Page 96 of Trusting Skulls

“You need to move around. Any exercise is good for you. It’s a beautiful day, and we could both use a dose of sun.”

I lower myself into the chair beside her, her words drawing my attention to the ashen color of her skin.

“Rachel, why are you here? Go spend time with your family. I’ll find another therapist. Besides, I can’t do much right now anyway.”

She shields her eyes as she watches me fall into my seat.

“I need a purpose, and right now that’s you.” Her gaze catches on something, and she leans forward abruptly. She reaches out to touch the pendant resting on my chest. “It’s the dragonfly,” she whispers.

“Oh.” I lean away. “Brody’s friend gave this to me. It’s not the same one Kelsie has,” I tell her.

“Kelsie gave it to Elizabeth … she lost it,” Rachel tells me, easing my worry. I thought she might think I stole it.

“Oh, that’s too bad. The girl who gave it to me said she got it from someone who found it at the beach. They gave it to her. The lady told her it meant angels were near.”

Rachel smiles, relaxing in her chair. “Have you heard the story of the necklace?”

“No.”

She begins to relay a story so tragic, yet sweet, I can hardly believe it’s true. “So, Raffe started it all?”

“Yeah,” she sighs dreamily. “He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”

I nod my head, agreeing. “I’ve got to tell you, Raffe changed the way I look at things.”

Her head falls back as she stares lazily at the clouds. “He said the same thing about you.”

I let out a sound like a tire losing air.

“You don’t believe me?”

“Well, I don’t think you’re lying. More that he’s exaggerating.” I take the necklace off and hold it up to the sun, spinning it in the light.

She sits up straight. “You are here for a reason. I am here for a reason.”

“I get your reason for being here. I broke my foot, and you’re a healer. What’s my reason?”

Her crazy colored eyes swirl, reminding me so much of her brother’s. She smiles wide. “We’re here for the same reason … to help Raffe.”

I roll my eyes. “You do watch the news, don’t you? My life is an apocalyptic mess right now. My parents are moving us to Reno. I’ll never be able to face anyone in this town again.”

“Let’s make a bet.” She reaches out and snags the spinning dragonfly out of my hand, holding it in her closed fist. “Raffe was just a teenager when he bought the necklace for his friend Jenny. He told me the only way he could afford it was because there was a small scratch on the back, and he convinced the jeweler to sell it to him for half price.”

“There’s no way it’s the same one,” I tell her, not wanting her to be disappointed. I can clearly see how much she wants this to be the club’s lost dragonfly.

“Maybe not, but if it is …” She smiles wide.

I’ll admit this conversation does have me intrigued in a way I’ve never felt before. It’s strange how each member of the club seems to stir my soul. Rachel’s son and husband have both been nothing but kind and protective to me. I at least owe it to her to hear her out.

“And if it isn’t?”

“It is,” she says confidently.

Her palm slowly opens. She tilts her hand to flip it over, and we bump heads, trying to get a good look.

“Holy shit,” I whisper. “How is this even possible?”

“An angel is near,” she laughs, relaxing back in her seat. “We’re all links of love, baby.”

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