Picnic in Someday Valley (Honey Creek #2)(73)

He stumbled to his feet and decided tomorrow night he’d go after that rancher who thought he could butt into his business. Joey and the other boys would go with him on that one. If he could come up with a plan, he could talk that gang into anything after a night of drinking. He’d tell them that he was going out to get even. Make them think he was just going to beat Brand up and maybe steal a few things lying around. Once they got to the ranch, Leon knew he wouldn’t be leaving until the rancher was dead.

Then, he’d tell Marcie all about how Brand died. It’d give them something to talk about when he finally got her alone.





Sunday





Chapter 46


Piper


Piper wasn’t surprised to see Colby eating at the Honey Creek Café the next morning. He looked tired. For a moment she thought of stepping through the kitchen and leaving without talking to him, but he had come because she’d asked for help, even if he was two days late. The least she could do was thank him and wish him a good life.

As she walked toward him, she remembered how they’d made love upstairs many times, and laughed that the spirits who haunted the place were watching. Loving him was so easy. He was funny and caring and easy to tease. They’d hidden out and playfully made love on her little office couch just before the fire six months ago. When the smoke and the heat surrounded them, Colby never left her. He put her life above his own.

He’d stolen a piece of her heart that night, but they lived in two different worlds. Who knows, they might get together again sometime, but it would be as friends, not lovers.

He was a ranger. He lived the job. And she was a mayor with goals to make life better for the citizens of Honey Creek.

And now, in a crowded café with people watching, she had to say goodbye. Maybe for good.

When she reached his table, he stood.

“I wanted to thank you”—she used her very proper mayor voice—“for helping me with the legal matter. It was kind of you to come.”

“I have news.” He stopped her farewell speech. His worried glare said so much more. Both were being professional, but there was so much more than that in his eyes. A longing. A loss he feared was coming.

Colby pulled out a chair and she slid into the seat across from him. They were both behaving like strangers.

A lump filled her throat. How could they have slid from lovers to strangers so quickly? Even now the need to touch him was strong.

“I’ve had a friend checking files,” Colby said calmly, in a low voice so no one around would hear. “This guy who is bothering your friend may be a serial rapist, and he’s getting more violent. We don’t have enough to arrest him yet, but my partner believes his next target may not wake up from the attack.”

Piper felt the blood drain from her face.

Colby continued. “I can’t give you all the details, but you need to let your friend know she’s in great danger.”

“I tried to call her last night. Her phone went to voicemail.”

“I’ll go with you to look for her. I have an idea where she might be.”

“No. I know where she is. I’ll go over to Mr. Winston’s house. It’s on my way home. If she’s not there, I’ll check the sheriff’s office.” She tried to keep her words from sounding harsh. “I know you have to get back to Austin. I’ll let you know when I find her.”

Colby nodded. “Promise me you’ll stay in town. I worry that this guy knows you’re her friend. He might come after you just to hurt her.”

“I can take care of myself. Don’t worry about me, Ranger McBride.”

This was it, she thought. They were no longer lovers, or even, apparently, friends. All ties were breaking. But he couldn’t seem to walk away without saying something.

He stood and offered his hand. “I’ll walk you out.”

She took his arm, holding on a bit too tight. She had to be brave and let him go. If he yelled at her or blamed her for not holding on, then she’d say nothing and walk away.

But he said nothing as he walked beside her. In the parking lot, between her van and his bike, he finally turned and faced her.

“A part of you will always be in my heart, PJ.” His words were barely a whisper between them. “You can always call if you need anything.”

Piper couldn’t find the right words for once in her life.

“I’m not sure what went wrong, but it was all my fault. I’m sorry if I hurt you.” His words were so low she barely heard them.

She stood there, straight and proper. He’d apologized for the third time. He turned away as if there was nothing else to say.

She watched him walk back into the café. Maybe he was hoping she’d come back in, but she couldn’t.

Piper climbed into her van and headed toward Mr. Winston’s house. All that she loved about the area—the fall leaves, the sunshine over her town, the way everyone waved at her as they drove by—was lost on her. Not even the distant movement of the river could call to her today. She was wrapped in worry and hurt. She could feel trouble coming and all she wanted to do was have Colby wrap his arms around her.

Piper concentrated on not allowing a single tear to fall. She was used to being on stage. She knew how to not let her feelings show. Until he’d turned away from her, she’d thought deep down that one day they’d patch up whatever broke between them, but somehow that magic moment had passed.