Chapter Twenty-Five

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

T HE SHERIFF TOLD himself that he’d done everything he could to make sure Bailey would be safe today as he dressed for the barbecue. He felt as if the two of them had been holding their collective breaths for days, afraid the man wouldn’t wait, that he would strike when they least expected it.

Finally, it was Saturday. His nerves felt raw. He regretted even going along with this even as he knew Bailey wasn’t about to back out. That meant he’d be there doing everything he could to keep her alive. The problem was that anything could happen. They’d gone through various scenarios until she’d finally told him to stop.

“Don’t you think that I’ve already thought of what I would do if I were him ?” Bailey had demanded as she’d paced his small living room. “How to get me away from the crowd. Couldn’t use the same ruse. Would need possibly a diversion. Maybe start a fire. Or set off firecrackers in the crowd to panic everyone that it was gunfire.” She’d looked over at him. “What?”

“You. I know it’s strange, but I love the way your mind works—even though it scares the bejesus out of me,” he said.

She’d smiled and had looked as if she was going to say, When this is over... But she turned away, biting down on her lower lip. “We’re ready. We’ve done all we can.”

Stuart nodded. He had deputies standing by, close but not too close to the McKenna Ranch. He couldn’t chance that the man might spot one of them and not show up.

He and Bailey would be going out to the ranch together. He wasn’t about to let her go alone for fear she’d never make it there. His plan was to try to be by her side as much as possible. After all, she was his fiancée, and this party was to celebrate their engagement. It would be odd if he didn’t stick close to her.

But he knew that he couldn’t watch her the whole time. He’d actually gotten the feeling that she didn’t want him to. She wanted the killer to make his move today so this could end—one way or the other.

The thought terrified him. He would do whatever it took to make sure that when this day was over, Bailey was alive and coming home with him.

Yet he knew the odds were against them. Just like the first barbecue, there would be a lot of people. It would be impossible to watch them all.

But he told himself that this time, the killer would have to be more creative to get to Bailey. She knew he was coming. He had to suspect that this was a trap. But if she was right about the man, he would see it as a challenge. He and his accomplice, Stuart reminded himself. The man wouldn’t come to the barbecue alone.

B AILEY TRIED TO breathe as Stuart drove the patrol SUV into the McKenna Ranch. The place looked like it had twelve years ago. Lights were strung around a huge deck that had been constructed for the event. A mixture of classic country played from a sound system. Several makeshift bars had been set up.

As Stuart parked, she could already hear the clink of ice in glasses, the murmur of voices as the caterers finished up work to leave as per plan and the ranch hand bartenders got ready for the rush to begin. Other ranch hands had set up tables and were taking care of barbecuing the meat.

The fall day was perfect, all blue sky and puffy white clouds drifting on the warm breeze. The air even smelled the same, the scents of dried fall leaves and grasses mixing with those of the beef and pork roasting on the spits.

Bailey felt herself freeze, her heart pounding. The thought of stepping out into the coming chaos stole her breath. He might already be here waiting for her. She took a breath and then another.

“You can change your mind,” Stuart said next to her.

She smiled over at him and reached for his hand, squeezing it and feeling his strength as well as his love. “You have no idea what you’ve done for me. I’d never be able to thank you enough.”

“Bailey—”

“Don’t worry, I’m not saying goodbye. I just needed to tell you that I couldn’t get through this without knowing that I’m not just fighting to stay alive. I’m fighting for a happy ending I never dreamed possible. I love you, Stuart, with all my heart.”

He squeezed her hand back, his eyes shiny. “I never thought I’d hear you say those words.”

“I should have sooner, but—”

“You weren’t ready.”

She shook her head, glad he understood. “I’m ready for whatever comes next.” She checked the knife strapped to her thigh beneath her sundress. Her phone was in the small cocktail bag she carried. She doubted she’d have time to use it, but Stuart could track the phone if he lost sight of her.

