We stood at the back of the barn. All the animals other than the ducks were out in the pastures so we could have that quiet.
Roan had the barn door open as wide as it would go. All the stalls were closed, so there was only one path to the outside.
Slowly, he opened Dory’s stall and stepped inside.
The doe eyed him suspiciously. She’d filled out with all the food she was getting here and would be in good shape for winter. She pawed the ground, keeping her distance from Roan.
He moved incredibly slowly, nothing sudden or startling. Just easing her bit by bit toward the stall’s entrance.
Dory looked from him to the open door and back. She sniffed the air, took a step, then another one. Her head poked out of the stall, and Cady squeezed my hand hard.
Dory halted, unsure if she wanted to leave her sanctuary. At least with where she was, she knew what to expect. She had no idea what was outside.
Roan simply waited, giving the deer time to get accustomed to the idea.
Her head lifted again, revealing the little patch of white on her neck. Her ears twitched, and she stepped out into the aisle. Then she froze, staring at Cady and me.
I sent her every loving kindness I could think of. Silent messages that everything would be okay. That she was healed now. Safe. That she could be free.
I swore something passed over the doe’s eyes. Then she turned and trotted down the aisle and into the early morning sunshine.
We followed after her, watching as she bounded down my drive and into a field across the street. Tears gathered in my eyes as Cady wandered down the driveway for a better view.
Roan stopped beside me, glancing down and taking in my falling tears. He lifted his hand and used his thumb to wipe away the moisture. “What are these about?”
“I just want her to be okay,” I whispered.
Roan’s hand tracked down, squeezing the back of my neck. “My Tender Heart.”
My breath hitched. At the nickname. At the claiming of sorts.
He lowered his head and pressed his lips to my forehead. “She has a fighting chance because of you.”
“Mama!” Cady yelled. “She found her friends!”
Roan released me, moving toward Cady. But it took me a beat to get my legs to work. As if the brush of those lips had short-circuited my brain. Finally, I forced myself forward.
Cady pressed into Roan’s side. “Do you see them?”
“I do,” he said gruffly.
In the field across the road, a band of six deer gathered. One nosed Dory in greeting, and a fresh wash of tears found me.
“Mama, why are you crying?”
“I’m happy, Katydid. We got Dory back to her family.”
“We did, huh?” she mumbled.
“Not bad for a pre-school activity,” I said.
Cady groaned. “Do I have to go to school?”
My brows rose at that. “You love school. And Charlie will be so sad if you’re not there.”
“I know, but it won’t be nearly as cool as this.”
Roan chuckled. “Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new animal friend at recess.”
Hope lit in Cady’s eyes. “We did find a frog once.”
“See, more adventures to be had. Now, we need to get going or we’ll be late,” I said.
Roan helped me get Cady into my station wagon with her backpack in tow. As I closed her in, I looked up at him. “Thanks. For all your help and—”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” he grumbled.
My lips twitched. “Maybe I like thanking you.”
Roan only grunted. “Text me. Let me know how the drop-off goes.”
I read the subtext beneath his words. He wanted to know if Katelyn gave me any trouble. “I will. See you tonight?”
He jerked his head in a nod. “Drive safe.”
I climbed behind the wheel and headed down the drive. There was a war waging in my chest cavity, hope and fear dueling it out in epic proportions. My fingers gripped the wheel tighter as I turned toward town.
I wanted to let myself sink into the warmth that was having Roan in my life. Not to question what this was or what would happen. But that was impossible when I’d lived through what I had. When the person I loved most had been ripped away. It made me doubt that the good things had the power to stay.
Turning into the parking lot, I realized Cady had been talking the entire drive. I winced. Mother of the year over here.
As I pulled to a stop, I caught sight of Charlie waiting by one of the teachers. “Looks like you’ve got company.”
Cady grinned, unhooking her booster seat straps. She was already out and headed for Charlie by the time I rounded the car. He waved at me and grabbed her hand, leading her toward school. Leaving me in the dust.
The teacher smiled. “Those two are a love story in the making.”
I laughed. “You might be right there.”
I just hoped it had a happy ending.
Climbing back into my car, I headed for The Brew. There were more cars parked out front than usual, and I cursed. Zeke would not be happy dealing with all the customers alone.
There must be a tour group in town. They came through occasionally, led by outdoor guides who put the groups up at the B&B or Caden’s family’s resort, The Peaks, if the trip was fancier.
I hurried out of my car and toward the front door. The bell rang as I stepped inside.
The moment the door closed behind me, people were on their feet. Flashes went off, and microphones were shoved in my face.
“Tara, do you still claim that John is guilty?”
“Do you regret your testimony?”
“Where is Lucy?”
My breaths came in quick pants as the crowd surrounded me, black spots dancing in my vision.
I’d been found.
27
ROAN
I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel as I sat parked just out of view at the trailhead. We were all spending time at various spots we thought might be likely stomping grounds for the unsub. But my thoughts were a million miles away.
I glanced at my phone for the millionth time. Still nothing from Aspen. It wasn’t like her to say she’d do something and not follow through. She’d had plenty of time to drop Cady off and get to work by now.
Worry gnawed at my gut. I reached for my phone to call her, but the device rang before I could even unlock it. Lawson’s name flashed across the screen, and I hit accept.
“Hey,” I greeted.
“We’ve got a problem.”
That worry in my gut turned to panic. “What?” I growled.
“Those assholes released the podcast. Aspen got to work, and a dozen reporters were waiting for her. Apparently, they sent it to the press yesterday afternoon, hoping to get more coverage.”
I spat out a stream of curses as I started my truck. “Where is she?”
“In my office. She’s okay but shaken up. I sent Grae to get Cady, just in case. She’s going to give her and Charlie a fun skipping school day.”
That grinding sensation was back along my sternum. Grae would take care of Cady, I knew it, but God, I wanted to string those podcasters up by their entrails. “I’m on my way.”
I hung up without another word, needing to focus on the road. On getting to Aspen.