Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) Jodi Burnett (popular books of all time txt) 📖

her to enter his embrace. Dylan, on the other hand, turned away from her. Or maybe he is just warming his hands with the flames. Stop jumping to conclusions. “You guys about ready for dinner?” Caitlyn set down the dish and went to hug her father.

“Hi Catie. I’m glad you’re staying for supper.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Caitlyn’s gaze moved to her brother. His stiff back implied he didn’t share his father’s sentiment.

Her Dad sipped his drink, and the ice reflected the amber flames. “Hey, I noticed the front quarter-panel on your truck is dented, and your turn light is broken.”

“Yeah. Some drunk kids swerved into me after I left here the other night.”

“Are you all right? Did you call the sheriff?”

Caitlyn’s lungs compressed as she thought about how close she’d come to slipping off the cliff, but there was no need to worry her dad. “I’m fine. I probably should have called it in, but all I saw were lights. I couldn’t describe the car, and it was late.”

“You need to get that signal light fixed right away.”

“I will.” Caitlyn smiled at her dad. “Dylan, will you fill the water glasses?”

Dylan’s shoulders slumped slightly. He tossed a glance over his shoulder at her. “I’m having a drink with Dad right now.”

“No problem.” Caitlyn chewed on her lower lip. Are we back at square one, even after we had such a good day? She told Renegade to stay and went into the kitchen to fill a pitcher with water. “What are Dad and Dylan in such a deep conversation about?”

“Nothing particular that I’m aware of.” Her mother handed her a bowl of mashed potatoes. “Take these to the table, please. I think we’re about ready. Tell the boys to come to dinner.”

After their dad said grace, and they passed the serving dishes around, their mom brought up the local drama. “Has anyone heard more news about Wendy Gessler?”

Her dad sliced through a piece of meat, but before he bit into it, he answered, “Nothing new on the 5 o’clock news. Maybe the 6 o’clock broadcast will have something.”

Dylan wiped his mouth on his napkin. “Why are they making such a big deal out of Wendy not coming home over the weekend? She never struck me as the super responsible type. She probably just drove down to Cheyenne for a couple of days and hasn’t made it back yet.”

“But no one can reach her.” Their mom poured gravy over her mashed potatoes.

Caitlyn checked her watch. “The 6 o’clock news is in ten minutes. Do you mind if we turn it on, Mama?”

“You know I don’t like the TV on during dinner.” Her mom pursed her lips. “But maybe this once. I’m curious too. I hope she’s all right.”

“I’m sure they’ll find her soon.” Caitlyn pushed her chair back and stood. “Most missing person cases end up being a miscommunication.” She found the remote on the coffee table and clicked on the TV in the living room.

“Did you learn that in college?” Dylan said derisively.

“In fact, I did.” Caitlyn gave him a bright smile, refusing to rise to his bait. She changed the channel to the local news station and bent to scratch Renegade’s soft belly before she returned to her meal. The family waited for the program to come on, and at 6 o’clock, the broadcast banner flashed across the screen. The familiar ditty announcing the evening news played over the air. “Our headline story tonight is the missing person case of Wendy Gessler.” The screen switched to the local field reporter, who asked Sheriff Tackett to share the case details.

At six foot, three-inches, the barrel-chested sheriff towered over the reporter as he peered into the camera. “Wendy Gessler is still missing. She was last seen on Friday night at the Tipsy Cow. We have interviewed almost everyone who was at the bar last Friday, her neighbors at the Pinewood apartment complex, and all of her coworkers. No one has seen or heard from her since Friday night. If anyone watching this newscast knows where Wendy is, or has heard from her, please call the Sheriff’s Department immediately.” A recent photo of the pretty blonde woman appeared on the screen. “Now, the family would like to make a few comments.”

The young field reporter carried the oversized microphone to the family huddled together in a small group. Caitlyn recognized Mr. and Mrs. Gessler, but the thirty-something man who took the mic in his meaty hand was unfamiliar to her. His muscled shoulders rounded as he lowered his head of close-cropped dark hair. When he wiped at his eyes, Caitlyn noticed the tip of a tattoo edging out of his sleeve. He gathered himself and focused on the camera with slate-colored eyes.

“Wendy, if you’re out there, and can hear us, please come home. We are worried about you. We miss you.” Behind him, Wendy’s mother and father stood in stoic silence, appearing overwhelmed with worry. The man shrugged against his suit-coat as though it didn’t fit well and adjusted the microphone.

He continued. “If anyone knows anything about where Wendy is, or if you have seen her in the last couple of days, please, please, call the Sheriff’s Office. Wendy, if you can hear me, I won’t stop looking for you. Hold on, baby. I’m coming.” The man released the mic to cover a sob with his palm, and the interviewer had to scramble to catch the device before it fell to the ground. Thick hands covered the man’s face, and his shoulders shook.

“That guy must be Wendy’s boyfriend,” Caitlyn mused.

The camera focused on the reporter. “That was Mr. Jim Hague, Wendy Gessler’s boyfriend, speaking for the family.” He pointed out the phone number posted across the bottom of the screen to call with any information. Then the reporter turned the broadcast back to the anchor, who murmured her sympathies before deftly moving on to the next topic in the news.

“Dylan, do you know who that guy is? The boyfriend? I don’t think I’ve seen him in