Page 70 of Buried Roots

“What are you doing here, sweetie?” My heart thrums in my chest.

Her eyes go huge as she makes a click of the mouse before flipping her head to look at me. “Sorry, Willow.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I walk over and put a hand on her shoulder. “You know how to get onto Bo’s computer?”

I look at the tattered laptop, and for the first time since I’ve been here, I’m actually seeing something on the monitor other than a lock screen. It has animated characters running around a cartoon town.

“Bo used to let me play games on here. I missed it so much… Ma won’t let me play computer games.”

I blink. “So, you know the password.”

“Of course I know the password, silly.” That sweet, insistent voice is like music to my ears. “It’s Sammy seven thirteen.”

My heart stops. “Sammy?”

“Bo’s favorite dog. And seven thirteen is my birthday.”

“I love it,” I utter, speaking on autopilot. Sammy, Bo’s favorite dog. The dog that died that day in the car accident when my mother hit the tree.

Wait. A tremor ripples through me at the thought of it all.

My mother hit that tree with her car.It killed Sammy, my dog. Bo’s dog.

Is this really happening? More memories, more clues. And am I finally getting into this computer?

“Can I try it?” I smile at Trinity.

“Sure.” She shuts down the computer and when it boots back up, I put in the password, typing it carefully. Sure enough, it grants me access.

But what I’m looking for isn’t appropriate for Trinity’s eyes, plus, we need to get busy for the party, so I say, “Does your Ma know you’re here, Trin?”

“Please don’t tell her.”

“I won’t, but you have to get home and changed for the party.” I lower my voice. “I have a big cake coming for the celebration. Strawberry, your favorite.”

“Yay!” She jumps up. “If Ma catches me here, I’ll lose dessert.”

“Exactly. See you soon, Trin.” I give her a pat on the back as she rushes away.

Then I move my gaze to the computer, never more excited and terrified at the same moment. I spend a moment clicking in a frenzy before I see what I’m looking for. In Bo’s files, I find one titled, “Willow_Murphy,” and another titled, “Annie_Walsh.” Another named “Annie’s_Harddrive.” Shaky, I click on my folder, finding more folders titled “adoption paperwork, “certificates,” and “pictures.” Basically, everything I ever wanted to know about myself and my mother. My stomach pretzels. Then I see it. A folder titled, “Blake_Murphy.”

That’s him. My father—it has to be.

I break into a cold sweat. My breathing becomes shallow, and the room closes in on me.

My phone dings, which means it’s time to call the Kleins. Icannotbe late for this Zoom.

I feverishly close all the windows because I absolutely don’t have time to look at this, not now. Plus, I need to be in a good mental place for the celebration. If the past is any indicator, the information I find will shut me down. Hell, it’s already shutting me down. I can’t have that right now.

As soon as this celebration’s over, I’ll go through this computer.

26

The Party

AfterIgetoffZoom with the Kleins, I go outside to make sure that the gigantic bow hanging across the front of the porch is ready for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It’s time for Owen and me to introduce this historic house to the town of Violet Moon.

Mayor Rosen will be here any minute, and there’s a growing crowd outside. Once the mayor’s speech ends, Owen and I will be giving tours of the place. Frankie will be showing off the horses. Kayla and Bailey are helping Mary Louise, who insisted on handling all the food. Dakota is here to supervise the children petting the goats. Jeb is giving boat rides, and Trinity will even be giving a horse-riding demonstration, which I’m sure will be a crowd favorite.

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