Page 330 of Rangers Unexpected Return

Someone had searched the evidence room.

Someone inside the sheriff’s department might still be helping the Mills family.

Tate couldn’t leave the town unprotected.

Neither could Carson, if his captain was involved, he had to stay behind.

The Magnolia Ladies had been returned to the tavern under protest.

A great deal of protest.

Mabel had pointed one finger at Wolf and said, “You call us the second you find that girl.”

Wolf had promised.

He’d known better than to argue.

I stared through the dark window.

Clouds swallowed the ground beneath us.

Somewhere ahead, a woman I had spent eighteen years believing was dead might be bleeding.

Might be hiding.

Might already be gone.

My stomach twisted.

Mace placed a cup of coffee in my hand.

I looked down at it.

Black.

Exactly what I needed.

“I didn’t ask for this.”

“You were going to.”

Despite everything, a small smile escaped.

“I’ve always loved coffee.”

“I know. I remember everything about you.”

My fingers tightened around the cup.

He looked out the window as if he hadn’t just said something that made it difficult to breathe.

“You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m trying to concentrate.”

He turned back toward me.