She wrapped her arms around him, her lips pressed against his jaw. "I have better. You."

  Somehow she always managed to take his breath away. He could see them in his mind's eye, old and gray but she could still turn him on with only the sound of her voice.

  "We can leave here," he offered. "We don't have to wait until tomorrow morning. We can pack our bags and get out of here right now."

  She looked tempted. Really tempted. But then she sighed, her shoulders slumping.

  "We should be here when the town shows up to pay their respects. It would be wrong to go before that."

  He held up a finger. "How about one hour and then we hit the road? We do the polite thing and then we make like a prom dress."

  Misty's brows pinched together. "Like a prom dress?"

  "You know...take off."

  Rolling her eyes, she lightly slapped his shoulder. "Very funny. You're a real comedian."

  "I was just trying to lighten the mood."

  "It worked, and I'll take that deal. One hour. Then we leave."

  He could deal with anything for an hour.

  Even put up with the Reynolds family.

  20

  Misty was still reeling when she and Jared went downstairs later. People from the town were beginning to arrive and the staff had laid out a huge buffet of food and drink.

  One hour. I can do this. Just one hour.

  A video montage of Adam through the years was playing on the large screen television and Misty felt herself drawn to it, fascinated by the images of the man that might be her father.

  "He was a handsome devil when he was younger, wasn't he?"

  She turned to find Robin, the waitress from last night, standing behind her.

  "He was," Misty agreed. "I didn't realize he was such an avid traveler."

  There were photos of Adam at Machu Picchu, on a glacier in Alaska, and at the top of the Eiffel Tower among many other locations.

  "I think he's been just about any place that a human can go," Robin replied. "Hell, I haven't been on the other side of the Mississippi. A big trip to me is down to Disneyland or Las Vegas."

  Misty would have loved to have talked to him about all the places he'd been and the people he'd met. They'd never get a chance to do that now.

  "So what are your plans? Are you going to be staying awhile?" Robin asked. "There's not much to do around here, to be honest."

  "We're leaving today," Misty admitted. "We need to get home to our kids."

  It wasn't bad as far as reasons went. Most people wouldn't question it.

  "That's a shame, but I'm sure we'll be seeing you around. Next time you come to visit be sure to stop in the cafe. I can introduce you to more people in town."

  Misty couldn't see why she would need to come back, but she didn't say so out loud. Instead, she thanked Robin and promised that the next time she was in town she would stop in.

  It was the truth; she would stop in. But coming back was unlikely.

  Robin drifted away and toward her friends. Eli had come in at some point and he and Jared were huddled together in the corner.

  "You certainly have some nerve showing your face down here."

  Lydia. Right up in Misty's face. The older woman's breath reeked of alcohol and her cheeks were red. She was holding a highball glass of brown liquid. Years of taking care of her own mother after a night of partying had given Misty a sensitive nose for booze. Lydia was drinking whiskey, and a lot of it by the looks of things.

  I don't need this right now. I didn't ask for any of this.

  "Lydia, maybe we should get you some black coffee."

  And a cold shower to sober you up.

  The older woman flung her arms in the air, liquid sloshing over the side of the glass and onto the floor. "I don't need any coffee. I'm fine. Just fine. I don't need the Reynolds family or any of you. I'm just fine on my own."

  "That's good," Misty said in her most soothing tone. The one she used when her children were sick or crying. "I'm sure you can totally take care of yourself."

  "I'll tell you this though." Lydia leaned in closer, her finger waving under Misty's nose. The air was filled with the stench of alcohol. "If Adam weren't already dead, I'd kill him myself. Do you hear me? I'd kill him with my bare hands."

  The last was spoken loudly. Loudly enough for the guests to hear and the room grew quiet, everyone pausing their own activities to watch the meltdown.

  Out of nowhere Tom was at Lydia’s elbow, tugging her away in the general direction of the patio. "Come on, Lydia. How about some fresh air? I think that's just what we both need right now."

  The other woman protested slightly but let Tom lead her away from Misty and slowly everyone went back to their drinks, food, and conversation.

  "I hate being the center of attention," she whispered to Jared when he came to stand next to her. He was well aware of her aversion to attention so he must have made a beeline when he heard Lydia's voice. "Everyone was looking at me."

  "To be fair, they were looking at Lydia, and for good reason. She seems to have imbibed a great deal of alcohol since the memorial service."

  "She hates me. Everyone hates me."

  "They don't hate you. They hate Adam."

  "They're taking it out on me."

  "Because he's not here. It won't do them any good, though. Besides, you'll probably never see these people again. Does it matter what they think of you?"

  Not really. She simply didn't like it when near strangers made up their minds without truly knowing her. It reminded her of when everyone in Fielding talked about her behind her back because of her mother's wild behavior.

  "What the hell is going on there?" Jared asked, nodding toward an animated discussion between Sandra and Dahlia. Misty couldn't hear what they were saying from where they were standing, but Sandra was trying to step away and her daughter had a hold of her mother's arm and was pulling her back. Eventually, Sandra broke free and went to stand on the coffee table, clearing her throat to get everyone's attention.

