Cold River - Carla Neggers [97]
“Just go,” Rose said, her voice strangled. She looked up, water dripping out of her tawny hair now, running off the end of her nose as she tried to smile. “I promised Ranger we’d go for a run.”
Hannah nodded. “The invitation for chili stands.”
Though reluctant to leave, she finally returned to her car. A few fat, sopping snowflakes mixed with the drizzle and splattered on her windshield. Mindful of the conditions, she resisted the urge to speed down the mountain road.
When she came to Harper Four Corners, she pulled into the old tavern. There was more snow mixing in the rain now.
Reverend McBane had the door open before she was halfway up the walk. “I saw you going up the road and hoped you’d stop by on your way back down.”
“I went to see Rose Cameron.”
“Ah. She’s been keeping to herself even more than usual these days. What can I do for you?”
“She said she was here in November. Bowie O’Rourke was over in the cemetery—”
“Yes, I remember. Rose walked over to talk to him about something.”
“Was that the only time you saw them together?”
He nodded, his eyes as sharp and incisive as ever. “Hannah?”
“It’s nothing. Never mind. I’m not suggesting anything.”
“Bowie was by earlier this morning to clean up at the crypt.”
“Did you talk to him?”
“No. He was gone by the time I walked over there. Gloria hates these dreary days. She’s been curled up by the fire with a book since we got up. I just had a look around. I didn’t linger, I have to say. I’ve been inside enough crypts in my day. Not a part of the job I miss.” He grinned, his lined face lighting up. “The next time I need to be in one, I’d prefer to be inside a coffin.”
Hannah smiled at his gallows humor. “You weren’t afraid to go over there, though.”
“When you get to be my age, you’re not afraid of much—certainly not ghosts. Besides, A.J. Cameron and Wes Harper have been keeping an eye out for Gloria and me. Fortunately they live on Ridge Road and drive by here often enough.”
Hannah shivered. “I shouldn’t keep you out here in the cold.”
As she spoke, the old man’s attention was drawn to something behind her. She heard a vehicle and turned, just as Elijah Cameron’s truck pulled into the tavern’s driveway behind her beat-up car.
Sean was behind the wheel.
Hannah’s heart pounded. What was he doing back?
“He must be looking for you,” Reverend McBane said, as if reading her mind.
She turned to him. “Why do you say that?”
He shrugged, tightening his sweater around his thin frame. “Gloria and I have always believed Sean would return to Black Falls to live at least part-time. We think he’d like to renovate this place.”
Hannah tilted her head back. “Reverend McBane, has Sean expressed an interest in buying this property?”
The old man looked uncomfortable. “He asked us not to say anything—”
“You know he’s a shark. All the Camerons are when it comes to property. Not dishonest—just sharks.” She scrutinized McBane, her heart racing now. “Reverend…Sean’s already bought this place, hasn’t he?”
“He’s been very generous,” McBane said vaguely.
“If I looked up the deed?”
“You’d see it’s in the name of a private company.”
“Which Sean owns,” Hannah pronounced. “I’m right?”
Lester McBane sighed. “I forget you’re a lawyer.”
“I haven’t been admitted to the bar yet,” Hannah corrected.
Gloria McBane peeked around the corner from the kitchen. “Sean suggested making us life tenants,” she said. “It’s worked out beautifully for all of us.”
Sean was out of the truck, heading up the sanded walk. He had on his long black coat, and Hannah remembered the feel of his mouth on hers as if their kiss had happened seconds ago.
“Drew Cameron was mending fences in his last months,” the old minister said quietly. “Making amends before it was too late.”
Hannah shifted back to him. “Did Drew have amends to make with Sean?”
“He wanted Sean to know he was still a part of the family. Drew and Elijah had the most obviously strained relationship, but they were so similar—they understood each other. Sean…” Reverend McBane