Chapter One

Johnson Ranch, Texas Hill Country

Gail lay on the bed, a grin stretching her face as she listened to Lucas sing in the shower. She resisted the urge to run into the kitchen and turn on the hot water so she could hear his yelp as the cold stream hit him. Nope, better not this morning. She was taking a week of vacation to do some redecorating and wanted to be in town by nine. Last time she’d done so, he jumped out, chased her down, and pulled her in the shower with him. It would be fun to see her handsome husband run wet and naked through the house again, but… She rolled off the bed and dressed in shorts and a tee shirt.

When Lucas entered the kitchen, Gail lifted slices of crisp bacon onto a paper towel to drain. He caught her around the waist and drew her backside up against him while she poured pancake batter into the old iron skillet atop the stove. His lips nibbled across her neck, making her shiver.

Mmm, you taste good, he said.

She turned in his arms and put her head on his chest. God, she loved this man. They’d been married four years, known each other a lifetime and the sound of his voice still made her heart lurch. Squeezing his waist, she shoved him back a step, smiled up at him, and teased. You smell mighty fine to be working with horses all day.

He laughed and started filling their mugs with coffee. Well, a man never knows when his favorite filly might visit him at the stables.

So true, but not this morning, I’m afraid. The pancake she handed him covered his plate. He spread butter on it and liberally doused it with maple syrup. When hers was finished, she added a second one for him to the pan and sat down.

What time do you think you’ll be home?

In plenty of time to fix lunch. If not, I’ll stop and pick up hamburgers at the Dairy Queen. She caught the gleam in his blue eyes and ducked her head to hide her grin. Lucas loved junk food, hamburgers especially.

He devoured his pancake and got up to flip the one in the pan and stood, hip cocked, against the counter waiting for the other side to brown. Don’t cut your shopping short to cook lunch for me. Take your time.

She rose and stacked her plate and cup in the sink.

He added the second pancake to his plate and carried it to the table. Leave those and get your shower. I’ll clean up the kitchen. As she walked out of the room, Gail grinned when she heard him add, And hey, hon, bring me two burgers for lunch.

~*~

The Johnson Ranch was fifteen miles from Stony Creek, a small town forty miles west of Austin. Gail parked in a metered spot on the town square in front of the bank and checked her makeup and hair in the rear-view mirror before shutting off the engine. The hot morning July humidity hit her as she stepped out of the car. Already well into the 80’s, the temperature would be over 100 degrees before the day ended. She smoothed the pants of her lime green cropped pantsuit over her hips and looked both ways before crossing the street.

She passed the big glass window of Brown and Guthrie’s Accounting Office where she worked and waved to Sue, their receptionist. From behind her desk, Sue grinned and wiggled her fingers in response. The hardware store sat in the adjacent block, so Gail studied the new dresses in the boutique on the corner before moving on to the hardware store. She and Lucas’s fourth anniversary happened to be coming up. A new dress would be nice.

By eleven-thirty, Gail’s paint purchases were loaded in her car and she started home. Beside her sat a bag of hamburgers. Their scent wafted around her, making her stomach rumble. She’d added fries. Lucas would be in hog heaven.

Gail had lunch on the table when Lucas came in at noon. As he approached her with purpose, his sexy grin melted her innards. He swept her into a deep kiss that left her trembling. Before releasing her, he gave her butt a gentle squeeze. How’d the shopping go? he asked as he turned to the sink to wash up.

Great. Saw Jason. He said Joey is already walking.

Really? The little bugger can’t be that old already. He nuzzled her neck. Kids sure grow up fast.

That they do. She pointed to the table.

Sure is nice having you home during the day, hon. I know you want to work full time, but you know how I feel.

And she did. He wanted her at home, and though she might be happy doing so after they had kids, she needed to work now and gain some experience using the tools she’d toiled for four years to earn. Plus, she needed some independence. Since she contributed to their income, she didn’t have to ask for money—could spend when she wanted.

We don’t really need the money. There’s a lot to keep you busy around here. Like all that painting and decorating you mentioned.

I still have time for decorating projects. Sit down and let’s eat. They ate quietly for a while, enjoying each other’s company.

When you come home this evening, the bedroom will be a different color. I can’t wait to see how it looks with the new spread and stuff I bought last week.

He finished chewing and grinned. It’s not pink, is it?

Not pink per se.

He shuddered and his dark brows furrowed. You’re teasing, right?

