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“You attending a meeting, Mrs. Roberts Haigh?” Lucy asked.
“In Brook. That fool who runs the town is clueless. I’ve been asked to come in, in an advisory capacity.” The words were shot out in rapid and clipped succession.
HRH then did something none of them had seen her do before, or for that matter thought her capable of. She dropped to her haunches in front of Faith. She was supple for someone in her late seventies. “Let me look at you.”
Faith didn’t breathe as HRH lifted her chin and studied her with clear brown eyes. Around her was stunned silence; no one moved. “You gave us a scare, girl.” She rose again in one fluid, effortless move.
“M-Me too,” Faith stammered.
“Is your head still hurting?”
“No, ma’am.” Faith looked up at her.
“She’s lying,” Cubby stated calmly. “It’s hurting her, but she’s being stubborn.”
Small towns were wonderful places until they weren’t. Like now, when everyone knew you so well, they thought they could talk about you like you weren’t sitting right there, listening.
“She’s being a hard-ass. Excuse me, Mrs. Roberts Haigh,” Buster said.
“Back to bed, Faith. Now.”
“We’ll see to that, ma’am,” Joe said.
“See that you do. Now, excuse me. I must leave.”
“What was that?” Buster breathed. “She touched you, Faith. Is your face okay? It didn’t turn to ice, did it?”
“Ha ha.”
“Her knees didn’t even creak when she crouched. That’s impressive, don’t you think?” Cubby said.
“That woman’s terrifying,” Joe said. “We have some of those in Ryker Falls, but obviously a better class of menacing.”
“I really should draw you in this setting, Faith.” Willow wandered up and moved to stand in front of her, effectively blocking the view of the lake, which was giving her the only small measure of peace on offer.
“I’m leaving.” Faith got to her feet, ignoring the dull ache that had started in her head. “And I know you’re worried, but I’m fine, so go away and find someone else to torment.”
“Go to bed.” Cubby touched her shoulder. “And stay there for a while.”
“Okay, but none of you are coming with me.”
“Need me to walk with you?”
“I really don’t, Lucy, but thanks. I’m going to my room and closing my curtains and locking my door so none of you can come in.”
“I’ll tell Noah you’re not to be disturbed until you’re ready then.”
“I’d be grateful.”
They were worried about her, she knew that. And it wasn’t just that she was injured; it was because they, like her, were aware that someone had wanted to hurt her. Someone had pushed her that day, and they were worried that the act hadn’t been a random one.
Wandering back to the Howler, she walked through the downstairs and out the back door, grabbing her car keys on the way. Minutes later she was in her car driving out of town, hoping no one saw her leaving. She didn’t know where she was going until she pulled into his driveway.
She’d seen him twice since the accident, and had to admit, if only to herself, she missed him. Faith didn’t examine why she’d come here, only that she’d needed to.
Pulling up behind his SUV, she found Ryan on the deck playing his guitar, wearing worn jeans, a navy sweater, and bare feet. He looked so good, she wanted to curl up in his lap and just enjoy being held in those big strong arms that had carried her the day she’d been hurt. On his shoulder was Syd.
Faith got out of the car and walked up the steps.
