She swallowed.There were parts of traveling to Finn that scared her.It wasn't crossing the veil.The town of Everstill was unlike anything she'd seen before.She couldn't explain her fear.Maybe it was fear of living somewhere different.Though she'd spent her life moving from home to home and town to town, she'd never moved to a different dimension.
"Come with me."He laced his fingers through hers and held on like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Where are we going?"
"You need to see my life."He opened the door."You can do what I do every day."
He led her outside.She inhaled deeply.The air was clear and calm, unlike when she'd arrived.
Having spent so much time outdoors searching for a way back to Finn, she'd missed being outside.Even when she was young, the outdoors was better than the indoors.It was a way to escape those who didn't understand her.
Outdoors, she felt more in control of her emotions and could think more clearly.She used to spend her time walking and dreaming of how Finn would greet her when she finally reached him.She leaned against his arm.Now she didn't have to imagine.She was here, and she was never going to leave his side.
The warmth of his palm made her giddy, and she walked as close to him as she could.Their arms brushed with every step, and each time, he squeezed her hand.All her life, she'd longed for that familiar touch.She'd never had someone who belonged to her.Now she had Finn.
They strolled toward the center of town.It was hard to ignore how her heart raced just being with him.The excitement for the future was unstoppable.
Finn led her to the restaurant first and introduced her to Vaughn, who was sweeping the steps.
Vaughn dipped his chin and went straight back to sweeping the sidewalk in slow, steady strokes.No smile.No curiosity.No surprise at seeing her.
Just...nothing.
Kallie lifted her free hand in a small wave."Morning."
Vaughn didn't respond.
Finn's thumb brushed the back of her hand."Come on."
As they walked, Finn named the people they ran into.They passed Boone mowing a patch of grass outside the courthouse.He lifted a hand in a stiff wave, then pushed the mower, creating another perfect line in the lawn.
Kallie leaned closer to Finn, her shoulder brushing his arm."Is maintenance his job?"
"Yes, all day long," he said.
"That's a weird way to describe a job."She stopped walking."Unless he has more than one job."
"Nope.He does the same thing every day."He tugged her hand, getting her to walk again."Tomorrow, he'll mow the lawn again."
She swallowed."Grass doesn't grow that fast."
"I know," he said.
She glanced at him again.There was tension in his voice.Apparently, he wasn't immune to the oddness of Everstill.
They reached the store next.There were no cashiers at the registers.Finn led her down an aisle.
"That's Moe.He's cool," said Finn.
She glanced at Finn, wondering what cool meant in a town where it seemed no one talked or laughed.But he never elaborated.
Inside the store, she frowned.There were no cashiers, vendors, or supervisors.
Moe was stacking cans on a shelf, facing each one until they were lined up with eerie precision.He glanced at them, nodded, and went back to stacking.The cans were already perfectly aligned.
The labels were unfamiliar to her, and she'd seen every brand of canned goods while working at the store back home.She squeezed Finn's hand."Finn...what exactly is Moe's job?"
"Stocking."
