Chapter 30
Mrs. Ira and her group of knitters are in the bakery when Ms. Tizzy gets the call. Natalie has been found and is currently fighting for her life on the way to the hospital . None of the knitters drove, so Sarah offered to take her.
Right now, we don’t know much other than she was found alive. In such a small town, I’m sure news and details will emerge like wildfire. All we can do is hope and pray.
“I texted my brother. I’m not supposed to say anything, but I’m sure he won’t mind that I’m telling you. Natalie was stabbed. It’s not looking good and they are sure that whoever did it is the person they are looking for.”
My hand flies to my mouth as I let out a gasp.
“Oh my gosh!” My heart breaks for Natalie because I’ve been in her shoes.
I know the pain and struggles she is going to be faced with if she pulls through.
A part of me wishes I could talk to her.
Tell her that it’s going to be okay and that I can relate to what she will be feeling and going through. To tell her she is beautiful.
Tears threaten to fall, and I blink them away as my hand subconsciously splays across my own scars. “Let’s hope she pulls through.”
Sarah returns, and hours go by without any word on Natalie. The knitters left shortly after Ms. Tizzy, talking about going to make freezer meals for them to come home to. Word has travelled quickly, and everyone is talking about how Natalie has survived a serial killer.
Finally, Wren gets a text from West. Natalie has made it out of surgery and is currently in an induced coma.
I let out a breath of relief knowing she has made it this far.
Now we just have to hope no infections develop.
I think back to those early days and the months that followed after I got out of the hospital.
I was in so much pain, and for years, my scars would itch.
I’d have days where I could still feel the burning and tightness.
Recovery wasn’t easy. Since I can’t speak with Natalie, I make a mental note to send an anonymous gift basket with some products that helped me, along with activities she can do to keep her mind busy as she recovers.
“We should have a girls’ night,” Sarah suggests to Wren and me as we’re busy cleaning up. “Shake off this sombre mood.”
“I’m in.” Wren shrugs. The girls turn to me, and I nod along.
“Sure. I think I have a few things to make a charcuterie board, and I know I have a bottle of wine at the house.”
“Perfect! We could stop at the store and get some chips and some more wine too,” Sarah says excitedly.
“That sounds great! Let’s hurry up and get this place cleaned.”
We all get to work, and at last it’s time to head home.
“Salsa?” Wren holds up a jar as we scan the aisles of the grocery store debating what we should all get.
“The answer is always yes when the question is salsa.” Sarah grabs the jar from Wren’s hand and places it into the basket.
“I think we should be good now. There is no way we can eat all these snacks and a charcuterie board.” I giggle, looking at the overflowing basket of different flavours of chips and bags of chocolate and even popcorn.
“Fine. Let’s go get booze.”
Paid and checked out, we’re walking along the sidewalk to the parking lot when I realize my phone isn’t in my pockets or purse. “Crap. I think I left my phone in the kitchen. You guys go ahead and I’ll run into the bakery quickly,” I say, stopping outside the bakery doors.
“You sure? We can wait here. It’s no problem.”
“Speak for yourself, Wren. These bags are heavy,” Sarah grumbles.
I smile, rolling my eyes. “Well, if you didn’t clean out the snack aisle,” I tease.
Sarah sticks out her tongue, and Wren laughs, reaching for one of the bags and looping her arm through Sarah’s.
“I’ll be quick, just go.” I shoo them away and unlock the door, stepping inside.
I run to the back, and sure enough, my phone is sitting on the counter where I left it.
Grabbing the device, I place it into my purse and head back through the shop.
When I open the front door to go outside, a folded pamphlet falls to my feet.
I bend to retrieve it and let out a gasp as I turn it over.
It’s a pamphlet on the Hadley River, and the word Hadley is circled in bright-red marker.
I get the prickly sense of being watched, so I try to calm my racing heart and slowly tuck the pamphlet into my purse, acting unaffected by it.
On the way to the parking lot, I scan my surroundings.
It’s a warm night, and people are walking up and down Main Street and sitting in the gardens.
I don’t notice anyone watching me, but I pick up my pace just a little, unable to shake the feeling away.
“Did you guys see anyone go by the shop?” I ask casually, hiding the tremor in my voice as I get settled in the back seat.
“Nope. Not that I noticed. I was texting Ford. How come?” Sarah asks.
“Actually, I saw someone. It looked like they were trying to read the store hours.” Wren shrugs, and my pulse races.
“Did you see who it was?” I ask, my voice wavering.
Wren shakes her head and eyes me. “No, sorry. Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” My voice squeaks as I swallow the unease and paste on a fake smile.
“Okay then.” She eyes me suspiciously before turning back around in her seat.