  "Attention, everyone. Attention, please. I have something to say and I want everyone to hear it."

  Misty's fingers curled into Jared's arm, her heart slamming against her ribs. Was Sandra going to yell at Misty in front of all of these people? Was she going to accuse her of trying to convince Adam to give her an inheritance?

  "Maybe we should get out of here," Misty said softly. "I don't like the look of this."

  They didn't have a chance to slowly back out of the room, however. Sandra didn't pause at all, her voice breathless as if she'd just run a long distance.

  "I need everyone to know something, and I cannot keep it to myself any longer. I killed Adam. I'm the one that hit him over the head. It was an accident. We were arguing. I didn't mean to do it, and that's why I've kept silent. I was afraid. But I'm the one that did it."

  Misty could have heard a pin drop. It was as if the entire group of people were collectively holding their breaths. Then Eli made his way to the front of the room and held out his hand so that he could help Sandra down. When she was safely on the floor, he began to recite her Miranda rights.

  It was over. Sandra had killed Adam.

  Misty and Jared could go home.

  * * *

  Jared and Eli were sitting across from Sandra in the dingy, rundown interrogation room at the sheriff's station. The walls were gray, the table was gray, the floor tile was gray, hell, even the chairs were gray. If Eli wanted to depress the hell out of his suspects, then he was definitely on the right track.

  Jared hadn't wanted to go with Eli, truth be told. He didn't think it was his place at this point. He'd agreed to help with the investigation, but that part was over. They were now getting an official confession. He didn't need to be here for that. He'd rather be on the road with Misty, heading home, but Eli had insisted that he see it through to the end.

  "What did you argue about?" Eli asked. He was making a recording of the confession on a digital recorder.

  Sandra shrugged. "The usual things. The kids, the house, the money. We fought all the time about various subjects. Adam thought he was always right and that he knew best about everything. He didn't care about anyone else's opinions. He ran roughshod over anyone standing in his way."

  That sounded like the man that Jared had researched. Ruthless and arrogant.

  "So lay it out for us," Eli said. "How did it happen?"

  "We argued," Sandra repeated. "We were yelling and he was threatening to hit me. I reached for that stupid award in self-defense. You know...to scare him. Show him that I'd fight back this time. He turned his back and I hit him. I didn't mean to kill him. You have to believe that. I only meant to stop him from hurting me."

  "Had he ever hit you before?" Jared queried.

  "A few times. Adam had a temper."

  "You never reported it?" Eli asked.

  "I think these sorts of things should be kept between family, Sheriff."

  There were more questions, trying to get down to the details of what had happened, and why she'd kept it a secret. Sandra had been concerned that no one would believe her claim of self-defense.

  "I feared for my life, Sheriff."

  Jared wasn't in any position to argue the point. He'd only met the family a few days ago.

  Eli motioned to Jared and then quietly left the room, telling Sandra they'd be right back.

  "Do you believe her?" Eli asked.

  "I don't know. Do you not believe her? Why would she confess to a crime she didn't commit? I doubt a rich woman who has lived in comfort her entire life is looking forward to prison."

  "I don't know. I just...I've known Sandra for years and while I believe she’s capable of murder I hadn’t pegged her for this one. She and Adam always appeared to get along fine."

  "Looks can be deceiving, especially if he was physically and verbally abusive."

  Eli shook his head. "Adam was going to be dead soon. It doesn't make any sense."

  That was the part that had been bugging Jared the most. If anyone had wanted Adam dead, all they had to do was wait a short while.

  "Then it doesn't make any sense for anyone to do it," Jared pointed out. "Anger can make people do funny things. If her story is true, I do feel for her."

  "So do I. I'll have to keep her here until the county prosecutor decides what they want to do."

  "Murder, manslaughter, or justified self-defense. Her story doesn't feel like a cold-blooded murder."

  "I hope the prosecutor sees it that way. I've always liked Sandra."

  "From what I've heard, Adam Reynolds could drive a saint to drink. Look at Lydia tonight. She was three sheets to the wind after the will reading."

  "Now that's a woman that I could believe killed Adam," Eli declared. "She's stone cold, but she's not the one that confessed. Listen, I want to thank you for all your help. I know you didn't have to."

  "I don't know that I was all that helpful. You didn't need me after all. You got your confession."

  "I guess I did. I just wish I was happier about it. I guess you'll be heading out now?"

  "Absolutely," Jared replied. "I asked Misty to pack while I was here. When I get back there, we're hitting the road. No offense, but I can't see this place in the rearview mirror fast enough."

  "I don't blame you. You'll be missed, though. It was nice to have someone to work with for a change that really knew his stuff."

  "Think about my offer and you can work with someone like that every single day."

  Eli chuckled and shook Jared's hand. "I will think about it. You've made a compelling case. Safe travels, my friend. You never know. You just might hear from me one of these days."

  Jared hoped that he did. Eli was a good man.

  Now he could take Misty home. But there would be no forgetting this place or the Reynolds family in the near future. His wife had gained and lost deeply this weekend. That was going to take some time to get over.

  He'd be there for her. Forever.

