Page 52 of Temptation Trails

“Okay, I’m going home now. I’ll call you if anything else weird happens.”

“Do that. It might be nothing, but let’s not take any chances.”

I could tell by his tone that he didn’t think it was nothing. Of course, that was his job, to find the something—the who and the why in every situation.

“No chances. Doors are locked. I’ll watch behind me and go to the sheriff’s office if there’s anything sus. I mean, suspicious.”

He chuckled softly. Wow, I loved making him do that.

“Talk to you later,” he said.

“Yeah. Bye.”

I ended the call and left. Instead of going straight home, I took a round-about route. There weren’t any cars behind me until I was already a mile or so from downtown. It was a guy in an old truck and he didn’t stay behind me for long—just a few blocks—before turning left. I clearly wasn’t being followed, not even at a distance.

Once I was safely home, I parked and gave the gift bag the side eye. On a whim, I held the bear up and took a picture, then texted it to Owen.

Me: Look what someone left on my car. Tell me that’s not weird.

Owen: Who left it?

Me: I don’t know. No note.

Owen: Sus

Me: That’s what I said!

Owen: Did you tell my dad?

Me: Yeah. He thinks it’s sus too.

Owen: He’d know.

Me: It’s so creepy. Not even brand new. Like someone had this in a closet somewhere.

Owen: Looks like a bad prank. I’d blame my uncles, but they’re better than that. That’s just sad.

Me: If it’s a prank, I don’t get it.

Owen: What are you going to do with it?

Me: I don’t know. Probably show it to your dad for evidence or something.

Owen: Sounds about right. Be careful, K?

Me: I will. Don’t worry.

Owen: Don’t bring it in the house. I’m not saying it will come to life at night, but…

Me: With my luck, I’m not taking any chances. It lives outside.

Owen: Good plan. Garage, maybe, so the squirrels don’t steal it.

Me: Tilikum squirrels on the loose with a creepy bear? Sounds like a horror movie.

Owen: Exactly.

Laughing, I put the bear back in the gift bag. Owen cracked me up.

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