Page 27 of Weather the Storm

She shrugs her shoulders. “Both.”

“Guys?” Myla Rose anxiously calls from behind the curtain of her dressing room.

“What’s up, sister-girl?” Azalea calls back.

“I just…” She flings the curtain back. “Does this look awful?” Myla stands before us in a flattering high-waisted bikini. However, instead of your typical triangle top, she’s wearing a long-sleeved rash guard top that stops just below her bust, leaving only an inch or two of her abdomen revealed.

Azalea stands and walks over to her best friend. “You look fan-fucking-tastic. Your hubby is gonna swallow his damn tongue when he sees you in this—hell, little Brody might even wind up a big brother after Cash catches sight of you.”

Myla’s eyes sparkle. “Really?” We all nod back at her. “Okay then! Let me change and we can go.”

Once Myla and I are checked out, we all step out in the evening air. “Good Lord, where did the sun go?” Seraphine asks.

“It’s almost six o’clock!” Azalea informs us.

“Oh. My. Stars! I told Cash’s mom I would be back by six to get Brody!” Myla Rose exclaims, a worried tone coloring her words.

“You better hurry then,” Seraphine says, hefting her purse higher up onto her shoulder.

“See y’all at the salon,” she calls over her shoulder while hurrying back to where she parked Bertha, her big green Land Cruiser.

Azalea gives us a wave with her fingertips and scurries after her. “That’s my ride!”

“Guess I better get home too,” Seraphine says as we walk back toward Dream Beans. “I’m sure Dad’s nurse is ready for a break.”

“How’s Uncle Dave doing?”

Seraphine lifts the left side of her upper lip. “His heart is getting worse by the day—struggling to keep up. His medication isn’t doing much to help either.” I know she hates talking about her dad, so I’m shocked by her open honesty.

I wrap her in a tight hug. “I’m sorry, S. Let me know if I can do anything.”

We pause when we get to her Rav-4. “I will, Mags. You know that.”

“I know.”

She looks around, as if searching for something. “Where’d you park? Want me to walk you to your car?”

“I’m just down the street in the public lot, and no, I’m fine. There’s just enough sunlight left.”

Seraphine looks like she doesn’t quite believe me, but she doesn’t argue. “All right, be safe. Love you.”

“Love you more.” I press a kiss to her cheek and set off toward my car.

The walk is only a few blocks, but the sun is sinking below the horizon fast. The thought of being alone after dark has my belly pulling tight. Sure, Dogwood seems safe, but you never know. I power walk the last block, feeling uneasy when I notice the light for the parking lot is out. I fish my cell phone from my bag as I approach, my fingers ready to call for help if the need arises.

You’re just being paranoid.I try to convince myself, but the closer I get, the more obvious it becomes that something is actually wrong.

“Oh my God.” My voice breaks as I take in my new Honda. The back windshield is smashed, and the two tires I can see are slashed.

Frantically, I call the first person I can think of.

Simon answers on the first ring, skipping right over any kind of greeting. “Goldilocks, you wanna bring home dinner?”

My pitiful whimper stops him short.

“Magnolia, are you okay? Where are you?” I tell him my location. “Okay, I’m on my way. I’m gonna stay on the phone with you, so don’t hang up.”

“’Kay,” I whisper into the phone, too terrified to speak any louder. What if the person—themonster—who did this is still here?

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