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Valentina answered, her hair braided back, a radiant smile on her face. “You look good.”
Sadie didn’t feel that way in the least. Her jeans were still a little loose, but she’d been eating like she used to since moving into the cabin.
“So do you,” Sadie said.
“The weather’s lovely, and Coral thought it would be nice if you joined her out on the patio.”
“That would be great.” Relief washed over her again that she wouldn’t have to eat at the dining table, but somehow, she thought Coral might’ve known she wouldn’t have wanted to.
Valentina led her through the living room and past the kitchen. Iron art pieces decorated the walls of the back of the house, and a row of leather barstools was tucked beneath the high countertop.
Sadie stepped out into the warmth as Valentina held open the door. One day it was chilly, and the next, it wasn’t—the usual weather in this part of Texas. The sun’s rays glistened off the pool, and Coral sat in front of a dark iron table, sketching in her large drawing pad as she smoked a cigarette.
She glanced up, putting out the cigarette in the ashtray, and motioned Sadie forward. “I’m glad you decided to come—take a seat.”
“It’s a pretty day.” Sadie sank down in a padded chair just as Valentina came out to serve them both glasses of ice water.
“Are sandwiches fine with you?” Coral asked.
“You know I can’t ever turn down a sandwich.” Sadie laughed softly. They were always her favorite—simple, yet versatile.
“I’ve been working more than usual.” Coral sighed. “Some days are better. Some aren’t. But as long as I’m designing, I can escape.”
“I understand that.” Except Sadie had done nothing for three months. Maybe if she’d dived into writing for pleasure, or anything really, it would’ve helped a little.
“So, you’re really doing all right out there in the woods?” Coral sipped from her glass.
The small things in the woods, during the day and at night, were adding up. And River… She shook the last part away. “It’s been good, different.”
Coral leaned back in her seat, studying her. “Nothing out of the ordinary, then?”
Sadie blinked, knowing she still couldn’t tell her everything, but maybe she could find out something. “Did you see anything when you went out to the woods?”
“Besides getting bitten by insects? No. It just felt too far away from everyone for me. But I’m a needy individual. I can’t even stay alone at my own home without Valentina here.”
Sadie smiled. “Maybe you should try it then.”
“Wouldn’t that put Valentina out of a job?” Coral grinned as Valentina came out, carrying plates displaying two turkey sandwiches stacked high with condiments that looked as if they’d come from a fancy restaurant.
“Are you two discussing me?” she asked, the edges of her lips tilting up.
“You know I would never let you go. I was just explaining to Sadie my neediness.”
“It keeps me busy and away from my husband.” Valentina laughed, the sound high-pitched.
“Don’t let Mario hear you say that,” Coral snickered.
As the door closed behind Valentina, Coral lifted her sandwich. “So, nothing at the cabin, then?”
Sadie shrugged and rested her elbows on the table. “I don’t know. This might sound like I’m hallucinating, but I swear I’ve seen shadowy forms. Not only that, but the woods are unusually quiet during the day, then at night they aren’t. Yet nothing like beds levitating or objects mysteriously floating through the air.”
“Hmm.” Coral ran the tip of her finger across her lips. “If you’re curious, my friend Kalina owns a metaphysical shop downtown called Crow Moon. They have all sorts of things there. I buy candles from her, but I’ve never been into the supernatural or the occult.”
“I’ve never been.”
“River used to go there all the time with me when he was younger.” Coral took a breath, her eyes growing distant as she seemed to fall into a memory for a moment. “Tell Kalina I sent you—she’ll help you find anything you need.”
Sadie nodded, then her shoulders fell as she looked out at the pool, remembering the times she would come and swim here with River. “I miss him.”
