I pushed to my feet and hurried inside. The last thing I wanted was to lose it in front of the kids. They didn’t need the weight of my grief on top of theirs. I made it to my car, calling the pizza place on the way and ordering three pies and a salad. I didn’t let the tears flow until I hit the dirt road past the gate to Mason’s property.

They weren’t heaving sobs, simply a quiet stream of tears. It was a silent cry for my sister, the one I had just started to get back. I’d tried to write her letters while I was in juvie, but they’d been returned to sender. I wasn’t sure if that was her or our father. I’d finally gotten through on her cell phone not long before I was released, but Chelsea had told me that she didn’t want me in her life and had hung up.

That blow had nearly been my breaking point. That night, I’d lain facing the cinderblock wall on my bunk and cried as quietly as possible. You never cried in public. It made you look weak. And the weak were always used as punching bags. But I’d had fifteen years of hiding my emotions as training. I was a master of the blank mask. And it had been my greatest tool.

I called on it now, wiping the tears away from my face as I pulled into town. The Old West façades of the buildings and the baskets of flowers hanging from lampposts welcomed me. This tiny community had been more of a respite than it would ever know.

I guided my hatchback into an empty spot a few doors down from the pizza parlor. It was still on the early side, so things didn’t look too crowded. But the streets of Sutter Lake were still plenty busy. Lots of unfamiliar tourist faces peeking in windows or buying souvenirs.

I climbed out of my car and closed the door with a hip, beeping the locks. My phone dinged.

Mason: Justin and Lyla asked if you could pick up some brownies, too.

I grinned down at my phone and typed out a reply.

Me: Are you sure it’s Justin and Lyla and not you?

Justin might have the never-ending appetite, but it was Mason who had the insatiable sweet tooth.

Mason: I wouldn’t hate it…

Me: You owe me.

Mason: I always repay my debts.

A pleasant shiver trailed down my spine, and I picked up my pace, slipping my phone back into my purse. Before I could straighten, I bumped into someone, their hands going to my shoulders.

“Anna. Damn, you grew up good.”

A new shiver enveloped me, but this time, there was nothing pleasant about it. I stumbled back, out of the man’s grasp. “What are you doing here?”