Until I hear a rustling sound from the bushes nearby. I jump to my feet and rush inside—the last time I heard a similar sound, a giant, people-eating bear wanted to taste a chunk of my flesh. I’m closing the door behind me, nervously looking around when I notice a moose standing in the clearing in front of the house.
“F-Frank?” I call out tentatively.
He beats a hoof on the ground. I look around in case someone’s pulling a prank on me. When I find no one, I carefully step outside, leaving the door behind me wide open in case I need to run back, because you never know with these wild beasts.
“Hi, Frank.” I wave at him like he can understand the gesture. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I swear he tilts his giant head to the side. I swallow and take a slow step down the stairs.
“Can I come closer?”
He doesn’t move, and I take it as a yes.
“Hey, boy,” I start cooing, and his eyelids lower. I, again, take it as a good sign and continue my slow advance. “You’re so big. So majestic.”
His eyes turn glassy.
“Such a beautiful creature.”
He lowers his head a bit. I’m not quite sure what I’m doing or what the end game is here, but I want to pet him so badly, so I keep going.
“I see why everyone’s in love with you. You’re so handsome.”
Frank lets out a happy snort, and I stop in front of him, letting the moose decide the path for our future relationship. He tilts his head to the other side, snorts again, and places his head on my shoulder. A very heavy head. I stop breathing for a moment, but then, after letting out a happy sigh, I start petting behind his ears. Dogs love it, so I hope he does too.
He lets out a couple more snorts and pulls away. I can’t help but let a huge smile spread across my face, suddenly feeling happy and content with everything that’s about to come.
He blinks his big, beautiful eyes at me for a few more moments and heads toward the woods. With a swagger. I swear the moose has a swagger. To be honest, he reminds me a bit of the sheriff.
I’d love to see him today. It’s Wednesday, and maybe he’ll come around before we go to the bar or club or wherever we’re going. I’m not sure why it’s so important, but I wouldn’t mind if he stopped by, let’s say, today.
But he doesn’t stop by today.
And he doesn’t stop by the day after.
Or Friday morning.
My mood plummets fifty points down on a ten-point scale, and I want to go to the club even less. But I already agreed, plus Alicia needs me no matter what kind of mood I am in.
Archie transferred the money to me the same day, and I transferred it to the school, saving my sister for another month from the over-the-top strictness of our hometown.
ChapterTwenty-Four
JOSIE
After the final approval from Archie and Leila, we signed the contract with Jericho, and now, on this sunny Friday morning, I’m driving to town to submit the permits.
Dressed in very professional gray fitted pants and a white linen shirt, I clack my black heels toward Town Hall. Sending friendly smiles left and right, I open the door and walk to the window. There’s no one in sight, but I hear some movement between the many rows of cards and different folders.
“Hello there!” I call out cheerfully, having a very good feeling about today.
And my good feeling turns sour when I find Mrs. Roberts walking toward me, holding a stack of papers in her hands.
Holy fucking shit.
Her footsteps falter for a moment when she notices me, and then her shoulders straighten just as an evil smile spreads across her face.
“Well, well, well.” She pushes her glasses up her nose with her middle finger—so poetic, I’d probably do the same. “I’ve wondered when you’d show up.”
