Page 17 of Melody

Able to exhale again, Scarlett drew in another shallow breath. “We didn’t say anything over text about me switching phones or anything, did we?”

“No. I got paranoid and double checked after he left. The last text I had from you was that you needed my help.Thatwas what caused problems with Dumb Shit. He said I must know more if we talked—and I just played dumb, telling him over and over again that you were at your aunt’s place. But then he pressed me for more information, calling my bluff—and I blurted out Abilene. To try to make it more believable, I said, ‘Not in the city. Just outside it on a ranch or a farm or something’.”

Scarlett couldn’t afford to relax, and every muscle in her body was taut. “But he didn’t buy it?”

“I don’t know. Once I added those details, he seemed less skeptical. He asked what your aunt’s name was and I told him I didn’t know—but that I thought maybe you’d said Jane or June or something like that. I’m pretty sure he was poking around on Facebook and stuff too, because he started trying to friend a lot of peopleI’mfriends with. I only know that ‘cause a few people messaged me and asked if I knew him. Such a weirdo.”

Not so weird. Canny and street smart. When she’d left Pueblo, she’d known that would work against her—but she’d had no choice.

“Thanks for letting me know. Keep me posted if he does anything else.”

“You know I will.” While Scarlett felt the brick in her abdomen begin to soften, Marin asked, “So tell me all about Silver City. Are you still working at that bar?”

“Yeah—and the longer I’m there, the better my pay gets.”

“Nice raises?”

“No. I’m just working for tips—but as I become a better bartender, I make lots more, because I can make drinks faster and serve more customers. And, of course, I’m sure the drinkstaste better when I actually know what I’m doing.” Scarlett let out a small chuckle.

Marin said, “You’re not getting a paycheck?”

“I know Tommy’s no cop or anything, but I didn’t want there to be a way to trace me. I withdrew all the money in my account and cut up my debit and credit cards—and I pay in cash only. And I earn only cash.”

“Isn’t that hard to do?”

“Not once you get used to it. And I have the peace of mind knowing no one can find me through my finances.”

“That’s smart as hell.”

“Thank you.” Scarlett actually smiled and was now glad her old friend had called her. How she’d missed having long talks with Marin, sharing their hopes, dreams, fears—basically everything. They’d always had each other’s backs and now it was hard to be away—but Scarlett knew it was for the best and so did her friend. “What’s happening in your life?”

“Nothing. I have finals next week, but that’s about it.”

“How long till you finish?”

“Just a year and a half—and then I’ll be making good money.”

“Still dental hygiene?”

“Hell, yeah. But what about you? What’s your next move? Are you gonna stay in Silver City forever?”

Although Scarlett was growing more comfortable in the town, she didn’t see herself living here for long—especially in the apartment she was sitting in at the moment. “No—but I’m not sure what to do next.”

“If you’re wanting to stay off the grid, there’s probably not a lot youcando.”

She’d thought of that more than once—but she’d been so focused on becoming a legitimate bartender and making sure she earned enough cash to survive from day to day that she’d lost sight of planning for the future. It hadn’t helped that whatshe’d made the first few months had barely been enough to cover the bills. Now she was in a position to start saving money and making plans for the rest of her life. Well, shehadbeen. Now she had to worry about Tommy tracking her down.

“Yeah. I’ll figure it out.”

A few minutes later, she and Marin hung up and her friend promised to let her know if anything else happened with Tommy. But Scarlett knew he would be like a dog with a bone. If was determined to find her, he’d leave no stone unturned.

Which begged the question…How long would she be safe in Silver City?

CHAPTER 8

Ordinarily, Scarlett would have felt a mounting excitement that afternoon as she prepared for her shift, knowing that she’d see Kyle later. And it never hurt that Friday and Saturday nights were the shifts when she made the most money.

But as she walked down the stairs and out the door onto the street, her heart and soul felt heavy. Although the snow had stopped earlier, the cold was settling in, taking hold so that everything was frozen in its grip. Even the short distance from the door leading to the apartments to the entrance of the bar chilled Scarlett to the bone, merely underscoring how she felt inside.

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