Provider. I cringed at the word.
“Would you like to set up an appointment? Where are you located?” she asked.
“In Whitefish.”
“Oh! So not far at all. Perfect. When would you like to come in?”
I looked up and watched more people pass by my bakery like my “open” sign wasn’t even on. What did I have to lose by checking it out?
“Any time’s good for me,” I said.
“I’ve got an open slot for four this afternoon.”
I closed my eyes and tried to settle my swirling mind. “Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
“Looking forward to it, Miss Palmer.”
I couldn’t believe I was entertaining the idea. It was insane, but sometimes desperation bred insanity. With my business and financial well-being sliding out of reach, I couldn’t afford not to consider something so incredibly lucrative. Besides, nothing was set in stone yet. I could always walk away if anything seemed unsafe.
Sanity be damned.
I needed that money.
CHAPTER 3
CAMERON
“Hello, Hudson.”
“Don’t sound so happy to hear from me.”
“It’s been a long week,” I said as I looked at my sleeping daughter. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to check on you and make sure you haven’t blown anything yet.”
“I haven't blown anything in two years. What makes you think I’d do it now?” I asked.
“You still have that encryption running on your phone I put on there?”
“Always,” I said.
“Good.”
“So how are you doing? What’s Rebecca up to?”
I really detested my daughter’s fake name. “She’s napping right now.”
“Hard day at school?” he asked.
“You have no idea,” I said with a sigh.
“You sound like you're stressed. Have you been taking my advice?”
“You mean to do something other than my self-defense training?” I asked.
“I take that as a no. Seriously, Andrew—”
“Can you please use my actual name?” I asked.