Page 27 of Sour Layer

“So, you’ve figured out everything you need to about my family line?”

“I found you. That was my goal. I wasn’t expecting open arms, and neither was Aunt Abby from the other branch of our tree. You're safe. That was one of the reason’s I wouldn’t leave.”

“And Clark? Did you touch him?” she asked as if knowing the answer.

“I did.”

“How does he die?” Walker asked as he crossed the kitchen to where we were standing.

“Not by your brothers,” I said with a smirk.

Walker crossed his arms over his chest. “No seriously, how does he die? You can tell me. I won’t let anything happen to Milly’s brother, no matter how much of a pain in the ass he is.”

Clara watched me. Silently and patiently as if waiting for me to answer. Did she know that I didn’t have that particular answer? Would they think I was a fraud for not knowing?

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I couldn’t see.”

“At least she’s honest,” Clara said and finally lifted her gaze to Walker’s. “You’ve got to give her that.”

My brows dipped.

“You said she wouldn’t be able to see,” Walker said.

I folded my arms over my chest. “You saw me coming, and you knew I wouldn’t be able to read him.”

“Clara did. That’s her thing,” Walker said, letting out a sigh. “So, this is her?”

“Yep,” Clara answered. “Mercy Bennett is the one.”

I held up my hand. “Listen, I don’t know what you’ve seen about me, but I’m not the girl.”

“Can you shoot?” Walker asked.

“Yes, but all the girls in my family can.”

“Well, she’s got that going for her,” Walker said, letting his gaze drop down my body as if calculating how many muscles I had hiding beneath my coat. “We can train her, given time.”

I stepped back. “Train me for what?”

“To save the sheriff,” Clara answered.

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