B.J. Daniels - Justice at Cardwell Ranch

Stacy nodded.

Dana realized Hud was still in his coat, waiting, afraid to leave her alone with Stacy. “Are you going to pick up the kids?”

He gave her a questioning look.

“I thought you probably had more kids,” her sister said. “The toys and stuff around.”

Dana was still looking at her husband. She knew he didn’t trust Stacy, hated she’d been alone in their house while they were gone and worse, he didn’t want to leave the two of them alone. “Stacy and I will be fine.”

Still he hesitated. He knew better than anyone what her siblings were like.

“Stacy, would you mind getting me a drink of water?” The moment her sister left the room, Dana turned to her husband. “I’ll be fine ,” she said lowering her voice. “Go pick up the kids. I promise I won’t move until you get back.” She could tell that wasn’t what had him concerned.

He glanced toward the kitchen and the sound of running water. “I won’t be long.”

She motioned him over and smiled as he leaned down to kiss her. At the same time, he placed a large hand on her swollen stomach. The babies moved and he smiled.

“You have your cell phone if you need me?”

Dana nodded. “The marshal’s office is also on speed dial. I’ll be fine. Really.”

Stacy came back in with a glass full of water as Hud left. “I’m glad things have turned out good for you. Hud is so protective.”

“Thank you,” she said as she took the glass and studied her sister over the rim as she took a drink.

“I would have called,” Stacy said, “but I wanted to surprise you.”

“I’m surprised.” She watched her sister move around the room, touching one object after another, seeming nervous. Her first thought when she’d seen her sister was that she’d come here because she was in trouble.

That initial observation hadn’t changed. Now though, Dana was betting it had something to do with money. It usually did with Stacy, unfortunately.

Years ago Dana had found out just how low her sister would stoop if the price was right. She had good reason not to trust her sister.

“The place hasn’t changed at all,” Stacy was saying now. “Except for the pile of toys in the sunroom. I heard Hud say he was going to pick up the kids?”

“Hank and Mary, five and four.”

“You named your daughter after mother, that’s nice,” Stacy said. “I thought you probably would.” She seemed to hear what she’d said. “I want you to know I’m not upset about mother leaving you the ranch. You know me, I would have just blown the money.” She flashed a self-deprecating smile. “And you’re pregnant with twins! When are you due?”

“Eight weeks.” When she finally couldn’t take it anymore, Dana asked, “Stacy, what are you doing here?”

“It’s kind of a strange story,” her sister said, looking even more nervous.

Dana braced herself. If Stacy thought it was a strange story, then it could be anything. Her sister opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted.

From upstairs a baby began to cry.

“What is that?” Dana demanded.

“I haven’t had a chance to tell you,” Stacy said as she started for the stairs. “That’s Ella. That’s my other surprise. I have a baby.”

LIZA PARKED HER PICKUP ACROSS the road from Trail’s End and settled in to wait. She had a clear view of the small cabin Jordan had rented. Like a lot of Big Sky, the string of cabins were new. But it being off-season and the cabins’only view being Highway 191, she figured they weren’t too pricey. She wondered how Jordan was fixed for money and if that’s what had brought him back here.

Pulling out her phone, she called Hud’s cell. He answered on the third ring. She could hear the kids in the background and a woman’s voice. Hilde, Dana’s best friend. He must be at Needles and Pins.

“How’s Dana, boss?” she asked.

“Stubborn.”

She laughed. “So the doctor did prescribe bed rest.”

“Yes. Fortunately, I know you can run things just fine without me.”

“Probably more smoothly without you around,” she joked.

He must have heard something in her voice. “But?”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” she assured him. “But you might want to give Dana a heads-up.”

“Dana already knows. Stacy’s at the house right now.”

“Stacy?”

“Who were you talking about?” Hud asked.

“Jordan.”

She heard Hud swear under his breath.

“I saw him earlier on the ranch, actually at the family cemetery,” Liza said.

“What’s he doing in the canyon?”

“He didn’t say, but I found out where he’s staying. He’s rented a cabin past Buck’s T-4.” Buck’s T-4 was a local landmark bar and hotel. “I’m hanging out, watching to see what he’s up to.”

“Probably not the best way to spend taxpayers’ dollars, but I appreciate it. As far as I know, he hasn’t contacted Dana.”

“Let me know if he does. In the meantime, I’ll stick around here for a while.”

“You really need to get a life, deputy,” Hud said. “Thanks. Let me know if you need help.”

“So Stacy’s here, too?”

“We haven’t heard from any of them in six years and now two of them are in the canyon? This doesn’t bode well.”

That had been her thought exactly.

“I don’t want them upsetting Dana,” he said. “All we need is for Clay to show up next. This couldn’t come at a worse time. I’m worried enough about Dana and the babies. I have a bad feeling this could have something to do with that developer who’s been after Dana to sell some of the ranch.”

“The timing does make you wonder,” Liza said.

“I’m going back to the ranch now.”

“You stick close to Dana. I’ll let you know if Jordan heads for the ranch.” Hanging up, Liza settled in again. She knew it could be a while. Jordan might be in for the night.

The canyon got dark quickly this time of year. With the dark that settled over it like a cloak came a drop in temperature. She could hear the river, smell the rich scent of fall. A breeze stirred the nearby pines, making the branches sway and sigh. A couple of stars popped out above the canyon walls.

The door of the cabin opened. Jordan stepped out and headed for his rented SUV parked outside. He was dressed in a warm coat, gloves and a hat, all in a dark color. He definitely didn’t look like a man going out for dinner—or even to visit his sister. He glanced around as if he thought someone might be watching him before climbing into his rental.

Liza felt her heart kick up a beat as she slunk down in the pickup seat and waited. A few moments later she heard the SUV pull out. She started the truck, and sitting up, followed at a distance.

To her relief, he didn’t turn down Highway 191 in the direction of the Cardwell Ranch—and his sister’s house. Instead, he headed north toward Big Sky proper, making her think she might be wrong. Maybe he was merely going out to find a place to have dinner.

He drove on past the lighted buildings that made up the Meadow Village, heading west toward Mountain Village. There was little traffic this time of year. She let another vehicle get between them, all the time keeping Jordan’s taillights in sight.

Just when she started speculating on where he might be headed, he turned off on the road to Ousel Falls. They passed a few commercial buildings, a small housing complex and then the road cut through the pines as it climbed toward the falls.

Liza pulled over, letting him get farther ahead. Had he spotted the tail? She waited as long as she dared before she drove on up the road. Her headlights cut a gold swath through the darkness. Dense pines lined both sides of the mountain road. There was no traffic at all up this way. She worried he had spotted her following him and was now leading her on a wild-goose chase.