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“Yeah, I . . . definitely have seen this before.”

She hummed. “We could have the town write something. I bet you could match it up.”

“The town has other issues,” I said with a sigh. “Let me solve those, but I’ll come back to this. Thank you for finding it.”

Grace grabbed my hands. “You can use it as a distraction later.”

“You said you weren’t gonna lecture me.”

“And I’m not. But it’s weighing on you.”

“It is. There was a reason I stayed in Strawberry Springs, though. Even though it was hard, I still had people around me. And that includes you.”

She pulled me into a tight hug, and I was sure I’d suffocate, but I refused to complain.

So many things were going wrong in my life. I was worried about Gabriel leaving. I was worried about the spring.

And I was worried about myself.

But I wasn’t alone. If everything fell apart, I’d have a group of people to help pick me up. That was the thing I’d learned over the years, even in the dark moments.

I’d be okay.

50

GABRIEL

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Kerry Winsor: This THING is in my walls! I fear for my life!!!

Comments:

Atticus Thompson: That would be an opossum, Kerry.

Kerry Winsor: It’s an invasion! @SherriffMike Finch, please help!

SherriffMike Finch: I am NOT animal control, Kerry! Set a trap. Move it somewhere else!

Kerry Winsor: I hear it scratching! It never stops! Why have my friends abandoned me at a time like this?

“You’re late again.” I pushed open Jade’s front door. “And you didn’t lock your door.”

“It was for you.” She didn’t even turn around. “I figured you’d come here.”

“What are you staring at?”

“Something Grace gave me.”

I followed her line of sight and nearly choked on my own spit.

My own handwriting stared back at me.

My heart nearly stopped in my chest. I remembered the day that I’d sent that note. I’d gone back and forth about it. But I did know Grace Day better than most.

When I heard about what had happened with her sister, I wasn’t surprised. Brooke had always been the cause of drama in Strawberry Springs. She thought she was better than the town, and even though I hadn’t been a fan of it myself, I knew how to be respectful. I’d also seen her getting into fights back when we were in school.

It was only a matter of time before that was turned around on Grace. What I didn’t expect was for it to happen when she was nine months pregnant.