“I want to get the coroner’s initial reaction.” Jack could be the detective assigned to investigate.

Haymaker shared a look with Terra. “Come on, let’s go.”

“I’m staying,” she said. “But you should go.”

“You sure?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He frowned and shook his head as he turned to leave. The two other deputies were already heading out.

Though Jack had asked her to remain behind earlier, he’d simply wanted her assessment. And okay, maybe if he was being honest with himself, he’d wanted a few moments alone with Terra Connors, the woman he’d once loved. He shouldn’t allow his personal thoughts and actions to overlap with his professional world. But he had a strong feeling that would be a struggle, and in that case, Jack should encourage Terra to go too. He wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to face more time alone with her, considering their shared past. Still, that had been years ago, and he hoped she had moved on and let go. Maybe he was asking too much to think she hadn’t held a grudge, because he certainly still held one against himself and his actions. Nor could he ever tell her the reasons for his actions—that would hurt her too much.

When the deputies and Haymaker were out of earshot, he said, “You didn’t have to stay, you know.”

“And leave you alone out here in these millions of acres that I know so well?” A hint of a smile edged her lips to take the bite out of her sarcasm.

“The sheriff might come too. Maybe my sergeant.” He wasn’t sure who to expect next, or if he would be assigned to investigate if this turned out to be a crime. Whatever. Someone just get here, and soon.

Why did you really stay behind? “Are you okay?” he asked.

She lifted her face to the treetops and shuddered as if to shake off the emotion. “I’ll be fine. How’s his wife going to react when she hears the news?”

“I’m glad that’s the sheriff’s job.”

“My grandfather knows Jim. Or knew him. I think Jim was his insurance broker too.” Terra dropped her chin and stared at the ground. “I hope we can wrap this up quickly, since Jim wasn’t a loner or a stranger by any stretch. He knew a lot of people.”

“Which could make this more difficult,” he said.

“We’re talking like we know he was murdered. I find it hard to believe.”