Page 36 of Day Break

She turned slightly to look at me. “I thought you grew up here?”

“No, we summered here every year until…” I dropped off, feeling my chest tighten as it did each time I tried to talk about my past or about Sherry.

“How about we play a game?” she asked suddenly.

“A game?” I asked, confused.

“Sure. It’s obvious you want to know more about me, to ensure the safety of your grandfather. I’ve got some questions of my own that I’ve tried to get answered by him and have hit a brick wall. What I’m proposing is an answer for an answer sort of deal.”

I thought about the things I wanted to keep a secret in my past. Things I had sworn I would never talk about and wanted to turn her down. However, I doubted she would ask me anything so specific, so I nodded.

“How did Sherry die?” she asked me.

“She was murdered,” I answered, feeling my gut twist.

Chloe was quiet for a heartbeat. “I’m sorry.”

I nodded. “Who are you running from?” I asked quickly, not wanting to miss my chance to ask her a question.

“No one,” she answered, and I heard the sadness in her voice. “No one is out to get me or looking for me.”

I believed her. It was the hollowness in her tone that assured me she was telling the truth.

“Why doesn’t your grandfather trust anyone but you?” she asked.

I laughed. “Because everyone else in my family is an asshole.”

The corners of her mouth rose slightly. “I know that feeling.”

“Your family?”

Her eyes snapped to mine. “Are assholes too.”

“I mean, are they around?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No.”

“Why aren’t you—”

“Nope.” She chuckled. “It’s my turn.”

“Sorry.” I motioned for her to go ahead.

“Did they catch who murdered Sherry?”

I tensed. “No,” I said between clenched teeth.

Chloe frowned. “I’m so sorry,” she said softly.

My last question seemed senseless now. I stood up and walked towards the little garden area. “What are you going to plant here?” I asked instead.

I could see that she’d cleared all the weeds from the little garden area and had raked the soft dirt into rows.

Chloe moved to stand next to me.

She motioned to one area and said, “Strawberries.” My heart jumped at the memory of the strawberries that I’d planted for Sherry once a long time ago. “Carrots, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and pumpkins for the fall,” she continued.

I glanced at her. “So, you are planning on sticking around that long?”