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“Marjorie!” I said warmly, standing to greet her.
As I wrapped Marjorie in a brief embrace, the familiar scent of her floral perfume brought back a flood of summer memories. "Marjorie, it's so good to see you," I said, stepping back but keeping hold of her hands for a moment longer. "I've taken over Horseshoe Lake Ranch. It's been... overwhelming at times."
Marjorie's smile was tinged with sympathy. “I’m sure, dear. Could I join you for lunch? I’d love to catch up.”
As we settled into our seats at a quaint cafe table tucked away in a sunny corner, she adjusted the wide-brimmed hat on her head, shading her eyes from the gentle assault of the midday sun. "So, Heather, that's a big step. Dina would be so proud, though. How's everything going at the ranch?"
I sighed. "It’s a lot to manage, especially with everything going on. I just needed to step away for a couple of days, you know, to clear my head."
Marjorie nodded understandingly, her hands folding around her coffee cup as it arrived. "I was devastated when I heard about Dina. She was such a pillar... strong and dedicated. It’s a tremendous loss. How are you holding up with the transition?"
"It's challenging," I confessed, stirring my tea a little too vigorously. "Dina left big shoes to fill, and I'm just trying to keep everything running as smoothly as she did."
Her eyes filled with a warm, empathetic glow. "She talked about you, you know? Always so proud. Said you had a head on your shoulders sharp as a tack. It's a big responsibility, but if anyone can handle it, I believe it’s you."
"Thanks, Marjorie," I said, feeling a small weight lift at her words. "That means a lot coming from you. Dina respected you immensely. Would you like to join me?"
We ordered lunch, and as we waited for our food, the conversation naturally drifted to memories of Dina. Marjorie reminisced about the trail rides they used to lead together, her laughter lightening the mood.
"Dina always knew how to handle the rowdiest of horses," Marjorie chuckled, her eyes sparkling with the memory. "Remember that old chestnut, Buster? He was a terror for the new hands."
I laughed, the image of Buster bucking comically as he tried to unseat the inexperienced riders vivid in my mind. "Yeah, Dina could handle him with one hand tied behind her back."
As our meals arrived—a club sandwich for Marjorie and a Caesar salad for me—we continued sharing stories. Marjorie spoke of Dina's dedication to the ranch, her knack for business, and her love for the land.
"It wasn't always easy for her, you know," Marjorie said thoughtfully, picking at her sandwich. "Especially towards the end."
"What do you mean?" I asked, pausing with my fork mid-air.
Marjorie sighed, setting down her sandwich and leaning in slightly. "Well, she never said much, but I could tell something was bothering her. She'd started locking her office—which she never used to do—and I saw her up late at night more than once, looking worried."
My interest was piqued, and a chill ran down my spine. "Did she ever say what was on her mind?"
"Not exactly," Marjorie continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But she mentioned once that she thought something odd was going on at the ranch. Said she didn't like the way some of the newer employees were conducting themselves. She was thinking about making some changes."
My heart thudded painfully against my ribs. "Changes?" I echoed, my mind racing.
"Yes, she was vague about it, but I got the impression she was worried about more than just work ethic. It was like she suspected... I don't know... something underhanded."
The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together. My aunt hadn’t just been a victim of circumstance; she might have been actively trying to root out something malicious festering under her own roof.
After saying goodbye to Marjorie, who had given me more to think about than she probably realized, I strolled back to my hotel. The streets of the town were bustling with the mid-afternoon crowd, a sharp contrast to the often-quiet expanses of the ranch. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and pulled it out to see a message from Danny.
"Hey, just checking in. Everything okay?"
I paused on the sidewalk, people flowing around me like water around a rock. Why hadn't Aunt Dina worked with the police if she’d been worried? It didn't make sense, especially for someone as straightforward as she had been. Had she been protecting someone—or something? The thought gnawed at me, unsettling the brief calm Marjorie had provided.
Staring at Danny’s message, I debated how much to tell him. He deserved to know what I was discovering. Still, at the same time, I felt a tug of caution, an echo of Dina’s possible reasons for keeping the police at arm's length.
I typed out a reply, my thumbs hovering over the keyboard as I chose my words.
"Needed a breather from everything. Back tomorrow. Think we need to have a good talk."
I hit send before I could rethink it. The immediate buzz of my phone told me he’d replied.
"Understood. Let me know if you need anything."
I pocketed my phone and continued walking, my thoughts swirling. The day was winding down, the light softening. On a whim, I turned into a side street and found myself in front of a quaint bookstore that promised the comforting smell of old paper and possibilities. Maybe what I needed was a distraction, something to clear my mind for the night.
