Montana Midwife by Cassie Miles Page A

Aiden accepted Misty’s story, it made all kinds of sense. “The mystery shooter and David must have come there together, probably following Misty.”
    “Because David had a crush,” she said.
    “I hope that’s all it was.” He didn’t like to think about Misty being targeted for a darker reason. “After the murder, the shooter used the vehicle for his getaway.”
    “Find the car, and we find the killer,” she said.
    “It’s not that simple,” he said. “Like the mystery shooter, this vehicle is invisible…and silent. Neither you nor Misty heard an engine starting up.”
    “The rush of the river could have covered the engine noise.”
    “When I flew over, I didn’t see a vehicle.”
    “He made a quick escape,” she said. “There had to be a car for David to get to the site, and it was pretty clever of Clinton to focus on that. It wouldn’t hurt for you to tell him he was helpful. Whether you like it or not, he’s going to be a permanent part of your family.”
    “It’ll take more than a single flash of intelligence for me to change my mind about him.”
    “You have an opportunity to mend fences. Don’t build a wall instead.” Unexpectedly, she chuckled. “I can’t believe I said that. I’m starting to sound like Grandma Yoda.”
    Her laughter drew him closer. It had been a while since he’d had a pretty woman riding in the passenger seat of his truck. When he was still in his long-distance relationship, he hadn’t gone out with anyone else, and it wasn’t only because he was being faithful. None of the local women interested him. Not until Tab arrived.
    Today, she wore her hair pulled back in a low ponytail fastened with an orange-and-blue beaded barrette. She looked fresh and young. The unbraided length of her blue-black hair shimmered in the sunlight, and he longed to tangle his fingers in the silky strands.
    “When we get to town,” she said, “you can drop me off at the café on the corner of Main and Grant. That’s where I’m meeting with my client.”
    “At the café?”
    “She’s a waitress, nine months pregnant. She called this morning and said the baby wasn’t kicking as much, maybe only once or twice an hour. Sometimes, that’s a sign that the mom is about to go into labor.”
    Aiden had participated in the delivery of cows, horses and other livestock, but it was hard for him to imagine a human woman giving birth. “I know who you’re talking about. Her name is Connie, right? If she thinks she’s going to have the baby, why did she go to work?”
    “I told her to stay home, but she wanted to pick up the morning shift. She said her tips have been phenomenal since she started showing.”
    He nodded. “I’ve been slipping an extra couple of bucks under the plate when she’s my waitress. And I’ve been feeling like I ought to help her carry something.”
    “Anyway, this is just a quick checkup. I’ll pop in and say hi. Then I’ll catch up with you at the gas station.”
    Aiden hesitated before replying. He wanted to draw the line about how involved she should be. Though he had no particular reason to suspect Bert, he didn’t want Tab associated with his investigating. “I’d rather have you wait for me at the café.”
    “Why?”
    “I’ll meet you there for coffee. I’ve got a taste for one of their sweet rolls.”
    “I don’t believe that. You just had breakfast,” she said. “Why are you trying to keep me away from the gas station?”
    “For your own safety.” He could have made up a lie, but he knew she’d see through him. “I don’t want any focus on you. We could be dealing with a serial killer, somebody who brutalizes and rapes his victims.”
    “Are you talking about Bert Welling? The man who runs the tidiest gas station in the state?”
    “I don’t know where the danger is coming from. That’s the problem.”
    “Is it?” Her tone was frosty. “It seems to me that all you’re doing is asking questions, which is exactly what I did with