The Edens, #1
Indigo Ridge
by Devney Perry
Contents
Chapter 15
Overview
Winslow temporarily steps back from the Lily Green investigation to respect the family’s grief, asserts authority over a defiant Officer Tom Smith, and confronts her past when Skyler and reporter Emily appear. Griffin’s decisive support cements their relationship. The chapter ends with an emergency call: Covie is hospitalized.
Summary
At dawn, Winslow Covington leaves Griffin Eden’s ranch after an intimate morning, returning to a quieter police station and the persistent Lily Green file. Reflecting on grief and boundaries, Winslow decides to pause aggressive inquiries into Lily’s suspected suicide to allow the Green family space to heal.
Winslow spends the day clearing reports and improving standards. As she leaves, Officer Tom Smith is openly dismissive about revising his inadequate July 4 report, signaling a deepening rift that may force disciplinary action.
That evening, Winslow returns home to find her ex, Skyler, and reporter Emily Nelsen waiting. Skyler pushes for reconciliation; Emily hovers for gossip. Griffin arrives, pointedly dismisses Emily, and warns off Skyler, claiming his commitment to Winslow. Skyler concedes and agrees to sell their former house, effectively closing that chapter.
Inside, Winslow and Griffin confirm they are no longer casual and plan a real date. Their evening is interrupted when Mitch from the station calls: Frank Nigel has reported that Covie is at the hospital, pulling Winslow back into duty.
Who Appears
- Winslow (Winn) CovingtonPolice chief; pauses Lily investigation, enforces standards with Tom, rebuffs ex, commits to Griffin, gets emergency call about Covie.
- Griffin EdenRancher and Winn’s partner; protective, confronts Skyler and Emily, declares commitment, shares an intimate evening with Winn.
- SkylerWinn’s ex; seeks reconciliation, admits failures, ultimately agrees to sell their former house and leaves.
- Emily NelsenLocal reporter and neighbor; hovers for gossip, is firmly dismissed by Griffin.
- Officer Tom SmithInsubordinate officer; resists report corrections, escalating tension with Winn’s authority.
- MitchStation colleague who relays Frank Nigel’s call that Covie is in the hospital.
- Frank NigelCaller who alerts the department that Covie has been hospitalized.
- CovieSubject of the emergency call; hospitalized, circumstances not yet disclosed.
- Lily GreenDeceased woman from Indigo Ridge; Winn decides to pause further probing to respect the family’s grief.