“Send all that information to me,” Gareth said. “I’ve got some programs that will be able to sharpen the image on this.”
“Whatever you get, send it to me,” Colt said.
Colt headed back to his deputies to finish searching the area while Scott and Gareth headed toward the house. Once there, Gareth collected Katelyn, who offered Lizzie a heartfelt hug. After seeing them drive away, Scott pulled an emotionally exhausted Lizzie into his arms.
Lizzie turned her red-rimmed eyes toward Scott, her heart aching but her brain still scrambling to understand the events of the morning. His eyes held pain as well, but try as she might to want him to feel better, the weight on her chest simply intensified. His arms held her tightly, and she clung to him for dear life, dark emotions clawing at her.
She tried to speak but it came out as little more than a croak. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
His arms spasmed, squeezing her even more. With his lips pressed to her forehead, he replied, “We’re going to get through this, baby. I know you’re hurting, but just let it out. Give it all to me, and I’ll carry it. I swear to you, I’ll carry your pain.”
As her tears slowly subsided, she heard his steady heartbeat as her face pressed against his chest. It never wavered. It just remained steady. She thought about his words, and it dawned on her that he had not promised that nothing bad would ever happen to her again. But that when it did, he would be there for her, carrying her pain. She could not imagine a more beautiful declaration of love.
Tilting her head back, she held his gaze and said, “I love you.” Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she whispered, “It may not be the right time to say that, but it’s what I feel right now.”
He pressed his lips against her forehead once again, taking her weight and giving his strength to her. “There’s never a wrong time to tell someone you love them, Lizzie. Just know that I love you, too.”
Tucked together, they stood in her kitchen for several more minutes until she finally felt as though she could stand on her own. Pushing back slightly, her hands clutched his arms as she said, “I didn’t get anyone fed this morning. I’ve got to go out and do that.”
“I’ve already called Lia and told her what’s going on. I’m going to repair the fence in the pen and help you get everything done. We’ll wait and shear Mark Antony tomorrow. He’ll be fine to wait another day.”
“But that means I’ll have to put the buyer off another day.”
“Will that keep them from buying the fleece at all?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “No. I suppose the next day will be fine.”
“That’s what you need to do, baby. Prioritize what has to be done, and then we’ll take care of it.”
Just as they stepped apart, a knock on the back door had them turn to see Sam standing outside. Calling out, “Come on in,” Lizzie quickly swiped her hands over her cheeks to wipe away the remnants of her remaining tears.
Stepping inside, Sam accepted the cup of coffee that Scott handed to her. “Thanks,” she said, taking a sip of the hot brew before accepting Lizzie’s offer for them to sit down at the table. Once settled, Lizzie waited for Sam to speak, noting the fatigue around the veterinarian’s eyes. She was so grateful that Sam had come quickly and yet realized that she probably pulled her away from other clients.
“Before you tell us what happened, I just need to let you know how much it means to me that you dropped everything to come out here,” Lizzie said. “I’m sure this is an imposition.”
Shaking her head, Sam smiled wearily. “Oh, Lizzie, I’m glad I could be here for you. I’m just sorry for the reason.” Taking another sip of coffee, she cleared her throat. “Okay, let’s get this done, and I’ll take care of the goats for you.” She sat up straight and tucked a few wayward strands of dark brown curls behind her ears. Sucking in a fortifying breath, she began. “From my preliminary investigation, it appears the goats ingested azalea clippings, which are poisonous, as you know.”
“Azalea clippings?” Lizzie gasped. Her gaze shot between Sam and Scott, and she said, “There were no azaleas here!”
Scott reached over and grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze, saying, “We know, honey. Just listen, please.”
“There was a clump of azalea branches, most of the leaves stripped and the branches chewed on,” Sam explained. “I even found a bit of string that seemed to have tied them together. My guess? Someone threw them into the field, knowing that when the goats got out, they would eat them and become sick. I’ve taken blood samples from both goats as well as samples from the vomit and feces nearby. That will let me know for sure if the azaleas were the culprit.”
“But why?” Lizzie cried.
“I’m afraid that’s for the Sheriff to discern,” Sam said. “I know they were looking at the cut fence of the pen near the barn. I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you for now.”
The realization that someone was willing to kill an animal just to get rid of Lizzie slammed into her, having the effect of drying her tears and filling her with anger. Forcing her words to remain steady while her body shook, she thanked Sam profusely.
Sam stood to leave and then said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I fed your animals. I knew you would get to them but wanted you to take care of yourself first.”
Scott stood and turned toward Lizzie, offering his hand as she moved next to him. “Dr. Collins, we appreciate what you’ve done more than you can know.”
“I can’t say it was my pleasure, but it was my job. I’m glad that I can be here for you. Oh, and by the way, call me Sam… everyone does,” she replied. She turned and started for the door, saying, “Of course, the animals are not in the field where the two goats are. I’m going to open the gate and back my truck close by. Scott, I’ll need some help loading them into the back of my pickup.”
Lizzie and Scott nodded their agreement, but a few minutes later heard Sam’s engine grinding and clunking but not starting. Shoulders slumping, Lizzie shook her head and said, “Is this day just cursed?”
Giving her hand a squeeze, he kissed her forehead. “I’ll call Jason and have him send out a tow truck. Why don’t you fix some breakfast, sweetheart? I’ll help Sam, and since the animals are already fed, that saves us some time.”
She doubted she could eat a bite without choking but knew that Scott was trying to give her something to do to keep her mind as well as her body busy. Nodding, she moved over to the refrigerator as he headed outside to help Sam.
24
“Jason is sending someone with a tow truck, and they should be here soon.” Scott was standing next to Sam’s truck, hoping to alleviate some of her frustration but knowing he had little chance of doing so. The rumble of a diesel engine and the crunch of gravel had them look up to see the tow truck pulling into Lizzie’s drive.
When the driver climbed out, he recognized Joseph. Walking forward to greet him with his hand stuck out, he said, “Has Jason got you working in the garage as well as the tattoo shop?”