After escorting Edward out, I lumbered into the dark living room and collapsed on the sofa. I needed someone to talk to, so I picked up the phone and called the one person I could count on.
“Hello, sis,” Lakota answered.
“Come home.”
“Miss me already?”
“I’m so sorry to ruin your trip, but I need your help. Tak’s here.”
“Tak? Is he harassing you?”
“No, he’s injured. The Relic was just here, and I couldn’t pay him because someone robbed our safe.”
“What the hell?” he growled. “Someone broke in? Were you home?”
I could hear Melody frantically asking him what was going on.
“Lakota, someone set the store on fire. They didn’t burn it to the ground, but I don’t know how extensive the damage is. There was a grizzly attack and… I just need you to come home so I’m not alone in this.”
“Are you safe?”
I stared listlessly at the vacant room. “Yes.”
“I’m flying home tonight.”
“What?” Melody exclaimed. “Is Hope okay? What’s going on?” She must have grabbed the phone from him, because her voice came on next. “Are you all right? What’s happening?”
That was when I broke down. “Please don’t hate me. I kept secrets from you. Someone’s been harassing me and vandalizing the store while you’ve been gone. I didn’t want to worry you because I wasn’t sure how serious it was. All that stuff that happened before with the graffiti we ignored, and it was fine.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No, but Tak is.”
“What the hell is Tak doing there?”
“Mel, I love him. I doubt that’s going to make any sense to you right now, but that’s how it is. He needs me now, and I have to take care of him. Don’t say anything to Lakota. Not yet. I want him to stay focused.”
“What happened?”
“Someone set the store on fire, and we need to hire contractors to look at the damages. A Councilman stopped by to question me, and I didn’t have anyone to advise me what to say, so I told him the truth. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
“What happened to the arsonist?”
I rubbed my forehead. “Tak killed him. I’m also worried about Dutch. He might have lost his life fighting that bear.”
“Who the heck is Dutch? I go out of town for a week, and all hell breaks loose. A bear attacked you? Look, we’ll be there soon. Lakota’s on your dad’s phone getting airline tickets.”
“What about your truck?”
“The truck is the last thing on my mind right now. We’ll have someone take care of that, so don’t you worry. Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not hurt or anything?”
“I’m fine. I’m just shaken up. Make sure you tell my parents I’m not injured. I don’t need them worrying for nothing. The money in the safe is gone. I don’t know how it happened, Mel. I’m doing everything I can to set things right, and it’s falling apart.”
“Oh shit,” she whispered quietly. “Your father just kicked one of the doors off the hinges. I guess it’s safe to say they’re coming home early too. How’s Tak? Is he there right now?”
“He’s unconscious. The Relic couldn’t get him to shift, but I’m going to try in a little while. He saved my life, Mel. He really did.”
“We’ll be there soon. And don’t blame yourself, you hear me? Sometimes shit happens, and I’ve experienced my fair share of it. You shouldn’t have to go through it alone. Hang in there. I love you.”
