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Chapters (77)
  1. Cover
  2. Endorsements
  3. Books by Elizabeth Goddard
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright Page
  6. Dedication
  7. ONE
  8. TWO
  9. THREE
  10. FOUR
  11. FIVE
  12. SIX
  13. SEVEN
  14. EIGHT
  15. NINE
  16. TEN
  17. ELEVEN
  18. TWELVE
  19. THIRTEEN
  20. FOURTEEN
  21. FIFTEEN
  22. SIXTEEN
  23. SEVENTEEN
  24. EIGHTEEN
  25. NINETEEN
  26. TWENTY
  27. TWENTY-ONE
  28. TWENTY-TWO
  29. TWENTY-THREE
  30. TWENTY-FOUR
  31. TWENTY-FIVE
  32. TWENTY-SIX
  33. TWENTY-SEVEN
  34. TWENTY-EIGHT
  35. TWENTY-NINE
  36. THIRTY
  37. THIRTY-ONE
  38. THIRTY-TWO
  39. THIRTY-THREE
  40. THIRTY-FOUR
  41. THIRTY-FIVE
  42. THIRTY-SIX
  43. THIRTY-SEVEN
  44. THIRTY-EIGHT
  45. THIRTY-NINE
  46. FORTY
  47. FORTY-ONE
  48. FORTY-TWO
  49. FORTY-THREE
  50. FORTY-FOUR
  51. FORTY-FIVE
  52. FORTY-SIX
  53. FORTY-SEVEN
  54. FORTY-EIGHT
  55. FORTY-NINE
  56. FIFTY
  57. FIFTY-ONE
  58. FIFTY-TWO
  59. FIFTY-THREE
  60. FIFTY-FOUR
  61. FIFTY-FIVE
  62. FIFTY-SIX
  63. FIFTY-SEVEN
  64. FIFTY-EIGHT
  65. FIFTY-NINE
  66. SIXTY
  67. SIXTY-ONE
  68. SIXTY-TWO
  69. SIXTY-THREE
  70. SIXTY-FOUR
  71. SIXTY-FIVE
  72. A Preview of Book 2 in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN COURAGE Series
  73. Author’s Note
  74. Acknowledgments
  75. About the Author
  76. Back Ads
  77. Back Cover

Tears slipped from Ruby’s eyes, but she straightened, sitting tall in the chair. “That’s when I heard Will’s voice in my head. To be the strong person I had always been. I stomped right up those stairs and pointed the shotgun at a man standing in the hallway. I told him to get out of my house or I’d blast a hole through him.”

Jack shared a look with Nathan.

“What happened next?” Nathan asked.

“He lifted his hands as if he meant no harm. Didn’t say nothing, but he marched out the front door. I ran to the door and bolted it. I guess I hadn’t locked it earlier, so I only have myself to blame for him coming inside. I tell you, my heart was pounding so hard. The sirens came then. The police. So I knew I was safe.”

“Ruby,” Jack said. “Why didn’t you tell the other officers this story?” Jack tried to keep his incredulity concealed.

Ruby hung her head again, then just as quickly lifted it. “I’m ashamed, son. I truly am. But it was always my Will’s mantra that we mind our own business. We don’t borrow trouble. We stay out of it. I thought I was doing what Will would want. After all, what does it matter that the guy came in the house and left of his own accord? He’s dead, I hear.”

“Yes, and he was found inside your silo.”

“I didn’t kill him.” Determination carved deeper into the lines on her face.

Jack could almost smile at that. She was a feisty woman, ready to defend her home and herself. He couldn’t blame her for that. “We know you didn’t, Ruby.”

He couldn’t see her climbing up the silo ladders or steps, much less carting Leif’s body up and dumping it, though he wasn’t clear on the events of the murder. Then again, Leif could have made his last stand up on the catwalk at the top of the silo, battling it out before being shot and killed. Even then, Ruby wasn’t a suspect. He glanced at Nathan. “Just how did we learn Leif was in the silo?”

Nathan cleared his throat. “Tracks through the cornfield. More bullet holes in the tower.” He looked at Ruby. “Sorry, ma’am.”

“I already know this. No need to be sorry. Anything else I can answer for you?”

“Did you get a good look at the man in the house?” Jack asked.

“It was dark, but I got some of him. He was like a ghost.”

On his cell, Jack showed her an image of Leif. “Was this the man in your home?”

Ruby shook her head. “No, that’s not him. Who is he?”