Page 5 of Property of The Grump

“I’m sorry,” he says again, starting beneath my arms for a quick pat-down. “We don’t take any chances. I hope you can understand.”

“I get it,” I say, flipping around so he can slide his big hands down over the front of me. There’s not a sexual thing about the way he’s touching me. In fact, the man is overlyrespectful. He stays away from my breasts, keeps his distance from my thighs, and goes around the curve of my ass.

He’s doing his best, but every touch reminds me of that guy… the one I don’t think about anymore. The one I never should’ve thought about to begin with. “I’m glad you’re being thorough. It’s very important no one finds out that I’m here.”

He drags his big hands down over my sides quickly, then lifts my hair to check around the back of my neck. I’d never thought about someone hiding a camera in their hair before, but it’s good he’s thinking of everything. “All set,” he says, an apologetic tone in his voice as he leads me toward two chairs set out by the campfire. “That’s not how I prefer to begin an interaction. Can I get you a cup of coffee? It’s been brewing over the fire all morning.”

“No, thank you,” I say, settling down into the canvas rocker. “I’m laying off the caffeine lately. Are those cameras recording my voice too?”

He nods once and pours a cup of coffee for himself, the scent of wood smoke and caramelized sugars spreading through the air as he talks. “By default, but it’s not that great at picking up sound. It’s mostly there to alert us of intruders. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you hear about us?”

There’s a brief pause before I speak again, and I notice the creek babbling nearby. “I found your card in a box a got from the bakery in town. I don’t know how it got there. I thought it was an accident, so I called Josie and she explained who you were and what you did. She said her cousin had to use your services, and that it was all quiet, so I should keep it that way.”

He nods slowly, his gaze stuck on the fire before he glances toward me. “The process of disappearing is a lot simpler than most people think. We’ll get some basic information from you, we’ll create a new identity, and we’ll hook you up with our mover, Atlas. He’s a little rough around the edges, but the guyis built like a tank. He’ll keep you safe and make sure you get settled into your new town. Do you have any money saved?”

My stomach tightens as the logs shift in the fire. “Ten grand. I know it’s not a lot, but I need out as soon as possible.”

“Ten is plenty to start over with, so long as you secure yourself a job immediately, but we can talk about all of that as this unfolds. You do realize that a relocation like this would involve completely severing with your old life, correct?”

I pause as the reality of what I’m about to do settles.

A complete severing.

My parents would always wonder what happened to me. I wouldn’t have my friend Tilly to complain to about everything. I’d lose my little online shop, and the few return customers I’ve found will wonder why I stopped making the fuzzy little creatures and cupcakes they seem to love so much.

I’d lose myself. I knew this when I sought out Tucker’s help, but the reality of it all is still alarming.

“That means you can’t call, email, or text anyone from your previous life. You’ll have a new identity completely. You can’t talk about the people you used to know. You can’t mention the places you used to live. You become a new person with a new story. Do you understand?”

I nod slowly. “I understand.”

“Great,” the man says, poking at the crackling fire. “Then let’s get down to business. What’s the reason for your relocation?”

The reason.The reason makes me sick. The reason is embarrassing. The reason is something I’ve only ever told one other person. That was seven years ago, and it ended with the big, burly man going to prison.

It was a lesson in keeping things to myself.

“My husband,” I pause, my heart pounding as I try to find the words. “My husband, ugh,” tears well in my eyes as a bird chirps above me in the tree, “is Zane Harlow.”

“Zane Harlow, as in the mayor of the Springs?”

I nod. “Yes. I’ve tried leaving multiple times, but he always finds me. And now,” I rub my hand over my stomach, “I need out.”

Tucker leans forward, his elbows balancing on his knees. “You’re pregnant?”

I nod slowly, his question cementing a reality that I haven’t said out loud yet. “Five months. I’ve been hiding it from him, but it’s getting harder. Soon, I’m going to be so big someone will notice. I’ve already waited too long. I can’t risk my baby’s life too. Zane’s family is massive and controlling. He’s,” I glance up at the camera, “I need to start over. It’s the only way.”

The man stares at me for a long moment, as though he’s thinking over every detail of what I’m saying. “Have you seen a doctor?”

“No, but I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins I got online.” I realize after I’ve told him about the medication that he’s not looking to make sure the baby is getting the proper nutrients. He’s trying to gather who else knows about the pregnancy. “I haven’t told anyone.”

“Good. We’ll make sure to get you started with a doctor after your relocation goes through.”

“When do you think that will be? Like I said, I’ve already waited way too long.”

The low growl of a truck rumbles loud enough that Tucker stops talking and waits for the noise to pass, though it doesn’t. Whoever’s driving parks the jacked-up Chevy with dark tinted windows in the center of the road before one boot hits the gravel, then the other. A second later, the truck door slams, and the manrounds the truck with purpose until he’s standing, arms crossed, looking straight at me.

My throat tightens, my mouth goes dry, and I’m pretty sure I’m hallucinating.That can’t be Father Anderson.No, my mind is playing tricks on me. It can’t be.