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“Sure. I’ll get that letter to you within the next fifteen minutes.”
Mitch gave him his personal email address, then hung up.
After he received the email, he knocked on Zoe’s door until he heard her mumble, then opened it. She’d turned on the bedside light and was sitting up.
“Zoe, the Denver police called. They found a bag that belonged to Lana. There’s a letter in it for you,” he said gently. “Do you want to read it?”
“Yes,” she said, her face crumbling.
Dear Zo Zo,
I sent you a letter a few weeks ago, but I’m not sure if you received it. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about you a lot and wanted to write to you and let you know I’m sorry. I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye, and I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you after Thomas’s death and the loss of your baby. I reacted badly during our conversation about Brandon Ross, but everything you said was true. I know you were coming from a good place, but I overreacted.
Since our parents died, I’ve felt like something is missing—and there is, of course. But I feel like I can’t fill this emptiness inside me, and some days I don’t know who I am anymore. I started reading the Bible about six months ago and it helps me feel less alone. Can you imagine Mom’s and Dad’s faces if they could see me now with a Bible in my hands? That would be a moment worth capturing.
I’ve been in Redwater with Peter for a month now. At first I was besotted with him, but now I’m starting to wonder about everything that happened in St. Louis. Brandon Ross was entitled and controlling and selfish, and he said some not very nice things about me when I ended it with him. Strange things started happening in St. Louis before I left. I thought someone was following me and strange parcels started turning up on my doorstep—like this horrible photograph of ghosts hanging in trees like hammocks. It freaked me out, so I threw it in the trash. I thought Brandon was behind it—I thought he was punishing me for leaving him—but now I’m not so sure. I was going to go to the police in St. Louis, but Peter convinced me to leave with him instead and get away from Brandon for a few months. He said if I went to the police, Brandon’s dad and his lawyers would come after me. So I left, thinking it was for the best. But these past few weeks Peter has been acting strange. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling it was him who was stalking me in St. Louis. So I’m leaving tomorrow—I’m going to New York and then I’ll come home to St. Louis. I know we haven’t spoken in months, but I hope we can put everything behind us.
Forgive me for leaving without saying a word, I know you must be worried. I didn’t mean to add to your sadness and pain. I’ll be home soon.
I can’t wait to see you, Zo Zo.
I love you.
Lana
Tears rolled down Zoe’s cheeks onto her sheets as she folded forward, sobbing.
Mitch wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head to his chest.
“I’ve got you,” he said as he kissed the crown of her head.
EPILOGUE
ZOE
Zoe cradled the fur ball in her arms. “She is so naughty!” she laughed as Mitch held up Zoe’s favorite pair of shoes. Apparently Ruby liked Prada. “They were expensive!”
Mitch shook his head. “Then you shouldn’t leave them lying around with a new puppy,” he said with a grin.
“Bad girl!” Zoe said, but one look at Ruby’s puppy eyes and she melted. If not for Mitch, this dog they’d had for two weeks would completely rule the house.
“I was going to wear them to the meeting today,” Zoe said, shaking her head as Ruby tried to bite her hands. “Bad dog!” she said, putting her down.
Mitch laughed. “I don’t think the FBI cares if your shoes are Prada or not.” He bent down, sitting back on his heels. “Ruby, come,” he commanded, and Ruby bounded into his arms. He lifted her and put her in her playpen. She rammed against it while they all—including Gus—looked at her, bewildered.
“Are puppies normally this wild?” Zoe asked with a grin.
“Ruby is particularly spirited,” Mitch admitted with a chuckle.
Zoe thought of Lana and smiled. It was the same word she’d used to describe her.
“We like spirited, don’t we, Ruby?” she asked as she petted her head. “I’ll find another pair of shoes, and then I’m ready to go.”
“You have plenty of time,” he said, but Zoe hurried nonetheless—this was an important meeting. It wasn’t every day that the FBI came to Redwater.
Zoe slipped on a pair of black stilettos and petted Gus on her way out. “Look out for Ruby,” Zoe said as she closed the door behind them.
Mitch chuckled. “I think it’s the other way around.”
