In Phoenix, she’d been an advertising exec at a prestigious marketing and advertising company with all the perks a position like that entailed. She had worked long hours and traveled more than she wanted, but she was a vice president in upper-level management. The job was challenging, and she made a very good salary.
Now she was in the middle of Nowhere, Texas, doing simple tasks like fixing sandwiches and folding laundry. But she was also breathing fresh air instead of smog, relaxing in the evenings instead of picking Ivy up late from the sitter, having to hurry straight home and put her to bed.
She was able to spend time with her little girl as she hadn’t been able to do since Ivy was born. Tory was teaching her the alphabet and numbers, working on basic reading skills, playing cards, and just having fun.
The time spent with her child was more precious than Tory ever could have imagined. Living and working in her dog-eat-dog, super-hectic world, she hadn’t known how much she was missing.
She wished she could call her best friend and talk to her about it. She had a feeling Lisa would be one of the few people who would understand. They hadn’t talked in ages. Tory had run short of money after her last phone call and hadn’t thought to pick up a new disposable when she was in town.
Next time, she told herself as she formed the meat and spices into a loaf, put it into a baking pan, and shoved it into the oven, which now worked perfectly thanks to Josh.
After that first night, he’d suggested she cook enough extra for her and Ivy’s supper instead of having to fix two separate meals. Of course, that meant Josh was paying for some of the food she was eating. It was good of him to offer and so far the arrangement was working great.
Late afternoon slipped away, the sun sinking low on the horizon. In the evenings she liked to sit out on the porch in front of the trailer and listen to the night sounds: the wind luffing through the trees, the cattle and horses moving around in the pasture, the hoot of an owl.
In the early mornings, birds sang and squirrels played tag in the yard. She had spotted the cutest rabbit, hurried to show Ivy, who had squealed with delight. It was a different life out here. She’d never realized how much she liked the country until she’d left the city.
Supper was almost finished when she heard a knock at Josh’s front door. An anxious, uneasy tremor moved down her spine as she walked past where Ivy sat watching TV in the living room, checked the peephole, and pulled the door open.
A heavyset man in a tan sheriff’s uniform stood beneath the covered porch. He took off his beige cowboy hat and tucked it under his arm. Not wanting him to see Ivy, Tory stepped outside onto the bricks that ran the length of the house and closed the door.
“May I help you?”
“Sheriff Emmett Howler. I’m lookin’ for Joshua Cain. I need to talk to him about the fire last night.” Along with the cowboy hat, he had a belly that hung over his belt and a thick Texas accent.
“I’m sorry, Josh is in town. I’m not sure what time he’ll be back.”
“You’re Tory Ford?”
“That’s right.”
“Got your name from Bill Wheeler. You’re Cain’s housekeeper, I guess.”
The way he was looking at her, as if he knew some dirty little secret, she felt the need to set him straight. “I do his cleaning, his laundry, prepare his meals. I live in that double-wide over there.” She pointed to the trailer. “What can I do for you, Sheriff?”
“How long you been workin’ for Cain?”
“Going on two weeks.”
“You seen any sign of anyone suspicious hangin’ around, someone who oughtn’t to be here?”
“No. I haven’t seen anyone.”
“Where you from, Miss Ford?”
“It’s Mrs. I was married. My husband was killed in a car accident several years ago.”
“I see. The way you talk, don’t sound like you’re from around these parts. So where y’all from?”
The question made her stomach burn. She heard the sound of a truck pulling in, said a silentthank youwhen Josh climbed out and started striding toward them.
“There’s Josh now.” She stepped back as he walked up on the porch. “The sheriff’s here about the fire. He wants to talk to you.” Josh must have read her worry. His gaze zeroed in on Emmett Howler.
“What can I do for you, Sheriff?”
“If you two will excuse me,” Tory said, “I need to get back to my cooking.” Before the sheriff could object, she slipped into the house and closed the door, then took a place next to the window so she could watch the men and hear their conversation without being seen.
She had a hunch Josh knew she was there. He seemed to have a sixth sense about whatever was happening around him. She thought maybe it was his military training.
