I was definitely not made to live in a small town.
We came to a housing development and Cindy slowed the car, then turned into Mountain View Acres. The first thing I noticed was that there was no actual mountain view. Then after a couple of blocks, I questioned the “acres” too. Still, most of the houses we passed had reasonable yard space and looked well maintained.
Cindy pointed up the street and said, “That should be Eric’s house on the left, the one with the big tree in the front yard.”
The front door opened as soon as we pulled into the driveway, and Eric Snaff stepped onto the concrete porch. He waved at Cindy, who gave him a wave back.
I wondered if I was looking at a psychopath.
CHAPTER30
CLAIRE WASHBURN WAStaking the morning off and not going into the office until after lunch. Instead, she was making cupcakes for a party Rosie was going to later. Claire had been excited to bake, though the cupcakes had caused more of a mess in the kitchen than she’d expected.
She’d been listening to some mindless, somewhat annoying morning talk show on TV as she puttered around the kitchen. She didn’t even bother to look up to see who the guest was. He sounded like some young person who had an opinion about everything without having any experience in life. She knew too many of those.
Claire was also trying to build up the courage to confront her cousin’s daughter after she heard her stirring. She knew better than to expect anything close to a coherent conversation with the nineteen-year-old this early in the morning, but she didn’t know when she’d have a better chance to have a serious discussion.
A few minutes later, Hope shuffled into the kitchen, wearing shorts and a San Diego State T-shirt. Even with no makeup onand her hair in a bonnet, she was a remarkably beautiful young woman.
“Got a few minutes?” Claire asked. “I was hoping we could talk. Just woman to woman. No theatrics and I won’t tell your mom anything that was said here today.”
Hope eased onto a stool next to the breakfast bar. The look on her face said no, even though out loud she said, “Sure, Aunt Claire. What’s up?”
“That’s sort ofmyquestion. What’s up with you?”
Hope cocked her head and widened her beautiful brown eyes. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
Claire had to summon her courage. She could’ve danced around the topic. She could’ve avoided it altogether. Instead, she looked at her niece and said, “You disappear. You’re gone for hours. Sometimes longer. What time did you come home last night?” She was working hard to keep the exasperation out of her voice. She’d never had to deal with this kind of behavior from her sons, not even when they were teenagers. And she wasn’t sure whyEllenwasn’t the one standing here grilling Hope.
Hope said, “I don’t remember when I got home. Probably around one.”
“Try 5 a.m.” They locked eyes. “So I’ll ask again: What’s up?”
“You’re tracking me?” Hope wasn’t trying to hide her outrage.
“No. If I was tracking you I wouldn’t have to ask you these kinds of questions. Look, I was a young girl once—”
“And you had no fun at all.”
“Says who?”
“My mom. She said you studied all the time.”
“And look where it got me.”
“Arguing with a legal adult who’s doing legal adult stuff?”
Claire’s head snapped back involuntarily.Ouch. Hope was sharper than she’d given her credit for. Then she just stood there staring at her niece for a moment.
Finally, Hope said, “I’m fine, Aunt Claire. Really. I don’t do drugs, I don’t smoke, and I’ve never stabbed anyone.”
“Wait, what?”
“I said I don’t smoke.” Then she gave Claire a sly smile.
Claire couldn’t believe how quickly a simple joke like that lightened her mood. Just getting a glimpse of the niece she knew and loved made her feel good.
Claire teased, “You’ve never stabbed anyone? Ever?”
