanced at him.

“Anyway, never had the urge to get another dog, but I did decide to study them. After I graduate, I want to move here full time. Work for the park service.”

Yes, definitely Rio, with his dark hair, solid build. He looked at Crew, nodded.

“So, do you own a ranch or something?” JoJo asked.

He looked at her, tried to wrap her words into his head. “Ranch?”

“Or are you a…like, a homesteader?”

Oh, right. “Yes. Sort of. I work security for a small…uh, farm, out in the bush.” Shoot, usually he was better at this lying game.

“Security. Oh, that makes sense.”

He looked at her.

“The .308. And you managed to miss me, so that’s a win.”

He smiled. “Definitely.”

Was that a blush? Forget Rio, the woman had his full attention. “So, do you work for the park service now?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m with?—”

“JoJo! What are you doing here?”

The voice made him turn, and he froze.

Cover. Blown. Shoot. Except?—

“Skye. Hey.” Across from him, JoJo got up, gave Skye Parker, Rio’s wife, a hug.

Sweat chilled his spine.

“What are you doing here?” Skye said and then turned to Crew, who’d also stood up. She raised an eyebrow.

“Long story. This is Crew. I met him…well…in the woods. And it’s not how it sounds.”

“Crew,” Skye said. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too, ma’am.” He nodded his head.

Skye narrowed her eyes at him, glanced at JoJo. And he could practically read her mind.

Stay. Away.

Don’t get her mixed up in this.

And then his entire body turned cold. Wait?—

“I’m headed back up to base camp after we’re done with our pizza,” JoJo said.

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