Its kind of a strange story, her sister said, looking even more nervous.
Dana braced herself. If Stacy thought it was a strange story, then it could be anything. Her sister opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted.
From upstairs a baby began to cry.
What is that? Dana demanded.
I havent had a chance to tell you, Stacy said as she started for the stairs. Thats Ella. Thats my other surprise. I have a baby.
LIZA PARKED HER PICKUP ACROSS the road from Trails End and settled in to wait. She had a clear view of the small cabin Jordan had rented. Like a lot of Big Sky, the string of cabins were new. But it being off-season and the cabinsonly view being Highway 191, she figured they werent too pricey. She wondered how Jordan was fixed for money and if thats what had brought him back here.
Pulling out her phone, she called Huds cell. He answered on the third ring. She could hear the kids in the background and a womans voice. Hilde, Danas best friend. He must be at Needles and Pins.
Hows Dana, boss? she asked.
Stubborn.
She laughed. So the doctor did prescribe bed rest.
Yes. Fortunately, I know you can run things just fine without me.
Probably more smoothly without you around, she joked.
He must have heard something in her voice. But?
Nothing I cant handle, she assured him. But you might want to give Dana a heads-up.
Dana already knows. Stacys at the house right now.
Stacy?
Who were you talking about? Hud asked.
Jordan.
She heard Hud swear under his breath.
I saw him earlier on the ranch, actually at the family cemetery, Liza said.
Whats he doing in the canyon?
He didnt say, but I found out where hes staying. Hes rented a cabin past Bucks T-4. Bucks T-4 was a local landmark bar and hotel. Im hanging out, watching to see what hes up to.
Probably not the best way to spend taxpayers dollars, but I appreciate it. As far as I know, he hasnt contacted Dana.
Let me know if he does. In the meantime, Ill stick around here for a while.
You really need to get a life, deputy, Hud said. Thanks. Let me know if you need help.
So Stacys here, too?
We havent heard from any of them in six years and now two of them are in the canyon? This doesnt bode well.
That had been her thought exactly.
I dont want them upsetting Dana, he said. All we need is for Clay to show up next. This couldnt come at a worse time. Im worried enough about Dana and the babies. I have a bad feeling this could have something to do with that developer whos been after Dana to sell some of the ranch.
The timing does make you wonder, Liza said.
Im going back to the ranch now.
You stick close to Dana. Ill let you know if Jordan heads for the ranch. Hanging up, Liza settled in again. She knew it could be a while. Jordan might be in for the night.
The canyon got dark quickly this time of year. With the dark that settled over it like a cloak came a drop in temperature. She could hear the river, smell the rich scent of fall. A breeze stirred the nearby pines, making the branches sway and sigh. A couple of stars popped out above the canyon walls.
The door of the cabin opened. Jordan stepped out and headed for his rented SUV parked outside. He was dressed in a warm coat, gloves and a hat, all in a dark color. He definitely didnt look like a man going out for dinneror even to visit his sister. He glanced around as if he thought someone might be watching him before climbing into his rental.
Liza felt her heart kick up a beat as she slunk down in the pickup seat and waited. A few moments later she heard the SUV pull out. She started the truck, and sitting up, followed at a distance.
To her relief, he didnt turn down Highway 191 in the direction of the Cardwell Ranchand his sisters house. Instead, he headed north toward Big Sky proper, making her think she might be wrong. Maybe he was merely going out to find a place to have dinner.
He drove on past the lighted buildings that made up the Meadow Village, heading west toward Mountain Village. There was little traffic this time of year. She let another vehicle get between them, all the time keeping Jordans taillights in sight.
Just
when she started speculating on where he might be headed, he turned off on the road to Ousel Falls. They passed a few commercial buildings, a small housing complex and then the road cut through the pines as it climbed toward the falls.
Liza pulled over, letting him get farther ahead. Had he spotted the tail? She waited as long as she dared before she drove on up the road. Her headlights cut a gold swath through the darkness. Dense pines lined both sides of the mountain road. There was no traffic at all up this way. She worried he had spotted her following him and was now leading her on a wild-goose chase.
She hadnt gone far when her headlights picked up the parking lot for the falls. Jordans rental was parked in the empty lot. She couldnt tell if he was still in the vehicle. Grabbing her baseball cap off the seat, she covered her dark hair as she drove on past.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw that the SUV was empty. Past it near the trailhead, she glimpsed the beam of a flashlight bobbing as it headed down the trail.