Page 30 of Perilous Healing

“I can look into it. Why do you ask?”

“A man turned up dead. Had ties to the Culvers family.”

“Do you think they’re coming for you?”

“Not me,” I reply.

“Bianca. I can look into it, for sure.”

“Thanks. We haven’t had any other issues show up, and no one else has been lurking around town that we know of, but I can’t shake the feeling this wasn’t a coincidence.”

“You know how I feel about those,” Bradyn replies.

“Same as I do. Which means you don’t think they happen.” I sigh into the phone. “I don’t want to lose what we’ve got here, but I can’t risk Eloise.”

“We’ll get to the bottom of it,” he promises. “And you know you’ve always got a place here if you ever want to return home.”

“Thanks. Talk soon.” I end the call and set my phone down, then lean on the counter. I should take Eloise to Texas. Let her stay with my aunt and uncle until we get all this figured out, but until I know there’s somethingtofigure out, I can’t bear to part with her. There haven’t been threats to my life or hers, and honestly no active threats toward Bianca either.

And no movement for a week.

The best move here is to stay put until I know more. But the first sign of danger will have us on a plane so I can get her to safety.

“You ready?” I ask her as I grab my keys and phone off the counter.

“Yes! Can I bring my coloring stuff?”

“Sure thing, pack it up.”

We’re just stepping out onto the porch when Bianca’s door opens for Lance and Eliza. I’m standing just out of sight, but close enough to hear Eliza say, “She wants her auntie Bianca.” Then hands her daughter, Mable, to Bianca who takes her, a wide smile on her face.

“Her auntie Bianca loves her so much. Yes, she does!” she says, turning in a slow circle.

All of the oxygen seems to disappear from the air around me as I stand here, watching the scene play out in the doorway. Wearing a floral dress, her hair braided down her back, Bianca looks absolutely stunning.

But it’s more than that.

It’s the joy that encircles her. The happiness practically radiating from her.

Bianca’s emerald gaze finds mine as she stops and my stomach twists.

“Hey,” I manage.

“Hey,” she repeats.

I clear my throat. “Thanks for the invite.”

“Are you making s’ghetti?” Eloise pushes into the house.

“I am,” Bianca replies with a smile.

My niece beams at her. “That’s my favorite!”

“I might have heard something about that.” Bianca’s gaze finds mine again, and I have to force myself to look away. Thankfully, Lance and Eliza head into the house, so I follow them, doing my best to keep myself from looking at Bianca again.

Space. That’s what we need.

“Okay, baby Mable, want to help me stir some sauce?” she asks.

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