Page 20 of Save a Wish

When I reached the mailbox labeled Slater, however, a man was struggling to lift a block of hay into the bed of his truck. I pulled over and hopped out.

“Need a hand?” I asked as I jogged over to him, the hay block on the ground between us.

The man had gray hair peeking from under a John Deere hat. I’d learned from Hank that John Deere was a brand of equipment that many people had here in these parts and had since seen many green tractors with the same name and logo on them. He also wore a green, plaid coat with a fleece lining and pair of gray pants with brown boots. A pair of work gloves, stained with something brownish-red, were on his hands as he gazed down at the hay block.

“Normally, I don’t need a hand,” he said, drawing my attention away from the gloves and up to his face, “but my elbow’s sore today. A touch of arthritis, you know?” He shook his head as he rubbed his left elbow. “Don’t get old.”

“I’ll try my best.” I pointed to the hay. “I’ll try my best to help you with that too.”

Together, we lifted the hay block and got it into the truck bed.

“Thanks.” The man leaned against the truck. “I’m Jimmy Slater. Did you move in around here somewhere?”

“I’m staying at Hank Faraday’s cabin,” I said. “My name’s Sadie Rodgers.”

“Well, thanks, Sadie Rodgers, for loaning me your muscles.” Jimmy smiled, his kind blue eyes crinkling at the corners. How could anyone believe the rumors Hank had warned me about concerning this man?

A serial killer? Unlikely.

Unless his kind demeanor was a trick.

“No problem,” I said, backing away toward the car. “Nice meeting you.” And maybe forget you met me. I certainly didn’t want to be on his next victim list. It would be a shame to have successfully escaped the life I hadn’t wanted in Verdalach only to be killed here in America.

I climbed back into the car and continued on my way.

Only Jimmy’s pickup followed me.

Took all the rights I took.

Took all the lefts I took.

Tracked me all the way to Hartley’s Nest.

I considered driving past the sign at the entrance to the wildlife rehabilitation center, but I didn’t know where else to go. At least I knew Beckett would be at Hartley’s Nest.

When I reached a fork in the dirt roadway, I went left as Beckett’s directions had instructed, but Jimmy went right. Was it possible the man also had business to attend to at Hartley’s Nest? Had he not been following me at all?

I kept an eye on the rearview mirror, half expecting Jimmy’s truck to make a reappearance, but it didn’t. A few moments later, I found myself in front of a sleek house with a gray exterior and many windows that looked a little too fancy for the woodland setting around it. I pulled into the driveway next to a shiny vehicle that was much bigger than the little car I drove. Clearly, Beckett liked innovation though his work involved supporting nature. An intriguing juxtaposition.

I got out of the car and as I was checking out Beckett’s vehicle, he suddenly appeared.

“It’s a hybrid,” he said.

“A what?”

“A hybrid.” He came to stand beside me, looking handsome in jeans again but with a blue and green plaid shirt—Hank had called the material flannel—over a green T-shirt. “It’s both electric and gas-powered.”

“Oh, I see.” Though I didn’t really understand, he seemed proud of the vehicle.

“I considered the fully electric, but I’m not satisfied with the technology yet and there aren’t enough charging stations around these parts.” He turned to look at the car I drove. “This is a dinosaur.”

“It’s borrowed,” I said. “For now.”

“Until your business gets going.”

“Exactly.” I opened the back door and pulled out the singing bowl cases.

“Let me take those for you.” Beckett held out his hands.