Page 101 of Lost in the Moonlight

“Living,” Mom said quietly, sitting on the stool next to me.

“But what if someone else gets hurt… I’m not just talking about me or you, Mom. What if it’s Hector or Shay or Lincoln…” My heart just about broke even thinking about it.

She patted my hand. “You gave Lincoln a choice and he’s made it. He’s stuck by you. I can only do the same for Hector. If we tell everyone the truth, and they choose to stay, then they’ve decided the risk is worth it. That’s pretty beautiful, don’t you think?”

It was similar to what she’d said and I’d thought last night. And while she was right, she was also glossing over it some. If something happened to Hector because of us, she’d be filled with guilt. Remorse would cling to both of us, following us wherever we went. That haunting she and Deputy James had talked about would be relentless. Goosebumps went up my arms and over my neck. We were tempting fate. Tempting the Viceroys. Tempting whoever this was leaving notes about the fairy-tale life I didn’t deserve.

She nudged me with an elbow. “When do I get to meet Lincoln in person? I have some thanking to do.”

We’d both gotten so good at brushing aside the hard topics and even harder feelings in order to force some peace and happiness into our lives that it was second nature now. But was it healthy? I didn’t know the answer. But if it was what sheneeded right then, I’d give it to her. I nudged her back and said, “Don’t embarrass me.”

“Have I ever embarrassed you?”

She hadn’t. Never. Not even when I was a tween and she’d dropped me off at school with hugs and kisses and love. I hadn’t cared. I’d always felt lucky to have my parents. To be loved in ways some of my classmates weren’t.

“I have a feeling he’ll be knocking on our door soon enough.” Just the thought of it was enough to curve my lips upward.

He’d basically asked me to move in with him, to give up my job and work out of his kitchen. He’d been partially teasing, but there’d been a layer of truth beneath it, even if some of it had stemmed from the trauma of his past and his need to keep me safe. I understood those feelings better than maybe anyone who hadn’t experienced losses like ours ever could.

So, right or wrong, ridiculous or not, I knew he’d be showing up at our door when his day was done. The thrill of that knowledge helped push away more of the doubts and fears and worries. Made it easier to smile at Mom.

“I need to talk to Hector,” Mom said, standing up. “Thank you for letting me be the one to tell him.”

“I would have hated it if Lincoln had heard about it from someone else.” I reached over and hugged her to me, head on her chest like I’d done so many times as a child. “What if… What if Hector decides we’re too much of a risk? What if he doesn’t want to date you…and he doesn’t want me to work for him anymore? We could lose everything anyway.”

“What happened to my sunshine girl who refused to live by what-ifs anymore?” She pulled back to look at me, lips twisted upward with the tease. When I didn’t return it, she asked, “Do you really believe Hector would do that?”

“He has Shay to protect. His livelihood.”

“He considers you a second daughter, kiddo. He told me that himself. He’s not walking away from you. That’s part of the reason I waited so long to accept a date. I didn’t want to start something that ended and could ruin what you have with him. I didn’t want you to lose another father…” She choked on a wave of emotion, then she cleared her throat. “I have to believe what I said to Deputy Marshal James. We’ve had enough bad in our lives. Fate isn’t going to hand us more.”

“Hector was hurt. And the mural, Mom…you didn’t see it…” I shook my head.

“Being hurt and being angry enough to walk away are completely different things.”

She was right. Of course she was right, but it still didn’t ease my worries. He’d basically acted as if we were saying goodbye forever as we’d left the café.

I felt like a boat on turbulent waves, heading for a rocky shore with no way to stop. I couldn’t find my footing. No solid ground appeared at my feet. All I could do was let the tide ride up and over us and see what was left when it finally subsided.

Part Four

Trouble had broken into their perfect world.

The fairy tale was tarnished.

The pleasure I got out of playing with them was surprising.

The quick death I’d first envisioned when plotting their demise would have been satisfying but fleeting.

The terror and tears I’d watched from the shadows were extending the gratification.

I just needed to give another nudge.

Pull another string.

Then, they’d finally get the full anguish and pain they deserved.

And I’d be right there watching as the last drop of blood fell.

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