“You look beautiful,” he said, and leaned over to kiss her. It was the most passionate kiss they’d shared. For a moment, they stayed locked in each other’s arms.

At a tap on the side window, they both started.

H OLDEN HAD THOUGHT the engagement was part of the ruse—just like the barbecue to celebrate it. But seeing the two of them locked together, he realized that Bailey and Stuart were actually in love.

He’d hesitated for a moment before tapping on the patrol SUV window. They pulled apart, both not happy to see him. But he needed to talk to them before things got crazy. More rigs were pulling in. Stuart had parked in a spot where he would be able to get out quickly if necessary. Pickett was directing valet parking and taking keys so no one left without him knowing it. As if Holden could forget what this event was really about.

“Some of the family has gathered in the house,” Holden said. “They want to congratulate the two of you on your engagement before everyone else gets here.” Of course, family would come to the barbecue because of Bailey’s engagement, and their family had grown in the past twelve years. He wondered if Stuart had taken that into consideration before he and Bailey had come up with this plan.

“Are you doing all right?” Stuart asked.

The rancher swore. “Why wouldn’t I be?” He looked past the sheriff to his daughter and felt emotion choke off any words he might have uttered. Turning, he headed for the house, telling himself he could do this. He hadn’t lived almost sixty years and survived everything he’d been through not to be able to play his role. He shook hands with one of the ranchers, kissed the man’s wife’s cheek, and excused himself as he entered the house.

“The engaged couple has arrived,” he announced. “They’re on their way in. I had to break them up.” There were chuckles around the room.

“Bailey and Stuart, who knew,” Tilly said, her hand on her large baby bump. She looked as if she might have the baby before the day was out.

“They make a great couple,” her husband said. Cooper had been Stuart’s best friend since they were boys. If he’d been surprised by the engagement, he didn’t show it.

Holden wondered what they would all say when they found out the real reason for the barbecue. He figured not much—unless this day had a tragic ending.

He pushed that thought away as Stuart and Bailey entered the house and the family swept around them. Holden watched as even Holly Jo joined them. The only McKenna family members missing were Treyton, who had been scarce for months, and Duffy, who was still working down in Wyoming.

But some of the Stafford family was here, including Oakley and Pickett and her younger brothers Ryder and Brand with his fiancée, Birdie. The women all had to see the ring. The men had to slap the sheriff on the back.

At one point, Stuart caught his eye. “I better get busy,” Holden said. “Sounds like our guests are arriving.” His job was to play host and not get duped by one of the wives into putting Bailey in danger.

For the life of him, he couldn’t remember who’d told him about there being a horse out at the barbecue twelve years ago. It was driving him a little batty trying to recall.

But better to worry about that, he told himself as he stopped to hug his daughter on the way outside, than what might happen today. He held Bailey too long and too tight, but she let him.

B AILEY WISHED AGAIN that this was all real. She was so touched by the family’s sincere best wishes. She’d never thought the McKennas and Staffords could ever come together the way they had. She’d grown up in the middle of the feud between her father and Charlotte Stafford. All of the children and the ranch hands had gotten dragged into it over the years. To see peace between at least the offspring made her heart swell.

She hated how emotional she felt when Elaine came out to draw her into the kitchen with the promise of a surprise. Bailey felt Stuart tense next to her.

“She’ll be fine,” Elaine said. “I won’t keep her long.”

The moment they reached the kitchen, the housekeeper, who’d been more like a mother to her, demanded to know what was going on.

“I don’t know what—”

“Don’t even bother lying to me,” Elaine snapped. “I’ve had enough of it from your father.”

Bailey looked toward the closed door. “In a nutshell? At the barbecue twelve years ago, I was assaulted and almost killed by one of the ranchers invited here today.” Elaine’s hand went to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. “Recently he killed Willow. He plans to kill me. This barbecue is to lure him out.”

“Oh, my God,” Elaine breathed. “No wonder your father didn’t tell me. What can I do?”

“Watch for a diversion. That’s when he’ll make his move. Just don’t get hurt.”