I’m teasing. I think you’ll like what I’ve picked out.

Whew, thank goodness.

Gail spent the remainder of the afternoon painting the bedroom a sand color and left the baseboards and door trims white. She made the tiger oak four-poster bed with sand colored sheets before smoothing on the tapestry spread with its threads of brown, gold, sand, purple and red. For accessories, she added red and purple throw pillows, coordinating throw rugs, and an old painting she hung above the bed. The scene showed a mare nuzzling her colt. Lucas would be pleased. He loved horses and most of his work on the ranch revolved around breeding them. Two old stuffed chairs sat in front of the window with a footstool between them. She stood back to look at her creation. It was warm and cozy, intimate. Hopefully Lucas would agree.

She’d stepped out of the shower when the phone rang. Towel wrapped around her, she rushed to the bedside table to pick up the receiver. Breathless, she answered. Hello.

Hi, hon. It’s me. I’m going to be late. The sheriff’s office called. Bud needs me, Dad, and your father to meet him at the suspension bridge that crosses Possum Creek.

The bridge and Possum Creek separated Steele land from Johnson land. Though named a creek, in places it was deep and wide enough to be a river. For years the Steele side had been used by both families for picnics and fishing.

What’s wrong?

Don’t have a clue, sugar. But, it wasn’t a friendly invitation, more like a summons. I’ll call if I’m going to be very late.

~*~

Lucas drove the half mile from the stables and stopped in front of the main house of the Johnson Ranch. His father and mother had built the hacienda style home in the 1970’s and moved out of the house where he and Gail now lived. Big, with five bedrooms, it was more room than his parents needed. Evidently they’d hoped for more children, but they’d never arrived. As a kid, he’d often wondered why.

His father waited on the porch and climbed into the truck as soon as Lucas pulled to a stop. This is a heck of a note, isn’t it? Randall said as he buckled up. Can’t imagine what’s wrong out there now.

Maybe someone’s dumping tires in the water again. No telling what’s going on. Lucas pulled away as soon as his father closed the door and spent the next several minutes mulling over what might be going on at the creek.

When they reached the bridge, several county cars lined the culvert in the shade of the trees. A narrow dirt road led into a common place for folks to pull off the road and park their cars to go fishing. The sandy area was flat with an eight foot drop down to the water. Over the years, a trail had been cut through the brush that led downstream closer to the bank.

Bud Sharp, Stone County Sheriff, met them as they climbed out of the truck. He pumped their hands. Bud looked like he’d lost some weight. His belly didn’t hang as far over his belt as it used to and his khaki pants sagged in the butt. Lucas knew his wife worried about his cholesterol level and had him on a diet. Randall, Lucas, thanks for coming. Sam got here a few minutes ago.

Randall spoke up. Sure thing, Bud. What’s the problem?

Bud walked with them to the deep drop. Look real close down there. See anything?

Lucas strained to find something unusual in the dark water. The sun slipped from behind a cloud, and he saw sunlight glance off glass in the water. Damn, it looks like a car down there.

He glanced back at Bud.

Yep, it’s a car all right. Got a wrecker coming to drag it out. Bud looked between Lucas and his father. Got any idea whose it could be?

Lucas shook his head as his father spoke. I don’t have a clue. How about you, son?

No idea at all. Has anybody been able to make out the model?

Before Bud could answer, a wrecker from Billy’s Towing Service in Stony Creek pulled in, and Bud hustled over to show Billy where to park.

Billy, wearing his usual overalls, joined them and looked down into the water. Ooo wee, how you reckon that got down there, Lucas?

Don’t have an inkling. This hasn’t become an addition to your wrecking yard, has it?

On occasion teenagers pulled under the trees here to work on their cars. Once last fall, Lucas called Billy out to pick up a motor someone left sitting on the cliff edge. Looked like they’d tried to push it over into the creek, but ran out of steam.

Billy laughed and slapped Lucas on the back. Real funny, Lucas. He shook hands with Randall. How ya doing, Mr. Johnson?

Good, how about yourself?

Fine and dandy.

Lucas glanced over at Billy’s wrecker, parked to the side of the clearing. Billy noticed and shrugged. Bud says to wait. He’s got a diver coming all the way from Austin to check the area before we start hauling her out. Probably nothing, but if it’s a crime scene, don’t wanna destroy any evidence.

