The Missing Twin. Pamela Tracy

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       CHAPTER TWO

      TO FIND HER SISTER, Angela Taylor needed to do what she’d spent the past ten years avoiding: become part of the crowd.

      The Scorpion Ridge New Year’s celebration took place at the town’s animal habitat. It made sense, Angela acknowledged. Bridget’s Animal Adventure or “BAA for short,” as the cashier informed her, was number one in the things-to-do category on the town’s website.

      “I love zoos,” Celia said.

      They’d walked around zoos many an afternoon, wiling away hours while Angela had planned their future and tried to keep an active two-, three-, four-and all the way to ten-year-old happy. It had been a few years since they’d done this particular outing.

      “Last time I asked if you wanted to go to the zoo, you told me no,” Angela observed.

      “That’s because it got boring. This zoo is not boring.”

      Angela could guess the difference. There were no moms walking around pushing strollers. This was obviously a party. While some visitors wore everyday attire—what Angela called “blending in clothes”—there were also people dressed to the nines and people in what looked like Mardi Gras costumes. And there were lots of teens.

      The wistful look on Celia’s face said it all. She wanted to be part of the trio currently taking a ride on the back of a camel. She wanted to be standing next to the boy sharing his cotton candy with a girl.

      All Angela wanted was to look in the faces of women roughly her own age, searching for Marena.

      The zoo was awash in the Christmas lights not yet taken down. A gift shop was just inside the entrance. It was closed. Angela admired that. This town, this atmosphere, she could grow to love. The carousel spun slowly and Angela moved closer to get a look.

      “It’s fairly new,” said a voice at her side.

      Surprised, she stared up at the man she’d seen Friday at the Corner Diner.

      Cop.

      He couldn’t know who she was. Sheriff Salazar was the only one she had to report to, and there would be no need for him to share the information.

      “The owner of this place, Luke Rittenhouse, dreamed of having a carousel. Last year his wife bought him one for his birthday. Me, I always get ties.”

      “From your wife?” Angela didn’t know why she responded. Cops made her nervous. She’d spent almost a year and a half meeting their demands, trying to live up to their expectations, and feeling like a pawn.

      “No, from my friends and family.”

      “I think I’ll go for a ride,” Celia said. “It’s free.”

      “Free? Are you sure?” Angela stood on her tiptoes and tried to see over the crowded line.

      “Tonight everything but food is free. It’s a celebration.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Jake Farraday. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. You moved into the cabin on Jackrabbit and...”

      Her knees buckled. “You know my address. Why?”

      “That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He remained calm, seemingly unaware of the panic he’d sparked in her belly. “I’m a forest ranger. I patrol the area you live in. I’m the one you call if you find a rattlesnake outside your back door or if a bobcat or bear comes too close.”

      “Bear?” She hadn’t though of that.

      “You’d be surprised how far into human territory they’ll venture on the quest for food.”

      “You have a card, Jake Farraday?” she queried. He still had that cop look but maybe it was a stance shared by anyone who wore a uniform.

      Not that he was in uniform tonight. Dark tennis shoes were topped by well-worn jeans, a white T-shirt and a brown jacket.

      Her heart still beat fast and she wanted to blame it on her fear of being exposed. No way was she responding because he was a good-looking man with dark brown hair, cut short, thick enough to still be wavy.

      “I do have a card.”

      “I’m Angela Taylor. That’s my daughter. Celia.” She didn’t take her eyes off him. Seemingly unaware of her gaze, he pulled a card from his back pocket and handed it to her. “One of the things I wanted to warn you about—”

      “Mom, come ride with me.” Celia, somehow, had made it onto the ride. She sat on a cream-and-red carousel horse and leaned over, saving the seat on the horse beside her. For the first time since the move, the smile on her face was relaxed and genuine.

      “Excuse me,” Angela said. “Looks like it’s time to cowboy up.”

      She hurried to the carousel, mounting a horse that would only take her in circles—no beginning, no end. Sort of like her current life. She didn’t have to look; she was very aware that Jake Farraday was watching her.

      She always knew when someone was watching her.

      Maybe this time it was okay.

      More than okay.

      Except she couldn’t shake the feeling that their meeting was no accident.

      * * *

      JAKE’S PART OF the Santa Catalina Mountains didn’t rate a visitor’s center. His vehicle was more or less his office, and if he needed something he either used his own cabin or drove to Sabino Canyon where they had an office.

      When someone needed him, they usually called. But this early Monday morning, Rafe was waiting at the end of the driveway when Jake exited his cabin.

      “Something happen?” Jake asked. “I still plan on trash collection. We’re getting close. I know—”

      “It’s not about СКАЧАТЬ