Page 1 of Wildest Dreams

PROLOGUE

TRIPP

Ihadn’t said anything, but the word on the street was Austin was going to be arrested.

I’m not buying it. Sheriff Kelcie hasn’t mentioned a single thing to me, but then again, maybe he wasn’t allowed to.

We all know Austin didn’t kill Clay.

Deep down Kelcie knew that too, but they have to have a suspect and it’s easier to arrest Austin on suspicion than to not find anyone. My blood runs cold, I always thought I could protect my family, but even wearing a badge doesn’t promise that.

The suits had gone quiet, Luke was nowhere to be found and it has me wondering whether he met the same fate as Clay, but fortunately, it wasn’t on our ranch.

Kicking off my heavy boots, I settle down in the back room and pour myself a large whiskey. Pondering over the last few weeks, I feel exhausted with it all.

Pacey has shut down; Riggs and Aspen are caught up in their whirlwind and I feel like I am left here picking up the pieces.

Tapping on the side of my glass, I’m not alone with my thoughts long when I hear the sound of tires screeching.

Bolting up, I run for the large window at the front of the house and see a beaten ass car sitting on the side of the road just outside our ranch, smoke funnelling under the hood. Placing my glass down, I move to the front door and grab my hat, placing it on my head and tug my boots on as I run up the driveway to where the car is parked.

“Ma’am!” I call out when I see a woman leaning in the back of the car, the smoke thick and gray and fear prickles at the back of my neck. She ignores me and I hear the sound of a high-pitched cry.

My legs begin to slow as I approach the car, my brows knitting, and my heart is drumming hard against my rib cage.

“Ma’am, is everything okay?” I ask and when the woman stands, wavy brown hair blowing in the wind and eyes as wide as saucers, I feel the air snatch from my lungs.

Standing in front of me, cradling a small bundle in her arms, is the one that got away.

Ten years ago she left town. Ten years ago she left me standing in the dust of her car. Ten years ago she never looked back.

My best kept secret.

The worst heartache of my life.

My wildest dreams.

“Tripp,” her voice trembles and all I can do is stare.

Fuck.

CHAPTER ONE

DIXIE

“It’s okay baby, nearly there,” my voice is soft as I reach behind and try my best to soothe her, twisting my head for just a moment to look at her and that’s when I hear a loud horn alarming me. Spinning around quickly, my blue eyes widen when I see my car veering towards the centre of the road, a truck flashing its lights at me in warning.

I go into fight mode, twisting the steering wheel too quickly in an attempt to save myself and my six-month-old daughter, Lainey. Adrenaline spikes, coursing through my veins, my blood hot and pumping so fiercely that I can feel the burn flaming against my skin.

Time moves slow, but whizzes before my eyes and the only thought that consumes me is that your brain lives for seven minutes after you die.

What would my seven minutes look like?

What would I see flash before my eyes just as I plummet into an eternal peace.

My childhood.

Singing.