She told herself this over and over again, because Grandma’s reaction to Sam finding the death certificate was just… a concern.
There was something bigger at stake here than Jill could possibly understand, but they couldn’t rewind time.They had to get to the bottom of it.
Right?
On a groan, irritated with her own indecision, Jill rolled over in bed.She reached for her phone on the nightstand and was unsurprised to find more texts and messages from Aly.
She blew out a breath.Time to face the music.She’d tried to give Grandma a role, a hand, a decision.Grandma refused.
So Jill needed to make this choice all on her own.
She read through the first three, kindly asking if she was okay, if there was anything Aly could do or bring.But the final text message—sent just a few minutes ago—had Jill sitting straight up in bed.
I know you’re still dealing with everything, but Sam and Cal are coming up to the cabin to talk to you about some things that have happened.
She typed out a response.Like now?
Yes.
Jill tossed the phone aside.She needed to get dressed.Tame her hair somehow.In a whirl, she traded her pajamas for outside clothes.The hair was unfixable this morning, so she just bundled it into a scrunchie on the top of her head as best she could.
When Jill hurried out of her room and down the hall, she noted Grandma’s bedroom door was still closed, so she was still asleep.Maybe that was good.Jill would have time to figure out how to handle… whatever this was.
God, what was itnow?
Jill moved into the kitchen with half a mind to make a big pot of coffee for everyone, but before she could even start preparations, a knock sounded at the door.
On a sigh, she moved to the door, not wanting any more knocking to wake up Grandma.But, man, she wished she could have gotten some coffee in first.
“You made good…” Jill’s words trailed off as she opened the door—not to Cal or Sam but to a stranger standing on her porch.
Definitely a man she didn’t know.
Which wasnotgood.No one should be up here.Not ever, andnotat this hour.
Luckily, her reaction was to immediately shut the door.
Unluckily, this stranger managed to lunge forward before she could get it closed, and since she hadn’t been braced for his sudden movement forward, she stumbled back and onto her butt.
The man stepped inside.He was older.All white hair and wrinkles.Jill was pretty sure she’d never seen him in her life.What washappening?
“Where’s Glenda?”he demanded.
Jill scooted back away from the wild man, her mind scrambling, trying to figure out how to protect her grandmother.Their gun was in the little hall closet, but there was no way Jill could get in there and get it out.Even if she could, was she going to be brave enough to wield it?
She glanced at the closet door, the hall where her grandmother was asleep.
Yeah, she’d have to be brave enough.For anything and everything.
“I don’t know who you are,” Jill said, trying to find some center of calm.
She was the line of defense for Grandma, so she couldn’t possibly let this fear render her immobile.She didn’t get to her feet, but she held herself ready, scooting back away from the man, trying tothink.
He was old.Maybe if she lunged, she could knock him down?He didn’t look frail, but he had to be at least twice her age.Surely, she could—
“Glenda!”he yelled.
Jill got to her feet, moved in between the man and the entrance to the hall.“I don’t know who you are, but she’s not here.You’re trespassing.”Her phone was in her bedroom and the landline, which might or might not be plugged in, was in the kitchen.She could make a run for it and make it, but the chance of actually completing a call for help seemed slim.
