“Not in the picture.” He took another swallow of Guinness. “It’s just been me and Granny since Grandpa died. She didn’t want me to come, but if I could put her mind to rest… and mine, for that matter, I’d be willing to do most anything for that.”
“I think he needs to talk to Desiree,” Sara said. “He has a rental and could follow us out, but he’s probably still jet lagged. If he comes with us, he’ll have a chance to eat his sandwich on the way. I can bring him back here later.”
“Or I could just follow you out.” Kieran turned to her. “I can handle the drive.”
“While eating a sandwich?”
“Well….”
“Ride out with us, son,” her dad said. “We have multiple people who can bring you back, including me. Where are you staying?”
“The Wagon Train Hotel.”
“That’s nice,” her mom said. “Historic.”
When her mom and dad exchanged a glance, Sara had no trouble interpreting it. There were rooms available in the kids’ wing of Rowdy Ranch, but it wasn’t their place to say so. Desiree probably would, though.
“Desiree will be a good resource.” Her mom focused on Kieran. “She was here back then and I get the impression she’s been active in the community from the beginning.”
“Hey, guys, what about Andy?” Lani said. “He’s been here a long time, too, and putting out a newspaper. If Kieran’s mother…” She faltered and sent Kieran an apologetic look. “I mean, newspapers keep track of….”
“When someone dies.” His voice was steady as he finished Lani’s sentence. “And she must have. Like I said, she was faithfulabout those postcards, one a week. She wouldn’t have stopped sending them unless something happened to her.”
“It’s brave of you to come looking for answers, son.” Her dad eyed Kieran with respect. “Rowdy Ranch is a good place to start. Besides Desiree and Andy, there’s Buck and Marybeth, the couple who’ve been helping Desiree with the ranch and the kids for more than thirty years. Out of those four, surely someone has information.”
“Here’s your egg salad sandwich.” Cecily arrived with a paper bag folded down at the top. “I put in some chips and a couple of cookies.”
“And we have water bottles in the car,” Lani added.
He stood and pulled out his wallet. “I appreciate it. What do I?—”
“Put it on our tab, please, Cecily.” Her dad got to his feet. “The beer, too.”
“No, no.” Kieran turned to him. “That’s kind of you, but I can?—”
“Of course you can. But we want to help. Buying your lunch would make us happy.”
Kieran glanced at her.
“Just go with it.” She pushed back her chair. “Make my family happy.”
“Then thank you, all of you. I’ll be telling Granny I was treated like a king while I was in Wagon Train.”
“Then we’re outta here.” Her dad picked up the bill and stepped away from the table. “I’ll take care of this and meet you guys at the front door.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She gave him a quick hug.
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
She slung her purse over her shoulder and met Kieran’s gaze. “Ready to leave?”
He had a teasing gleam in his eyes. “Yes?—”
“Never mind. Let’s go.”
His soft chuckle as he followed her toward the door made her tingle all over. She should never have suggested that routine, never have handed him a seductive technique that might be her undoing.
Luckily he’d only used it when they were in public. If he ever deployed that tactic when they were alone, she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions.