The older woman nodded and impulsively pulled Bailey into a hug. It had been years since they’d touched. Bailey hadn’t realized how much she’d missed human contact.

Elaine drew back, wiping her eyes with the end of her apron. “Thank you for telling me. I thought your father had lost his mind.” They both chuckled at that, but the sound of laughter died quickly from their lips. “Be careful.”

Bailey nodded. “You too. I’m worried things might get out of control and innocent people will get hurt.” She started to leave when Elaine said, “Your engagement?” She turned back and shook her head.

“I was afraid it wasn’t real,” the housekeeper said.

“But Stuart and I do love each other.”

Elaine smiled. “Good.”

“You don’t happen to remember who told my father that one of the horses had gotten out twelve years ago, do you?”

Elaine frowned. “Good heavens, no. It wasn’t me. Is that...” Her voice broke, and she shook her head as if not letting herself go there. “I wondered why you changed so much.” She cleared her voice. “It’s good to have you back. I’ve missed you.”

Bailey nodded, their gazes locking for a moment, before she left the kitchen. Yes, she was back—at least for the moment.

S TUART QUICKLY MOVED to Bailey as she came out of the kitchen. From her expression, he could tell what had happened with her and Elaine. The women had been close, almost like mother and daughter. Until twelve years ago.

He pulled his fiancée into his arms, giving her a smile of encouragement. It was going to be a long day. He wanted to pull the plug on this and get her the hell out of here. If they left Montana, left the country... He brushed a kiss on her neck and felt her shiver before he whispered, “Say the word and we skip town and don’t look back.”

She laughed softly as if he’d said something sweet and endearing before pulling back to look at him. “I’m in this for the long haul, and you know it.”

“I suppose we’d better mingle, then,” he said, glancing toward the crowd that had gathered outside under the twinkling lights.

Stuart took her hand, and they stepped out of the house and into the crowd of ranchers and their wives. It quickly became a blur of voices and faces, handshakes and good-old-boy slaps on the back. He didn’t want to let go of Bailey, but they were pulled apart as ranchers wanted to talk to him and their wives wanted to hear about the wedding. Have you found a dress yet...how long have you been seeing each other...you two have certainly kept it a secret...let me see that ring again ... it’s so beautiful.

The sheriff kept track of her by the sound of her voice that he knew so well until the roar of the crowd grew too loud. He looked for her, trying not to panic when he didn’t see her at once. One of the wives appeared to be talking her ear off, drawing her to the edge of the crowd.

He recognized the woman. Angie Erickson, Jay’s wife. He excused himself from a discussion about the rise of vandalism and pushed his way toward the two of them. Even from a distance, he could tell that they weren’t talking about weddings or dresses or marriage.

“There a problem here?” Stuart asked as he joined them.

Angie, her face screwed up in obvious anger, had been in the middle of warning Bailey about something. She checked her expression and took a step back, her gaze going to Bailey before settling on him.

“You have any idea what kind of woman you’re marrying?” Angie asked, and looked at Bailey again. “If she publishes that so-called book of hers...” Her gaze swept back to him. “Well, it might be a short engagement, let alone marriage.”

“I hope you’re not threatening my fiancée,” Stuart said. “There is a law against it. Unless you want to see the inside of my jail...”

Angie’s mouth snapped shut. With a glare at Bailey, she huffed off.

“You all right?” he asked, noticing that Bailey looked pale.

“I’m fine. I’ve dealt with the Durham family before,” Bailey said. “I thought at first that Angie was trying to get me alone for something else. We haven’t completely ruled Jay out, right?”

“Right.”

She looked past him, back toward the bar. “I could use something to drink.” They’d agreed earlier that neither of them would eat or drink anything that could have been tampered with. It seemed paranoid, but then again, was it paranoia when the killer was real?

“I’ll get you a bottled water, but don’t set it down, okay?”

Bailey nodded. “I know he’s here,” she said, looking into the crowd. “I can feel him.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “I just want him to make his move.”