Colton On The Run. Anna J. Stewart

parking spot he found near M&P Grocery, the small mom-and-pop store located in the blink-and-miss-it town of Juniper Grove. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the hustle and bustle of Roaring Springs with its restaurants, shops, businesses and nightclubs, but Leo was the kind of man who preferred simpler offerings. Juniper Grove, less than an hour’s drive from the ranch, was perfect for those looking for a more sedate side excursion with its kitschy antiques stores, gift shops and down-home atmosphere. But today? Today he was keeping his ears open. Small towns absorbed information like industrial sponges. And even smaller businesses like M&P Grocery? It was the perfect place to start.

      He grabbed his hat before climbing out of his truck. His trips into town weren’t infrequent, but this time of day put him in the middle of what would be considered the lunch rush and the lively energy of workday frenzy. The plate-glass windows of the diner across the street were filled with customers sipping on milkshakes and gobbling down burgers. The solitary gift shop had their OPEN signs ablaze to welcome the trickle of customers. He’d forgo the bookshop this time around, and he didn’t need to stop at the hardware or the feed and supply store located a few doors down. Instead, he focused his attention on the grocery and stocking up on supplies.

      Leo tipped his hat in greeting to the elderly pair of women hurrying out of the store, each with a reusable bag curved over one arm, and a drippy, strawberry ice-cream cone clutched in the other hand.

      “Afternoon, Leo.” Clarice Summers called from behind the front register. She tucked the too-tight blouse down over her obviously pregnant stomach with a grimace of frustration. “What brings you out and about today?”

      “Just stocking up. Weekend’s gonna be full.” He pulled out a cart and made quick work of the meat section. One thing about living in cattle country—there was always plenty of selection. He looked at the plastic-wrapped packages of chickens and cringed. Did Jane like beef? Should he get some chicken just in case?

      His culinary skills were passable; not that his grandmother would have agreed. But he’d pulled his own weight up on the pipeline and filled in a time or two for the kitchen help. Up there, you did what needed doing whether you were capable or not. You just dived in and hoped for the best.

      While he’d certainly had his share of female companionship in his twenty-seven years, he’d never lived with a woman long-term. Would Jane prefer salad? Seafood? Or would her memory loss work in his favor? Maybe he should have thought this out a bit more.

      By the time he loaded his items onto the conveyer belt, he felt better about his selections. Pasta, fresh vegetables. And dog treats for Ollie. Not too much he could screw up. One thing he did know how to make was his grandmother’s buttermilk biscuits. Add a pile of strawberries and they make for perfect shortcakes.

      “Branching out, I see.” Clarice grinned at his larger than usual grocery haul. “One would think you were stocking up for the winter.”

      “Just being prepared,” Leo said, smiling back. “You ready for the little one?”

      “I was ready a month ago,” Clarice groaned, and pressed a hand against the base of her spine. “I swear this kid swims laps. What am I going to do when he comes out? Not like we have a lot of pools around Juniper Grove.”

      “There’s always The Chateau in Roaring Springs,” one of her coworkers teased.

      Clarice snorted. “Sure, if I turned over half my paycheck. You been up there yet, Leo?”

      “To The Chateau? Ah, no.” Fancy spas and resorts weren’t part of his lifestyle. Not that he knew much about it. Growing up, he’d spent all his time out on the ranch being homeschooled by his grandmother. He’d never been concerned with the Coltons and the goings-on in downtown Roaring Springs. Now that he was back, nothing had changed. They lived in their world; he lived in his. He probably wouldn’t even recognize a Colton if he saw one.

      “Well, who knows what’s going on up there these days what with that Avalanche Killer and all,” Clarice’s friend, whose name badge identified her as Betsy, declared in a singsong voice. “Not sure if that’s going to bring more people in or frighten them away.”

      “The Avalanche Killer?” Leo did his best to sound casual.

      “Honey, you’ve been spending too much time out on that ranch alone. Haven’t you heard? They’ve found bodies up there on the mountain near The Lodge. Bodies of young women. Buried in the snow.” Clarice shuddered. “Word is some go back years. They found another one just a while ago. Crazy times we’re living in. I’m locking my doors for sure.”

      “Crazy times indeed,” Leo murmured even as his mind raced. He wasn’t a man who believed in coincidences. Knowing what he did about Jane and what had happened to her, now hearing about this crazy serial killer? Suddenly, all he wanted was to get back to the ranch and make sure she was okay.

      “Thanks, Clarice. So who’s in charge of the case? Have they brought in the Feds? I saw on one of those reality shows they bring in the FBI for cases like this.”

      Betsy shook her overdyed blond hair. “Last I heard Deputy Daria Bloom’s overseeing things. Been working like a fiend trying to tie all the threads together.” Her mascara-thick blue eyes went wide. “I bet this would make an amazing book or TV movie. You know, for that women in crime network they have. Oh, wow! I wonder if they’d film here.”

      Leo forced a laugh and accepted the bags Clarice finished packing. “I wouldn’t put it past anyone not to have thought of that already. Thanks, ladies. You have a nice day. Clarice, you take it easy.”

      “You, too, Leo.” Clarice beamed at him.

      Leo loaded his bags into the truck, hesitating. Questions flooded his mind, as well as doubts. As much as he wanted to inquire further about the supposed serial killer and ferret out information that could, possibly, connect to Jane, he’d given her his word he wouldn’t go to the authorities. Besides, going in and asking questions of the police would more likely result in him being put on a suspect list rather than being considered a curious resident.

      No. Now wasn’t the time. He couldn’t break the promise he’d made to Jane, not when trust was the most important thing he could build right now. It didn’t matter that she might never know. He would. A man might not have much, his grandfather often told him, but he has his word and once he gives that, there’s no going back.

      Which meant Leo would give the sheriff’s station and Deputy Bloom a wide berth. For now.