Chapter 18
CATE PACKS CLOTHES into a duffel bag. What else does she need? What is truly necessary? A toothbrush? Socks and underwear? Her phone, though she suspects she’ll make use of it only selectively.
She’s not leaving Bev. That’s what she tells herself. It’s Mystic Ridge she’s leaving. This place. This force. This harsh negativity. She can’t live in fear. In fear of what it might cause her to do.
“Night” is all she says before leaving the lodge.
Bev’s already in bed. It’s late. She’s had a long day.
Cate is relieved. She can’t stand tearful goodbyes.
The duffel bag’s lying in the back seat, hiding there like a criminal on the run from the law. Cate drives slowly to the diner, goes to work as usual. Pink waitress uniform tonight. Damsel’s in yellow. The colour
