Page 120 of Traces Of You

“Of course it is, sweetie. Make it your home. We want you to feel that way.”

No one ever wanted her to feel at home. “Awww. Thank you. I can’t just sit still.”

“Don’t you have anything to do with that online shop of yours?” Brooke asked. “Have you thought of expanding it?”

“I’ll spend some time on designs and some shop maintenance this afternoon too, but it’d be nice to get out some.” She wouldn’t give up the one source of independent income she had.

“I’m good here,” Brooke said. “You enjoy your day off. Make sure you let Ford and Clay know where you are. My boys get ornery when things don’t go their way.”

She smiled. “I’ll text them both the minute I hoist myself into Ford’s truck.”

“Good luck driving it,” Brooke said. “I’m sure you can barely see over the steering wheel.”

“Just about.”

She texted Ford, then Clay and turned toward the cabin to get some money she had hidden there.

She parked out front, unlocked the door, sticking her tongue out at the camera she knew was watching and recording her. Not that she thought Clay watched every movement on it unless he had to, but it felt good to do it anyway.

Throwing back the covers and lifting the mattress, she saw that her envelope holding some cash was still there and wondered why she always worried someone was going through her things.

When she was walking by the hall that led to the back door, she saw a flash of something, stopped, and tried to look out the glass.

She saw it again, then opened the door and peered out into the distance. The mountains were off miles away, but it was such a beautiful view.

The new apple trees well off in the distance looked more like miniatures, but she knew some would produce fruit this year.

There were no people that she could see. Nothing she could hear. The wind was blowing some, and it was most likely the sun reflecting off of tags or anything else out there.

When it flashed again, she wished she had binoculars for a closer look. There was a small tingling in her spine, but not enough to have her heart hammering in her chest.

She was safe on this land and she knew it. That was one thing she was confident about and it had allowed her to drop a bit of her guard. But it didn’t stop the fact that she knew Oliver was looking for her.

Her phone vibrated in her tiny purse. She pulled it out and saw both Clay and Ford giving her a thumbs up in reply. She found it funny they had the same response when she said she was leaving or returning.

After putting her phone back, she locked that door, and went out the front, locking it behind her. Heaving herself into the truck, grunting loudly, she reached for the door to shut it. Good lord, she might fall out if the door swung open too far.

The truck rumbled to life and she was off, driving through the property that felt so much like home, through the gates and towards town.

She passed Ford’s house, her head turning to look at it. It’d be a nice place to raise a family.

Surprising that she thought that way when she never had before.

Her hand went to the heart locket on her neck. She hadn’t been without it once since he’d given it to her. A nice piece of jewelry she’d never owned in the past.

If she’d had it years ago, she was positive her mother would have stolen it and sold it for cash.

It meant more now.

Ford meant more.

She wanted to tell him how she felt.

That she loved him.

How would he react?

She’d bet he’d be happy to hear it.