From the Shadows (Buckhorn, Montana #2) - B.J. Daniels Page 0,64

full of empty beds?

She remembered that Patience had been almost giddy at dinner. Casey had assumed she’d had too much to drink and that had explained both her actions and the flush to the young woman’s cheeks.

But now she recalled ten years ago when Jason had put a flush in her own cheeks—before he dumped her. The thought made her turn back to the hotel and the list. She needed to get away from here and the mistakes she’d made ten years ago and these people who she suspected were still playing games with each other—just as Megan had taught them.

Hurrying upstairs, she changed her mind about looking for more of the heirlooms tonight. After a bubble bath, she wrapped herself in her robe and pulled out the list to see how much she had left to find. Too much. She set the list aside as she stepped to the window. The group had gathered around the campfire. She noticed that Jason and Patience had joined them. The scene appeared to have taken on a party-like atmosphere again sans Claude and Devlin.

Casey watched for a moment from her partially opened window. She could smell the smoke, hear the crackle of the fire when it wasn’t being drowned out by laughter and chatter. She could tell that everyone seemed more relaxed. Because Claude was gone? Devlin as well?

She caught the scent of rain on the breeze and looked to the west, where thunderclouds had formed over the mountains. She’d just closed the window when her cell phone rang, making her jump. Her phone was lying on her bed. She stepped to it. “Hello?”

“Hey, Casey.” It was Finn on the phone. She felt a wave of warmth move through her before she remembered where they’d left their earlier conversation. He’d had to leave right after dinner tonight because of an important call. “I ran down to the store before it closed. I got this craving for cookie-dough ice cream.”

“Seriously?”

“Don’t laugh. Can I pick up anything for you? I’ll share my ice cream if you’re interested. I don’t know about you, but I had to have a treat.”

She could hear the noise of traffic and voices in the background. “Cookie-dough ice cream sounds great. Let me know when you get back.”

There was a smile in his voice when he spoke. “You got it.”

She disconnected, smiling to herself. Why did the man have to be so darned sweet? That was when she heard the footfalls outside her door.

Not again, she told herself as she looked around for her shoulder bag—and the gun inside it. But this time the footfalls continued on past her door without stopping.

She stood listening, holding her breath. It could have been anyone, she told herself even as she checked to see who was at the fire. The same people as before except for Claude and Devlin.

She felt a shudder at the thought of being alone in the hotel with either of them. Because one of them knew the truth? Her gaze flew to her bathroom mirror. The words were gone and yet she still saw them clearly in her mind. I know what you did

Down the hall, a door slammed. Her drapes blew in on a gust of wind, bringing the scent of rain as the sky darkened. She moved to close the window.

She’d just changed into jeans and a T-shirt when her cell phone made her jump again. She snatched it up. “Hello?”

“I’m down in the kitchen,” Finn said without preamble. “One or two scoops?”

“Two. I’m on my way.” She disconnected and looked around the room. Her mouth felt dry, her limbs weak. Finn was right. Someone was manipulating them both. He had no idea why. But Casey thought she did as she headed for the kitchen and Finn.

* * *

IT HAD BEEN IMPULSIVE, calling Casey from the store. He’d wanted to get her alone after their talk earlier had been interrupted. But that wasn’t the only reason he’d called her. He’d had a bad feeling after he and Jason hadn’t found Devlin.

He’d assumed everyone would be down at the campfire, leaving her alone in that monstrous place. If Devlin and Claude had really left. If one or both of them hadn’t pulled the note and perfume stunts. If there wasn’t more going on here than it appeared. He didn’t trust any of them.

Everyone was a little too quick to blame Claude. It made Finn nervous to think that if Claude hadn’t really left, he could come back and