Wolf River, page 22
“I know you said last night you’d stop by the day-care center today to read to the kids.” Lily spoke hurriedly. “But it’s not going to work out, Erinn. I won’t be there.” Her voice quavered. “Would you mind if we reschedule?”
“Lily, what’s wrong?” She’d never heard Lily sound this upset. Even yesterday, when they’d discussed Rawley’s shooting, she hadn’t sounded this unnerved.
Devon glanced up from her bowl of Frosted Flakes.
“Culp’s missing.” Lily choked down a sob. “He never returned from patrol this morning. No one’s seen him in the bunkhouse—or anywhere. His rig’s not here either.”
“You tried to reach him on his cell?”
“For the past few hours. There’s no answer.” Lily drew a deep breath. “I’m hoping he just ran out of gas. Or the truck broke down and his cell isn’t working, or—”
“I’m sure that’s all it is,” Erinn said quickly, but she was not sure at all. And she knew Lily wasn’t either. A lick of apprehension trickled down her spine.
Culp had wanted so badly to get his hands on whoever had shot Rawley, whoever had been killing off Fortune cattle. What if he’d gotten his wish, found whoever was responsible?
Or what if they’d found him?
“We’ve started a search,” Lily said. “My pop’s out there already—so are Jase and Colton. Stitch and I are leaving now in one of the trucks. Some of our hands are searching on horseback, and Sheriff Farley’s on his way with some deputies.”
“What can I do?” Erinn asked. She felt Devon’s gaze on her. “No, never mind,” she continued before Lily could answer. “We’re coming over there. At least I can make sandwiches and coffee for when you come back, and stay by the phone in case Culp calls the house. If it’s okay with you,” she finished.
“Erinn, that would be great.” Lily’s voice shook with gratitude. “Rawley will be here. He’s still under doctor’s orders. So you won’t be alone…”
Her voice trailed off. Erinn realized the unspoken implication behind that statement. She wouldn’t be alone at Fortune’s Way—in case Culp had fallen victim to whoever had been attacking the ranch and its people; in case whoever it was brought his grudge—and the danger—to the ranch house itself.
“We’ll be there soon,” she promised Lily and hung up.
Quickly she filled Devon in. “You should hurry and get ready,” she said, quickly rinsing her coffee cup and Devon’s bowl in the sink, shoving them in the dishwasher.
“I want to tell you something first.”
Erinn turned in surprise at the seriousness of Devon’s tone. The girl was staring at the table, but slowly she looked up.
“I came out of the barn last night when you were on the porch at Fortune’s Way talking to Lily. I heard you tell her you’d come to the day-care center today—to read to the kids.”
“Yes.” She bit her lip. “Devon, I meant to tell you sooner—”
“Wait,” her sister interrupted. She got up awkwardly and as Erinn fell silent, the girl limped into the master bedroom. She returned with the copy of Princess Devonshire and the Big Surprise that Erinn had left on the dresser when she’d unpacked her suitcase.
“I already know,” she said matter-of-factly. “I went to your room last night before we went to Fortune’s Way. I wanted to ask you how my new clothes looked on me—but you were still in the shower. Then I saw this.” She set the book on the kitchen table and Erinn could see that her hands were shaking.
“You wrote a book about Princess Devonshire,” she said slowly. Pain and confusion shone in her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to, Devon. That’s why I brought the book with me when I came to Wolf River.” Erinn’s heart squeezed painfully in her chest. Now she understood Devon’s silence in the car yesterday when they drove to Fortune’s Way. She’d found the book.
“I wanted you to know that I never really stopped thinking about you. Or caring about you. That the time we spent together when you were little was important to me. That you were important to me. And you still are, Devon. You always will be.”
Erinn heard the quiver in her own voice as her sister gazed at her, biting her lip uncertainly. “I meant to tell you about the Princess Devonshire books sooner, but I…I never found the right moment. So much happened—with Hank and Mick, the car accident—”
“You used to make up stories.” Devon’s voice was a whisper. “About a mouse who was a princess—and a superhero. You named her after me.”
