Heart of Gold - B.J. Daniels Page 0,67

thought about that. By now, Amanda will have told everyone she knows about me and...you.”

He grinned. “Hopefully, she’s no longer thinking you’re after her man. You aren’t, are you?”

Charlie made a face at him and pushed away her plate. “I should get going.”

He picked up both empty plates and rinsed them before putting them in the dishwasher. Charlie went to brush her teeth and finish getting ready for the day.

When she returned to the living room, Shep was waiting by the door, already dressed for the Montana December weather outside. She didn’t even bother putting up an argument as they went down the stairs together, but once outside, she declined his offer to drive her to the hospital.

“Tara’s husband is picking me up. He just texted me, but thanks.”

* * *

CHARLIE GLANCED AROUND as she waited for Joe, almost hoping to see Lindy. This time, she wouldn’t hesitate. This time, she would go after the woman, chase her down, get answers one way or another. But even as she thought it, she realized that once the mystery was solved, Shep would be gone. Back to teaching middle school students math. Her hero.

Lost in thought, she didn’t hear the voice calling her name on the street at first.

“Charlie?”

She turned, frowning as she saw a man hurrying up the sidewalk to her. He slowed, suddenly looking as hesitant as she felt and she recognized him.

“I thought that was you,” he said and gave her a tentative smile. “I wasn’t sure you heard me. You probably don’t remember me, but I swear, you haven’t changed a bit since high school.”

“I think I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He laughed. “I forgot about your sense of humor. Smart as a whip, too. I’m sorry.” He held out his hand. “Andy Walden.”

She shook his gloved hand. Andy Walden. He was still nice looking, but he no longer made her heart pound at the mere sight of him.

“Wow, it’s been a while,” she said, hoping he hadn’t known about the unbearable crush she’d had on him. He couldn’t have, right? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked Lindy out or said those things about her. That would have made him cruel and she’d always thought he was nice.

“It’s funny,” he said, looking uncomfortable. “Seeing you brings back high school. I have to confess something.” He let out a nervous laugh. “I always wanted to ask you out. I even talked to your sister about it. Asked her if she thought you’d go out with me.” Color shot to his cheeks and it wasn’t from the cold. “I can confess it now, but I had the worst crush on you.”

She stared at him. “You told Lindy this?”

He nodded.

“Let me guess. She told you not to ask me out.”

“She said you had a crush on someone else.” He shrugged. “I know all this is ancient history, but seeing you just now... I should let you go.”

“Do you live here now?”

“No, just passing through on my way to Seattle. My mother still lives here and my wife’s family.”

Tara’s husband, Joe, pulled up to the curb.

Charlie hesitated only a moment. “I had a crush on you, too, Andy... Good to see you,” she said and stepped toward the waiting vehicle.

Joe chatted on about the baby and Tara as he drove them to the hospital. Charlie hated that she could only half listen.

Lindy. That old anger had surfaced in a flash when Andy told her about his crush. What a manipulative, hateful liar her stepsister had been. And now she was back.

SHEP WATCHED THE exchange between Charlie and the man who’d stopped her on the sidewalk. It seemed friendly enough. Shep pulled out his cell phone and snapped several photos of the man—just in case he had to identify him. The man could have been asking questions for all he knew. Or he could be a friend. Either way, Charlie hadn’t looked like she needed Shep’s help.

Once she was safely inside Tara’s husband’s car, Shep got into his pickup and headed for the gaming company where Jason Harper worked.

He’d called the number Mulvane had given him. It went straight to voice mail. Even though it was Saturday, Shep had tried his work number. A receptionist told him that Jason was working but not in his office. Did he want to leave a message? He’d declined.

Shep found the video games office in a brightly painted old industrial building near the tracks—not all that far from where Lindy had been murdered. The place looked trendy. Most