Death and Her Devotion (Rogue Vows #1)(25)

“We need to have another talk with them. I’m getting real tired of people not telling me the truth.”

The crunch of tires outside made Stevie peer out the window. “It’s Carly.”

“What’s going on?” Alex finished the second granola bar and stared at Stevie with suspicious eyes. “You didn’t call child services about me, did you? My mom has always said they’d try to separate us.”

Stevie sighed and sat next to Alex. “I’m concerned that your mom isn’t here and that she didn’t leave you with anything to eat. I’m also worried about your mom. I saw her earlier today and she was very upset. Until we find her, I’d feel better if you were with a trustworthy adult. As soon as your mom turns up, we’ll make certain you see her.”

Alex’s pale-blue eyes studied Stevie, and she felt the weight of the child’s assessment. “Are you lying to me?” she asked Stevie.

“No. I’m sincerely worried and won’t relax until there’s an adult to help you.”

“I know how to take care of myself. I’ve done it before.”

Stevie’s eyes narrowed. “For how long?”

Alex seemed to backpedal a bit. “For a few hours.”

Stevie wondered if she’d been about to claim a few days, and she would have believed the girl. Stevie fully accepted that Cyndee would leave her daughter alone overnight. “That’s my sister who just arrived,” she told Alex. “She’ll find you a place with lots of room and a full fridge, and I’ll let her know the minute your mom turns up. Promise.”

The child stared a moment longer and then nodded. Stevie sighed in relief. Alex could have made the situation very ugly.

She handed Alex off to Carly. “Where are you taking her?” she asked her sister in a low voice.

“Heidi and Dylan Jones have room.”

“Oh good.” Stevie knew Carly had been friends with Heidi forever. She had a nice family with a few kids.

“What’s going to happen tomorrow?” Carly asked as she put Alex in her car and closed the door.

“Well, it depends on when we find her mother—”

“No, not that. The wedding.”

Stevie had completely forgotten. She rubbed the back of her neck and avoided her sister’s prying stare. “I’ll find something to wear . . . you and Brianna should just wear nice dresses . . . and we’ll meet at the church as scheduled. The reception will have to be postponed for a few weeks.”

“Oh, Stevie. I’m so sorry.” Carly squeezed her hand.

She smiled. “It’s not a big deal. We’ll get the ceremony done. I think that’s the important part, right? I know Zane will be fine with whatever we do as long as we’re finally legal.” Her heart twinged at the thought of all her mom’s hard work at the grange, and she tried not to think about her dress.

She and Carly had made three long road trips to stores in Portland to find the right dress. Stevie had finally decided on a lovely gown, elegant and simple.

Small Town Rule #2: Living in a small town means you are totally fine with driving four hours to find a good clothing store.

She swallowed hard, remembering the swish of soft silk under her hands. It was only a dress. Not important. She glanced back at the man still glaring at the BlackBerry in his hand.

He’s what’s important.

“This time tomorrow, Zane and I’ll be married,” she said. The statement felt surreal, as if she were quoting a movie. Until she said the vows before the minister and heard the words from Zane’s lips, it would still be a hazy fantasy. “I love him,” she told Carly with a smile. “The loss of the reception and dress aren’t essential.”

We could be mourning the death of Carly’s daughter at this moment.

Or our mother.

“I think the fire showed me what’s truly important, and it’s my family and the fact that I’ll be marrying a man who makes me crazy.”

“I hope you mean crazy in love,” said Zane behind her.

She whirled around after giving Carly a glare for not warning her that Zane was behind her. “Absolutely. I can’t wait for tomorrow. Reception or no reception.”

“Me too,” he agreed with a grin that made her heart take a double beat. “But first, let’s ask the guys again what really happened the night of Chase’s death.”





CHAPTER TEN


Stevie was exhausted from the long day.

“We’re taking a break from the investigation tomorrow,” Zane promised as Stevie drove back to town from Cyndee’s trailer. “I’ve asked Rogue County to keep an eye out for Cyndee as a suspect in the grange fire. And I don’t care if Cyndee shows up and freaks out because her daughter is staying somewhere else. Tomorrow is for us.”

“We’ll make it work,” agreed Stevie. The sunlight had fully vanished and the roads were dark as she drove toward the old real estate office where Chase’s friends were staying. “Justice can wait a few hours while we get married.”

“I’ve waited long enough,” grumbled Zane.

“We’ve only known each other a little over a year,” Stevie pointed out. “It takes time to figure out if a future is possible.”

“I knew the first time I saw you.”