He glanced out the window. “Deputy Harden is putting Mrs. Landingham in the back of a squad car. The sheriff is talking to Misty.”

“You’re sure she wasn’t hurt? The gun went off.”

“She’s fine.”

“What about Merit?”

“Merit?”

“Yes, Merit. Mrs. Dodson.”

He gave me a blank look.

“She was in the kitchen.”

He frowned. “Let me get you those aspirin.”

“She let Bear out.”

Hearing his name, Bear wagged his tail.

Randy reached into a cabinet, pulled out a bottle, and shook two pills into his hand.

He handed them to me, and I swallowed them with the last of my water.

“More?”

“Please.” I handed him the empty glass, then stroked Bear’s head. “This is one fabulous dog you have.”

“Don’t I know it.”

“What happened to Merit?”

“She wasn’t here when we arrived.”

“She didn’t go for help?”

“We came running when we heard the shotgun.”

I rubbed my temples, and Bear nudged me. If I rubbed anyone’s temples, they should be his.

“I have a dog at home,” I told him. “He’s brave like you, Bear. His name is Max.” I leaned down and brushed my lips across Bear’s fur. “Don’t tell him I told you, but you’re much better behaved.”

Randy grinned. “He’s got you snowed.”

“He’s a hero. And you haven’t met Max. Max is on a mission to conquer the world. Bear just wants a comfy place to nap.”

The back door opened, and we both turned.

Sheriff Bascom stepped inside and took off his hat. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Jones?”

“Better. Thank you for asking.”

“We need to talk.” He rubbed his neck. “Would you like to shower first?”

I was covered in sweat and blood and dust. In fact, the dust had adhered to the sweat and blood, and my skin tone varied from dirty brown to sickly gray. “That would be nice.” More than nice, being clean would be better than coffee. I stood and swayed.

Randy caught my elbow. “Use my bathroom.”

“Pardon?”

“If you don’t mind my saying, you look shaky. I’ll go to your cabin and grab clothes for you. You stay inside in the air-conditioning.”

The thought of walking to the cabin was daunting. Also, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be alone. “Thank you.”

He led me to his small apartment, and I hardly noticed the aged leather furniture or the hunting prints on the wall. I was too focused on the tiny bathroom with its tiny shower stall. I set the water temperature to tepid, then climbed in.