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Not just watching but stalking.

I can’t see them, but they see me. I know it.

My chest tightens, my stomach taking a dive and my toes going numb. The pleasant atmosphere of the day has changed on a dime.

I’m out of breath.

The general store is only a few buildings down from the clinic. I duck quickly inside the front door and head to a shelf of magazines, burying my face in the nearest one as if hiding.

It’s the same feeling I got on the street that night after the break-in, running for my life barefoot and terrorized—waiting for the shadows to reach out and snatch me.

Ridiculous?

It’s possible someone followed me all the way out here, but it’s morning and blindingly sunny. I’d see them trailing me, I’m sure.

I keep my face hidden by the magazine, only peeking over the top to survey my surroundings. But no one suspicious comes in the store, like those two dudes who broke into my place. There’s no one suspicious outside. Nothing happens.

A throat clears and I glance over to see one of the cashiers eyeing me strangely. She’s got an apron looped over her neck and her brown curls pinned to the top of her head.

You okay, honey?”

The thick New York accent seems directly out of place with the small-town resident image.

I nod. “Yeah, just checking out the latest issue of…”

I glance at the magazine I’d hastily grabbed as a shieldand am mortified to discover it’s a guns and ammo publication. Also I’m holding it upside down.

Feeling incredibly foolish, I give the clerk a quick smile. “I’m fine.”

I bolt out the door toward work.

Kayla is already inside by the time I get around to the back of the building and pull open the door. She shrugs into a pair of scrubs and shoots me a pleasant look over her shoulder.

“Morning, Sunshine. You look chipper.”

An odd thing to say, considering I just freaked myself out about being stalked. “How can you tell?”

Score one for me, my voice holds firm.

“Because you’re glowing.” Kayla winks. “Something interesting happen?”

“Uh…”

Oh, lord, I’mnotgoing to tell her I had sex with my stepbrother. I clear my throat and hang my purse on the empty peg on the wall along with my jacket.

“Sounds to me like you need to get out more, girl. Live a little. In fact, this Friday.” Kayla stops and points a finger at me. “Belle and I are going to head out for burgers and grease and girl time. Come with us.”

“I’d love to—” I start to make an excuse.

“We’re not going to take no for an answer. Keep it in mind. We get out here around five, so we can meet back in town at six. I’ll drive.” She smiles before reaching into her bag and grabbing a second pair of scrubs. “Thought you might need these, too. Didn’t figure you for a cartoon lover so I grabbed the purple parrots instead of Mickey Mouse.”

Her consideration warms my heart. “You’re awesome, Kayla. Really.”

“Gilli, get changed. Kayla, I need surgery room 2 set up for a spay this morning, and we’ve got three cats coming in for boarding at nine.” Tase blows past us from somewheredown the hall, staring straight ahead. “There’s no time for chitchat.”

Saved by the doctor.

My stomach flips again. Tase is gone before I have a chance to even saygood morning.