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“Bill, we’ll be at the clubhouse if anyone wants us,” Ezra said to Bill, who nodded.
“Dana, I’m sorry,” Bill muttered.
“So am I,” I replied and tore my gaze away from the wreck of my house.
???
Three days later, I stared at my phone as an unknown number rang for the third time this morning. Today was Sunday, so I knew it wouldn’t be the office, and Ezra had left an hour ago to head to church. He’d offered to take me with him, but I had shopping to do. I was currently in Windfells, buying some clothes. Some of the old ladies had volunteered to come too, but I’d convinced them I wanted alone time. The last two weeks had done me in, and I needed some quiet time.
“Hello?” I answered warily.
“Oh, thank God, Dana, I wasn’t sure you would ever answer,” Shania exclaimed down the phone.
“What do you want, Shania?” I demanded.
I had nothing to say to Shania and wondered why the hell she was phoning and sounding so friendly.
“Look, we’ve had our differences, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’m trying to grow,” Shania said, and a disbelieving noise escaped me.
“No, Dana, it’s true. The damage to our relationship was caused by me. I understand now. Honestly, I was a jealous, selfish twat, to be blunt. But seeing what’s happened to our family has made me wake up.”
“Okay,” I replied, drawing out the word.
No way did I believe her. Shania was after something. There’s no chance she’d changed.
“Dana, I have Grandma’s bracelet. The one you always liked, and Mom told you it was lost. The truth was, I took it. It was meant to go to you, but I wanted it, so took it. I’m moving away. The uproar is beyond belief, and I can’t even go out anymore. But I understand I did you wrong and want to make up for it. Please, take Grandma’s bracelet back.”
To say I was shellshocked was an understatement. Shania had never been so nice. Even though I’d guessed Shania had stolen the bracelet, there’d been no evidence, and Mom had backed Shania. A little part of me yelled, ‘Watch out, this is a trap’, but I pushed it aside.
“Why are you giving me it back? What do you want in return?” I demanded, suspicious as a cat.
“Because I’d like a fresh start, Dana. Seriously, I want away from Rapid City and all the crap that goes with it. But before I leave, I want to make amends. I’ve been told I’m looking at community service, which is fine if that is what it takes to right the record. But the most important thing is making sure we remain sisters. But I’ve been a terrible sister to you. And I am so sorry,” Shania ended on a wail.
Wow, you could knock me down with a feather right now. I was beyond shocked at what Shania was saying.
“Shania, I’m not sure what to say,” I finally replied.
“It’s worse because you lost a lot of your stuff a few days ago when the house burned down. And you’ve nothing of grandma, so I thought this would help a little.”
“This is very kind, Shania. It would help a lot. And also, maybe a couple of keepsakes of yours?” I suggested awkwardly.
Shania sniffed down the phone.
“You really want something of mine?”
“Yes. At the end of the day, we’re sisters, and if you’re being truthful about making amends, then I’d love to have a couple of keepsakes of yours. However, I have nothing to give in return.”
“Dana, I want nothing. Just a second chance is perfect,” Shania replied, and she did sound genuine for once.
“Tell me where to meet.”
Shania rattled off an address and said she’d text me it in case I forgot. She sounded so excited to be meeting, but something in my gut warned me to be careful. Shania had only ever looked after herself. But I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt. I wasn’t expected back on Rage for a couple of hours, so I decided to end the shopping trip now and go and meet Shania. Perhaps good will arise from this angst.
???
Confused, I pulled up on the street and checked the number of the house again. The neighbourhood wasn’t great, but not terrible either. The house looked neat and tidy and nothing like Shania’s home with Patrick. It was far smaller and less grand than Shania was used to. I wondered why she was here and not at home. Still wary, I glanced at my phone for a message from Ezra. The fact he hadn’t replied must mean he was still in church.
The front door opened, and Shania stepped out with a bright smile on her face.
