“Because I was scared? I’m scared?” Julia realized it was true the moment the words left her lips.
Courtney cringed, her regret plain. “Oh my God, what am I doing? This isn’t good for you. You’re scared, and here I am, pumping you for information.”
“You’re just asking me.”
“No, I’m sorry, I’m pushing it. You just got here. First, you see a fire, now this. You didn’t sleep on the plane. You probably didn’t eat anything. I love you, and I don’t mean to do this to you. This is a lot.”
“It’s okay, I’m fine. I love you, and I don’t mean to upset you, either.”
“We’ll figure this out together.” Courtney set her jaw. “We did last time and we’ll do it again.”
“I got you, like you got me, before.” Julia shuddered at the memory. “And what about that guy, back in college? That was bad.”
Courtney squeezed her arm. “We should go back to the motel. I’m spooked.”
Me, too, Julia thought but didn’t say.
8
Julia couldn’t sleep, even though she was exhausted. She felt haunted by the scream in Kay’s garden. She tossed and turned, but her mind echoed with the shriek. The motel was no-frills, the pillow thin and the mattress hard. The room was dark because she’d drawn the curtains with their plastic wand, effectively blocking out the lights from the parking lot. The air was dry and warm, and the only sound was the thrumming of the in-room heater, which she’d put on low.
Julia reached for her phone, wondered what time it was, and the screen came to life with an adorable picture of her daughter. Leni’s round, dark eyes danced with animation, and she looked positively impish with her upturned nose and Cupid’s-bow lips like Gianluca’s. Thick, dark curls framed her round face, with short bangs that Julia cut herself, not very well.
Julia realized it was a good time to call Gianluca, who’d be driving to work, so she pressed his number, and he picked up on one ring. “Honey?”
“Cara,” Gianluca purred, which still made Julia’s heart skip a beat. She loved when he spoke Italian, especially in bed.
“Hey, how are you guys doing? Better, I hope?”
“Why are you up? It must be the middle of the night there.”
“Jet lag.” Julia noticed that he hadn’t answered her question. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing big, don’t worry, I have it in hand.”
“Is it Leni?”
“Yes, she had a rough night. She didn’t sleep.” Gianluca hesitated. “She said she was afraid. I read to her, and she finally fell asleep, but she wet the bed.”
“Really?” Julia felt a wave of guilt. Leni was completely potty-trained.
“My mother says not to worry, it’s normal. She’ll nap today.”
“How was she at breakfast?”
“Cranky, and she didn’t eat. My mother will try again later.”
“This isn’t like her. Do you think I should talk to her? I could call your mom.”
“No, don’t. If you can’t get her on FaceTime, it’ll upset her again. My mother’s going to take her out today. Octavia down the road has a new calf, so that will be fun to see.”
Julia mulled it over. “I don’t understand what she’s afraid of.”
“I think I do, but I’m not sure.” Gianluca hesitated. “I think she overheard my parents talking after dinner. They were in the dining room, and she was lying on the couch in the living room. They were saying they were worried about you.”
Julia groaned, inwardly. “Why would they be worried about me?”
“You know, for the same reason I was. You getting involved with a murder, like before. They know it can be dangerous.”