As we pull out of the parking lot, my eyes catch on a figure darting behind the bakery and my breath catches.
I’m on edge the rest of the night. My mind is whirling, and I feel like I can’t breathe. Trying to focus on the girls’ night, I smile and join the conversations, trying not to let them notice how bad my hands are shaking.
“Okay, Jade. Spill,” Sarah says, throwing some popcorn into her mouth as we sit on my living room floor.
“Spill what?” I ask nervously, eyes darting between Sarah and Wren, afraid they can tell something is up.
“I want all the deets on Sheriff Hottie.”
“Ew.” Wren sputters, wiping the wine that’s dribbling down her chin. “Please do not call him that.”
I giggle and think about what transpired this morning. “Hey, Wren? How come you never said anything about West not liking coffee? You’ve watched him order one every morning.”
Wren throws her head back laughing, and Sarah looks between the two of us confused.
“Wait what?” she says.
“He finally told you?” Wren asks with a hint of amusement.
“Well, actually, it was Cade that let it slip,” I tell her.
“Can you two slow down? I’m so lost,” Sarah says with her eyes narrowed at us.
Wren laughs and turns to her. “West hates coffee.”
Sarah’s eyes rise. “But he’s been ordering one every single day since we opened.”
Wren’s eyes pop, and she sets down her glass of wine. “Hold up. You mean this has been going on for years?”
“Yes.” Sarah drawls out the word, eyeing Wren, still not sure what’s going on.
I giggle, and Wren lets out a full-belly laugh with snorts.
“Oh. Oh God. This is golden. Jade, my brother is in so deep.” She continues her fit of laughter, and Sarah throws a chip at her.
“Let me get this straight,” she says, looking between me and Wren. “Are you saying that this man has been in the bakery every day since opening, ordering something he doesn’t even like?”
I recount to them the story West told me this morning, and when I finish, both girls have giant smiles on their faces.
“That’s actually really sweet,” Sarah says. “Gosh, Wren, why can’t all your brothers be like that?”
Wren pins Sarah with a look and says, “Actually, Sarah, they are all that sweet, believe it or not.”
“Not.” Sarah scowls, bringing her wine glass to her lips.
“It’s true.” Wren nods. “Cade and his late wife were the sweetest couple. He loved her fiercely, and I used to dream about a love like theirs.”
“I was so sorry to hear about Clara’s passing. She was such a beautiful soul.”
Wren smiles sadly. “Thanks. She is sure missed. Some days I don’t think Cade has ever gotten over her. I hope he can move on some day. He works so hard, and he and those kids deserve the world.”
I reach out, grabbing Wren’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “West told me what happened. It’s so sad.”
“It is,” Wren says sadly. “But life goes on, you know?”
“I do know.”
“Oh, that’s right. You mentioned at supper the other night that you lost your parents?”
“I did.”
A knock at my door halts the conversation.
“I know you’re in there, girls.”
We all groan and roll our eyes at the sound of Mrs. Ira’s voice.
“What does she want?” Sarah sighs.
“I’ll go see,” I say, getting up from my spot on the floor.
“Hi, Jade,” Mrs. Ira greets as I open the door.
“Hi, Mrs. Ira. How can I help you?”
“I never made it back into the bakery after we all left. Today was just chaotic for our little town. First Harper and then Natalie.” She shakes her head, and I tilt mine, confused by what she means about Harper.
“Harper?” I ask.
“Oh yes! Haven’t you girls heard?”
I shake my head. I did hear there was an ambulance at the bookstore today, but I assumed it was for Harper’s grandpa. “No, sorry,” I say as Wren and Sarah join us.
“What’s going on?” Sarah asks.
“Harper Lenox was taken to the hospital this morning,” Mrs. Ira tells us. “Found beaten in her store. It was your brothers who found her,” she says, tipping her chin towards Wren.
We all collectively gasp. “Oh my gosh!”
“It was Jep, wasn’t it?” Sarah snarls.
Mrs. Ira nods in confirmation. “I heard she pressed charges and he’s behind bars now.”
“Good,” we all say in unison.
“Anyways, I just wanted to stop by and see if you girls wanted to sign this card for Natalie.” She extends her arm, holding out a card.
“Oh, of course,” I say grabbing it. “Let me go get a pen.”
“How is Natalie? Have you spoken to Ms. Tizzy?” I hear Sarah ask.
“No word yet. But we all thought we would send a card and some meals for Ms. Tizzy along with flowers for Natalie.”
“That’s a great idea, Mrs. Ira.”
I return with the pen and card, and we all take turns signing it.
“Well, I’ll let you ladies get back to your night. Bye now.”