Page 45

I grab an orange from the fruit bowl in front of me. “I’m good,” I say, trying to sound normal. “I mean, I’m just not that hungry.”

“But you didn’t eat supper last night either,” Beth points out.

“I’m meeting the girls for coffee, so I’ll have breakfast there.”

Jake grabs his keys and hat. “Let me drive you at least,” he offers.

I grab my wool coat. “No. I need to do this. I’ll be fine.” I glance at Beth, who is now sitting with her arms crossed, staring out the window toward the lake, lost in her thoughts. “The bad guy is dead, right?”

Beth crinkles her forehead as if this entire conversation makes her uncomfortable. I rush out the front door before she can protest again.

Slowly walking down quiet roads, I pass the place where everything changed. A chill rolls through my bones. He might be watching me right now, and that gives me twisted pleasure. I pull my coat tighter, waiting for something…anything to happen.

It’s quiet in the valley. Just the wind and echo of my own dark thoughts.

Give me a sign that you’re here with me, Nick.

I stand and wait for as long as it takes. Captivity taught me one thing…how to be patient.

A few seconds later, a little red dot floats across the sidewalk, then moves in a playful circle in front of me, landing on my left hand, up my arm, and directly on my heart.

My heart rate accelerates…he’s here. The subdued memories of what he did to me cause a pulse between my legs and my face to heat with shame. I whip my head up to the trees and the darkness that lies beyond. He could be anywhere…

“Do it, motherfucker,” I mutter.

Nothing happens.

I blink, and the small red dot is gone. Spinning around, I try to find it again, and after a few minutes, wonder if I imagined it. Even more confused, I carry on down the street toward the bakery. It’s a twenty-minute walk into town from my house. A walk I’ve done thousands of times, without a care in the world.

As I hit a busier street, more people turn and stare as they walk by. A few folks smile and wave. I force myself to keep moving and into the coffee shop. News of my homecoming has spread.

Gabriella and Keely are already there waiting inside for me. My two best friends I grew up with. They and their husbands both work for Stormwood Lumber, which means one day they will work for me.

Keely sees me first and waves enthusiastically. “Layla. Hi. Over here.” She gives me a hug without asking, and I recoil at the unexpected touch. She pulls back, hesitant. “You look good, you really do.”

I chuckle despite myself. “I look horrible.” They exchange a glance. “Well, not right this second, but you look better overall,” Gabriella offers.

At least she’s honest.

I sit across from them. I can’t help but notice the giant rock on Gabriella’s finger. She always dreamed of getting married. Keely’s gaze is fixed on it too, and then she looks at me. I only now remember she wanted to speak with me. They exchange a glance before Keely breaks the awkward silence. “So…how’s life? We hear you’re dating a famous artist.”

My stomach curdles. “He’s not an artist. He’s an art dealer. And I’m not dating him, he is representing me.”

Keely turns beet red like she always does when she puts her foot in her mouth. “Sorry. That’s what it said in the news. Since you’re always being photographed with him, I figured…”

My gaze skitters away. “No. We aren’t together like that.”

Gabriella takes a sip of coffee. “Do you believe someone is still out there? Or do you think that shooting attempt was an accident?”

I run my hand over my face. “The police are saying it wasn’t a shooting attempt. The light bulb exploded. It was just a weird coincidence.”

Gabriella leans in. “Is someone stalking you?”

I frown, but my heart flutters. “What are you talking about? Why are you asking me this?”

Gabriella runs a hand over her dark hair. “The sketch online…they’re calling him the Archer. How have you not seen this?”

The room closes in on me, my fluttering heart now taking over all my senses. My stomach sinks into the pits of hell. “Show me.”