Page 19 of Forever Dead

The parking lot was the compromise. Flat surface, close to the room, plenty of places to stop. It was also painfully public. Twice that week, people she knew had slowed their cars to ask how she was doing.

Two days earlier, Nora Ellison from the pharmacy had pulled up beside the motel entrance while Selena was halfway through her second lap. Nora had worked behind the counter for as long as Selena could remember and possessed the Elmsview habit of retaining details about people long after they had forgotten telling her.

She lowered the passenger window. “You’re looking stronger.”

Selena stopped and leaned on the cane. “You can tell that from twenty yards away?”

“I’ve been watching you hobble around this parking lot for the last five minutes.”

“That’s disturbing, Nora.”

“Occupational hazard of living around here. Everybody watches everybody.”

Selena smiled despite herself.

Nora nodded toward the brace. “How much longer?”

“Too long.”

“That sounds like you.”

“How’s business?”

“Busy. Half the county thinks cold weather means they need antibiotics.” Nora gazed at the road. “And now Meekie’s has that corn maze open, so every evening there are cars everywhere up my way. I’m planning to be home before dark until Halloween’s over.”

“Getting old?”

“Getting sensible.”

“I hear that happens.”

“Not to you, apparently.”

Nora raised a hand through the open window.

“Take care of yourself, Selena.”

“You too.”

The sedan had then pulled away. By the time it reached the motel exit, Selena had resumed walking with the faint irritation that came whenever somebody reminded her to be careful.

At least there had been no such encounters today.

She knew everyone meant well. That was part of the problem. Gratitude and irritation had become difficult to separate.

Selena resumed walking. An engine turned into the lot behind her, and she looked over her shoulder.

Connor’s SUV had barely cleared the entrance. The sight stopped her more effectively than the pain. She had not heard from him in a week.

Not that a week meant anything. Connor had a town to run, and she had made it clear after the last time he checked in that she did not need daily supervision. Still, he usually sent a message. Something short. Something that pretended not to be checking on her.

The SUV rolled toward the reception building and slowed when Connor saw her. Selena changed direction and headed toward him. By the time he parked, she had covered half the distance.

Connor climbed out and rested one forearm on the open door. “Good to see you on your feet.”

“I’m bored stiff, Connor.”

“That good, huh?”