AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"This is my fault."
"Your fault? Why would you say that?"
Guilt ran through her eyes. "I didn't tell you the whole story about graduation."
My stomach twisted. "What didn't you tell me?"
"When I saw her, the woman under the trees, she waved to me, like she wanted me to come over, but I was too scared. I turned away. She didn't stop looking at me. I stopped looking at her."
I felt betrayed by her words. Dani was my best friend, my sister, my other half, but she'd kept something huge from me all these years. "Is there more to this story? Because it seems to get longer every time you tell it," I said, anger in my voice.
"I didn't tell you because I was trying to protect you, Brynn. You were so sad when Mom died. You cried for weeks."
"So did you."
"Not like you did. You were Mom's favorite. You had more in common with her than I did."
"That's not true."
"You had music. I didn't have anything with her."
"I barely remember what we had, Dani. But I do remember that she loved both of us." I paused. "So, tell me the truth. Did you know it was her at graduation?"
"I didn't think it could possibly be her. And Dad didn't, either. He told me I just wanted her to be there because I missed her."
"You should have told me."
"I didn't want you to get hurt. I still don't. I think you should come back to Carmel with me today."
I immediately shook my head. "I can't go back yet. We don't know what happened."
"We know someone is trying to kill her. You should have told me that someone tried to break into the house last night. You were all alone. You could have been hurt."
"Well, I didn't want to worry you, either. Kade stayed the night, so I wasn't alone."
"Kade?"
"The guy downstairs."
"You let some guy you didn't know spend the night after someone tried to break in?" she asked in disbelief. "What were you thinking?"
"That it was the middle of the night, and I was scared." I paused. "Mom trusted Kade."
"You don't know that."
"She was supporting his art. She got him a showing at a gallery. She let him live in her downstairs flat. She had to trust him."
"I don't know," Dani said doubtfully.
"Well, what I do know is that I'm not going back to Carmel until I know what happened to Mom, not only yesterday but also twenty years ago."
"It's too dangerous, Brynn. You heard the detective. He told you not to stay at Mom's house."
"Then I'll get a hotel room, but I'm not leaving San Francisco. Not yet."
"That's crazy. You can't just stay here. I need you at the shop. Mom doesn't deserve for you to turn your life upside down for her. You need to think of the bigger picture."
"I can't leave today." I knew I should tell her about the job offer, about my long-term plans, but there was so much else to deal with it, I just couldn't get the words out.
