Page 198 of Hidden Nature

She spent Sunday painting, and with the window open, painted to the sound of building.

After the first coat, she went into town to hit the grocery and replenish the supplies she’d depleted the day before.

She noted the car behind her most of the trip as a matter of course. An older Ford sedan, gray, West Virginia plates.

She thought no more about it, and pulled into the lot at the grocery store.

Clara drove past.

“We should’ve brought the van. We could take her now, babe, if we had the van.”

“We’re not ready for her, doll. And you saw those two trucks and the men at her house. Somebody’d likely notice pretty quick if she doesn’t come back. It’s enough we found where she lives, what car she’s driving when she’s not in that police truck. Makes it worth the trip, and using our Sunday off to take it.”

“I don’t like how much she’s worrying you.”

“Now, don’t you worry about me worrying.” With a little laugh, she reached over to pat his cheek. “We know she’s a resurrected, and I truly believe a witch along with it. It may be she’s what all our work’s been leading to, doll. We’ll send her where she’s meant to go. We need a plan.”

“I know you’re right. I know you’re right about it just like always. She’s different. I don’t just want her story, don’t just want to send her back. I want to make her pay for twisting you up the way she does.”

“Evil always pays in the end. This’ll maybe take a little longer, that’s all. We need protection against that evil, and the right way to stop her from using it against us.

“We’re going to drive by the place where she works. I don’t see us taking her there, but we need a look-see.”

“You think of everything, babe.”

“In this battle against evil, doll, a soldier has to think of everything.”

“It’s sure a nice day for a drive anyway.” Relaxing back, he tapped his fingers on his thigh. “You can feel spring coming on. How about after the look-see, I take my woman to Cracker Barrel for lunch?”

“There you go. You think of everything, too. It’s why we don’t lose, Sam. It’s why we were called. Together, we’re like one righteous Angel of God.”

She gave a contented sigh.

Nash found Sloan in the bedroom on a stepladder installing a new light fixture.

“Do you know what you’re doing up there?”

“Please. I thought you’d left, then I heard you come back.”

“I ran into Carl. He said he had time right now to do the rough-in electric.”

Holding the glass-and-iron drum light to the ceiling, she looked down. “That’s great.”

“CJ’s working in the plumbing tomorrow afternoon.” He glanced around. “You were right about the color in here. And good job with it. If you decide to switch careers, you’re hired.”

“Good to know.”

She finished the light, stepped down. When she started to fold the ladder, he brushed her aside. “I’ve got it.”

“Thanks.”

So she went out, flipped the breaker back on, then came in and turned on the light.

“And that’s a big yes. I now have a hundred and twenty-four square feet of fresh and soothing. And like my future kitchen, smaller space innovative style. I need new shades.”

“And here it comes.”

“No, it doesn’t. Or not much. New shades were already on the list. Iwon’t need a new closet door now, as painting it did the trick, but I will need the new bedroom door to match the other interiors. Stick with the white duvet I have, but add some shams. Dark gray, shades and shams. Small space, keep it simple. I can crochet a throw in ombre grays.”

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