Page 32 of Let Me Protect You

I don’t blame her when black ice was the cause of her late husband’s death.

If only he’d taken his gambling debt with him. After witnessing the incident—how I reference it in my mind now—I searched through Serenity’s house and found a few receipts as evidence. Shoving that spineless man—full disrespect to the dead—out of my mind, I lean back. I glance out the window, unable to stop my mind from wandering again. If something happens while I’m out with Serenity and Summer, will Elias be close enough to intervene?

One glimpse in the rearview mirror makes my shoulders relax. Elias’s Honda follows closely behind us. Maybe I should’ve agreed to drive with him so if something does happen, my family will be safe. Someone might already be here in town, watching me. Perhaps they’re planning their attack, and I’m getting too comfortable.

I sigh. Spending some girl time with my family is a big, selfish mistake on my part.

“Are you ready?” Serenity’s gentle voice tears me from my thoughts.

I check the surrounding area. We are parked a few doors down from Cutesy’s in front of a dark brown, checkered brick storefront with a neon sign that reads, “Lana’s Boutique.”

Serenity turns to face me. “You remember Lana, right?”

I nod. Both Serenity and Lana are eight years older than I am. Lana had talked about opening a boutique all throughout my high school years. I’m proud of her for following through and making her dream come true.

“Auntie Lana!” Summer screams from the back seat. “She always gives me candy.”

Serenity and I burst out laughing.

I turn and look at my niece. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you even better candy.”

“No, no sugar rushes for Summer.”

Summer crosses her arms in a total Serenity signature move, and I smother a smile. “But Mommy!”

“No ‘but Mommy.’ Let’s head inside.” Serenity glances up at the sky. “The clouds are starting to look awfully dark.”

The moment the three of us are out of the Jeep, Elias is immediately on our heels, and Serenity hitches a thumb over her shoulder at him, but I ignore her. Even though we almost kissed, I appreciate the sense of safety he gives me.

Inside the small boutique, the bright magenta walls pull me from my thoughts. Every surface mirrors the same blinding color. Even the floors are a sparkly pink. Sitting on a table in the entryway are bright pink roses. Their scent is so strong I sneeze. And sneeze again.

A tissue is handed to me. Why do I feel like Elias just handed me the moon?

“Serenity!” Lana’s high-pitched voice carries through the small store. She hurries over to us and pulls my sister in for a quick three-person hug with Summer in the center. “I can’t believe you made it in today. I thought I wouldn’t see you again until our next girls’ night.”

Summer squirms in Serenity’s arms, so she places her daughter on her feet. “Harmony stole my winter boots, so I thought we could take a look around.”

I roll my eyes. “You said I could use them.”

Lana turns to me. Excitement lights up her face. “I can’t believe you grew up to be a movie star.”

This time, I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes. First there were whispers all day at work yesterday and this morning, and now this. It’s a lot easier to ignore my customers since they aren’t talking to me and I was busy. But I can’t be rude to my sister’s best friend.

“Uhh.” I glance at Serenity for help, but she is already walking off toward the shoes, holding onto Summer’s hand. “I’m not a movie star, but thank you.”

“Of course. I loved Everlasting Love so much. The moment your sister told me that you were on TV, I found it right away. You were so gorgeous on every episode.”

My cheeks burn. If only she knew the danger that winning brought on me. “Thanks.”

There isn’t anything else I can say. Ignoring the threat, I didn’t enjoy my time on Everlasting Love, but it wasn’t all bad. Some of the other women were really nice and genuine. And then there was this one girl. She did things like hiding my shoes so that one day, I had to go on camera in my socks. Worst of all, she took the dress I was to wear in the semifinals, and I barely made it on time. Other than her, the lack of privacy and the executives overworking us were the two things I hated most.

“All of us here in Granite Falls watched it and rooted for you.” Lana leans in like she has a secret and whispers, “I knew you’d be chosen the whole time.”

All of them? Including Elias? Or just the women? I glance over my shoulder at the man in question. He’s examining a woman’s blouse like he’s actually interested in it. As if he isn’t listening when I can guarantee he is.

Turning back to Lana, I ask, “Do you have some sneakers with arch support? Imagine a pair your grandma would wear. I want those.”

If I’m going to be on my feet all day at Cutesy’s then I’ll need a good pair of shoes.