Undercover Sheriff by Barbara Phinney

Author:Barbara Phinney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Rachel swallowed and blinked back tears, telling herself they were from the biting wind and not because of the stiff, stubborn set of Zane’s shoulders as he strode away from the church. She smoothed her dark green coat and readjusted its matching bonnet, all the while hoping no one could see her apprehension.

She wouldn’t have even noticed him talking to Pastor Wyseman if it hadn’t been for Jake Turcot’s mother stopping her at the street corner nearest the church to give Rachel an update on Jake’s illness. Normally, he lived at Mitch’s ranch, but since his illness, he’d been recuperating at his parents’ house. He was on the mend, but tired, as the flu often drained a person. Feeling a bit guilty for not asking about him earlier, Rachel squeezed the older woman’s arm and thanked her with a forced smile.

As Mrs. Turcot had said her goodbye, Rachel had turned and noticed Zane. She was too far away to eavesdrop accidentally on the conversation, but it was clear from the expressions and the tight shoulders that Zane was hearing something he didn’t like. Why would he even tarry after church in the first place, unless it was to speak to Pastor Wyseman in private?

She knew exactly what, or whom, was being discussed.

His harsh words up at White Horse Bluff still stung her. He’d actually wondered if she was working with Rosa to steal from the bank he’d assumed she owned, and then keep the ransom money.

That hurt. She’d tried to convince him, and had even thought she had had some success in that. Obviously, her protest needed to be confirmed by her pastor.

Here she had been trying her best to instill trust in those like Rosa and Liza, and she couldn’t even convince Zane to believe in her. That painful realization sank onto her shoulders.

Pastor Wyseman hadn’t looked happy during their conversation. Rachel spun away. She shouldn’t speculate. It was nearly as bad as eavesdropping. If Zane still couldn’t trust her after talking to her pastor, then she would have to move on with her own investigation.

Yes, she’d do exactly that. It was better that way. She wasn’t going to be disappointed by Zane, for surely she was a terrible judge of character. Look at Rosa. She’d trusted her.

Not sure what steps to take now, Rachel sent a short prayer upward. She had to find Alex. She had to confront Rosa, too, but Alex was the more pressing need. He couldn’t be dead. She refused to believe it.

Fatigue weighed down on Rachel. Last night had been long and cold and disheartening and she would have loved to linger in bed this morning, but church often revitalized her. Besides, there was little Daniel to care for. He was feeling much better this morning, up and playing with the few toys they kept for Mitch’s children. Rachel had tried to ask him some simple questions, although she knew he could barely answer. She’d just been hopeful that maybe he could say something that would give her a clue.

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