Castle's Fortress. Rhonda Lee Carver

bitter laugh echoed, drawing attention from the size-C blonde who was clearing a table beside them. At this point, she didn’t care who listened in on their conversation. “They collected around me for pity’s sake. The poor little girl with the murderer for a father and a crazy mother. Sure, let me knock on their door and beg for bread. That would have certainly changed their opinion of me, wouldn’t it?”

      “They wanted to help you. You were hurt...” His gaze fell to the neckline of her sweater.

      Fall instinctively brought her hand up and covered her chest, although the sweater hid the deep, white scar. She didn’t want to talk about the disfigurement or her livelihood as a child. That wasn’t the reason why she’d come.

      “Jake, I’ve been having dreams, or rather nightmares, since Renee went missing. The meaning is unclear.” She swept a tendril of hair behind her ear as she stared down into the murky liquid in her cup. “My visions, you know, they don’t always make sense. It’s more like a puzzle I must piece together. Sometimes it can take weeks, a month, maybe longer.”

      “What’s this got to do with me?”

      “I need you in Marietta.”

      He started to laugh but it fizzled. “I must not be hearing you right. Why should I come back to Marietta?”

      “Because when we’re together my visions are stronger, clearer. I want to use my ability to find Renee.”

      Her gaze collided with his, and the world seemed to evaporate. The layers of years and distance separating them melted. Doubt seemed to peel away as the strong bond resurfaced. Her heart thumped against her rib cage as the hairs on the back of her neck lifted. It took her breath away.

      “No, Fall.” His pupils dilated. “I can’t go back.” Jake’s tone fell soft, desperate. “I can’t...”

      “Then I will face this battle alone.”

      “It’s not your battle, Fall. Let the police handle it.”

      “So, you do still read my mind.” Fall pushed back in the chair, upsetting his coffee; it spilled over the side. She was prepared to walk away without gaining his help. She’d known convincing Jake to come home would be a long shot, but still it pained her that she’d failed. “Now read this.”

      Fall stood, tossed her hair back and headed out of the coffee shop. Jake’s terse laughter reached her ears through the lobby.

      Yeah, he got her silent message loud and clear.

      “Kiss my ass.”