Page 15 of Some Like It Fox

The silence is deafening. It’s like her mere presence brought vitality into the space and now she’s gone and the life left with her.

I open the fridge, peering at the nearly bare shelves.

Other than condiments, there is half a block of cheese in a drawer, a carton of expired milk, and a package of bacon.

I glance at the clock. It’s eight in the morning. Woody’s, the only grocery store in town, will be open until eleven. They always are on Christmas Eve. It’ll be a slow drive through the snow, but I have nothing else to do.

Fifteen minutes later, I’m cruising the crowded deli section for some ready-made meals for myself over the next couple of days and for my family so they don’t come home to a nearly empty kitchen.

The Christmas spirit in Whitby is tangible, with frequent eruptions of “happy holidays” and boisterous laughter echoing through the aisles.

I’m surrounded by people, most of whom I know vaguely. They nod and smile and wish me a happy Christmas. And yet, a sense of isolation wraps around me like a cold hug. I’m in a crowd and yet still somehow not a part of it.

Story of my life.

I reach for a ham and cheese deli sub, breakfast of champions, at the same time as someone else.

“Sorry.”

Dark eyes meet mine, eyes that look almost exactly like Taylor Fox’s, because they belong to her eldest sister, Finley Fox.

“Hey.” Before I can stop myself, the words fly out. “Did Taylor make it home safe?”

She throws a puzzled glance over her shoulder at the person behind her, a tall, dark-haired, flannel-wearing man who is maybe an inch or two taller than me.

A wrinkle forms between her brows. “You are...?”

I stick out my hand. “Atticus Stone. She stayed at my family’s house last night.”

Her face clears as recognition hits and she reaches for my hand to give it a firm shake. “Oh! You’re Moira’s nephew, right? I don’t think I’ve seen you since you and Taylor graduated from high school. This is my partner, Archer Weston.” She motions to the man towering behind her.

I nod. “Nice to meet you.”

He smiles and then shoots Finley a quick look before saying, “Taylor is fine.”

Finley ducks her head. “Well, she made itsomewheresafely. We hope. She didn’t come home. I think she went traveling in search of warmer climates.” Her voice is dry. “Anyway. Are you getting some last-minute items for family dinner?”

I rub the back of my neck. “Not really. My family went to Bermuda for Christmas.”

She frowns. “Oh.” The single syllable is laced with a combination of concern and confusion.

Ah. Maybe Taylor didn’t mention it was only the two of us.

“It’s fine. I had work, and I have to hit the road again early tomorrow morning.” I shrug it off.

“Work?” Archer asks. “So soon after the holidays?”

“I have to evaluate some vegetation down in Florida.”

Finley’s head cocks to one side. “That sounds interesting. What kind of work do you do?”

“I’m a field botanist. I do botanical surveys and environmental inspections for utility and construction companies.”

Her mouth pops open. “Really? That’s amazing.”

Archer leans closer, his hand resting on Finley’s shoulder. “I imagine you’d have to be good at hiking and outdoor things and the like for your work?”

I nod slowly. “Um. Yes.”

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