As we headed into town, I thought of Huck. Us. Claire. Everything. But I was happy. I’d always wanted this, to be with him. To have a family. We’d just taken a really big detour. Not all our problems were solved. My dad was going to be difficult.

“I forgot to tell you, your sister put in a police report that her car was stolen,” Huck said.

I flipped the visor down as we turned a corner and the sun was in my eyes. “The fire and now this. They’re having bad luck,” I said.

“Seems that way,” Huck added. “I think—”

A car coming our way veered into our lane and then slammed on the brakes, the back end fishtailing so it blocked our way. The front of that car almost faced where it had come from. Huck stopped the police car. My head whiplashed. His gaze narrowed as he looked out the front windshield as the driver’s door opened and a woman staggered out.

“Shit.” His head whipped around to look me over. “You okay?”

“Yes,” I murmured, my adrenaline pumping.

“Listen to me carefully. Climb out and shut your door. Stay on the ground behind the SUV so you aren’t seen. Call this in.” Gone was the sweet Huck. He was in police mode now, hyperfocused.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s Mandy. Claire’s mother.”

I gave the woman a quick glance, then did as Huck asked—undid my belt, opened my door, and slipped out, shutting it behind me. I took my cell and squatted down behind the rear wheel and called Graham.

Huck’s door slammed. I felt the reverberations of it against my back.

“Hey, Sarah,” Graham said.

“Huck and I are on County Road Four,” I whispered. “A woman has blocked the road. Huck knows her and is dealing with her, but we need some help out here.”

“Got it. No one’s hurt?”

A gunshot had me jumping.

“Shit. You okay?”

“She doesn’t know I’m here,” I whispered. “Huck’s talking to her, and she’s got a gun. And is using it!”

“Stay down. We’ll be there soon.”

The line went dead, and I scrunched down and peeked under the SUV. I saw Huck’s jean-clad legs. He was still standing, thank God.

“Put the gun down, Mandy.”

“No way! You need to give me money. Now!”

I couldn’t see the woman, but her voice was shrill.

“Why? What are you on? Meth? Put the gun down before you hurt someone.”

I heard footsteps on the paved road. “That’s the plan. I want you dead.”

“Be pissed all you want. Shooting me won’t solve anything.”

How could he sound so calm? I wasn’t sure if I could handle him being police chief if he dealt with people like this as part of his job.

Then I realized she wasn’t part of his job. She was part of his life. The woman who’d made Claire but had fucked with him. She might be a nutjob—and dangerous—but Huck had gotten the best part of this woman. He was right. I wouldn’t want to change anything that had happened because we’d never have Claire otherwise.