“I could get you USA Today. I don’t think they write in full sentences.”

“How about some English muffins? For some reason, I have a craving.”

Andrew scribbled on a scrap of paper. “Officially on the list. You going to be all right? I was thinking of renting a kayak while I’m out.”

She was happy to hear that. She’d noticed him looking wistfully at the lake more and more. He’d taken a few quick dips, but she could tell he really wanted to explore it beyond the dock. She wished she could join him, but there was no way her arms could paddle a kayak. Her shoulders would dislocate on the first stroke.

“I’ll be fine. You have to leave for work every day, and I feel like crap nine times out of ten. Go forth and get your toy. You deserve it. Take your time. I have a couple of Tylenol in my backup pill case.”

Aside from her mason jar of pills, she had an old Altoids tin she usually stowed in the car for emergencies. One of every medication was in the tin.

He smiled and kissed her forehead, covering it with a cool washcloth.

“Be back soon.”

Buttons followed him to the door and whined after he closed it. Since Andrew had been around day and night, the beagle had grown more attached to him.

“Don’t be a traitor, But-But.”

He happily bounded to the bed.

He was still very much her baby. Kate petted him until even that made her tired.

She’d been more tired than usual. Ever since the night of the shrieking deer, as Andrew had nicknamed it as if it were a B horror movie, she’d found it hard to sleep when it was dark out. Well, harder than usual. Her senses were on high alert from sundown to sunup, which in turn was wearing on what was left of her immune system.

Today’s fever came without that microwave feeling. Even so, she waited for her back to feel like someone had sprayed lighter fluid on it and flicked a match her way.

Despite being weak and clammy, she started to get antsy. Perhaps it was having the threat of her secret microwave feels hanging over her, or the niggling feeling that something about this place wasn’t what it appeared to be. Strange noises aside, other aspects of their vacation home were bugging her more and more.

Like, why really had it been available at the last minute? And not just for a week or two, but the whole summer? Kate was starting to doubt the realtor’s story about the previous renters having a death in the family.

Also, where the hell were their neighbors? Andrew said he still hadn’t seen another home on his runs. She hardly saw anyone ever on the lake. Were people avoiding this place for a reason?