Page 101 of The Talk of Coyote Canyon

“He wouldn’t leave you alone?”

“No. After I told him I didn’t want to see him anymore, my mother caught him sitting out front, watching our house late at night. It was creepy.”

“Thatisstrange.”

“I was excited about him at first,” she admitted. “But after we started dating, it just...didn’t work. He was far too obsessive about certain things. That was what put me off.”

“And you wouldn’t want any trouble with his ex,” Talulah joked. She was trying to lighten the conversation, but Maribeth didn’t laugh.

“Debbie’s nothing to worry about compared to him,” she said as she went back inside.

“What doesthatmean?” Talulah whispered to Ellen as they walked back to her car.

“It means Rocko’s up to something,” Ellen replied, her voice velvet over steel. “The question is...what?”

“And why? Why would he claim Maribeth was with him if she wasn’t?” It was comforting to see Ellen’s usual strength and determination return. She never backed away from a fight—not if someone brought the fight to her. But lately, Hendrix seemed to be acting as her kryptonite.

“I have no idea,” Ellen said. “But I plan to find out.”

Twenty-Four

It was nearly ten that night when Hendrix called to say he was coming over to get the hose Ellen had picked up for him in Missoula. She was anxious to see him and worried about how he might behave at the same time. Would they end up in an argument that would make them enemies again? Was their brief attempt at friendship over already?

Ellen wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. Things had gotten so strange and unusual lately, what with letting him in her bed. Then there was the damage to the well and the question of who was responsible. Because she’d wandered off the safe path of her usual routine, it felt like she’d inadvertently kicked a beehive—and now she could hear the buzz of the swarm coming after her.

The note she’d found on her door when she got home had a lot to do with the sense of impending doom that hung over her. It was from Lynn, who’d never come to her house before. Lynn had been careful not to open herself up to a direct confrontation—until tonight, apparently, and then Ellen had been out with Talulah. Ellen knew the fact that her feelings had never really been addressed was probably why they sat deep in her gut, rotting like an old piece of meat.

In an attempt to ease her agitation, she took a deep breath, smoothed open the note she’d crumpled in one hand and read it again.

Ellen—

I can’t believe anyone, even you, would stoop low enough to try to frame me for a criminal act. But you won’t get away with it. Unless you retract the accusations you’ve made and tell the truth about what really happened to that well, I’m going to make sure everyone finally understands what a terrible person you are—including Leo and your father.

Remember, I know you best—Lynn

“I know you best,” she repeated as she paced to the fireplace, then marched back across the living room. Her stepmother didn’t know her at all! She’d never taken the time, never opened her heart, never had any interest.

Or...was Lynn right? Was she really as unworthy of love as Lynn made her feel—and had made her feel since she was just a child?

A lump swelled in her throat as she turned back toward the fireplace—one she fought hard to swallow when the shine of headlights coming through the picture window suddenly lit the room. That had to be Hendrix. She didn’t want him to know how much this whole thing upset her. She could only protect herself from him and the Fettermans if she didn’t let them know they held any power over her.

Blinking rapidly to rid her eyes of tears, she opened the door as soon as she felt capable of speaking without her voice cracking. “Hello.”

“Hey,” he said back. “I hope it’s okay that I parked in the driveway this time. I thought it would be easier to transfer the hose and other stuff you got for me today.”

“That’s...fine.” She’d never been opposed to it. He was the one who had to worry that Lynn might find out they were associating with each other. “If...if it’s okay with you.”

“It’s silly for me to have to park so far away.”

Was it? What had changed? She didn’t dare ask, and she didn’t know whether to step aside and let him in or walk out to help him transfer the hoses. As far as she knew, he believed Rocko, felt she’d been lying to get Lynn in trouble and no longer wanted anything to do with her.

“Can I come in?” he asked when she hesitated.

She had to swallow again—that damn lump had come back—as she moved out of the way. “Sure.”

He waited until she’d shut the door, then he took her by the shoulders as he gazed into her face. “You okay?”

The concern in his voice almost proved her undoing. She’d expected him to shun her again, to fall back in line with his aunt and her father. “I’m...fine,” she insisted stiffly, but when he looked at her more closely, she sighed. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m...confused.”

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