Texas Forever (The Tylers of Texas 6)

Something inside her shrank and hardened. Why hadn’t these toxic people stayed home? They hadn’t been friends of her father’s and, after her last encounter with Kyle and his father, they certainly weren’t friends of hers.

But she was at the center of attention in what amounted to a public gathering. She knew better than to make a scene. That would come later, in private, when she confronted Kyle about lying to the sheriff.

Close up, Vivian Cardwell looked drained. Her striking green eyes were bloodshot, her makeup caked on her colorless face. Erin had sensed that she had had a harmless crush on Will. Was she grieving for him, or was there something darker behind her haunted look?

Her hand gripped Erin’s, the fragile bones almost digging into her flesh. “I’m sorry, dear,” she said. “So very sorry. Your father was a fine man.”

“Yes, thank you,” Erin murmured, extricating herself. Hunter Cardwell was next, his big hand swallowing hers, his wolf-eyed gaze strangely intimate. “My condolences, Erin,” he said. “We’re here for you anytime you need us.”

Kyle’s arms went around her in a possessive hug. Erin stood cold and rigid in his embrace. He seemed unaware that she knew about his lie. But that would change. “We need to talk,” she said, speaking close to his ear.

“Yes, we do. I’ll call you.” He released her, smiled, and moved on with his parents, leaving her with a cold lump in the pit of her stomach.

“Are you all right, Erin?” Rose had stayed nearby. “You look pale. If you need to go and lie down, I can cover for you. I’m sure everyone will understand.”

Erin raised her head and squared her shoulders. Part of her wanted to do as Rose had suggested. But this was no time to appear weak. She was in charge of the ranch now. She needed to be stronger than she had ever been in her life.

“I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’ll have to be, won’t I?”

* * *

By the time the last of the guests were gone and the remnants of the buffet were cleared away, it was late afternoon. Heat waves rose from the gravel in the ranch yard. Clouds roiled above the escarpment, but the moisture they appeared to bring was only virga—the ghostly rain that evaporated long before it reached the ground.

Dressed in jeans once more, Erin sat in the ranch office, feeling small in the big leather chair that the Tyler men had filled so masterfully. An hour ago she had said good-bye to Beau, who’d invited her to call him with any questions or concerns, but hadn’t offered any help beyond that. She was on her own.

The yellow pad on the desk was covered with scribbled notes, ideas, and reminders that she was attempting to organize into a meaningful list. Tomorrow she would go to the bank and take the death certificate the mortuary had given her. Will had listed her as beneficiary on all the ranch accounts, but she would need to make sure they were properly transferred

and her signature authorized.

So cold. Words and numbers had taken the place of her fierce, loving father who would never hug her again, never talk with her over breakfast, never ride with her on a mountain trail or teach her how to rope a steer. In the past five months she had lost the three most important people in her life—her mother, Jasper, and now Will. And she could only honor them all by carrying on alone, not just for herself but for the Rimrock family—all the good people who’d made a life and a living here.

While she was at the bank, she would face Sim Bartlett and tackle the question of an extension on the balloon payment. The bank president would no doubt turn her down. But she was determined to let him know that she was in charge now and wouldn’t stand for being bullied.

And then there was Luke.

Giving way to fear, she pressed her hands to her face. Tomorrow morning Luke would be arraigned on charges of first degree murder. But she couldn’t be there for him. She couldn’t visit him in jail or even call him. Any contact would only strengthen the prosecution’s case against him.

The court should be able to tell her how to reach his lawyer. She would call the woman, maybe arrange a meeting, and tell her everything she knew about the circumstances. Beyond that, all she could do was pray.

Putting her emotions aside, she returned to sorting her notes, listing items in order of urgency. She was making a start when her cell phone rang.

Kyle.

Telling herself that now was as good a time as any, she took the call.

“Still mad at me?” he asked, his manner as brash as ever.

Erin warned herself to be cautious. “That depends,” she said.

“You told me we needed to talk. Want to go for a ride?”

No more rides! “I’m pretty busy,” she said. “Why don’t you just come over? We can sit on the porch and have a beer.”

“Playing it safe, are you?” He laughed. “Fine. Now? Or would you rather wait till tonight?”

“Now’s all right.”

“You don’t sound very excited.”