“I really do need to get to bed,” I blurt, cutting her off. “I’m so sorry, I was zoning out,” I admit.I was imagining you were really some undead bride, and your husband was Frankenstein, and that this little town is like some monster-y village, even though I’ve seen dozens of normal people.My mind is clearly overtaxed.
“I understand! Ohh! I’m looking forward to some sleepless nights, to building our family. Lazarus, well, he’s not our son, even though we love him like one, but he’s very much an adult and his own person. And after being alone so long, well, I understand loneliness, my dear!”
I hear the faint trace of an accent. European, but muddled, like she’s been everywhere.
“You will call on us if ever you need anything?” she insists.
I’m being a horrible, paranoid person. “I will. Thank you again, Rhea. Maybe coffee later this week?”
“Yes, that would be lovely! And if you ever need a sitter. Or, even if you don’t, perhaps I could come to you for some advice if we are placed with a newborn?”
“Absolutely!” I reach out and impulsively hug her. She’s so cold compared to me. I rub her shoulders. “You’ll get placed soon, I know it.”
“Your lips to God’s ears,” she laughs, and her smile turns melancholy.
“Um. Want to come check on Ari with me?” I ask.
“Oh, yes!”
I smile, and a weight lifts off my chest.She’s such a nice person. Maybe she does look a little odd. That doesn’t matter, not at all.
WHEN RHEA LEAVES AROUNDten, the house is eerily quiet. I miss Jasper. I think about going and sitting in the basement, just to hear his voice, but I tell myself that looks super clingy, and I want to be the loving, trusting person I am—with a backbone my sister would be proud of. I can miss him, but I can’t whimper and mope.
I hear a faint tapping at the door, and my body immediately tenses.
It could be Matt.
That’s crazy. Even if he saw that the papers were from Pine Ridge, it doesn’t mean I’m staying there. And even if he figures I’m here, he won’t know where. Won’t know I’m here, on this street.
Another tap, delicate and polite.
Or did Rhea forget something? She’s only been gone for a couple of minutes.
I look towards the door—and see the pie plate with half a pecan pie still in it, left on the little table in the hall. “I thought she was trying to be sneaky and leave that for Jasper,” I chuckle, hurrying to open the door. “I bet Manny would have had a fit if he didn’t get at least one—”
The words die away as a figure pushes in. Not Rhea.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
“Jasper!” I let out one shout before Matt’s hand crushes my throat.
“Shut up!”
“How did you find me?” I demand, and all the old fear and temerity creeps back into my veins. I shrink. I hear Sarah telling me to use deadly force if I have to. I hear my father saying he raised me to stand up for myself.
Jasper saying I’m brave.
“Your idiot sister, the one you idolize, because she’s so smart, such a big businesswoman. She’s got a lot of nerve, telling me to get help.”
“Sarah called you?” I squeak. My eyes are darting. I need to hit him.
The pie plate. It’s a deep-dish nonstick metal job. I’ll buy Rhea a new one if I dent it.
“Stop squirming! This is why you always make me so mad! I just wanted to talk, but then you have to go and scream for that weatherman! That big hunk of reporter. Oh, yes, I called Sarah, told her we were having problems, and asked her to talk some sense into you. I thought maybe you’d listen to her, but no. She’s got her mind turned against me. Tells me you’re in Pine Ridge with some weatherman who cares about you, who protects and appreciates you. Made some colorful threats that I’ll have to have her take back later, once you’ve put our happy home back together.”
I die a little bit more inside. I did tell her where I was. I said weatherman.
When you’re in a town with one local station, I guess it wouldn’t be hard to find out the name of the weatherman. It wouldn’t be hard to find his address, either.
