Page 85 of Captivating Anika

Hog runs his hand up my spine and curls it around the back of my neck, turning me into his chest. Behind me, I hear Evans announce he’ll be in touch. Before I hear the front door close behind him, I find myself on the couch, sitting on Hog’s lap, two excited puppies crawling all over us.

I try to stay mad but I only have energy for one big emotion at the time, and sadness wins. I’m not even sure he deserves my anger. I have no doubt his motivation was protecting me.

“Oh shit, I have to let Monique and the others know. The salon…should I close it? I can’t expect them to work after getting news like this, can I?”

I’m spinning, one thought after another, including concern for Kim’s poor mother. Who will make arrangements for Kim? Should I?

“Slow down,” Hog suggests, that big hand of his still rubbing up and down my spine in firm, rhythmic strokes.

I experience his touch like the only thing anchoring me to the ground, when I feel like a ping-pong ball careening off the walls.

“For my two cents, I would put a notice on the salon door, something like closed due to family death or whatever,” he suggests. “Today is only half a day, and it’ll buy some time. Give you a chance to figure out what all needs to happen, both in terms of arrangements, the salon, and Kim’s mother. But I would start by calling Monique and Landon, see what they want to do after today. Maybe they can help you shuffle your clients for the week so you can have your hands free.”

I’m nodding my head. Breaking things down helps, it makes it easier for me to focus on one thing at a time.

“Thank you.”

I kiss his cheek before getting to my feet. I find my purse in the hallway where I tossed it on the bench, and fish out my phone. I head back inside to find Hog still sitting where I left him, but the dogs have taken my place on his lap. I sit down beside him, needing him close when I make these calls.

“They found Kim,” I tell Monique when she answers on the third ring.

It’s quiet on the other side.

“Monique?” I prompt.

“God…is…is she okay?”

“No, honey. She’s not…she’s dead.”

“Oh no, he got to her?”

I know she’s referring to Chris Cooper which, I guess, is the most logical conclusion, but it doesn’t really make sense. Evans said her body was found buried close to the car, which would suggest when her car was found Sunday a week ago, Kim would already have been dead. If Chris was responsible, why would he have shown up at the salon on Monday looking for her?

“I have no idea. They’re still investigating,” I share. “And we need to figure out what to do about the salon.”

“Okay, what do you need me to do?”

That’s vintage Monique, shrugging it off and moving forward. We’re alike in that respect, which is probably why we get along so well.

“If you could pass the word to everyone else, I’m going to head to the salon, put a sign up that we are closed, and start calling clients. I’m not sure what the rest of the week is going to bring. I need to get in touch with Kim’s mother, there’s probably a ton that needs to be done.”

Once again, I feel Hog’s hand on my back, this time stroking in circles, as I start to spin.

“Hold on,” Monique pipes up. “Take a breath and listen. You do what you need to do for Kim and her mother. However long it takes. Leave the salon to me. I’ll go there, contact the rest, and we’ll take it from there. I’ve got your back.”

I blow out a breath, forcing a calm I don’t really feel. I’m so used to holding on to all the strings, handing off control over any part of my life makes me uneasy. Especially since it seems to have become more of a norm than an exception nowadays.

Not quite the successful and independent woman I liked to think I was.

“Thank you,” I tell Monique. “That would be extremely helpful.”

“Not to worry. Let me get on this and I’ll call you later.”

The moment she ends the call I turn my face into Hog’s shoulder and burst out crying. Again.

“Sweetheart…”

“I think…I’m having…a nervous breakdown,” I sob.

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