Page 15

“Um, hi?” Do I know you?

After crossing back over to the coffees, she removes one from the tray and offers it to me. “I’m Anastasia.”

“Dahlia.”

“Oh, I know.” She beams at me as she bounces slightly to keep the baby soothed. “I’m a friend of Ryker’s.”

Ryker. The wall of muscle who was here yesterday. The man who pulled me out of the water. The same one I haven’t been able to stop thinking about despite my many, many other distractions.

“Oh, yeah, he’s the one who saved me, right?” I ask innocently.

But the grin Anastasia gives me tells me she knows I remember exactly who he is. “One and the same. Anyway, I don’t know if you like coffee, but I own a shop downtown and thought you could use a fix. I know that, if I were in your shoes, I’d be desperate for one.”

“I love coffee, actually. So thanks.” I lift the paper cup to my lips and take a drink. The coffee is perfectly brewed, and soft flavors of cinnamon and cocoa dance on my tongue. “This is fantastic.”

“Why thank you.” She grins at me again, but it falters slightly. “So I don’t know much, but my husband did tell me that you can’t remember how you ended up in the river?”

So they’re married. Why does that hurt in a weird sort of way? I mean, a guy like Ryker still single? It’s laughable.

“Uh, yeah. I have no idea how I got there. I’m just glad he was there to pull me out.”

“Oh! No!” Anastasia laughs. “Like I said, Ryker and I are just friends. I’m married to Sawyer Maddox. He’s a friend of Ryker’s, too, and Ryker asked him to do some digging into what happened.”

The relief that hits me is completely unexpected and totally unwarranted. I know that, but it’s still there. My face heats. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Her smile falters slightly. “Man, it has to be so hard to not remember.”

“Definitely scary,” I tell her. “I was interviewed by a detective and a police officer this morning, and from what the detective alluded to, he thinks I drove myself into the river.”

“Who was here?”

“A detective out of Charleston and a Captain Leopold.”

“Gotcha. Well, I don’t know about the detective, but I do know that Captain Leopold is as great as they come. He’ll find the truth.”

“He was really kind.”

That detective from Charleston hammered me with questions for nearly an hour before finally realizing that I really don’t know anything.

Though I do imagine charges would have been in my near future if my belongings hadn’t disappeared the night of that storm. That is, if the pills were planted in my bag. Given everything else I know?

I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if they were.

I may not be a cop, but I’ve watched plenty of detective shows to see how this plays out. The second they find those pills, they’ll lock me up.

The door opens, and Dr. Chassum steps in. Seeing her brings a fresh wave of frustration, but I know that seeing the staff psychiatrist is a necessary part of getting out of here and finding out what really happened.

With no phone and no computer, I’ve had absolutely no chance of finding my own answers.

“Hi, Miss Swanson, I was hoping we could chat for a bit? If you’re feeling up for it?”

“I’ll get out of your hair,” Anastasia says as she stands. “My number is on the side of the cup if you need me. Please feel free to reach out.” She offers me a smile, then heads out with her baby, shutting the door softly behind her.

I stare at the door, honestly wishing she’d come back so I won’t be alone.

I can do this. God is with me. I’m not alone.

She takes a seat. “How are you feeling, Dahlia?”