Babe in the Woods. Caroline Burnes

a stretch of woods, and she welcomed the cool shade. Dang, it was so hot already. Only May and the promise of true summer made her doubt her toughness. She’d grown up in Memphis, but she’d spent the last ten years away. First on a scholarship at UCLA and then later in San Francisco where she quickly rose to the top of a real estate management firm and became the resident expert on historical architecture. That interest had driven her to study more design. That, coupled with her business background, made her perfect for the job at Blackthorn.

      A flit of movement caught her attention. Someone was in the woods with her. She felt a pinprick of concern. There’d been a murder in Blackthorn woods only a few months before. A woman had been killed. Aurelia had told her all about it—and about how Aurelia had been tried and found innocent of the murder.

      Rebecca had been told to call the sheriff if there was any sign of meddling on the property. The intruder was hurrying along, unaware that she’d entered this part of the woods and had seen him.

      “Hey!” she called out.

      The man began to run.

      “Hey! Come back here!” Rebecca gave chase. Diable was certainly faster than the man, but the woods were so thick the horse couldn’t get into them.

      She saw the bushes quake and quiver, the new green leaves marking the passage of the intruder as he headed toward the highway.

      “This is private property. No trespassing allowed,” she yelled after him.

      It was probably some teenager, curious about what was going on at Blackthorn. Aurelia and Marcus had found the treasure that had been a source of hunts for decades. But some folks would only take that as encouragement that there was more treasure buried. Aurelia shook her head. Treasure hunts and casinos were two places it had never crossed her mind to believe she might get money.

      She dismounted at the stables, unsaddled Diable, gave him a good rubdown and promised Cogar that he was next on the agenda for a ride.

      When she got back to Blackthorn she went to the caretaker’s cottage where she was bunking. She dialed the sheriff’s office and dutifully reported the intruder. Rebecca was always good for her word.

      SHERIFF DRU COLSON noted the overturned leaves. Someone had been in the woods at Blackthorn. Most likely just a curiosity seeker as Rebecca thought. Far more interesting than the disturbed leaves was the woman who’d reported them. He’d never seen eyes bluer than hers.

      “Did you get a look at the intruder?” Dru asked as he rose to his feet. Rebecca Barrett was about five-six with honey-colored hair and a figure that did justice to the riding breeches and boots she wore.

      “He was tall, a little on the thin side, sandy-colored hair. He was wearing some kind of plaid shirt, predominantly blue, and jeans.”

      Dru raised his eyebrows. She was also pretty cool in a situation. Few people noticed so many details.

      “Did he say anything?”

      She shook her head. “As soon as I called out to him, he took off running.”

      “I’m not happy with the fact that someone was out here. Most of the locals know the treasure is gone and after Lottie Levert’s death, Blackthorn is off-limits.”

      “It was probably a kid.” Rebecca nodded at that assessment. “He ran off like a sprinter.”

      “I’ll call the principal at the high school and get him to make an announcement to the students, reminding them that trespassing is a criminal offense. Kids don’t understand that any kind of trouble with the law has unforeseen repercussions.”

      “Thanks,” Rebecca said. Her smile was warm, like sunshine.

      “I knew the McNeeses had hired a crew up here, but I haven’t seen the changes. Would you mind giving me a tour?”

      “I’d love to. Shall we start with the barn? They’ve framed in the house, but it’s a long way from show time.”

      Together they walked through the filtered sunlight of the woods. Dru felt the tension leaving his shoulders. He was reminded of being a boy, those golden days of total freedom and innocence when he’d played with his school friends. They’d had endless adventures playing Robin Hood or war or Tarzan, some of them in the woods of Blackthorn.

      “It is beautiful here,” Rebecca said, pointing to a cluster of wild orchids that were nestled in some pine needles.

      “Blackthorn is one of the prettiest places on earth. I’m glad the McNeeses found the money so they can preserve the estate. How is work going on the main house?”

      “Without a hitch,” Rebecca said. “It’s going to be a magnificent house. The plans are phenomenal.”

      “Batson and Batson are the architect and contractor, right?”

      “Yes. Regina Batson is here on the job.” She gave a crooked smile. “She came here to work with her parents, but I’m afraid her heart’s been captured by the thrill of archaeology.”

      “Ah, the allure of the past. Still, it can’t hurt to have the boss’s daughter on-site. Batson and Batson stand behind their work. You shouldn’t have any problems.”

      “That makes me feel better.”

      Dru grinned. He liked the idea that he made her feel better. She certainly made him feel alive. He caught a glimpse of the new barn through the trees and let out a low whistle. “Marcus loves those horses.”

      “Aurelia seems fond of them, too,” Rebecca pointed out. “Especially Mariah. She loves that mare. Who wouldn’t?”

      “I’ve had a lot of training in the field of observation. You’re a horsewoman, too, aren’t you?”

      Rebecca’s laughter was full and free. “Very good, officer. You caught me with my boots on.”

      He felt a foolish grin touch his face and he didn’t care. He was acting like a high-school boy when the prettiest girl in school had time to talk to him. It was fun.

      “Never underestimate the value of good training.”

      She laughed again, and her hand brushed his arm. “I didn’t realize you were a comedian. Aurelia never mentioned a word about it.”

      “I’m afraid Aurelia had a lot on her mind when we met. I never believed she was guilty of murdering Lottie Levert, but I had to charge her. All the evidence pointed to her.”

      “She told me, and she never bore any grudge against you.”

      “She’s a terrific woman. I’m telling you, when she came into Natchez as the heiress of Blackthorn, the whole town nearly dropped its collective teeth.”

      “She and Marcus seem made for each other.”

      “I couldn’t agree more. I was sorry to hear that her mother died. That was a blow to Aurelia, especially with the trial and then finding the treasure. I think they said they were going to Spain on their honeymoon?”

      “Spain,” Rebecca agreed. “They’re traveling without an itinerary. They said they’d check in, but that I was to handle whatever came up.”

      “May I make another trained observer comment?” Dru asked.

      “Sure.” Her face showed slight concern.

      “You look up to the task.”

      She laughed again. “A comedian and a flatterer. I like them both.”

      “Well enough to have dinner with me tonight?” Dru was shocked at the words. Since he’d broken up with his girlfriend of five years, he hadn’t even thought of dating. He knew too well the toll his job took on personal relationships, and he never wanted to go through the hardship of such a breakup again. Celeste was a great person. The fault had been in him and his total dedication to the law.

      He could see that Rebecca was taken aback by his offer, and he wished