Cannon Falls.
“It looks so harmless,” Eddie said, getting her attention.
She chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“Does it remind you of anyone?” he asked.
She glanced over at him, and he chuckled. “When you returned, a lot of us around here thought you’d last a week.” He shook his head and they started walking down the pathway towards the lifts. “Then you stood up to your family and fired them.” He whistled slightly. “Which took as much guts as it took brains.” He stopped at the base of the lifts and laid a hand on the large metal base. The chairs were off the lifts, currently getting repairs or being replaced, leaving long poles hanging from the thick wires above. “Then you started putting money back into this place.” He tapped the metal, sending an echoing sound vibrating from the base. “Smartest move yet.”
“Thank you,” she said easily, and he chuckled.
“Whatever has you out here, looking worried, it shouldn’t matter. You’ve proven yourself in the three months you’ve been back here.”
“Gosh, has it only been three months?” she said, jokingly.
He smiled back. “Three more and this place will be covered in snow and full of tourists. I can almost guarantee it.”
“I’m excited to see what you come up with for next summer’s outdoor ventures around here. Will you be sticking around until the season starts?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. After several meetings with him, she believed that he could be a big asset to the summer ventures they were adding. He was very excited about the prospect of having downhill racing year-round.
“Nope.” He smiled. “Skid and I are heading up to spend a few days in Montana after this. We just came back here to send Rachelle off.” The man’s smile faltered.
“Were the two of you close?” she asked.
“You could say that,” he answered with a sigh. “I should have asked her to marry me a few years back.”
“I’m so sorry.” Raven felt her heart slide to the bottom of her stomach. How had she not known Eddie and Rachelle had been a thing? Did Sean know?
“No one else knew.” He broke into her thoughts. “Rachelle feared that if your aunt and uncle found out, they’d find some way to use it against us.”
“They really are assholes,” she admitted, and he smiled.
“Skid and I were up in Montana when we got the news.” He glanced over to where his dog was peeing on a tree. The man’s eyes filled with sadness. “Who would do such a thing? Rachelle was always so good to her employees. Kind to everyone she knew.” He shook his head.
“I’m sure the police will find out who killed them,” she said softly.
He glanced over at her. “So, you think the murders are connected?”
She sighed. “I’m not sure, but there has only been one murder in Cannon Falls in the last thirty years. Now we have two murders within a month of each other and under the same roof.” She shrugged. “It stands to reason.”
“Right.” He nodded slowly. “We’re having a little thing for Rachelle tonight in the center square. There will be live music and barbeque. You’re welcome to join,” he offered.
She had heard a few employees talking about it but had figured that she hadn’t been invited because she was the boss. Rachelle had requested to be cremated and hadn’t wanted a fuss to be made over her. Or so the woman’s lawyer had stated.
“I’d like that,” she agreed, already thinking of sending Cade a text about their change in plans.
“And since everyone in town knows you and Cade Stone are an item”—he smiled— “he’s welcome too.”
“Thanks.” She glanced down at her watch. “I’d better get back.”
“See you tonight,” Eddie called after her.
When she sat down behind her desk again, she realized she no longer cared what gossip was going around about her parents. Anyone who knew them, knew her, understood what the truth was. All others could go to hell.
She sent Cade a text message about the event, and he agreed to meet her there after work. When she was done working, she headed up to her room, once again avoiding the area just outside the elevators, to change.
After showering, drying her hair, and adding just a touch of makeup, she pulled on a simple black dress and low matching heels.
When Raven parked in the small parking lot near the center of town, a quick moment of anxiety hit her. This was the first time she’d be around so many townspeople. She could