  21

  It was around noon the next day when Jared and Misty pulled into their own garage and unloaded the vehicle. Once they'd unpacked, Misty would start the laundry and Jared would run over to Reed and Kaylee's to pick up the kids.

  They were both worn out, tired, and slightly confused about the last four days. They'd gone to see Adam Reynolds because she thought he might be her biological father, but it had turned into a disaster that she still hadn't quite processed.

  Adam was dead.

  His ex-wife had killed him.

  He'd left Misty hundreds of millions of dollars that she'd have to somehow deal with.

  She couldn't bring herself to deny the rest of the family their inheritance.

  Shoving a load of clothes into the washer, she contemplated what to make for dinner. There wasn't much food in the house since they'd been out of town, but she always had chicken in the freezer so she could do something with that.

  Jared joined her in the laundry room, the car keys jangling in his hand. "I'm going to get the kids and the pets now. Do you need anything while I'm out?"

  She pressed the start button on the washer. "We need a full grocery shop, actually, but I doubt either of us is in the mood. I was just going to defrost some chicken. Not sure about what we'll have with it."

  "We could just order a pizza."

  The thought had occurred to her as well. "I would but I'm guessing that Lizzie and Nate have been partaking in a little bit of junk food over the weekend. I kind of felt like I should try and get a vegetable inside of them tonight."

  Laughing, Jared nodded his head. "I bet they have been spoiled a bit, but I don't think one more pizza would send them on a path of juvenile delinquency."

  "I'm not worried that they're going to knock over a liquor stand. I'm worried about their blood pressure and cholesterol."

  Heaven knew no one had ever worried about Misty's health when she was a child. She'd eaten a massive amount of convenience food. She'd known how to use the microwave by her fifth birthday. By age seven, she could make the macaroni and cheese in a box.

  "How about I cook the chicken on the grill?" Jared offered. "I know we have some frozen veggies in the freezer too. How's that for nutritious meal?"

  "That sounds perfect."

  Her husband walked toward the door to the garage but then paused. "Are you okay? You haven't said much since we left the estate yesterday."

  They'd spent the night at a hotel along the way, getting up this morning and driving the rest of the trip. She hadn't said much because she didn't know what to say. It was all so surreal.

  "I guess I'm still trying to process everything that happened. It's crazy, right? What we went through isn't normal."

  "It isn't," he confirmed. "It is crazy, but it's over now. We're home and we can go back to our lives."

  "We still have to deal with the money."

  She didn't even want to think about the third of the business that she'd inherited. She planned to sell it to David and Dahlia if they wanted it. She assumed they would.

  "We'll deal with it, but we don't have to make any decisions right away. We can take our time."

  He was almost out the door when she spoke again.

  "I'd like to go to Fielding, Jared. I want to visit my mother's grave."

  If she'd surprised him, he didn't outwardly show it. But then this man was calm and steady personified. Even when all the madness was going on with Wade Bryson, he'd been like a port in a storm, always the voice of reason.

  "We can do that. Whenever you like. School doesn't start for another six weeks."

  They still had the house on the ranch from when they were first married.

  "I've been thinking a lot about it," she explained. "Since getting that letter from Adam. I don't know why I need to be there. I just do."

  "You don't need to give me a reason. We'll go this weekend if you like. The family will be thrilled to see the kids."

  He was acting like it wasn't a big deal. But was it?

  "Are you sure? We haven't been back since–"

  "It's fine," he broke in, not letting her finish her sentence. She was going to remind him that they hadn't been back to Fielding since the funeral. "Ty's been busting my balls about visiting. It will be good to see everyone. You and Rayne can have some quality time together, and I'll get a chance to work on Dare about joining the consulting firm."

  Work. Jared had certainly been doing a hell of a lot of that lately. He'd buried himself in it but then he had a passion for his career, just as she did. It was one of things that she loved so much about him, the way he dedicated himself to what he loved.

  Like Misty and the children.

  "If you're sure you can take more time away from the office, I'd like to go."

  "I can work from Fielding if I need to. This is important."

  "Good, then we'll go."

  She had a few things to say to Annette Foster, and a few questions to ask. Of course, she wouldn't be getting any answers.

  Misty would have to be content with that.

  * * *

  Jared parked the car under a shade tree in the quiet cemetery just outside of Fielding where both he and Misty had been brought up. It was a lovely sunny day and there was no one around, which only served to heighten his tension. He didn't like cemeteries much. His own mother and father were buried on the opposite side of the property along with a few Monroe cousins and an aunt.

  "I'll wait here," he said to Misty. "Unless you want me to come with you."

  Frowning, she cast a glance toward the far side of the property. "I thought you might..."

  She didn't finish but then she didn't have to. He knew exactly what she was referring to. She thought he might take the opportunity to go visit his parents' graves.

  "Not today. You can take your time, honey. I'll go through my email and messages."

  She gave him a strange look but he ignored it, pulling out his phone and beginning to scroll through the myriad of emails that he received each day. Misty exited the vehicle and he looked up to watch her walk the short distance to her mother's grave. She'd brought flowers and she’d placed them near the small headstone before sitting on the green grass cross-legged.