Lone Heart Pass. Jodi Thomas

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      She was the definition of mixed-up. He hadn’t asked any questions, but now he wished he had.

      “Someone’s coming,” she called to him as she closed her book and walked across her sleeping garden toward him.

      He noticed the cloud of dust flying behind a little compact car. “Looks like the sheriff’s daughter’s VW Bug. Don’t know anyone in town who drives a yellow one except Lauren.”

      Jubilee raised an eyebrow. “You know everyone’s cars in town?”

      “No, but I know Lauren’s. She’s had that one since she left for college. She and my little brother are friends, or at least they were the last time I talked to Reid. He’s a year older than her but my dad said once that they dated some.” Charley clamped his lips together. Too much information, he decided. Jubilee wouldn’t care. Why did he always feel as though he needed to explain everything about not only the ranch, but also the town, to her?

      It occurred to him that maybe he talked so much because he wanted to learn more about her. Or maybe he simply liked that low voice of hers that was starting to whisper through his dreams. Who knows, maybe if she knew the place and the people better, she’d stay.

      As the car turned into the dirt drive, Jubilee commented, “I didn’t know you had family in the area.”

      “You didn’t ask and the answer is no, I no longer have family in the area. None that claim me anyway.” He could hear the bitterness in his words, but he didn’t plan on explaining. Let everyone for a hundred miles around believe whatever they wanted. He was the bad seed in the Collins clan. He’d gotten one girl pregnant and she’d left him with a kid. He’d slept with his stepmother. He’d never amount to anything. He was blacker than the blackest sheep.

      Charley clenched his jaw to keep the swear words from spilling out. He’d prove them all wrong even if it took him a lifetime.

      Before Jubilee could ask more questions, Lauren jumped out of the VW and hugged Charley. “It’s good to see you,” she said. She was laughing, though for some reason she looked a bit nervous. “I’ve missed your being around campus, Charley. You’re my favorite Collins, you know.”

      He guessed Lauren was trying to tell him she wasn’t one of the ones who judged him. He didn’t know her well, but she’d always been kind. He’d been sad when he found out she’d dated Reid. She deserved better.

      “It’s good to see you, too.” That was it, he thought. The limit to their conversation since they’d been toddlers.

      The last time he’d seen Lauren was the day he packed to leave college. She’d been much more of a kid then, it seemed. Tall, slender, her hair blowing across her face wiping away tears. She hadn’t asked questions then, she’d simply looked sorry for him.

      “I wish you could stay,” she’d said even though they seldom saw each other on campus. “It isn’t fair. You only need to finish one semester.”

      Charley hadn’t explained. He figured she’d heard the stories. “Don’t worry about it. No big deal.” He’d lied. “I’ll come back when I have time.”

      Now he needed to think of something to talk about before she started asking questions. She’d had over a year to think of a few. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about ancient history.

      With his arm still resting on Lauren’s shoulder, he turned her toward his boss. “This is Jubilee Hamilton, old Levy’s great-granddaughter. I’m helping her get the place up and running again.”

      To his surprise, Jubilee was very professional. Shaking hands. Saying she’d seen the sheriff’s car drive by a few days ago and looked forward to meeting him.

      Charley didn’t miss the gentleness, a true friendliness, in Jubilee’s welcome. She’d been like that with Lillie, too. Maybe he was the only one alive who brought out her anger? Or maybe it was men in general—after all, every boyfriend had left her, she’d admitted. Which he found hard to believe, remembering the feel of her skin.

      Charley tried to get his mind back in the present.

      “What brings you out here, Lauren?” he said as he noticed the bone-thin kid Thatcher Jones trying to get out of her tiny car. He reminded Charley of a long-legged spider. “Did you bring the boy out to pick up his truck? I saw it parked down the road in the bar ditch.”

      “Something like that.” Lauren glanced back as if she’d forgotten Thatcher was there. “He’s riding shotgun on my mission.”

      Charley waved at the kid and Thatcher waved back. He’d seen the boy around. They’d never talked, but they were on waving terms.

      “I’m looking for my father.” Lauren straightened as if finally getting to the reason she’d driven out. “Hikers found a body in the canyon a couple of nights ago. My dad said he’d be north of Lone Heart Pass this morning looking for clues. I’ve got information he asked for and thought the pass might be the quickest way to get it to him.”

      Charley got the picture. Lauren needed his help, but she didn’t want to give more away than necessary. “You could go down into the canyon behind the museum, but I’d pack water if I were you. It could be a long walk. Or I could saddle up another horse and take you through the pass. I’m stabling several extras here and I figure the owners would be happy if I got them out for a little exercise. Once we ride down the hiker trail, we’ll probably be within sight of the sheriff if he’s still in the canyon.”

      “Would you?” Lauren smiled, but like always, she seemed a bit shy. “I’d appreciate it if you’d go with me, Charley.” She gave him that you’re-almost-like-my-big-brother look she used to shoot him when she visited the ranch. Reid, who was more her age, and his friend Tim O’Grady usually ignored her at parties and roundups. Charley would always end up saddling her horse, or talking to her for a few minutes.

      “Sure. Glad to help,” Charley answered, knowing he’d be working later into the night to make up the time.

      The Thatcher kid’s voice cracked with excitement. “Mind saddling two horses, Mr. Collins? Like Lauren said, I’m traveling with her.”

      Charley turned and saw the boy walking tall and serious. Charley gave the kid his due. “Happy to. I can always use another man who can ride.” He offered his hand. “The canyon can be tricky.”

      “Glad to help.” Thatcher shook hands. “Might as well. I’ve been helping Lauren at the sheriff’s office all morning.”

      Charley had an idea there was far more to the story, but he didn’t ask.

      “I’m going, too,” Jubilee announced. “Just give me a minute to get my new boots on and find that hat with the strings on it.”

      “But...” He tried to think of a reason for her not to tag along, but saying that his ears could use some rest from her constant questions didn’t seem polite.

      Her stare locked on him. “I’m going.” She turned around so fast he had no doubt the discussion was over.

      Charley fought down a groan. He’d be willing to bet his boss hadn’t been near a horse in years. He’d bought a gentle one for her while he was at the auction buying cattle and she’d yet to touch the mare.

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