A crime scene? Hell’s bells, a crime hadn’t occurred around Possum Creek in forever—since his high school years. A bunch of kids got drunk, a brawl started, and before the party ended, a boy almost drowned. Sam Steele had been sitting on his front porch and heard the distant screams carried on the night air. Bud’s daddy was sheriff back then and seems about half the senior class landed in jail. Thank goodness he’d been out of town that weekend.

Lucas walked over to sit on a stump beside Sam Steele. It had been just over a week since he and Gail had last seen her father. Hey, Sam, know anyone missing a car in these parts?

No, son, sure don’t. Could be someone disposed of an old junker. You know how trashy some folks can be. Like dumping all those tires down there. He shook his head in disgust.

Nodding in agreement, Lucas scanned the area around them. Some people bore no respect for others, much less the land. This was a beautiful spot. Huge oak trees lined the creek. Rock cliffs, covered with stubby trees, brush, and grasses, rose behind them. Running along the cliff, a path had been cleared through the thick brush and was easily passable if one watched where they put their feet. It gradually sloped downhill to the creek bed lined with sand and river rock. There the water grew shallow enough to fish and swim.

Lucas looked at his father-in-law. Though only in his early fifties, the man looked older. His face was sun-browned and wrinkled, especially around the eyes and mouth. Working outdoors aged a man, especially one with Sam’s pale coloring and blond hair. His wife leaving him probably hadn’t helped. But when his blue eyes lit with humor or anger, the man looked ten years younger.

Hey, how about coming to dinner tomorrow night? You haven’t been over in a while. Gail’s been painting and will want you to see all the frou-frou she’s added to the house.

Sam grinned and nodded. I’ll be there.

They heard the approaching roar of a motorcycle. A young man riding a Harley, towing a small trailer, drove in and parked to the side out of the way. Bud walked over to meet him. The biker removed his black helmet to reveal a buzz haircut. He sported a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and what looked like combat boots. Lucas and Sam, along with the other men, moved closer so they could hear. Hi, Sheriff, I’m Tom Wilson. Hear you need a diver.

Sure do, son. He looked the kid up and down. His outfit didn’t exactly encourage confidence. You sure you’re qualified to do this?

Tom pulled his wallet from his hip pocket, flipped it open to his badge, and held it out to Bud. Bud glanced at it and nodded.

Okay. Anything you need, let us know.

The diver unloaded equipment from the trailer and small rear trunk, and then started pulling on a wet suit. Billy backed the truck as close to the creek edge as possible and waited. Air tank and face mask in place, carrying an underwater light and fins, Tom eased down the steep bank. He sat down, put on his fins, and disappeared into the dark depths of the water. Approximately ten men peered around the truck trying to see.

They could see beams of light under the water, but not much else. They all waited expectantly for him to surface and say something, but he remained below.

Finally he surfaced, removed his mouthpiece, and called out to Bud. Bud leaned over the edge in anticipation.

Sheriff, the windows and doors are shut with no broken glass. It’s a 1978 Olds Cutlass, can’t tell the color. He lifted his goggles. Two bodies in the front.

Chapter Two

The phone rang at seven. It was Lucas.

Looks like we’ll be here late. There’s a car underwater and it’s got two bodies in it. Bud had dispatch contact the coroner’s office. A forensics team just arrived from Austin and another diver went down with a fella named Tom Wilson.

She gasped. Do they have any idea who it might be?

If Bud knows, he’s not saying.

She could hear voices in the background and Bud’s booming voice. Hurry the hell up. It’s getting dark out here.

That water is so murky, how can they see anything?

They’ve got lights. And I can see camera flashes radiate from beneath the water.

I’ll hold dinner until you get here.

No, you go on and eat. I’ll pop a plate in the microwave when I get home.

Gail hung up the phone and plopped down on the sofa, feet pulled up under her. Two bodies, the thought gave her the willies. Good grief, who could they be? As far as she knew, no one around here had been reported missing. The fact didn’t mean anything, though. They could be from anywhere.

She ate, fixed Lucas a plate, and put the leftovers in the refrigerator. Though tempted to begin painting the living room, she hated to get started and not have time to finish. She cleaned the bathroom and put out the new towels she’d bought with scented candles to match. Left with nothing else to do, she turned on the television, flipped through the channels, and then turned it off. Nothing was on worth watching.

A woof sounded at the back door. She let Chief, Lucas’s German shepherd, in the kitchen. He trotted to his bowls and she added dry food to the empty one and freshened his water. She received a nudge on her leg and a lick on the foot in thanks. You’re welcome.

