“I’d have to look it up. Usually I’d know this shit, but as you’re not dead and I had a million other things to do for you, it hasn’t really taken priority.”
“There’s no rush. Just have a look when you can.”
She eyes me suspiciously, but I keep my expression neutral and my eyes forward.
“Question. If you quit working for Austin, who’s been paying you to look out for me?”
“I talked my company into taking you on pro bono.”
“Why would you do that? You didn’t owe me anything.”
“You were sixteen. I’ve represented a lot of people over the years, but none of them had eyes that haunted me quite like yours did. It’s not my job to believe my client is innocent. It’s my job to make a jury believe they are. But with you, I just knew. I never doubted you. It’s why I cannot, even after all this time, understand how the town turned on you like it did, and why I’m so damned opposed to you going back.”
“You know I love you, right? You and Mama Ray are the only two people I’ve said that to. I’ll never be able to repay you for what you did for me.”
“Mama Ray?”
“She was my cellmate.”
She’s quiet when I don’t say anything else. I can practically hear her gathering her thoughts together.
“I’ve been to Crowhurst a handful of times. Once when I was hired, once when I quit and returned the money.”
I swallow at that, feeling tears prick my eyes.
“Afterward, I only came back if I was doing some digging or working on the legalities of the ranch.”
“Okay, and?”
She looks at me, her face paler than before. “And there is something not right about that place. When I said it was dying, I wasn’t kidding. It feels…god, this is going to sound ridiculous. It feels almost like…”
“It’s been cursed.” I finish for her, the words coming out softly without a hint of inflection.
“Yeah, that’s exactly it, and I have no idea how you guessed that.”
I paste on a fake smile. “The town always felt cursed to me.”
“So why not start fresh somewhere else? You can have a life and never look back at that shithole.”
“No. I can’t explain it, but I have to go home. At least for now,” I concede. “Maybe it is a mistake, but it’s mine to make.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’ll need my services again in the not-so-distant future?” she responds, looking worried at the prospect.
“Because you’re a smart woman. I’m not looking for trouble, Jen. I’ll stay out of people’s way if they stay out of mine.”
“That is not as reassuring as you think it is.”
“Well, right now, that’s all I’ve got.”
Ifeel the change in the air the moment we approach the ranch. My skin tingles with anticipation, and despite the tension I feel in each of my muscles, a sense of rightness moves through me.
“Shit!” Jenny curses, making my attention snap to her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Static shock. Dammit, that hurt,” she complains as she shakes out her hand.
I lift my own. Tiny sparks move over my skin, but instead of hurting, it feels like a warm caress, welcoming me back.
