CHAPTER TEN
TARA HAD WATCHED as Jeff moved from group to group, sleeves rolled up to reveal sinewy forearms sprinkled with dark hair, trying to find someone who needed him. Annoyed as he was at the delay in getting to Wilmington, he hadn’t just shut out the world and paced in frustration. He’d taken notice of people and cared for them where possible. He was thoughtful. He’d broughther and Crystal blankets and food, and now he shared his warmth with her.
Sadly, it might have qualified as the most romantic thing a man had ever done for Tara—far more meaningful than flowers or a fancy dinner—and he wasn’t even interested. Attracted, sure, interested, no.
How pathetic her past relationships had been if such a simple gesture could nearly bring her to tears. She deservedbetter, and by God, she was going to make sure she got it from now on. No more wasting time with fuckboys. She would be smarter when she dove back into the dating pool.
Going on actual dates would be a fantastic start. Did anyone do that anymore?
For now, she was going to ignore her inconvenient hunger for Jeff, focus on staying alive, and figure out a way to end Greg Luciano’s pursuit soshe could get her life back.
As the cars ahead started their engines, an ambulance drove up the shoulder, followed by a police cruiser. Within minutes, the paramedics had collected Neema and Crystal—whose dad would meet her and his wife at the hospital. A tow truck soon followed to take away the Volvo, and Jeff’s dented-but-still-running RV was back up to speed soon after.
Once she had a strongcell signal, Tara called the police officer who’d interviewed her after both attacks and explained her theory about Greg Luciano. The woman didn’t sound skeptical exactly, but not optimistic either. Without the photos, there was no easy way to prove Greg was the man Tara had seen.
Antsy, she occupied her hands making the previously promised PBJs and returned to the passenger seat. Jeff finishedhis sandwich in four bites. Tara took a little longer, swishing with some water to unstick her tongue from the roof of her mouth. The hazard of peanut butter and soft bread. “Do you want another one?”
“I’m good, thanks.” He didn’t look at her, just scanned the road, the rear camera, and his side mirrors.
She cleared their mess and returned to the passenger seat to stare out the window. Nowwhat?
Her mind drifted back to Emily’s bedroom after the funeral, where she had found her younger sister’s journals under the bed. The words that had started all this.
I tried so hard to fight him. I used to think I was strong…
All I’ve ever wanted is to be a model, but now I don’t even want to look at my pictures. He destroyed everything.
I hate him so much. I want to kill him.
Tara closedher eyes.We got him, Emily.
Small consolation since it wouldn’t bring her sister back. But Tara had no regrets. Especially not after reading Emily’s final journal entry.
Funny how relieved I feel now that I’ve made my decision. I never knew how much this life was killing me until I decided to end it. I’ve never felt so free. So calm. Like I’m in control for the first time ever.
My only regretis that Tara will think this is her fault. I wish I could explain, but she’d never understand. She would have known what to do, how to stop him. She’s smarter than me. Stronger.
I wish I could be more like her. She’s the one I’ll miss when I’m gone.
Tara’s nose burned with unshed tears. Emily had given Tara a target for her pain and anger, someone to blame for her sister’s death, and Tara hadbeen determined to make the fucker pay. In the end, she’d been successful, but it hadn’t brought her peace.
She stared at the sky and focused on her breath until the acute sorrow passed.
“What kind of clouds are those?” She pointed to a group of puffy, white ones, the type that always seemed to form some kind of recognizable shape. Like the polar bear she spotted up front. Or the dragon toits right. Watching them morph and flow made her feel more Zen than she had in days.
“Cumulus,” Jeff said without hesitation.
She tried to commit it to memory. “What about those?” The higher clouds looked like someone had pressed a layer of cotton balls between two sheets of glass.
“Is this a test?” he asked, amusement in his voice.
“No, I’m just curious. I’ve always liked to look, butI’ve never bothered to learn what they’re called.”
“That’s not very city girl of you.”
She flipped him off and he laughed.
“Those are altocumulus. They usually mean the weather’s going to change.”
