Page 77 of Sinister Secrets

My eyes feel like they’re going to bug out of my head.

“And that was the number one thing that I told you to never do. The most important thing.”

“I don’t get what the big deal is.”

“The big deal is that Stephano was in there stuffing himself, and now he’s got bloat.” Doing my best to burn her with a searing gaze, I hiss, “Goats, especially pygmies, die from that.”

“Relax. He looks fine to me.”

My hands curl into fists, the one holding Stephano’s rope itching to wrap it around her neck instead. Never mind that this woman lied to me. Used me. Hit on Jake. She injured one of my animals, one of my family members, and she doesn’t even have the decency to at least pretend to feel bad about it.

“Get out. Pack up your stuff and leave. I want you gone within the hour.”

“You can’t be serious.”

I pick Stephano up, needing to keep his top half elevated if we’re not going to be moving, and level her with a look that makes her take a step back. “I’m deadly serious.”

“I made a mistake.”

“One that could be fatal.”

“But it wasn’t. Come on. Cassie, we’re friends.”

“You heard her,” Jake says, coming up behind me. He puts one hand on my shoulder, the other on Stephano’s stomach, rubbing his distended belly. “Leave.”

“Now you’re the one making a mistake,” Chelsea says. “You’re going to regret this, Cassie. I’m the one you can trust, not—”

“GO!” I order.

I point at her, my finger trembling in the air between us as I seethe. Then, deciding she isn’t worth it, I turn my back, carrying Stephano inside. Maybe she was right. Maybe we had become friends. But not anymore. I never want to see her face again.

CHAPTER 45

I’m exhausted. Emotionally drained. And very, very grateful. Though it was a long, tense night, things could have been so much worse. This ordeal isn’t over yet, but we’re through the brunt of it. Stephano is going to be okay… even if missing first dinner and now breakfast has him thinking otherwise.

Almost losing him really put things in perspective. Yes, I want to keep my job, and no, I don’t want to give Sheriff Kingston the satisfaction of arresting me, even if Jake does get the charges dropped immediately, but I’ll survive it if it happens. It might be tough and will certainly be unpleasant, but sometimes you just have to have faith everything will be okay and ride that as your raft through the storm—even if a nap would be preferable at the moment.

But that will have to wait until later. I want to get everything done before Jake gets back from the pharmacy in Naples with the simethicone the vet prescribed to help Stephano feel more comfortable. In the meantime, the tiny goat is making the most of being pampered and is currently curled up on the couch in the air conditioning while the rest of us sweat it out in the humidity.

I pause, wiping the perspiration dripping into my eyes from my brow, then pick the pitchfork back up. Though it feels like I’ve been moving for the last twenty-four hours straight, my body weary in a way it’s been few times before, this stall isn’t going to muck itself. Sam Mule’s ears pin like I just suggested he help.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be done in a minute,” I say.

Though I tried to get everyone out into the pasture earlier to enjoy some fresh air, no one wanted to go. I think they’re worried about their little friend, afraid to leave their stalls until they see he’s okay for themselves, a thought that makes my heart ache in an entirely new way.

I finish cleaning the stall, then rake the sawdust flat again. Putting my tools on top of the wheelbarrow, I open the door, grab the handles, and start backing my way out of the stall. Sam snorts, his tail swishing as he comes toward me, trying to force his way past.

“Hey.” Dropping my burden, I put a hand on his chest, pushing him back. He must have changed his mind about going out. “Relax. Let me dump this and I’ll come back and take you to the paddock.”

He eyes me like there’s something he needs to say as I pick my load back up and continue my exit. Once through the door, I swing it shut and slide the bolt. Turn around, my muscles tensing as I spot Chelsea standing in the shadows against the far wall.

“What are you doing here?”

“I just want to talk.”

“Well, I don’t have any interest in listening.”

“I’m only going to give you one chance, Cassie. I really think you should take it.”