Gail sighed. She was bored all by herself. If she went on to bed, Lucas wouldn’t be able to see how pretty the bedroom looked with the new spread and all. She looked around the room and her eyes stopped at her wedding portrait hanging above the fireplace. They’d waited four years before marrying. Her father wanted her to get a college degree, meet other men before settling down at eighteen. He didn’t want her to commit to a life of ranching, tire of it, and then leave like her mother. Lucas didn’t want to wait, but agreed out of respect for her father. She’d gotten her education, crammed five years of study into four, but never dated anyone other than Lucas while in Houston.

Her eyes lit on the floor-to-ceiling bookcase covering the wall to the left of the fireplace. Lucas had a bunch of Elmer Kelton’s western novels standing neatly on one row. She thumbed through them, selected The Pumpkin Rollers, and snuggled down on the sofa to read. Chief settled at her feet, yawned, and laid his head on his paws.

She was grinning at the story’s description of farmers-turned-cowmen when she heard the sound of Lucas’s truck. Chief’s head lifted, he stood and stretched before trotting to the carport door. Gail looked at the clock. It was after nine. Lucas came in and bent to greet his faithful friend.

Hello, boy, you protect the home front while I’m gone? Lucas teased Chief as the dog danced around him. Good boy!

He kissed Gail. Hi, sugar. Boy, am I bushed. And hungry.

Take a quick shower and I’ll get your supper ready.

Lucas yelled from the bedroom. Wow, hon, looks great in here.

She joined him in the middle of the room as he looked around. Like it okay?

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. I love it. You did a great job. What color is the paint?

Mohave sand.

Nice. He released her and strode into the bathroom.

Gail sat at the table while he ate, listening to Lucas’s every word. Chief lay at his feet. Town is going to be in an uproar tomorrow. Press will be here from Austin, maybe some of the other big cities, too.

Do they have any idea who the bodies are or whether or not it was an accident?

Bud’s not saying anything, but he was grim all night, so I suspect he knows something he wasn’t telling. There was no identification on the bodies, so it may take a while to learn their identities. Shouldn’t take him long though to find out who the car belongs to, which will be a strong lead as to who the man is. Maybe the woman, too.

How terrible for someone’s family. Maybe Bud can distribute pictures for identification.

Lucas laid his fork down. Did I not tell you? The bodies have been there a long time. There’s nothing left but bones and some clothing.

Gail shivered. God, all this time someone has been down there? But, the creek’s not very deep. How could it hide a car? She got up to refill both their glasses of tea.

Seems there’s a deep hole there just off the bank. It’s probably twenty feet deep by forty feet wide, though not in an exact square or circle. Don’t have a clue what could have gouged it out.

She thought back. Seems I remember Daddy saying he used to go swimming there as a kid. Did he have any idea it was there?

No, don’t think so. My daddy used to swim there, too. He grinned. I think our two old men used the place to go skinny-dipping and then walk up the creek and fish. Lucas finished off his supper and pushed his plate back. Bud asked everyone there and neither my or your dad stepped forward with any information, so I assume they didn’t know the hole existed.

The phone rang and Gail went to pick up the wall extension by the back door. Hi, Daddy. We were just talking about you and Randall skinny-dipping in your youth.

That we did, girl, said Sam. You fix Lucas a nice supper?

Of course I did. He’s cutting a slice of cake as we speak.

Tell him to enjoy his cake, because in about twenty years, he’ll have acid reflux if he eats this late in the evening.

I’ll tell him. Had he eaten tonight? He was all alone now. Daddy, what did you eat tonight?

Ruth left a plate for me in the oven. Don’t you be worrying about me. I get plenty to eat.

Well, you know you’re always welcome here. Everything okay over there? You just call to chat?

Wanted to know how you’re taking the news about the bodies down at the creek. You okay, baby girl?

Why, sure, Daddy, I’m fine. It’s terribly sad, but…you don’t think it’s someone we know, do you?

His hoarse voice rasped in the phone. No, no, don’t have a clue who it could be. It’s just, you know, you’re still my little one, even though you’re a married woman now.

Well, I’m fine. Quit your worrying and cut down on your smoking. Your voice is hoarser tonight.

Sam coughed. Got a touch of the allergies, that’s all.

Allergies, my foot. Please, Daddy, try to cut down. She