“That’s right. You always loved listening to Devonshire’s adventures. Do you remember them?”
Devon nodded. “Every night there was a different one. They were always in the Emerald Forest—the animals, that is. Devonshire and all her friends. Squeaker the Squirrel,” she said, her gaze fixed on Erinn. “Chunky the Chipmunk. And Devonshire’s enemy—that goose. Smo…smo…”
“Smogul,” Erinn murmured, her throat tight.
“Smogul always called Devonshire a rat.”
“He still does, Devon.”
A look of wonder crossed her sister’s face. “You really didn’t forget,” Devon breathed. “You didn’t forget about me…all those years.” Her eyes were wide, tears sparkling on her pale lashes. “You really did c-call me, Tiffany? You…wrote to me, like you said?”
“Yes.” Erinn didn’t remember going to her, but suddenly she was touching her sister’s cheek, cupping her thin face in her hands. “I did, Devon. I thought Annabeth would give you the phone messages. She was your nanny and she knew even more than your mother did how close we were. I was sure she’d see you got my letters. I tried…in the beginning…I shouldn’t have stopped—”
“You really did write those books for me,” Devon choked out suddenly, and Erinn wrapped her arms around her as the girl began to cry.
“I never knew you th…thought about me again. I thought you didn’t…c-care—”
“I did, Devon. I do.” Erinn held her tighter as her sister’s shoulders shook with sobs. She felt tears spilling from her own eyes as love and sadness and pain ached from deep within her and she rocked her sister in her arms.
“I made mistakes, Devon,” she whispered. “I went back one time and tried to visit you but he was horrible to me. I should have stayed, faced him down, waited there until I could see you. I know that now—but I didn’t then. I ran.”
Slowly Devon lifted her head, staring through tear-filmed eyes. “You…went back? Really?”
“Yes.” Erinn’s mouth compressed. “But I was a coward. The Great Dane tore into me and I let him get to me, I let him drive me away—”
“But you didn’t forget,” Devon whispered wonderingly. “You tried.”
“Yes, I tried, but not hard enough.” Erinn blinked back her own tears. “I wasn’t as strong as I should have been. I—” She broke off, reaching for Devon, smoothing her hair as more sobs burst from her sister’s throat. “I swear I’m going to make it up to you, Devon. I’m going to take care of you from now on.”
“Do you…p-promise?” Erinn could barely hear Devon’s choked-out words, but she saw the longing in those swollen eyes and felt a surge of hope. Hope for a second chance.
“I promise.” She squeezed Devon’s hand and kissed her wet cheek. “I won’t ever let you down again,” she whispered, holding the girl tight as Devon’s body shook with sobs. “You can count on me, Devon. Today. Tomorrow. Always.”
They were late getting to Fortune’s Way. Lily had already left with Stitch by the time they arrived, but Rawley was sitting on a chair on the front porch, scowling out from beneath his Stetson.
“No word yet, Miz Winters,” he told her as she and Devon came up the steps. “Lily said you’re to go on inside and make yourselves comfortable.”
“Can I go out to the barn and see the horses?” Devon asked, glancing hopefully back and forth between the grizzled foreman and her sister.
“It’s up to Mr. Cooper.”
He shoved his hat back. “I reckon I can use a little help with ’em today seein’ as we’re short-handed. Me and Charley are the only hands left at home right now.” His eyes gleamed critically at the slight blonde-haired teenager. “You wantin’ to ride or to work?”
“Both.” Devon met his gaze hopefully and the foreman’s harsh, sunburned face softened ever so slightly.
“Devon, don’t forget, you’re supposed to be careful of your ankle,” Erinn reminded her, but Rawley shook his head.
“I’ll take care of her, ma’am, don’t you worry. She’s got a bad foot, I’ve got a bum arm. We’ll help each other. You comin’, little miss?”
He started toward the barn and Erinn watched as Devon limped after him. Her limp was less noticeable today. Already, her ankle was healing.
Inside the ranch house Erinn confronted silence. It felt strange. No voices filled the house that only last night had been brimming with a lively array of people, smells, tastes, and conversation.
