The Quite Ridge

Chapter 6- Rhett

Nothing about it stood out to anyone else. It would’ve looked normal. End of the day, checking in, grabbing what I needed, leaving again. Same as every other day. But she didn’t look the same as she did that morning. It wasn’t obvious. Most people wouldn’t catch it.

I did.

She was quieter. Not nervous. Not unsure. Just… pulled in tighter than before, like she was holding something in instead of reacting to what was around her. Earlier, she paid attention to everything. The yard, the people, me. Now she kept her focus in front of her, like looking anywhere else would give something away.

Her answer did not change. Same as before. Short. Clean. Controlled. That didn’t mean anything on its own. But it didn’t match either. I didn’t ask anything else. Didn’t need to. If it was nothing, it would pass. If it wasn’t, it would show up again. People don’t hide things perfectly. Not for long.

So I left it alone. Grabbed what I came for and walked back out like it didn’t matter. It didn’t, and at the same time it did. Still, it stayed in the back of my mind longer than it should have.