Her Grave Secrets (Rogue River #3)(24)

“General clean-up-type stuff. He didn’t have any construction skills to speak of.”

“I’d like to ask you some more questions about working with JD, but not during a party. Can you come down to the station tomorrow?”

Walt shrugged. “Sure. Or I have some free time now. You said you wanted me to look over some plans for your cabin addition? Can we combine the two?”

Zane perked up. He needed Walt’s expertise before he could do anything else on his cabin. “Definitely, I need some fresh eyes on a problem the foundation is creating for the expansion I want to do.” He glanced at Stevie. “Is it okay to disappear for an hour? I finished my turn at the smoker.” He looked around for Patsy but didn’t see her. “I’ll tell your mom I’ll be back in a bit. Obviously this party isn’t ending anytime soon.”

Stevie kissed him. “Just go. I’ll say something to her.”

Zane looked at Walt. “Your car or mine?”

“You drive.”



Stevie waved as Zane and Walt piled into Zane’s vehicle. She’d seen his eyes light up when Walt mentioned looking at his plans. Zane loved his cabin, and she did too, but he loved the physical work and planning even more. “It doesn’t feel like labor to me,” he’d told her months ago. “It’s a chance to move my brain in a different direction than police work, and I can see the changes every day. It’s rewarding, especially knowing that I’ll reap the benefits and know I built it with my own hands.”

He was like a little kid, proud of his creation. He’d eagerly showed off the changes to her the first time he’d taken her out to his cabin. He’d torn down a wall and tripled the size of the bathroom off the master. Stevie had studied the tile placement and admired the custom vanity he’d built by hand. “You haven’t done this before?” she’d asked.

“I’ve built some things over the years, but I’m learning a lot as I go.”

“Your detail is incredible.” It was. His tiles were even and smooth, and the hand-carved detail on the vanity nearly perfect.

“I spend a lot of time researching before I start each part. It’s taking forever, but I’m not in a hurry.”

Then he’d taken his time demonstrating what a couple could do in the luxury of the giant shower and spa tub. She’d nearly been late to work the next morning.

The memory made her cheeks warm, and she glanced around to see if anyone noticed she was smiling like a fool for no apparent reason.

She knew he’d been frustrated with the foundation issue he’d just mentioned to Walt. It’d created a roadblock in his progress that he was eager to solve. So Zane would miss an hour of the barbecue; not a big deal. She strolled back to her dessert table, thinking it was a good time to try Nell’s new peach cheesecake recipe.

She had eaten half a piece and was discussing the recipe with Nell when her mother approached.

“Great party as always, Patsy,” Nell said.

“Taste this, Mom.” Stevie held her fork out with a bite of cheesecake. “It’s insane. I’m trying to convince Nell to sell it at the deli.”

Patsy took the bite, but her forehead wrinkled as she chewed. “It’s delicious. I think Stevie’s right, Nell.”

Nell raised a brow at her. “You don’t look like you’re enjoying it. Your face says it’s sour.”

Patsy’s expression cleared. “Oh, no. The cheesecake is delicious! I’ve got something else on my mind.”

Stevie took another bite. Not sour. Absolute heaven. “What’s wrong?” she asked her mother. Nell accepted her assurances that the cheesecake was deli-worthy and was pulled aside by some other women to talk baking.

Patsy glanced around. “Where’s Zane?”

“He and Walt went out to his cabin to look at some plans. They won’t be gone long.”

“Now? He left in the middle of the barbecue?” Patsy craned her neck as she scanned the crowds. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I said goodbye to him. He was going to tell you, but I told him to go ahead and leave.” The concern on Patsy’s face made Stevie’s mouth dry up. She forced down her last bite of cheesecake. “What’s wrong?” she repeated.

Her mother continued to study the crowd and twisted a bit of hair between her fingers. “I don’t know. I’m feeling odd, and it’s centered around Zane. I don’t think he should have left.”

Stevie glanced around, unease crawling up her spine. “Is something going to happen here? Like you need him to stop something?”

“I don’t know. It just feels wrong.”

“I understand.” Stevie exhaled. She didn’t understand, but she’d learned to listen when her mother spoke like this. “Are all the grandkids here?”

Her mother nodded. “Brianna’s right over there, and I can see James with his two.”

Part of her spine relaxed. It’s not about the grandkids.

Patsy turned her head and stared at Stevie, blinking rapidly.

“What?” Stevie asked.

“I don’t know. Are you feeling okay?” Patsy stumbled over her words, eying Stevie in alarm.

Stevie froze. “Yes. Mom . . . what is it?”

Her mother covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know. I’m suddenly feeling overwhelmed and a bit nauseated.”