Page 86 of Hero Mine

Her hand found the railing of the ladder, gripping it tightly. Her heartbeat quickened as she scanned the property more thoroughly—the empty area next to the garage, the tree line on the opposite side.

No one.

But God, she could swear someone was watching.

“Get a grip,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head. “No one’s here. This is all inside your fucked-up brain.”

But the sensation lingered, that prickling awareness that had haunted her for weeks after the attack. She’d been so sure it was finally gone. She hadn’t felt it since cleaning her house, since reclaiming her space and her life.

Since Bear.

Joy exhaled sharply, forcing her shoulders to relax. Her phone buzzed again on the counter inside the truck, startling her.

“Seriously, Joy,” she scolded herself. “Pull it together.”

She climbed back inside, grabbing her phone. It was a text from Sloane.

Heard you’re a celebrity now. When do we get to see Velvet Mornings in all her glory?

Joy laughed, the sound breaking the tension that had gripped her moments before. Her fingers flew across the screen as she replied.

Maybe this weekend? Still figuring out Oak Creek schedule.

She walked back outside and picked up her paintbrush again, dipping it into the pink paint. As she returned to her touch-up work, she glanced out the service window, scanning the outside area once more.

Still empty.

But she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that someone had been there. Watching. Waiting.

Joy stepped back from her finished touch-up, wiping her hands on a rag. She needed to talk to Hudson about cutting back her shifts at the Eagle’s Nest. After the festival, she knew Velvet Mornings could support her. It was time to take that leap.

She checked her watch. Bear would be off work soon. Maybe he’d help her go through the numbers, make a real business plan. The thought of his steady presence beside her, his unwavering support, loosened some of the tension in her shoulders.

Yeah, she’d finish a few more things around here then head out. Time with Bear would help her feel better.

* * *

The next time Joy looked at her phone, she let out a curse—8:47 p.m.

“Damn,” she muttered. She’d meant to be home hours ago.

She’d gotten caught up with preparing the things she wanted to go over with Bear. Numbers and calculations still swam through her head—projected sales figures, supply costs, staffing needs. She’d lost track of time entirely.

At least the day had ended up being productive. She’d called Hudson to talk about reducing her shifts at the Eagle’s Nest, and he’d been surprisingly supportive.

This was finally going to happen.

She switched off the storage garage lights and locked the door. She slid into her car, cranking the heat against the biting November cold. The Oak Creek streets were nearly empty as she drove, storefronts dark except for the occasional bar or restaurant.

Two weeks. In two weeks, Velvet Mornings would be more than just a dream scribbled in notebooks and tested in her kitchen. It would be real—as real as the successful day at the festival had been. She could still hardly believe Madeline Chen’s write-up. People were actually excited to try her food.

By the time Joy pulled into her driveway, the temperature had dropped even further. She hurried up the porch steps, fumbling with her keys, eager to get inside where it was warm.

Her house welcomed her with familiar shadows. She flipped on the lights, hanging her coat on the hook by the door.

“Home sweet home,” she said to the empty room, but something in her voice sounded hollow.

That feeling from earlier—the sensation of being watched—had faded during her busy afternoon, but now, in the quiet of her house, a whisper of unease returned.