And most of all, Jase wasn’t here.
She closed her eyes a moment, thinking of last night, their incredible lovemaking in the barn. And the way he’d kissed her breathless just before they reentered Fortune’s Way. She’d felt young and silly and as if her happiness was glowing like a beacon in her face, and she’d been sure his family must know what she was feeling, what they’d been doing when they’d disappeared for all that time. But to her relief, even Lily hadn’t said a word, or cocked an eyebrow.
Did Jase sleep last night after we went our separate ways? she wondered, wandering into the living room. She hadn’t—at least, not very much.
She glanced up at the painting of Anne Fortune, studying the luminous pearls around her throat, the pearls Jase’s first wife had stolen from Lily. She had a feeling that Carly’s betrayal of both his mother’s memory and his sister had been every bit as painful to Jase as her cheating had been.
Suddenly the phone rang in the kitchen and she raced back and grabbed it from its cradle.
“Fortune residence.”
“Erinn?” Jase sounded surprised. “What are you doing there? Did something happen at the cabin?” he asked tautly.
“No, I’m just holding the fort. Lily told me about Culp going missing. Please tell me you found him.”
“Not yet.” She could hear the tension in his voice. “But we will. Where’s Lily?”
“She left to help search for him. She was gone when I got here—”
“Damn it. I told her to stay put until we know what happened to Culp,” he growled. “The last thing I need to do is worry about Lily too—”
“She’s with Stitch,” Erinn told him quickly. “She should be there soon. She’s okay, Jase. How are you?”
“I’d be better if Lily had listened to me. Erinn, is Devon there with you too?”
“Yes…well, sort of. She’s in the barn with Rawley at the moment.”
“Good. Stay there, both of you. Don’t go back to the cabin until we figure out what’s going on. Because if Wheeler is behind any or all of this, he might be a lot more angry and a lot more dangerous than we thought. And if Devon knows something—anything—not only can she help us, but…she could be in danger.”
Erinn felt cold at his words. She turned toward the window, studying the road.
“We’ll wait here until you get back. Jase—” She bit her lip. “Be careful.”
“You too.” His voice softened. “Stay close to the house, Erinn. Don’t let your guard down, not until we know what’s going on.”
She shivered as she set the phone down, then busied herself making coffee and assembling turkey-and-cheese sandwiches, which she wrapped in foil and stored on a platter in the fridge. Just as she began pacing, her stomach churning at the lack of news, she saw a flash of movement through the window.
An old Silverado was hurtling fast down the long drive. She tensed, glancing toward the stable and outbuildings. Rawley and Devon were still inside, and there was no sign of Charley or any other ranch hand about.
She stepped warily onto the porch as the pickup jerked to a stop and LeeAnn Culpepper jumped out.
“You?” LeeAnn looked astounded and none too happy to see Erinn standing on the Fortune porch. “What the hell are you doing here?”
As she came up the steps, it was clear she hadn’t even taken time to brush her hair, much less put on any makeup. For once her narrow, foxlike face was pale, without a trace of blush; her eyes squinting in the sunlight looked naked without the heavy black eyeliner.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded again. “Did they find my brother yet?”
“Not that I know of. I’m waiting for news—”
“Where’s Jase?” LeeAnn snapped.
Despite the woman’s brusqueness, Erinn felt a wave of sympathy for her.
“He’s out searching for Culp along with the rest of his family and most of the ranch hands. Why don’t you come in? You look like you could use a cup of coffee—”
“I don’t have time for coffee. I’m going to look for my brother.” LeeAnn spun around, but in her haste stumbled on the top step and only at the last second caught herself from falling.
“Come on,” Erinn said firmly. “Sit down for a minute. Lots of people are out there looking. They’ll call as soon as they find him.”
“I don’t need the likes of you telling me what to do,” LeeAnn barked, then she stiffened, her face crumpling like a child’s.
“I know I’m…being a bitch. It’s just—” Tears tumbled down her cheeks. “Donnie’s the only family I got left,” she grated, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes. “If anything happens to him…”
“He probably got stranded and he’s waiting for help…or else he’s walking home. Someone will find him,” Erinn assured her, hoping it was true.
