“You know it’s best to wake up early even when you don’t want to. You’ll be more productive.”
She glared at me. “That’s silly.”
“What’s silly about getting up early?”
“It’s silly to say it’s always best to do something. Sometimes it’s best to sleep.” She closed her eyes. “Sleep is good for you. That’s what Papa always says.”
I quirked an eyebrow. My father was someone who was always up early and busy doing something. It was surprising he’d tell her that sleeping in was acceptable.
But I wasn’t about to push her, not right now. “Five more minutes. I’ll go make some breakfast.”
Her lips pulled up in a triumphant grin as I scooted out of the bed.
I threw on a shirt and then headed down to the kitchen. Every creak of the old floorboards echoed around the empty space. The house was over a hundred years old, and even though my parents took care of it, the drafts sent a chill straight through me as I descended the front staircase. I was debating on going back up to get a sweatshirt when my phone chimed with a notification.
Hailey and I had moved in here temporarily, and not only to watch over the family home while everyone was gone. The house was the most secure location in town, another reason I was comfortable having Hailey here. August had installed some of the best security systems Mom would allow.
My stomach dropped as I fished my phone from my pocket. An alert from the security cameras popped up on my screen. Someone was approaching the house.
I frowned, figuring it was someone from the media or a curious true crime fan who had descended on the town since the Shadow Stalker had escaped.
I clicked on the live camera, and watched a woman approach the door. I didn’t recognize her, but she didn’t look like media as she hesitated at the bottom of the porch steps. She wasn’t wearing a coat, and I wasn’t sure why that annoyed me so much.It was freezing outside. There was supposed to be a bad winter storm later tonight.
Part of me hoped she’d simply leave without bothering me, but that didn’t happen. She pushed back her shoulders as she focused on the front door of the house, and then she climbed up the porch steps.
I sighed. The inside of this house might be vacant and quiet, but the world outside was anything but.
3
Palmer
Istartledasthedooropened before my knuckles made contact.
A large man stood in the doorway, filling it completely. He didn’t seem happy, and my breath caught as my arm dropped limply to my side. Something in his guarded, tired look told me I wasn’t welcome.
My spine straightened, thrown off-balance by the surprise of his presence. I scrambled to recover. I forced a smile that he did not return. What a grumpy man he was.
“I was wondering if you had any rooms available? I’m wanting to stay at the bed-and-breakfast.” I suppressed a wince at how unsure I sounded.
He simply stared at me.
Silence stretched between us, and I became painfully aware of how big he was—tall and broad and solid in a way that made me both intrigued and…wary. He was handsome in a rugged, blue-collar kind of way. Intimidating, even. I vaguely recognized him the more I studied him. I was pretty certain that he was the fire chief, but I couldn’t remember his name. I’d seen him lead fire safety demonstrations for kids at the library.
I’d never seen him up close, though. He could probably lift me with one arm if he wanted to.
“Are you media?”
His voice was so deep, it took me a few moments to comprehend his question.
My fingers toyed with the oversized buttons of my sweater; the way the smooth surface glided under the pads of my fingers grounded me.
I shook my head. “No, I just need a place to stay.”
I should’ve realized they’d be suspicious of people coming recently. Maybe that’s why they weren’t answering calls to take reservations. How many members of the media were trying to get a place to stay during the circus of the Shadow Stalker’s escape?
“Why aren’t you wearing a coat?” He glanced at my sweater.
I blinked, confused as my mind caught up to the shift in topic. I followed his gaze down to the thick sweater I’d knit myself. I’d never really liked winter coats. They were bulky and restrictive and not my style.
