Never.
But…
Surely there’s nothing in there that could shed light on any of this. Otherwise, Dad wouldn’t have given us the combination.
He opens the safe carefully and sets the box inside. Then he closes it, locks it, and replaces the painting of Phoenix.
Phoenix.
The bird that rises from the ashes.
The way Dad rose from his past. The way Dale and I did as well.
Except now, I have a feeling of foreboding.
A feeling that we’re burning into ashes once more, and then we’ll have to rise once again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CALLIE
After the rest of the week passes in a blur, luck appears to be on our side Saturday morning. After a fitful night of sleeping, Rory and I woke early, ate a quick breakfast, and made it into town with Dusty and Zach in tow.
And who is manning the reception desk at Doc Sheraton’s?
None other than Brittany Sheraton herself.
How did we not know this?
We have animals on our small ranch, some of which required treatment after the fire. We should have known Brittany was back in town.
“We need to see Doc Sheraton,” Rory says to Brittany. “We just rescued these two dogs, and they need an exam and their distemper shots. They’re up to date on rabies.”
Brittany flounces her bleached-blond curls. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but we didn’t want to wait until Monday.”
“My dad’s really busy this morning, and we close at noon on Saturdays.”
“Which is why we’re here first thing this morning,” I say, trying not to sound too snide.
I doubt I’m doing a good job. In front of me stands the woman who most likely impersonated Rory and got into our safe-deposit box.
Already I want to go off on her.
Rory’s a lot nicer than I am—or at least she’s a much better actress.
“Would you mind checking with him?” she asks sweetly. “We came all the way from our ranch.”
“I’m afraid—”
Doc Sheraton bustles into the reception area then. “If it isn’t the Pike sisters. I thought I heard voices.” He kneels down and pets the dogs. “And who do we have here?”
“Dusty,” I say, gesturing, “and Zach.”
“Well, aren’t they a couple of happy pups! About two years old, I’d say?”
“That’s what the shelter told us.” Rory dazzles him with a smile.