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Absently, I petted Max’s head. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to talk to him face to face. If I could find him. Of course, if my mom was right and he was stalking me, I’d have to be careful. Anyone who’d write in animal blood on someone’s house was dangerous.
But if he wasn’t the stalker? Maybe he’d be open to a relationship with his half-sister.
“I hope Josiah gets home soon.”
Max looked up, probably at Josiah’s name.
“He’s not going to believe all this. I’m still not sure if I do.”
Max’s tail beat a rhythm against the couch cushion and his eyes were hopeful.
“You probably need to go out.” I let out a long breath. “Okay, we’ll go.”
I left the untouched cookies and the mugs. I’d clean them up later. I used the bathroom and put my hair in a ponytail. It was hot out and I wanted it off my neck. Max waited not-so-patiently by the door, his whole body vibrating with excitement.
“I know, I know, I’m moving kind of slow.” I slipped my feet into a pair of flip flops and grabbed my phone in case Josiah called. “Let’s go.”
I opened the door and Max dashed outside, straight to his pee tree. He lifted his leg, did his business, then started sniffing around the grass.
I’d been right about the heat. It had to be at least ninety. Even in the shade, the air felt heavy. It made me think about popsicles and sprinklers. Max liked water; I wondered if he’d have fun with a sprinkler in the yard.
He ran toward the street, so I called him back. A car drove by and I waved. The driver lifted his hand as he passed. The simple gesture of friendliness brought a smile to my face. How nice to live in a place where people waved to each other. Even Josiah did it, and he wasn’t exactly sociable.
My phone rang and a swirl of dread spread through my stomach. If it was the restricted number, I wasn’t going to answer. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Thankfully, it was Marigold, and I realized I hadn’t called her yet.
“Hey, I keep meaning to call you but I’ve had a really weird day.”
“There must be something in the air. So have I. Are you okay?”
I picked up a ball and tossed it for Max. “Yes and no. It’s complicated. I’ll fill you in when we can talk in person. Are you okay?”
She sighed. “Physically, yes. But I was in an accident.”
I gasped. “Oh no. What happened?”
“I was just leaving the salon and a car came out of nowhere. Slammed right into me.”
“But you’re not hurt?”
“Not really. I got knocked around a bit, so I’ll have some bruises. My car, on the other hand, is probably totaled.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. I hate to cancel on you, but I have to figure all this out.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about it at all. We’ll make plans for another time.” I grabbed the ball Max had dropped at my feet and threw it again. “What happened to the other driver? The one who hit you?”
“He drove off. Can you believe that?”
The echo of my own hit and run incident made my back tighten. It had to be a coincidence. “He left?”
“Yep. Slammed into me, then took off. The cops are trying to track him down.”
“Did you recognize the car?”
“No. But here’s what’s really weird. I could have sworn it was Hayden. You know, the bartender from the Timberbeast?”
