Forgotten Secrets by Robin Perini Page A

on Thayne. One day he came home from school terrified of his first big dance at church. Mother spent a week teaching him after school so he wouldn’t stumble over his feet. He was only twelve. ‘Could I Have This Dance’ is as much their song as my parents’.”
    Riley’s gaze fell on Lincoln Blackwood, watching, protective, and so very alone. As if the sheriff had read her mind, he moved to stand with his father, placing a hand on the older man’s shoulder.
    No one spoke. Riley shifted toward the wall, feeling like an intruder. A numbing pressure grew inside her head, settling behind her eyes, threatening to erupt. She couldn’t stop staring at Thayne dancing with his grandmother, such gentleness on his face, such love in his eyes. Such loyalty and devotion.
    Her eyes burned with unshed tears, with overwhelming emotions she could barely keep contained. Another reason for her to get out of this house and go back to her job. She couldn’t afford the complication of feeling any more than she already did.
    As the song played, Helen Blackwood’s tense body relaxed in Thayne’s arms. Suddenly, she stopped dancing and closed her eyes. She squeezed them shut tight, then they snapped open.
    Riley had never seen anything like the spark of recognition replacing the confused fog in Helen’s eyes.
    “Thayne,” she said, smiling up at him. “You haven’t forgotten how to waltz.”
    “You taught me the secret recipe, Gram,” Thayne said, without so much as a blink. “One-two-three, one-two-three. Three-quarter time.”
    Lincoln eased toward her with a tentative hand outstretched. “Helen?”
    She smiled at him and threaded her fingers through his. “What’s the matter, honey? You look tired.”
    He kissed her cheek. “I’m fine. Just glad to see you.”
    Riley couldn’t fathom what had just happened. As if a lightbulb had turned on in Helen’s mind.
    Her sharp gaze snapped to Riley. “I know you, young lady.”
    With a quick nod, Riley walked up to the older couple. “I’m with the FBI, ma’am. I’m conducting an investigation.” Uncertain how to handle the interrogation, she turned to Lincoln. “May I speak with your wife, Mr. Blackwood? Somewhere quiet, maybe.”
    He gripped Helen’s hand tightly and gazed at Riley, his blue eyes cutting through any nonsense. She saw a lot of Thayne in this man. He wouldn’t hesitate to shut her down if he thought she would distress his wife.
    “Oh, for pity’s sake, I’m standing right here, young lady.” Helen dropped her husband’s hand and linked her arm through Riley’s. “Let’s go to my little sunroom.”
    Pops smiled for the first time since Riley had walked into their home. “The empress of Blackwood Ranch has spoken. But maybe Thayne could go with you, Helen.”
    “Only if he brings the apple cookies Fannie delivered. Not quite as good as mine, but not too shabby, either,” she said, pulling Riley toward the door. “Lincoln built the sunroom for me, but I love it at night even more.”
    Twinkling stars appeared in a blanket of night above them. Riley couldn’t stop staring at the expanse. Certainly not visible in the city. “Beautiful.”
    “And romantic.” Helen strode over to a loveseat. “Sit down, dear. I want to show you something.”
    Riley settled on the soft cushion while Helen tugged a large sketchbook from a basket on the coffee table. She sat next to Riley and flipped through a few pages. The likenesses were uncanny. Her husband, her son, her grandsons and granddaughter. She pointed out every one.
    “You’re gifted, ma’am,” Riley said. “I like your use of the 4B pencil for your shading. That’s my favorite, too.”
    “You draw.” Helen smiled.
    “I dabble.” Riley couldn’t believe she’d revealed that detail. It wasn’t something she shared. Not since she was a child. “What did you want to show me?”
    Helen’s eyes twinkled. “This.”
    She turned to a page revealing Riley and Thayne. The drawing had been