Looking between Connor and Ethan, Beck said, “Sheds? What kind of sheds?” Is the guy a hoarder, too?
Ethan explained that Baxter had numerous sheds built on the property over the years. Jack Warner, his business partner in their horse ranch, had been the contractor on the work, and he shared what Jack had been able to recall about the structures. He also mentioned that Adam Davis, their other partner, had also been out to do A/C repairs on a few occasions. It seemed Smith had followed him around like a watchdog guarding a bone stash.
Beck said, “Smith, or Baxter, sounds like a man with a reason to worry about people snooping around. Maybe you’ll find the reason why when you go out there. It’d be good if Chloe and her sister could get some justice.”
“What are you going to do if you don’t find anything?” Patrick asked.
Connor shared a significant look with Mel and then Ace and Kemp. All three men smiled and Ace nodded. The investigator was probably looking for approval that they could be trusted with the “inadmissible in court” methods they planned to employ if push came to shove. Connor rubbed his hands together and gave Beck a look that said he really enjoyed his job. “Let me tell you what Mel and I have come up with, just in case all else fails.”
* * * *
Lucy spent the next few minutes while she waited for Emily Anne clearing e-mails and listening to her other voice mail messages. Her day was full and she wasn’t really sure why but she dreaded this meeting. Emily Anne was very nice. Lucy just feared whatever it was that she was planned to tell her about Chloe.
Memories of Beck from back on Valentine’s night came to mind. She clenched her jaw until it hurt remembering the desolation in his eyes and the pain he’d been in. He was healed now from all of it and Lucy wanted it to stay that way.
“He’s mine and she’s not getting him back, I don’t care how sweet she is,” she murmured to herself. “She can be all kitten hugs, puppy kisses, and glittery unicorns, but I’m not giving him up for her or anyone else.”
The voice mail Beck had left earlier came to mind. He’d told her in that sexy-as hell-baritone of his that he loved her.
Where has all my self-confidence gone? Of course I’m keeping him. Same as he’s keeping me.
Between her visit with Amelia Owen and hearing Patrick’s story from his mother’s perspective, and now revelations to come about Chloe Rhodes, Lucy wanted off the drama train for a while.
She shook her head as she pulled out the appointment book and noticed that the morning appointment was still erased and blank. As she filled in Amelia’s name she saw movement outside in her peripheral vision. Emily Anne approached the door, looking adorable in her summer outfit. The petite woman exuded caring and Lucy couldn’t help but be happy to see her. She pushed open the front door and looked around her as the front door bell rang.
Noting the uncertainty in her pretty eyes, Lucy smiled to let her know that she didn’t have claws bared and at the ready. Emily Anne smiled back as she wrung her hands together.
“Hi, Lucy. Thanks for seeing me.”
“Summer thought it would be a good idea if we talked. I agreed for a couple of reasons. I realize that I may have seemed rude to you when we met. I’m sorry for that. I had the feeling at the time that I made you nervous. I’m very sorry if I did. It wasn’t intentional.”
“Oh, no, you didn’t. Well, not directly. It was all me. You looked so confident and…I guess queenly. I told Summer that my first impression of you was of a beautiful Amazon.”
“Wow.” Lucy’s cheeks bloomed with heat at that notion, especially considering how she’d viewed herself until recently. “You just made my day.”
“I hope you don’t think I’m pandering. I have a habit of saying what I think—especially lately. It changes you when you find a couple of men who love you beyond all reason, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, I think it really does.” Curious to know Emily Anne’s story, and a little more open to what she had to share with her, Lucy leaned against the reception counter. “Summer said you wanted to talk to me about Chloe Rhodes, and that I should listen to what you have to say. Would you like to go and grab some lunch?”
“I’d love to, but my men are waiting for me at the Dancing Pony. They’re having a meeting there.”
That was an odd coincidence. Lucy became even more curious about the meeting Beck had mentioned in his voice mail message. “Beck and Patrick are there, too, I think. Does that meeting have to do with Chloe?”
Her concern must’ve shown in her face because Emily Anne immediately spoke up, waving a dismissive hand. “Not in the way you think. When she and her sister were kids, they lost their parents in a tornado. The man who had been their dad’s business partner and charged with the duty to see to the estate, stole it. The Lusty Town Trust hired Mel and Connor—those are my men—to see if that man—Ralph Baxter could be tracked down. Not that he can be charged with that, although I don’t think there should be a statute of limitations when it comes to crimes where kids are the victims.”