“Hey, we can piss on our parents as worthless idiots all we want, but ultimately we’ve got to take responsibility for who we are as adults. You’ve ended up all right.”
It wasn’t the time to share that all she’d ever really wanted was to reunite her family, and now she wanted nothing to do with them. Her shattered dream hurt more than anything at the moment, but she was too tired to get into it. She pulled a hand down over her face. “I’ve got to go home. I’m due back here at one.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go. But think about what I’ve said, and we’ll talk later. Hey . . . I’m considering that job the sheriff mentioned. I might be your neighbor someday.”
Mattie gave her a tired smile. “Worse things could happen.”
Stella took Mattie by the arm and started walking her toward the door. “And they probably will.”
*
Mattie slept the hard sleep of exhaustion for five solid hours, and so did Robo. When she awakened a few minutes before noon, she lay in bed disoriented. In the split second it took to remember why she was in bed in the middle of the day, it all flooded her mind—the search for Cole, Carmen’s takedown, the hideous image of that bolt lodged in Juan Fiero.
And Willie’s phone call.
She pushed herself up and sat on the edge of the bed. Robo lay stretched out on his side on his dog bed, and he opened his uppermost eye to stare at her. As if also needing a second to orient himself, he lay still for one eye blink before scrambling to his feet. She realized why the room was warmer than they were used to—she’d forgotten to open the window before collapsing on the bed. And she’d awakened, safe and sound.
“Come here, buddy.”
He came and placed his head on her knee for an ear scratch.
“Thanks for always being there when I need you,” she murmured. “You’re my best friend.”
More refreshed than she’d felt for a couple of days, she let Robo into the yard, watched him long enough for him to do his business, and then called him inside. Picking up her cell phone, she took it off vibrate and noticed she had a message. It was Cole, asking her if she would join him and the kids for dinner.
She took in a breath, thinking about his family. Months ago, she’d believed it to be perfect—loving couple, gorgeous daughters, dedicated parents—and then she’d discovered the flaw in her illusion. No family was perfect. And the pain Cole’s kids were feeling over their own mother’s abandonment was as real as hers. She wanted to make sure that Cole sought counseling for his daughters without delay.
And what about you? Clearly Stella had weaseled her way inside Mattie’s head, because it was her voice that whispered the question.
“Okay,” Mattie said aloud, causing Robo to look up at her. “I just might do it, too.”
*
The mundane routine of patrol duty and paperwork felt like such a relief, and the last half of Mattie’s shift flew by. She clocked out and left the station in time to drive straight to Cole’s house for dinner. After parking under the tree in front, she unloaded Robo, who wasn’t even trying to hide his delight. Allowing herself to smile, she decided that dogs could teach humans a thing or two about happiness.
Cole opened the front door and stepped out, his friendly grin lighting his face. Dogs and Cole; they always make me feel welcome. Bruno and Belle spilled out into the yard to greet Robo, and the chase was on. Mattie climbed the few steps up onto the porch and allowed herself to be swallowed up by Cole’s warm hug. She was relieved to feel less complicated emotions than those she’d felt during his last embrace. This time, she recognized joy and affection, pure and simple.
“I’m so glad you’re here, but I have to warn you about something,” Cole said, releasing the hug but tucking her under one arm. His expression turned serious, his eyes earnest. He spoke in a rush, his voice hushed in the low, confidential tone used for sharing secrets. “Angie is real mad at me for not coming home last night, even though I called her when we got back to the barn to explain that I had to stay to take care of Diablo. I’m at a loss how to tell her and Sophie the real story. How serious the situation was. You know, I can’t tell them what really happened, about the danger and all, but they’ve got to realize I was gone for good reason. What can I say?”
A few months ago, Mattie would have done anything to avoid getting involved in Cole’s personal trouble, but tonight she felt better equipped. “Did you tell them Carmen was arrested for Adrienne’s murder?”
“Not yet. You know how Angie’s been. And I just got home from the clinic.”
“Well . . .” She thought for a moment—watching the dogs play, sensing the warmth of his arm on her shoulders and his body at her side, breathing in the spicy scent of his aftershave. “The truth is always best. With kids, withholding the truth is more damaging than exposing them to some of the scary stuff. But after this, you’ve got to find a professional who can help your daughters deal with their feelings, Cole. They’ve been through too much lately.”
“Agreed. I’ve already decided that’s what we’re going to do.”
Thank goodness. “Let’s tell them about most of what happened and let them talk things over with us. If you want me to, I’ll help you sort through how much to say.”
“Thank you, Mattie. You’re a lifesaver,” he said, giving her a slight squeeze. As he released her and stepped back, he raised his brow as if realizing the reality of his statement. “And I guess I mean that literally.”
She smiled. “How are the horses?”
“Garrett’s been helping by keeping an eye on them up at the stable. Big Red is going to be fine. I’m cautiously optimistic about Diablo. He spent some time standing up today, and he ate a little bit of hay this afternoon. I hope we can transfer both of them to my clinic soon.”
“That’s great news.”
His grin warmed his countenance while he opened the front door with a flourish, inviting her into his home. “And do you want to hear some more great news?”
“Absolutely.”
“Mrs. Gibbs baked an apple pie.”
Acknowledgments
Many have helped bring Stalking Ground to publication, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all. From researching to writing to editing to publishing, I couldn’t ask for a better support network. I also want to thank readers who have embraced the Timber Creek K-9 mysteries; it’s a pleasure to hear from them, and I appreciate their encouragement to keep writing stories about Robo and Mattie.
My sincere appreciation goes to the professionals who helped me research this book; any misinterpretations or fictional enhancements of the information they provided are mine alone. Lieutenant Glenn Jay Wilson of the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office answered my questions about officer training and procedures, among many other things. Fellow writer Tracy Brisendine never gave up on answering my continuous questions; Tracy offers information consultation for fiction writers regarding death investigation, police procedure, and crime scenes in workshops and one-on-one. Robert Perce, DVM, and Charles Mizushima, DVM, provided veterinary consultation for this story, and I appreciate their input and guidance in helping me set up challenges for Cole Walker to face. Wildlife Technician Louie Starzel Jr. and District Wildlife Manager Nancy Howard from Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared information regarding hunting, mammal wounds, and related topics. And Christian Cable of Sportsman’s Warehouse took time to demonstrate a crossbow, so I could experience the sights and sounds related to loading and shooting this powerful weapon.
Special thanks to my agent, Terrie Wolf, for ongoing support and for tying up all those loose ends; to my editors, Matt Martz and Nike Power, who have taught me such valuable lessons on writing; to my publicist Dana Kaye and her staff, for helping get the word out about the Timber Creek K-9 series; and to Sarah Poppe and Heather Boak of Crooked Lane Books, for everything they do to keep things on track. I’m so fortunate to be able to work with these professionals.
Thank you to my writer friends who make up Rocky Mountain Fiction Wri
ters and who made it possible for me to meet editor Matt Martz at a conference. Special thanks to my writing group, who provide input and support and keep me on task: Catherine Cole, Saytchyn Maddux-Creech, Caroline Marwitz, Liz Stevens, and Brian Winstead. And a note of appreciation goes to Susan Hemphill for helping me proofread.
To my extended family and circle of friends: thank you for celebrating with me each step along the way. I love to party with these folks! Warm hugs go to my daughters, Sarah and Beth, and to my son-in-law, Adam, for believing in me and reading first drafts. And once again to my husband, Charlie, thanks for everything.
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