Beth is collecting the slips from the attending families. See her for the head count. I’ve already drawn up a map. See the attachment.

No need for a meeting.

Sincerely,

Ms. Donahue

I’m desperate for a way to get her to talk to me in person. I fire a quick e-mail back to her.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Fundraiser

Dear Raegan,

The attachment won’t open. Please print it out and bring it to my office so we can take a look at it together.

Sincerely,

Jax

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Fundraiser

Dear Mr. Waters,

I forwarded the e-mail to Beth. She’s printing it out for you. Take a look and let me know if there’s anything I need to change.

Sincerely,

Ms. Donahue

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Fundraiser

Dear Raegan,

What’s it going to take to get you to talk to me?

Sincerely,

Jax

Days Left Until Summer Break: 126

Raegan

The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break are uneventful.

I steer clear of Jaxon at work as much as I can. We’ve managed to continue planning the fundraiser via e-mail, and I’ve resorted to visiting Grandma during the week instead of on the weekend when I know Jaxon will be there.

Maybe he’s telling the truth about the search warrant. Maybe I’ve reacted too harshly. But I can’t seem to shake the hurt from my system. Just when I’d let my guard down, he gave me a reason to raise the gates again.

And just like that, we’re back at square one.

I’m in Shoprite getting a few last-minute items for Thanksgiving dinner. Every year, Mom and I cook all the holiday classics and bring them to Grandma. We spend the day with her at the nursing home because taking her to our house proved too disorienting for her. She’d get confused and her anger would flare. Everything’s calmer where Grandma feels comfortable.

Mom calls for the third time since I arrived. “Yes, Mom. What else did you forget?”

“I don’t think I wrote cranberry sauce on the list. Grandma loves the jellied kind.”

“Already got two cans in the cart.”

“You’re the best daughter ever.”

“I know, I know.”

“See you when you get home.”

I end the call and toss my phone back into my purse. As I round the next aisle, my cart crashes into someone else’s.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t—” My words halt on my tongue when I realize who I’ve crashed into. “Andrew. Hi.”

“Hi, Rae.” He reaches into his cart and flips open a carton of eggs. “Let’s just make sure you haven’t ruined my eggs.”