Free Dark Water: A Siren Novel by Tricia Rayburn Page B

insisted they have one last father-daughter adventure before she leaves for college in the fall.”
    “Then why has she come here alone both times?”
    Paige looked at me. “Because he was swimming? Napping? Reading the newspaper? And she had time to kill?” She studied my face, which reddened under her gaze. “Vanessa … is something wrong?”
    I started to say no but stopped. I’d heard the suspicion in my voice, too, and denying something was up would only invite more questions that I didn’t know how to answer. Paige knew me too well to let it slide.
    “Sorry,” I said. “Weird morning, that’s all.”
    She stood up straight. Her eyes widened. “Was it the orange truck? Did it follow you here?”
    “No, thankfully. I haven’t seen it again since that night.” I’d told Paige about the chase because I had to tell someone and didn’t want to worry my parents. Also, with the exception of last year, she’d been a full-time Winter Harbor resident her whole life; I thought she might have some idea who the truck belonged to. She didn’t, but said she’d keep her eyes and ears open. “I just didn’t feel great and it took longer than usual to get going.”
    “Thank goodness. About the truck, not about—”
    “Got it.” I smiled. “How’ve you been, by the way?”
    “What do you mean?”
    I waited for a busboy to pass before lowering my voice and continuing. “Physically, since we’ve been back. Do you feel any differently here than you did in Boston?”
    She considered this. “Not really. Maybe a bit more tired, but only because thinking about this restaurant stuff keeps me awake at night. Everything else feels pretty normal.” She paused. “Why? Do you?”
    I didn’t want to give her something else to worry about unnecessarily, so I shook my head. “Just tired, too. But I guess it’s to be expected, considering the new house and moving and everything.”
    “Absolutely.” She took my hand. “Come on. I know what’ll help.”
    She led me through the dining room. As we passed the bar, Natalie’s head was hidden behind an open cabinet door. Paige, apparently deciding formal introductions could wait, breezed by without slowing down.
    In the kitchen, she instructed me to sit on a stool by the meat freezer while she dodged Louis, who was quiet but still cranky, and gathered food. Two minutes later, she handed me a plastic tray and sat on the stool next to mine.
    “Bagel with seaweed-infused cream cheese, fries, iced water, and an extra-large coffee. All coated, dipped, or filled with salt.”
    I followed her finger as it pointed at different dishes. “This should be the most unappetizing, inedible meal I’ve ever been served.”
    “But?” Paige asked.
    “It’s perfect.”
    She stayed with me while I ate and kept an eye on Louis to make sure he didn’t terrify anyone else into leaving. We kept the conversation light, talking about my Jeep and her plans to paint the lobby and build flower boxes. It had been days and we still hadn’t returned to the topic of what I’d overheard at the open house, but that was fine with me. I was hoping it was a fluke—and one we could eventually forget.
    I’d felt fine when I’d arrived, but after eating and visiting with my best friend, I felt even better. In fact, Colin could burst into the kitchen and declare his love for me right then … and my heart wouldn’t even skip a beat.
    As it happened, Colin didn’t burst into the kitchen. Natalie did.
    “Someone’s here about a takeout order?” she said. “Cute guy with glasses?”
    I lowered my coffee cup. Louis tossed Natalie two brown paper bags. She disappeared back through the swinging door.
    “Cute guy,” Paige said, after a pause. “With glasses.”
    I nodded, sipped.
    “Don’t you want to say hi?”
    I did. So much so, it was taking every calorie of energy I’d just consumed to keep from leaping off the stool and flying from the kitchen. But I couldn’t help thinking about what