Taking in a huge breath, I shifted my attention toward the trees. A huge gray wolf stood at the edge of the tree line, his amber eyes fixed on me.
That must be Hades. I'd heard people talk about the wolf that wandered freely through Mustang Mountain, showing up when and where he pleased. Some claimed he was raised by Jackson Hill who lived up the mountain. Others said he was just wild, that he'd chosen the valley and the people in it tolerated him because he never caused trouble.
He didn't move. Just watched me with a calm, unblinking gaze that made my breath stall in my lungs.
I didn't know what I expected. Maybe for him to turn and disappear. Maybe for him to step closer. But he didn’t do either. Just stood there, solid and still, like he was weighing something I couldn't see.
"Hey," I said softly, my voice barely carrying across the yard. Then my phone buzzed in my pocket, the sound slicing through the silence.
The wolf’s ears twitched. Then, without a sound, he turned and slipped back into the trees, gone as quickly as he'd appeared.
I exhaled slowly, my heart still thudding in my chest as I pulled out my phone.
Rachel – Office: Hey! Just checking in. Any idea when you'll be back? We've got the Harper contract coming up and could use your input.*
The message sat there, a reminder of the life I’d left behind in Seattle. The work I'd built for myself, the identity I'd carved out beyond the Hollister name.
I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over the keyboard.
Soon, I typed. Then deleted it.
Not sure yet, I tried instead. Also deleted.
Finally, I settled on a reply.
Me: Still sorting through estate details. I'll let you know.
It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the whole truth either.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and looked out at the tree line where Hades had been. The woods were quiet now, empty. But the feeling of being watched lingered.
Inside, the family Bible waited with its altered entry. Lois had spent years searching for answers. And now, whether I was ready or not, I was doing the same.
I turned back toward the house, pulling the door shut behind me. Tonight there was a community gathering for St. Patrick’s Day and someone decided to turn it into a combo event to celebrate the rodeo moving forward. Dawson had invited me, and Torin would be there.
I needed to get ready. But as I climbed the stairs to change, I couldn't stop thinking about the Bible. About the erased words I couldn't read. About the truth someone had tried to bury.
And I knew, with absolute certainty, that I wasn't leaving Mustang Mountain until I found it.
The community center smelled like peppermint from the mint-green candles. Long tables covered in white butcher paper lined the walls, already cluttered with donated desserts. A banner with shamrocks taped to it read, "MUSTANG MOUNTAIN RODEO – FULL STEAM AHEAD" and hung across the back wall, slightly crooked.
I spotted Torin near the coffee station, talking quietly with an older rancher I didn't recognize. He caught my eye over the man's shoulder and gave me a grin that immediately made my stomach flip.
I crossed the room, aware of the glances that followed my progress.
"Good evening, Claire." Ruby materialized in front of me, holding a tray of brownies with green frosting. She had on leprechaun earrings that hung halfway down her neck. "I’m so glad you could make it. Isn't this exciting? The rodeo's going to put us right back on the map."
"It's good to see the town come together," I offered.
"Well, you had a hand in making it happen, didn't you? All that digging through old records. Your aunt would be proud." The words landed with heavy meaning. I couldn't tell if it was approval or warning.
"Just doing what needed to be done," I said, keeping my tone even.
"Mmm Hmm." Ruby tilted her head and studied me. "Your aunt was always good at that too. She was quiet about it, though. Never liked stirring things up."
Before I could respond, she swept away to deposit her brownies on the dessert table, leaving me standing there with the distinct impression I'd just been given a message I was supposed to decode.
Torin appeared at my side, close enough that I caught the faint scent of soap and cedar. "Hey, Sweetness. I’m glad you decided to come.”
