“Too late.” The bumpy track abruptly ended at a rusted barbed wire fence bordering an overgrown pasture. He flicked off the ignition and caught her in those ocean storm eyes. “Topic number one on our agenda. April’s impending death…”

She gulped. “Tragic.”

He waited. His charm had disappeared, leaving behind the no-nonsense man who made his living being quicker, smarter, and tougher than everyone else. She should have seen this coming and been better prepared. “Sorry,” she said.

“Oh, we both know you can do better than that.”

She tried to open the door to get some air and discovered it was locked. The old sense of helplessness sent a rush of adrenaline through her, but just as her fighting instincts kicked in, the lock clicked open. She got out, and so did he. She walked away from him toward the rusty fence. “I know I shouldn’t have meddled,” she said carefully. “It was none of my business. But she looked so sad, and I’m a total head case when it comes to maternal relationships.”

He came up behind her, caught her by the shoulders, and turned her around. His grim features locked into final countdown. “Don’t ever lie to me. If it happens again, you’re out of here. Understand?”

“That’s not fair. I like lying to you. It makes my life easier.”

“I mean what I say. You crossed the line.”

She gave up. “I know. I apologize. Really.” She felt a weird urge to poke at the forbidding corners of his mouth until she’d rearranged them into the charming grin she was accustomed to. “I don’t blame you for being mad. You have every right.” She couldn’t resist asking. “When did you figure it out?”

He released her shoulders but stayed where he was, looming over her. “About half an hour after I left the house last night.”

“Does April know you know?”

“Yes.”

Blue wished April had chosen to share that information with her.

“At least there’s one good thing about my mother…” He studied her intently. “I don’t have to worry about April emptying out my bank accounts.”

A crow shrieked in the distance. She took a step back from him. “How do you know about that?”

“Two can play the meddling game. Stay out of my private business, Blue, and maybe I’ll stay out of yours.”

He must have gotten into her voice mail when she’d given him her phone. She could hardly protest, no matter how much she hated him knowing about Virginia. He finally moved away from her to survey the pasture. A covey of birds shrieked as they flew up from the long grass. “So what are you going to do about Riley?” she said.

He whirled around. “I don’t believe you! Didn’t we just talk about your meddling?”

“Riley’s not your private business. I’m the one who found her, remember?”