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“So, I thought I saw Krystal in the grocery store the other day,” Annie tells me, lowering her voice to a near whisper.
My brows furrow. “Chad’s sister, Krystal?”
“Yeah, I thought it was strange too. Why would she be here of all places?”
Thoughts race through my mind as I try to understand why she’d be in Wyoming, considering Chad’s family lives in Vegas.
“Are you positive it was her?”
Annie sighs, chewing on her bottom lip. “No, but it looked like her. Before I could confront her, she turned down an aisle, and too many people were in my way. I mean, it probably wasn’t her, but I thought I’d mention it because it’s making me anxious. She knows that restraining order means she’s not supposed to be anywhere near me.”
“I know. Keep an eye out,” I demand.
“Anything weird been happening to you?”
Not wanting to worry her even more, I keep the sightings of the Escalade I think is following me to myself. “Not really. Please stay safe. If at any point you notice anything else, call the police. Get it documented right away.”
“I’m on high alert, but it may just be my paranoia since the anniversary of...” She forces a smile. “You know how I get around the holidays. It could also be an overload of stress too,” she admits.
“You need sleep. You look exhausted.” She’s been working longer shifts at the hospital since Thanksgiving.
“I know, I know. But Santa came, and school is out, so no rest for the wicked. Anyway, I should probably go make sure she isn’t buying the entire app store right now because I haven’t figured out how to turn it off yet. Sadie can probably figure it out before I can,” she says with an amused laugh. “Don’t be a stranger. Text or call me if you’re lonely.”
A smirk hits my lips. “Sure thing. Merry Christmas. I love you guys.”
“We love you too,” she says, and we end the call.
After setting my phone down, I get up and clean the kitchen. Since Everleigh cooked, it’s the least I could do—something that’s become our little tradition. If she cooks, I clean up, and vice versa.
As soon as I move to the plate of extra bacon, Sassy’s at my feet. “You can have one if you keep it a secret,” I whisper.
She does this spin-around trick Everleigh taught her, and I cave. She gobbles it up quickly, not leaving a trace behind.
A minute later, Everleigh walks into the kitchen with wet hair. She has on some different clothes, but I’m sure she’ll change again before we head to her grandparents’ this evening. “You’re already finished chattin’?”
“Yeah, Annie had to go do mom stuff,” I say over my shoulder as she moves into the living room, towel drying her hair.
“She’s awesome. I was serious about her coming to visit sometime. Maybe we can capture her and make her move here too?”
I snort-laugh. “She’d love Lawton Ridge, but I dunno about the living here part. I think that’d take some bribing since she’s settled in Wyoming and has a stable job at the hospital.”
“Oh, she’s a nurse?” Everleigh asks.
“Yep. She is, and a damn good one at that. She got her CNA before Scarlett was born and worked part-time through nursing school while being a single mom.”
“Wow, your sister is a badass,” Everleigh states, genuinely impressed.
A smile meets my lips. “She really is.” For more reasons than one.
“Well, I’m convinced that if she came here, she’d never want to leave. It’s an amazing town to raise kids. Also, I’ve heard the school nurse could be retiring soon.”
From the kitchen, I tilt my head at her. “Seriously?”
“Yep, so who knows what could happen if she moved here.” She looks at the shiny wrapping paper and grins. “Are you ready to open presents now?”
“Of course,” I say, wiping my hands on a dish towel. We sit on the floor in front of the tree, and I feel like a kid again. Everleigh hands me one and then opens one herself.
I chuckle. “You bought yourself gifts?”
