Page 130 of The Archer Brothers

The first couple that walked in comes up to the counter. Both of them are carrying cinnamon rolls and cups of coffee.

“Traveling far today?” I ask, as I ring them in.

“We just moved to New York from Oklahoma and we’ve been exploring as much of New England as we can. We’re looking for the perfect place to host our wedding. It’s so beautiful up here but it’s so cold,” the woman says while I make change from the twenty that her fiancé gave me.

“Yes it is. Enjoy your trip and please drive carefully. Oh, and congratulations. Weddings in the fall are simply gorgeous around here.”

She waves good-bye as her fiancé pulls her out of the store. I don’t have much time to recover, not that I need it, before the family comes up to the counter with their arms full of snacks. As I ring them in, the kids pretend to box behind their parents, the dad reads the newspapers, and the mom fiddles with her phone. They’re likely locals from another town, not interested in conversation.

After I give them their total and they pay, I wait for the last two people, who decide they don’t need anything after using the rest room. I wave good-bye and glance at the clock; two hours left.

Laura’s never been strict on electronics in the store, as long as it’s clean, she doesn’t care what we do. I pull out my tablet—determined to read—when my finger accidentally hits my email button. I rarely check my email since everyone I know lives in town and my parents had passed away long before … well, for a long time now.

Email after email comes in, most of them junk, but one from late last night catches my attention.You told me to email!I look around the store to make sure it’s empty before I open it. I know I shouldn’t but this can’t be a coincidence.

Dear Amy,

Earlier today an FBI lady and her partner came in asking questions about you and your storage unit. They said you were missing and were shocked to find that you’ve been paying. They confiscated the motorcycle for evidence or something.

Buzz.

My heart drops to the floor, followed by my stomach and knees. Pain radiates through my legs when I hit the ground and the breath I need to keep me from hyperventilating isn’t anywhere to be found.She’sfound me.She’scoming for me.She’scoming to take my baby away from me.

Shetook the last thing I had of Tucker. And with that knowledge my heart breaks into a million pieces. The day I found out he died, I ran. I knew Lawson was coming to take Claire and would likely kill me if I didn’t hand her over. There was no way in hell that scum was getting my baby. So I left and walked away from everything. I held out hope that one day I’d return and have something left over from my life with Tucker. Now I have nothing except Claire and she doesn’t even remember him.

I try to control my breathing before someone comes in. The last thing I want to do is start more gossip about the status of my health. I try to type a response, but my fingers aren’t working correctly and everything seems blurry. Resting my hands on the counter, I stare down at the words, memorizing them before I shut my tablet off and put it back in my bag. This is exactly why I never look on the web. It never yields anything good, just torment and pain.

When Laura walks in I try to hide the indifference I’m feeling about myself right now. It’s taking everything within me to not run. All I can see is Claire and I in a car, driving until I’m far away from here and there are no traces that I ever existed, except I can’t do that to Ray. He’s been so good to us, loving Claire as if he’s her father. He’s been there through all the bumps and bruises, the late night homework sessions and that first crush. Ray is a good man and deserves to know what I’m bringing down on him.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say with the wave of my hand. “I stumbled a little getting my tablet out of my bag. I’m just sore.” I fumble my way through the muddy waters that I’m creating. Laura looks at me and shrugs, and I can’t tell if she’s bought my story or not. Either way, I’m leaning against the counter for support because my knees hurt.

“Well I’m here if you want to go home.”

“Thank you.” Breathing out a sigh of relief, I gather my things quickly, almost forgetting to take off my apron. I’m almost free until I touch the handle on the door and my name is called.

“Amy?”

I swallow the lump in my throat and turn around. I smile softly at my boss and friend, praying my tears stay at bay.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I tell her, but know my face doesn’t agree.

“You know you can talk to me. I won’t tell anyone, if you’re having troubles at home. I’ll help you.”

I shake my head adamantly. “Ray and I are great.” I nod my head, hoping I’m conveying my message.

“Is there someone else?”

Yes, but he’s dead and my last physical memento of him has been stolen. Furrowing my brows, I shake my head. “No, of course not, Laura. I should go.” I point to the door with my thumb over my shoulder. “My knees hurt.”

I don’t wait for her to saying anything, and I hope she realizes I won’t be at work tomorrow. I need time. These past few days have really done a number on me and I have to find a way to get past this.

And I either need to tell Ray everything or I need to run because Frannie is coming after us and I can’t let her hurt my family. Ray will be better off if Claire and I aren’t here. He’ll be safe. I know he won’t understand and he’ll tell me to stay, and that he’ll protect me, but he can’t. He’s a gentle man, a kind soul who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

There’s only one way I’m safe and that’s if she’s dead.

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