Page 4 of Walker

I suck in my lips, staring out of the window. “I had a client that was extra hard to handle, but I was safe,” I reassure them.

My dad Everett turns around to look at me. “Next time let one of us come with you, baby girl. We won’t say a word and we will just stand at your back.”

I sigh. I don't want to admit that the guy scared me, I have to see him again next week.

“Fine,” I agree with him.

They grin at each other feeling pretty good with themselves that they won that battle.

“I’m picking up your car from work tomorrow and getting your oil changed.” They go on about stuff that I need to do, what they need to do for me. They totally forget that I’m a grown woman that can handle everything on her own.

The lake comes into view, the fog is beautiful stretching across the water. The ripples, the fresh scent. It’s breathtaking.

Oh yeah, it’s going to be a good day.

I open the door and throw my hair in a bun at the top of my head. I grab my fishing pole out of the back of the truck, checking the line to see if everything is in order.

“What are we fishing for today?” I ask.

“We are trolling for some small mouth and maybe throw out for some bluegill.”

“Let’s fish.”

I’m gloating on the way back to the truck, loving the glum looks on their faces because I totally skunked them.

I basically outfished them three to one.

They set the cooler with the fish in the back, grumbling to themselves.

“How come we had to practically drag you out of bed this morning and you still outfished us?”

“Pure talent Dad, pure talent.” I pat my fishing pole grinning ear to ear.

“Now I can’t wait for the next time we go fishing.”

The ride back to my house is silent besides asking what I want to eat through the drive-through, which causes me to giggle.

I walk to my front door waving at them as they back out of my driveway and they give me a half-hearted wave.

CHAPTER 2

SUMMER

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

I got a text from my friend Lynn asking me to go to a haunted trail with her tonight. I have absolutely no life, so I was more than willing to go plus I love all things spooky, even if it scares me to death.

I try to not think of Michaela, her little girl, since she is my client. She was recently almost kidnapped and that took a hard toll on her and her whole family.

I bend over spraying some volumizing spray in my hair, giving it some extra “oomph”.

I eye my outfit. I’m in ripped light wash jeans, a white t-shirt, and a red plaid jacket. I finished it off with a belt and my shirt messily tucked in.

I grab my phone stuffing it in my pocket when I hear them honking for me.

I step out and see Tristan’s truck in the driveway. I lock the door behind me and make my way to the truck when the back door opens.

I catch my breath at the sight of the man before me. He’s wearing a plaid shirt rolled up to his elbows, his tattoos shining in the light from the truck. He’s older, has patches of grey hair in his beard and throughout his hair. A smile slides over his lips and I try to stop my very own.

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