Suspicious Montana Christmas by B.J. Daniels

Author:B.J. Daniels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2018-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWO

Twelve hours later

“Lizzy?” Anne McCormick looked shocked to see her. “What are you doing here?”

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Calder hadn’t known what kind of reception she would get at the McCormick Ranch this close to Christmas—especially showing up unannounced. Fortunately she had the perfect excuse—she was here to see her childhood friend.

“I had to come, Anne,” she said honestly. “You’ve been in my thoughts ever since I heard about your mother. I am so sorry. I came as soon as I could.” Anne’s mother, Joanna McCormick, had been arrested for murder and, after making a deal for her life, had been sent to Montana state prison.

“I’m sure you were devastated when you heard,” Anne said stiffly. “More likely you weren’t in the least bit surprised. We both know you never liked my mother.”

Lizzy couldn’t lie—at least about that. Joanna McCormick had been one of those cold, distant people who had ice water running through her veins. It had come as no surprise when she’d heard Joanna had committed a murder.

“Your mother and I weren’t close, but you know I care about you,” Lizzy said honestly. “How are you doing?”

Anne shook her head, then burst into tears. Lizzy stepped to her, hugging her friend. She did care about Anne. That much of the visit wasn’t a lie. They were childhood friends and had once been very close.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Oh, Lizzy, it’s just been horrible.”

“Tell me what I can do.”

As her friend drew back from the hug, she smiled through her tears. “I wish there was something someone could do. But I am glad you’re here anyway.”

Lizzy tried not to show her relief. Anne hadn’t been happy to see her. There had been the chance that she would turn her away, especially this close to Christmas and considering the fact that the two of them had drifted apart.

While she was sincere in her concern for her friend, Lizzy had a job to do and she never let anything get in the way of that. She’d worked too hard to get where she was, and she owed too much to Roger Collins and the agency. And right now she needed to stay here because of the ranch’s proximity to the Winchester Ranch—and hopefully to TD Waters, if that was really where he’d been gone.

Leaving her travel bags at the bottom of the stairs, Lizzy and Anne moved into the once familiar living room. It had been redecorated since Lizzy had been here last. All the leather, wood and antler furnishings had been replaced with light-colored fabrics and white wicker. The room felt cold, like the day outside where a half foot of snow covered the ground and only a weak December sun shone through the window.

“Is Janie home, as well?” Lizzy asked of Anne’s younger sister.

“She just arrived this morning.”

The three of them couldn’t have been more different. Anne, blonde and blue-eyed and chubby. Janie, small and dark. Lizzy, redheaded, gray-eyed, tall and gangly. Their appearances were only the tip of the iceberg in their differences.

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