Page 18 of Fierce Hope
Lindsay finished her story, and in the next breath she taunted them with: “Come on, slowpokes!”
She lengthened her stride, her muscles warm now despite the cold. The morning had started rough—another night of fitful sleep, jumping at shadows. But here, surrounded by stunning wilderness and the laughter of friends, those fears seemed distant.
A few minutes later Lindsay waved her poles. “We’re here!”
Jade blinked. They’d reached the parking area, their breath creating small clouds in the crisp air.
Lindsay already had her phone out. “Selfie time! Come on, squish in.”
They pressed together, red-cheeked and smiling, with the snow-covered peaks as their backdrop. For a moment, Jade could almost believe she was just another young professional, enjoying an outing with friends.
“We need to do this more often,” Becca said as they headed for their cars. “You’ve been too cooped up lately.”
“Yeah,” Jade agreed, though a familiar knot of tension began forming in her stomach. What would she find when she reached her car? Another note? Another warning?
Stop it,she chided herself.You’re being paranoid.
But paranoia had kept her alive this long.
Still, she allowed herself a small hope. Maybe this time, just this once, she could have something normal. Something real.
After saying goodbye to Lindsay and Becca, she drove straight to Morton’s Market. She needed groceries, but more than that, she needed the mundane ritual of shopping to settleher nerves. Maybe if she acted normal long enough, she’d start feeling normal too.
The store’s automatic doors whooshed open, releasing a blast of warm air scented with fresh bread and coffee. She grabbed a cart, trying to focus on her mental shopping list instead of the way her hands still trembled slightly from the morning’s exertion—or maybe from something else entirely.
Her thoughts drifted traitorously to Deke as she picked through the produce section. The way his presence had filled her office doorway. The genuine concern in his eyes when he’d offered help. For a moment, she’d been tempted—so tempted—to let down her walls. To lean on someone else’s strength for once.
Don’t be stupid,she chided herself, selecting a bunch of bananas.The last thing he needs is to get dragged into your mess.
Still, as she moved through the aisles, she couldn’t help wondering. What would it be like to have someone solid in her corner? Someone who?—
She cut that thought off sharply. Better to focus on what she knew. No suspicious transactions in the church accounts. No disgruntled clients at the firm. Nothing concrete linking back to her old life.
So why does something still feel wrong?
The cashier’s cheerful “Have a great day!” barely registered as she headed for the exit, arms laden with bags. The wind had picked up, carrying the bite of approaching snow. She really should have parked closer, but the lot had been packed when she?—
Her steps faltered.
There, fluttering beneath her windshield wiper, was another piece of white paper.
The grocery bags suddenly felt like lead weights. Her pulse thundered as she approached her car, scanning the busy lot. Nothing appeared out of place. Just Saturday shoppers loading groceries, kids trailing parents, a couple arguing over their shopping list.
With trembling fingers, she plucked the paper from under the wiper. The words, typed in stark black letters, sent ice through her veins:
You’re smarter than this. Walk away or you’ll be sorry.
Her head snapped up, eyes darting from face to face. But there was nothing—no one watching, no one suspicious. Just the ordinary bustle of a weekend morning.
The paper crumpled in her fist as anger surged through her fear. Enough. She was done jumping at shadows, done letting these threats control her life.
But as she threw the groceries into her trunk, her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
Walk away from what? What was she missing?
Her breath came in short bursts, her heart hammering against her ribs. The crumpled note in her fist felt like it was burning through her skin. She forced herself to smooth it out, folding it carefully before tucking it into her coat pocket.
The reality of her situation crashed over her like an icy wave. The break-ins. The escalating threats. The complete absence of leads despite her careful investigation. She couldn’t keep jumping at shadows and second-guessing every move.
