Page 136 (2/2)

“Will do, Gwen Stay safe heading home”

I smile, nod, and with one last look at thedoors to ely odd after the encounter with the man with the scars While it was very nice for him to pay for my purchases, even if it was because he was i you don’t see every day Normal people would have huffed and puffed as the clerk canceled the order

When he looked at aze, I not only saw irritation, but also a deep-seated agony So so stark, I swear I almost felt the pain from it

I slip ust of icy wind blows Flurries flutter back and forth, leaving a light dusting of white on vehicles This is the second snowfall since we’ve been here Although we’re used to the snow, I’ve heard that winters here in Colorado can be quite harsh Much different than Indianapolis

I coe Rover I’to the side I watch as the scarred man walks his own cart over to an older s in the back, throws a tarp over them, then pushes the cart back to the front of the store Although I know he has to feel my eyes on hiets inside his truck, pulls out of the space, and takes off down the road

It's none of my business, of course, but I can’t help the curiosity that plagues ht

What happened to hied? Whatabout?

I wipe the thoughts away and climb inside my warm truck

Stop it, Gwen, I scold myself It’s not your business You have your own life you have to worry about

Starting my truck, I pull away from the market and head back to Mrs Tanner’s house and my two kids

“HEY, MRS TANNER,” I blurt when the older woer than I thought it would at the post office”

She smiles and ushers me inside “Bah! Don’t you worry, Gwen dear, you know it’s no problem”

I follow as she walks toward the kitchen Mrs Tanner was the first person I met e moved to town She’s the secretary at the ele to the kids

“Hoere they?” I ask, slipping my keys into my pocket

“They were right as rain Just like they always are”