Hearing a car’s engine, I peek through the curtains and let out a breath of relief when I see Jordan drive away.
I doubt my sanity, once again, as I let the fabric fall back into place. After I learned about the horrific events that transpired in this small town, I couldn’t stop thinking about Kelcie and Jordan. The guilt kept eating away at me even though I knew it was unreasonable.
The first time I came to Verona after the attack, it was under the guise of being on vacation. The few times I saw Jordan, he seemed to be doing okay, but Kelcie was spiraling.
I know what happened to the Woodruffs isn’t on me, yet I couldn’t stop feeling bad for them, and like the fucked-up, crazy person I am, I moved to Verona and bought the house right next door to Kelcie.
Over the past two months, I’ve watched her like a fucking stalker. I’ve learned her routine and matched mine with hers.
Yep, I’m fucking insane.
I try to write at night, but I haven’t gotten much done the past year and had to ask for an extension on the book, which the publishers agreed to.
In the mornings, Kelcie leaves for two to three hours to visit the cemetery, and I use that time to go for a jog and play catch with Lick so we can get some exercise. Afterward, I manage to get roughly four hours’ sleep before Kelcie’s screams wake me.
I’ve been trying to think of a way to help her, but I can’t come up with anything.
Lick nudges her snout against my hand to get my attention, and I walk to the back door to let her out. Like always, I take a seat on the top step, and while Lick sniffs for the perfect spot, I glance at the house next door.
When I see Kelcie come outside with a glass of wine, my eyes follow her as she walks to the old wrought-iron table and plastic chairs.
She sits down and stares at the trees behind our properties. I once took a walk out there with Lick to explore the area and found a stream. Since then, it’s the trail I use for my morning jogs.
With my gaze on Kelcie, I think back to earlier today when Jordan introduced himself to me. She kept her distance, though. Honestly, she looked so fucking lost and broken as she stood by the SUV, it took a swing at my heart.
A breeze picks up, and it plays with her caramel brown hair, which hangs past her shoulders. Lick looks at Kelcie, then at me as if she’s silently asking permission. Gesturing for my dog to go, I watch as she slowly jogs to Kelcie.
Lick stops beside the chair and sits down, happily panting, which gets my neighbor’s attention.
“Oh, hey there,” Kelcie says. She sets the wineglass down on the table, then holds her hand out for Lick to sniff.
My dog takes the chance and licks Kelcie’s hand. Her mouth curves into a slight smile that looks more sad than happy, and I can’t tear my eyes away from her beautiful face.
I read that she was beaten and shot during the attack. She almost didn’t make it. As I get a good look at the petite woman who’s been onmy mind twenty-four seven since I read the article, it’s hard to believe someone could hurt her.
Yet they did. In the most unimaginable way.
“You’re very friendly.” Kelcie scratches Lick’s head and ears before she glances at me and calls out, “What’s his name?”
“Her name is Lick,” I answer, and not letting the moment slip through my fingers, I get up and walk closer to them.
“Good name.” She lets out a soft chuckle when Lick’s tongue takes another swipe at her hand. “You’re such a pretty girl,” Kelcie murmurs, clearly falling in love with my dog before she looks at me again. “She’s so well behaved.”
“Thanks.” I stop a few feet away from the table. “I’m Levi.”
Up close, she’s even more striking, and for the first time in a really long while, I feel a pull of attraction.
“Kelcie.” Her gaze gets stuck on my face for a moment, then a faint blush creeps up her neck. “I’m sorry for being such a bad neighbor. I should’ve introduced myself when you moved in.”
Her brown irises are dark with grief, and it makes something shift in my chest. Wanting to make her feel better, a rare smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “That’s okay. I should’ve made an effort to come over sooner.”
She shakes her head and turns her attention back to Lick. “How old is she?”
“She’s about four years old.”
“She’s beautiful.” Kelcie pets Lick, then mentions, “Her coat is nice and shiny. You take good care of her.”
“You know about dogs?” I ask.
