Chapter One
Alicia
Atleasteightdifferentcardboard boxes were ripped open—some flaps still stood straight up waving an apology.Water puddled on the linoleum under my feet as I used a dishtowel to dry my hair.When I’d spotted the terry cloth among books and dried goods, I’d thought I’d hit the jackpot.But it turned out to be a single washcloth the size of my hand.
I couldn’t recall much of my frenzied packing.I had to have packed towels, though.
“Right?”I asked the boxes.
“I’ll pack later.I’d rather hang out,” I mocked; past me really sucked sometimes.
My job brought me to new locations every so often, and I knew what it was to miss Chicago and my friends—mostly my best friend, Sadie.Unlike other travel jobs, I didn’t know how long I’d be in Grand Ridge.
So, now I was tits-out in a dingy, little kitchen with windows so drafty the sheer curtain fluttered in the blistering breeze.
The sad excuse for a towel was drenched and my hair was still dripping when the front door to the unit connected to mine opened and closed.I slapped the fabric with a wet smack to my chest as if it could provide any modesty and crouched behind the kitchen counters.Heavy boots crunched on the front porch.If my neighbor took a step to the right, they’d see my naked back and probably the top of my ass through the window.
Not exactly the first impression I was hoping to make.
“Is this a new low?”I mumbled under my breath.Goosebumps covered my arms and legs.A shiver passed through my body.
To my immense relief, the footsteps moved in the opposite direction.I summoned all my courage and lifted my head enough to catch a glimpse of broad shoulders under a brown corduroy coat.The wool-lined collar popped to brush the bottom of his stocking cap.There wasn’t any reason for me to think it, but I had the sneaking suspicion that he was fine as hell.Not that it mattered—I did not enter the dating pool in these little, middle-of-nowhere towns.
I was here to do a job and people liking me made it so much easier to do.Stealing the bachelors out of the dating pool would not make me popular, even if only for a brief fling.
Remaining crouched below counter-height, I shuffled toward the living room.But then an engine cranked to life and spurred me to a full dash behind the wall separating the two rooms.With my arms crossed over my breasts, I peeked.Through the long window next to the door, I watched an SUV back down the driveway to the other unit before pulling onto the quiet country highway.The brilliant morning sun reflected off the windshield, blocking the driver from view.Hopefully, it also hid me.
I shivered again; this time it chattered my teeth.
Fuck a towel, I need clothes.
I’d driven myself and my dog, Furgie, up through the night.The town had been asleep and covered in a blanket of white snow as I passed under the single traffic light, blinking yellow.Even through the streetlights, there were stars dotting the midnight-blue sky.Heading away from town to my new home, the stars had brightened and multiplied.
I hadn’t seen a night sky like it in years—the Milky Way was a cloudy stripe through the ink.
Parking under the carport on my side of the duplex, I had carried my pillow and blanket inside.Furgie trailed behind me on the shoveled walk.The building’s interior smelled like stale air and old carpet.Wood paneling lined the bottom half of every wall.In sock-covered feet, I climbed the stairs to the single bedroom and bathroom, then fell face first onto my temporary bed and quickly fell asleep with Furgie curled beside me.
She’d woken me just before seven itching so much the bed shook.When I couldn’t fall back asleep, I took her outside before taking a shower with disappointing water pressure.
Probably should have confirmed where my clothes were beforehand, but I didn’t.
I left a wet trail on the worn carpet as I rummaged through box after box.For some reason the stupid washcloth was still clenched in my fist.My body had progressed past goosebumps and a shiver every now and then to shivering constantly.There was a wood-burning stove in the corner opposite the sofa, but even if I did have the necessary fire-starting items, I never could get a good fire going.Instead, it mocked me and my frozen state.
“God, I’m like ten minutes away from being hypother—Ah ha!”I exclaimed, pulling a sweatshirt out from among framed photos and a silly old phone shaped like a rainbow and cloud.I slipped the sweatshirt over my head.The soft inside fabric brushed my torso but ended just above my navel.
“Well, it’s something.”I set my fists on my naked hips.“At least most of the boxes are open at this point.”
On the sofa, Furgie snorted.Her snout wrinkled as she chewed on one of her hind legs.Crouching, I ran a hand down her back.“When I figure out how to leave this place with clothes on, we’ll go.We might even be able to walk the wetlands over on Shelby Road and see what we’re here to protect.”
She continued gnawing.
Technically, my work didn’t begin until Monday, but I could get a head start—like visiting local spaces for the vibe of the residence.Maybe I’d figure out the best way to gain footing in the town.It was a fine line to draw between convincing a community that I was here to help and not to be a busy body.
It’d be good to meet people before I started asking them to sign a petition for an emergency vote to rezone this parcel of land.
Furgie let out a few more snorts, her chewing intensified.
“Girl, you have been so itchy.”I scratched my nails along her side, and she rolled onto her back.I gasped and pulled my hand back.
