“I’ve missed you this week,” she said, even though it had only been a couple of days since we’d been on shift together. “We’re supposed to be in for a busy day today with the festival in town.”
I smiled, stashing my bag and jacket in the small cubbies. “That’s fantastic. I could use a little extra cash.”
She smirked, following me as I got my apron out. “Hells yeah, me too. The purple I’m getting for my hair next is going to take three sessions with Mark. He’s the best, but dude costs bank.” Her lips twitched. “Are you sure you don’t want to get a trim? I can book us an appointment together.”
I snorted as we entered the main diner room to start our shifts. “I’ve told you, food before hair. I don’t have the money to waste, but I can’t wait to see the purple you choose.”
She sighed, wistfully staring at the long, braided mess down my back. “Your hair is the most amazing natural color I’ve ever seen. Mark would legitimately kill his mother for a chance to get his hands on it. He’d probably do it for free.” Her face lit up. “I’m going to ask him.”
Before I could protest, she had hurried off to her section, and I got to work on mine. As predicted, there was no lull all day, and I found out about the carnival and food festival that was moving through the town over the next week, bringing in a ton of visitors.
“You have to check it out!” an overly enthusiastic, ten-year-old boy told me. “They have rides and toys and cotton candy.”
I smiled at him while refilling his juice. “Sounds amazing. I’m working for the next few days, but maybe I’ll get a chance to sneak away.”
Greg, who was nearby chatting to one of the regulars, must have heard me. “Your friend from California was in here yesterday asking about you. Maybe you can take her there. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the holidays.”
Like someone had doused me in icy water, shock traced across my skin, freezing me in place. “My friend?” I managed to choke out.
He nodded, still looking affable, like he had no idea of the bombshell he’d just dropped on me. “Said she was in town to surprise you. Figured she made it out to your place last night.”
Somehow I didn’t drop the jug I held. Somehow I didn’t scream and sprint out of the room. Somehow I managed to calmly nod my head and walk away, into the back room.
“Everything okay?” Tessie asked, nudging the door open to drop off her armful of dirty plates.
Shaking off my panic, I forced a natural smile across my face, failing miserably, if her expression was anything to go by. “Just got some bad news. Could you maybe cover the rest of my shift? I need to head home quickly.”
Her sweet smile pulled at the corners as her face crinkled in concern. “Of course! Lord knows you’ve covered me plenty of times over the past few weeks.”
“You’re the best,” I blurted out in a rush, grabbing up my bag and jacket. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Total lie. This was the last time I’d see any of them.
I hadn’t been paranoid—my cover was blown. And after I grabbed my stash of cash from the cabin, I’d be out of here never to return. I was already cursing myself for being so stupid not to bring the money with me. It hadn’t felt safe wandering around with thousands of dollars, and I might pay the ultimate price for that stellar decision.
“Lucy,” Tessie called as I hurried out the door.
Forcing myself to slow, I turned my head back.
“Take care out there,” she murmured, and I found myself staring into her sad, grey eyes. It was almost as if she knew this was the last time we’d see each other, and as sadness welled up, I forced it down. I had no time to dwell on my losses.
The rest of today was about survival.
“You too,” I replied softly before I slipped out of the room and left the diner behind for good.
Unlike when I went into work, the carnival and food stalls were completely set up now, brightly colored tents visible as I dashed away. The streets were filled like I hadn’t seen here before, and it was clear this traveling event was a big deal. In some ways, it was a total blessing in disguise for me. The more people, the easier it would be to hide my escape from Hood River.
The crowds thinned as I got closer to my forest home, and when I was a mile or so out, I went into stealth mode, heading off the beaten path and into the dense foliage. A direct route was way too risky at this stage.
When the familiar surroundings of the cabin came into sight between a mass of old redwood trees, I slowed to a stop. Closing my eyes, I let my senses roam out as far as I could, searching for a disturbance to my area.
I stood there for at least ten minutes, not moving—barely breathing while not letting my guard down. Despite my lack of a completed bond with my wolf, by the time I was done, I could hear the rustling of birds from miles away, crickets and other insects nearby, and the creek that was across the way from the cabin.
My senses were stronger than ever, and I was almost certain no one lay in wait. At least not around my cabin.
I didn’t relax as I slowly crept forward, taking care to step silently—not exactly an easy task in a forest. But I was close enough to shifting to have the grace of a wolf at my disposal.
Avoiding the front door, I sidled along the west side of the cabin, toward the bedroom window. I might have been a dumbass in not keeping my cash on me, but I wasn’t completely without brains or logic. If anyone was lying in wait to ambush me, having successfully hidden themselves from my senses, they’d expect me to walk through the front door. I’d anticipated this from the start, and the bedroom window was my backup plan. It was always unlocked and well oiled, for a silent escape.
