Page 62 of Silent Neighbor

"Star! How did you get here?" Sheila asked, pulling the teenager into a quick hug.

Star cleared her throat and stepped away, avoiding Sheila's eyes. "Finn told me about the party and sent someone to pick me up. He thought you'd want me here. I have to admit I'm a bit… surprised."

"Surprised?" Sheila frowned. "Why?"

Star shrugged. "Just… what you said before about me finding a more 'permanent' place to live. It's just like… maybe you didn't want me around."

Sheila sighed. Now she understood why Star had stormed off earlier while talking about her Aunt Sarah's offer for her to live in Colorado.

"Star," she said, "listen to me carefully. It's your choice whether or not you take your aunt's offer, but I'm hoping you don't."

Star looked her directly in the eye, confused. "You don't?"

"I want you to continue living with me. On a 'permanent' basis—well, at least until you decide you want to be on your own."

Star just stared at her as if she couldn't quite find the words. Then she threw her arms around Sheila. Sheila hugged her back, smiling.

"You really mean it?" Star whispered.

"I do," Sheila said. "I really do. We can turn the guest room into your permanent space, get you enrolled in school here in Coldwater. It'll be good for both of us."

She continued, her words coming faster as she shared her vision of their future. "We could paint the room whatever color you like, maybe get some new furniture. And I know you love music—we could set up a little studio for you. What do you think?"

Star pulled away, her face lighting up with excitement. "That sounds amazing! I've always wanted my own studio."

Sheila laughed, caught up in Star's enthusiasm. "Maybe you can even teach me how to sing—I could use a hobby that doesn't involve chasing criminals."

Star smiled. "I might be willing to give it a shot."

It felt good to see her looking so carefree, and Sheila immediately knew she'd made the right choice. Before they could discuss the future further, however, Star was distracted by a text. Sheila, glancing around, caught Finn's eye across the room. He drifted over, a soft smile on his face.

"Want to get away for a bit?" he asked, his voice low.

Sheila raised an eyebrow. "Did you have something particular in mind?"

Finn's smile widened. "As a matter of fact, I do."

***

"How'd you find this place?" Sheila asked in surprise as she stared across the clear water of the pristine mountain lake.

The lake was nestled in a valley surrounded by towering pines, their evergreen scent filling the air. In the distance, snow-capped peaks pierced the sky, their jagged silhouettes a reminder of the raw power of nature that Foster had so fatally misunderstood.

Finn, dressed in an athletic shirt and a broken-in baseball cap, shrugged modestly. "I know a guy who knows a guy."

As they prepared to launch their kayaks, Sheila thought back to their conversation during the case, when Finn had expressed his desire to move forward with their relationship, and she had hesitated, unsure if she was ready.

Now, as she watched Finn adjusting the straps on his life vest, Sheila pondered that question again. Would she ever be ready? Or was she letting fear hold her back from something wonderful?

Finn seemed to guess what was on her mind. He cleared his throat, drawing Sheila's attention. "I wanted to apologize for pressuring you before about our relationship. I-"

Sheila cut him off, suddenly certain of what she wanted to say. "Finn, wait. I need to tell you something." She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "I want a future with you. A real future. And I'm ready for it, whatever that looks like."

Finn's eyes widened in surprise and joy. Sheila continued, her voice growing stronger with each word. "Life is short, Finn. We've seen that firsthand. And it's important to take risks for the people you love. This is a risk, but it's one worth taking."

She thought of her sister Natalie, her life cut tragically short. Of Jake, Brad, and Ellen, whose lives had been stolen by a twisted sense of justice. Of her mother, whose murder had shaped so much of Sheila's life. "We can't take anything for granted," she said softly. "I don't want to look back and regret not taking this chance with you."

Finn pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you, Sheila. I'm so happy to hear you say that."

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