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“Is this her way of disowning us?”

Vi chuckled. “We can only hope.”

I waved goodbye to Vi and walked out to my truck. It was hot enough that I’d left the windows down. I spent enough time in baking temperatures, thanks to the evaporation houses. I didn’t need to turn my truck into an oven too. But maybe I’d assumed the safety of small-town living for too long.

The black case? It was missing.

Chapter 6 – Anya

Ashadowy figure lurked in the park across from Serenity Yoga on Tuesday morning, and I paused. He was large enough to be intimidating, even from a distance. Early mornings in this part of town were usually very quiet. Empty. None of the other businesses were open yet.

Scurrying back up the hill to safety would be the cautious choice. Instead, I thrust my shoulders back and gripped my keys in my fist.

The man stepped out of the shadows, crossing toward me. Tall and dark, I recognized him immediately, releasing the death grip on my makeshift weapon.

“Morning, Anya.” His voice was low and gruff, gravelly with early-morning rust. He moved with an easy grace that read as predatory from a distance, but up close became the ground-eating stride I associated with purpose.

“Drew. What are you doing here so early?”

He met me at Serenity’s front door, waiting patiently as I unlocked it and ushered him inside.

“Isn’t there a six o’clock class this morning?” He shifted from foot to foot, scrubbing a hand along the back of his neck.

“Yes, but it’s only five forty-five.” I flipped on the lights, rounding my small counter to turn on the tablet I used to check in students.

“I wasn’t sure how long it’d take to get me set up,” he mumbled.

I peered at him more carefully. Instead of his usual jeans and Island Salts shirt, he wore loose-fitting black joggers and an athletic tee. The bright blue shirt contrasted nicely against his tanned skin.

“Are you really taking a class?” I asked, bemused. He’d shown no interest before. Violet bought a gift certificate for his last birthday, but I fully expected him to pawn it off on his mother or grandmother. It’d been months, and I hadn’t seen him at the studio.

“Yes.”

I blinked. “Okay then, let me get you into the system. Have you taken a yoga class before?”

“Nope.”

“You’ll catch on quick, and I’m happy to bring you props or help you with the poses.”

“There are props?” His face blanched, and I bit back a grin.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Fenwick. They’re mobility aids to help ease you into the poses in a way that works for your body.”

A few of my other regulars arrived, milling around while they waited for me to finish with Drew.

“I’m not convinced there’s any such thing as a pose that works for my body. I’d bet the last time I stretched was early this decade.” His shoulders slumped, and he shot me a sheepish grin. “Sorry, not sorry.”

I rolled my eyes, lip twitching into a half-smile. “It sounds like you’ve come to the right place then. Grab a mat and pick a spot. I need to check everyone else in.”

I greeted the class before turning up my music and settling into easy pose. Drew sat, front and center, on a baby pink mat. Bringing awareness to my own breath, I noted it was faster than usual, my heartbeat elevated. Taking another breath, I focused on relaxing. Ignoring the handsome elephant in the room.

The first part of class went smoothly, everyone settling into their breathing and the gentle stretches we used to warm up. Drew followed along without incident.

“Push into your hands and pull your hips back, moving into your first down dog of the morning.”

Drew peered at his classmates before pushing up into a version of the pose. I approached him.

“May I touch you?” I asked. “I’d like to help you make some adjustments.”