“That’s right, Mija.”
I hoped she didn’t continue. I knew the point she was trying to make without needing her to go into graphic detail.
“What do you want, Mija?”
I had no idea. I’d gone from having zero choices in my life to having too many. I took a deep breath, knowing that if I put it off any longer, I’d only continue stressing myself out. I closed both my eyes and blurted, “The pastry chef at the restaurant Edge took me to in Austin ask me to come back for an interview to be her apprentice.”
I slowly opened one eye and then the other, so afraid of the look I’d see on Tee-Tee’s face. There were tears in her eyes, but she didn’t look unhappy. She took both my hands in hers and squeezed. “Oh, Lucy! I’m so happy for you!”
“It’s just an interview, Tía.”
“Tell me more about it. What did she say? Don’t leave anything out. I want to know every word.”
I’d just finished reiterating the conversation to her, repeating certain things two and three times, when we heard someone enter through the dining hall’s front door. It was far too early for anyone to be here for dinner.
I stood slowly and put my hand on the gun tucked into my waistband.
36
Edge
There was no easy way to tell Rebel that her car was gone. It wasn’t actually gone, but the extent of the damage done by the vandalism made it impossible to repair. The harder part was telling her it wasn’t a random act. The messages spray-painted on the exterior were directed at her personally.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, approaching me slowly.
“I have unfortunate news.”
“Should I sit down?”
“It might be a good idea.”
I sat too, and she reached for my hand. “Just tell me, Edge.” I remembered the times I
said those same words to her.
“Susan was broken into last night. There was extensive damage. Irreparable, in fact.”
Rebel leaned back and put her hand on her heart. “Oh my God. You scared me. I was sure you were going to tell me someone died.”
Her eyes bored into mine when I showed no sign of relief at her reaction.
“There’s more, isn’t there?”
“I’m afraid there is. Whoever did it, intended to send a clear message.”
“It isn’t over, is it?”
I slowly shook my head.
“What do I do?”
“For now, there’s nothing for you to do. Continue on as you are. As long as you’re on the ranch, you’re safe.”
“I wasn’t before.”
“Right. And believe me, additional measures have been implemented to ensure that you are.”
“Do I have to come back to live with you?”