more. She would throw a hissy fit if he came in, got the keys, then tried to leave again.
He sighed, feeling trapped. But never mind, it might be better if he stayed, Ralph told himself. He needed the promised cash, and he couldn’t afford to make Stella angry—not yet, at least. After he did the job tomorrow, he’d stick around long enough to make sure the Tylers didn’t suspect him. Then he’d collect his pay, make nice with Stella, and wait for the first chance to make tracks.
The plan made sense, as long as he could make it work. Otherwise, if anything went wrong, he’d be a dead man.
Fear crawling along his nerves, Ralph turned around once more and walked back into the house.
* * *
Bundled in Bernice’s knitted afghan, Tori stood at the porch rail. The evening breeze was cold. Clouds gusted across the sky, playing hide-and-seek with the waning crescent moon. The air smelled of snow, but the forecast was for a mild storm, not a killer like the last norther that had blasted the land with sleet, ice, and lightning.
From the glowing rooms behind her came the sound of a football game on TV, intermingled with whoops and cheers from the watchers—Will, Beau, Sky, Jasper, and Erin. The aroma of baking pies floated from the kitchen, mingling with the homey smells of popcorn and wood smoke. As usual, the Tyler Thanksgiving celebration had started the night before the holiday, with snacks and game watching. Tomorrow, for the first time, Natalie and Lauren would be joining them for the traditional turkey feast.
Tori had always looked forward to the fun, food, and family that was Thanksgiving on the Tylers’ ranch. But this year would be bittersweet. Behind everyone’s smiles and laughter was the awareness that this could be the last holiday when the entire ranch family would be together. Will’s fate hung in the balance, awaiting the outcome of the trial in two weeks. Jasper and Bernice were getting old. Erin was growing up. And as for herself . . .
She brushed back a lock of windblown hair. Drew hadn’t phoned her since leaving for Omaha on Monday. Was he giving her time and space to make up her mind about him? Or had the revelation that she couldn’t have more children cooled his interest?
It surprised her how much she missed him. Drew was an island of stability in the sea of turmoil her life had become. She wasn’t in love with him—not yet, at least. But she liked him. There were even times when she needed him.
“Here you are.” Will had come out onto the porch, moving to stand beside her. He was wearing the plaid woolen shirt he’d worked in that day. It smelled of sagebrush, hay, horses, and his powerful male body. He stood with his hands on the rail, silent now, as if waiting for her to speak.
“How’s the ball game?” she asked, making small talk.
“Fair. The Cowboys are up by two touchdowns. But I couldn’t stay with it. Too much going on in my head.”
“Are you all right?”
“Fine . . . considering.”
Tori checked the urge to reach over and lay her hand on his. It might be a comfort, but they’d gone too far down that road already.
“There’s something we need to talk about,” he said.
“I’m listening.” Tori felt the tension, like the sudden snap of a bowstring. Whatever Will was about to say, she sensed it wouldn’t be easy to hear.
He cleared his throat. “If the trial goes badly, and I end up going to prison—”
“Don’t say that!” She cut him off. “Don’t even think it. It’s not going to happen.”
“Are you that sure of yourself, Tori?”
“I have to be. It’s the only way I can do my job.”
Will’s throat moved, but he didn’t reply. In the silence the mournful wail of a coyote echoed through the darkness.
“There are some things we need to think about,” he said. “One of them is our daughter. Whatever happens, we’ll want to make this as easy on her as we can.”
There’s no way any of this will be easy on Erin, Tori thought, but she held her tongue.
“If I go away—and it could be for years—there’ll be no one in this house. Bernice wouldn’t stay on. She’s already talked about going to live with her sister. Jasper . . .” Will shrugged. “I’m guessing he’d stay put as long as he can, but he’s getting old. He won’t be around forever. Beau and Natalie will have