“I can’t help it,” Lacey said quietly. “It’s what my brain does. It tries to find the moment where I could have changed it.”
June nodded, understanding more than she wanted to. “I know. In times like these, it’s what our brain does to try and find a reason for what happened.”
That’s exactly what had happened to June after her accident.
Before June could reply, her phone bleeped. She reached for her bag, pulling it out, and was unable to stop the way her heart lurched when she saw a message from Holt.
Can you come into the office?
June chewed her lip, trying not to wonder if Victoria had been with him all this time. But she pushed the thought from her mind and answered him.
I’m at the clinic visiting Lacey. I’ll be there in ten to fifteen minutes.
Her heart jolted again when she saw the dots dance as Holt answered almost immediately.
Great. I’ll see you then.
June stared at the screen for half a second, then slipped her phone back into her bag.
“I’m so sorry,” June told Lacey, as she looked up at her and was already pushing her chair back. “I have to go.”
“Is everything all right?” Lacey asked with a worried frown.
June forced a small smile.
“It’s just work with the police station,” June replied. “I’m helping with the legal side of the fire at the Henderson farm.”
“Oh!” Lacey’s brows shot up. “So much for you relaxing?” She gave a soft laugh. “You’ve now got two jobs.”
“I know,” June said, rolling her eyes. “But to be honest, not doing anything was driving me crazy.”
“I can understand that,” Lacey concurred. “Go, I’ll call you when they finally let me out of here.”
June leaned forward and squeezed her hand gently.
“As soon as you’re out of here, you must come for dinner at Willa’s,” June invited. “We’ll make a family thing out of it. Bring Noah, Ginny, and your delightful granddaughters.”
Lacey’s eyes warmed. “I would like that.”
June nodded.
“Now get some rest and don’t eat all those candies,” June warned, raising her eyebrows. “Oh, I almost forgot. I ran into Dean Parker. He’s in town and sends his regards and hopes you get well quickly.”
“Dean’s in town?” Lacey asked, her eyes widening, and June couldn’t help but notice the slight flush of her cheeks. “I thought he wasn’t due until the day before the memorial.”
“He came early,” June informed her, hiding a smile. She remembered the memorial last year, when Dean and Lacey had been seen going out to lunch and dinner a few times. But they had both suggested it was nothing more than friendship and that Dean was helping her with the wildlife around the forests. “I must go.”
They said their goodbyes, and June left the room. The moment she stepped back into the hallway, the air felt different, as if the clinic had absorbed her calm and left her with the weight of everything else. June moved quickly, heading toward the exit, her mind replayed Lacey’s description of her accident, the two impacts, and the engine revving. It did not sound like a simple accident.
June pushed through the automatic doors and stepped out into the warm sunlight.
She was halfway down the road walking toward the police department when a smooth voice cut across the parking lot.
“June.”
June stopped, turning slowly, and her stomach dropped.
Victoria stood behind her, as if she’d been following her. She looked perfectly composed, hair immaculate, sunglasses perched on her head. She held herself like the queen of Sandpiper Shores.