“Yeah. They will, right?” LeeAnn had swiped away the tears, but her eyes were still red-rimmed and bleak. “Guess I will take that cup of coffee before I head out. I usually start the day with three cups, but this morning, I didn’t have time. Soon as I got the news—” She broke off, swallowing hard. “Something tells me it’s going to be a long day,” she muttered bleakly.
In the end, Erinn made her toast as well as coffee and found herself listening as LeeAnn slumped in a chair at the kitchen table and began to unload.
“Donnie and me, we’ve had to depend on each other for a long time.” LeeAnn took a long drink of steaming black coffee. “Our folks died in a freeway wreck when I was seventeen. Culp’s three years older. He took care of both of us after that.” She couldn’t seem to stop chattering.
“He could have just taken off, looked after himself, but no—he’s always been there for me. The only man who ever really was,” she added as she set down her mug with a thump on the table. Suddenly she seemed to recall exactly whom she was talking to.
“Jase called me this morning to let me know Culp hadn’t come back from patrol.” Her eyes pierced into Erinn. “I guess he must have called you too. Or—based on what I saw of you two at the barn dance—maybe he didn’t have to call you at all.”
The implication was clear. LeeAnn was fishing, Erinn realized. No doubt wondering if she and Jase had spent the night together in Jase’s barn.
“Actually, it was Lily who called me. I was supposed to meet her today and she wanted to reschedule.”
LeeAnn took another sip of coffee, then slanted a glance at her. “You’re seeing him, though, aren’t you?”
“I’m renting a cabin from him.” Erinn had no intention of discussing her relationship with Jase with LeeAnn Culpepper. She didn’t even fully understand what was going on between them herself, any more than she understood the laws of molecular physics.
“It’s okay, you know. You can tell me.” LeeAnn raked a hand through her messy red hair and sighed. “I’m not going to have a meltdown and scream at you about stealing my man. Jase and I are over. We’ve been over for the better part of two months now.”
She threw Erinn a knowing look, her eyes narrowing. “You and he will be over soon too. Count on it. The first hint he gets that things might get the least bit serious—” She snapped her fingers. “He’ll hightail it out of your life so fast you’ll miss him if you blink.”
Despite herself, Erinn felt pain stab her. She wasn’t surprised by LeeAnn’s words. She’d been thinking much the same thing all along. She’d known about Jase’s aversion to serious relationships since her first day in Wolf River. She’d known it when she kissed him, when they’d made love.
Except she’d forgotten it all in the heat of his arms, in the way he made her feel when she was with him, the way he stopped her world, and sent caution and wisdom scattering like tumbleweed.
He’d filled her mind, her soul, her heart.
Yet standing here in his home, with this woman who knew the score even better than she, a chill of reality surged through her.
“Speaking of Jase,” she managed in an even tone, “why don’t you call him for an update before you set out. Maybe they—”
The phone rang. LeeAnn’s body went rigid as Erinn snatched it up.
“We just found Culp’s rig,” Jase said tersely. “He’s not in it.”
Acid churned in Erinn’s stomach. “Was it a breakdown? He might be hiking back—”
“It doesn’t look that way. There’s no sign of exterior damage to the rig. I’m there now, we’re checking it out.”
Erinn’s throat closed at the somberness of his tone. LeeAnn was watching her through those keen, red-rimmed eyes.
“Erinn, there’s more. We found blood on the road,” Jase said.
Blood. Oh, God, no.
“There’s traces of it in several places—looks like he must have been hurt and tried to crawl away—or else he was dragged.”
She closed her eyes. She didn’t want to think of Culp being hurt, dragged away…
Especially with LeeAnn here, listening to every word. “What happens now?” she asked carefully.
“The forensics team’s on their way,” Jase replied. “We’re not calling off the search—just refocusing it. Culp may just be injured, and there’s a chance he crawled somewhere of his own volition and is lying nearby, unconscious or unable to call out. We’re going to fan out from here and search every inch of the road and the ridge below as well as the hillside.”
