“But I haven’t done anything wrong. I just want to buy a birthday present for my…” I shove down the rest of the words before I reveal too much.
“I don’t care who you want to buy a present for. You’ll have to get it somewhere else.” The woman glares at me with such cold intensity, I shudder.
The other woman’s eyes are no warmer.
The fire and voice I found a moment ago, that spoke of the injustices abused women deal with, fail to reignite. I nod and walk out the door, my body shaking.
I untie Bailey’s leash and head for the park. After what happened in the store, my appetite has bailed, so I just walk around the park, keeping a distance from everyone.
My phone pings with a text.
Troy: How are things?
Me: They’re good.
I ignore his follow-up texts, defeat and frustration crushing me.
The skin on the back of my neck prickles, like someone is watching me. I glance at my surroundings, my muscles taut. No one seems to be paying attention to me, and the media hasn’t tracked me here.
But even so, I can’t shake the feeling I’m being stalked.
I’ve suddenly become the prey.
28
TROY
August, Present Day
Maple Ridge
I siton the grass with my crew for lunch, the five of us appreciating that the weather isn’t cold or wet. Butterscotch flops down next to me.
The houses in this neighborhood are newer—two decades old—and larger than most in Maple Ridge. Other than a few middle-aged individuals walking their dogs, the street is quiet. The opposite to Jess’s this morning.
“I heard there were protesters outside of Jess’s house yesterday.” Lance purses his lips and a frown creases between his eyebrows. All hint of the man who loves to mock and tease is gone.
“That’s right. The idiots were harassing her. And someone vandalized her front door. She hasn’t done anything wrong, and yet it feels like she’s in the middle of a witch trial.”
Lance grunts. “No one ever survived those unscathed.”
“I’m not sure anyone survived those period. Innocent or not, you were burned at the stake.” The protesters haven’t tried to burn her, but how far will they take things if they’re trying to force her to leave Maple Ridge?
A red Honda Civic pulls in front of Lance’s truck. A minute later, Nova comes bounding toward us.
I push to my feet and scoop her up. She giggles. The sweet sound of it is the best part of my day so far, other than when I made love to Jess this morning. I tickle Nova’s side, and she giggles and squirms.
Olivia walks over to us, a blanket under one arm. Her other hand carries a picnic basket.
A lovesick sigh comes from one of my crew, but I don’t turn to see which one.
“So, when are you and I gonna make sandcastles again?” I ask Nova. “Or do you wanna see if we can find any teddy bears having a picnic this afternoon?”
Nova bounces in my arms, her small hands on my chest. “Teddy bear! Teddy bear!”
“Hey, Nova.” Lance waves at her, a goofy grin on his face. She waves back, her smile just as goofy.
“Are you gonna be Goldilocks?” I tickle her side again.
