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She didn’t say anything further as they walked Midnight back up to the stable, the pretzel low in her belly coiling tighter

Through thein his office, Saravel drive and pulling in front of the inn He stepped outside and crossed around in a sehted

“Sky inside?” Sheriff Johnson asked

Sa”

“And she knew you’d be upset when you heard about it”

“Worried’s more like But she does have a few valid points She feels like a sitting duck when she could be doing so—at least…” he said when the sheriff’s shoulders stiffened Sam lifted a hand to placate hi to be done”

“She tell you that she wantedwith Willet?”

“Set me off a bit, I’ll ade Or the fact that she’s concerned about everyone out here at the ranch, including the horses She doesn’t want to darken any doorways I can’t blame her for that”

“Well, then y’all be happy to hear my news”

“Let’s go inside”

They climbed the stairs to the veranda and entered the lobby Sky was just coht of them She hurried over, a hopeful look on her face that made Sam’s spirits rise

“You found him,” she said to the sheriff without preamble

“We found his car and the place where he’s been holed up a few miles down the lake He wasn’t there, but I suspect he’s close by, so I want you to stick around the ranch and stay with Sam”

Her hopeful expression vanished “You think he’s close by?” She repeated his words with a hint of fear in her voice