Semi-Psychic Life (Glimmer Lake #2) - Elizabeth Hunter Page 0,56
for the horse-crossing sign. Is that still there?”
“I think so.” Jackson waved. “Be careful.”
“I will.” Val walked to her truck and hopped in, glad Jackson had turned it on to warm it up before he decided to lecture her.
She put her phone in the charging cradle and tapped Monica’s number.
“Good morning.” Monica cleared her throat. “I hear you’re going up to the cabin with Sheriff Hot Stuff today. I’m praying you get trapped in a snowstorm and have to huddle together for warmth.”
Val rolled her eyes. “Thanks. That sounds needlessly dangerous. You’re the best.”
“You’re welcome. What’s up?”
“One, thank you for filling in at the café for me. I cannot tell you how awesome you are for that. I think Ramon and Honey were about to stage a mutiny.”
“I might lead it. I like working there. It’s fun.”
Val smiled. “It is, isn’t it?”
“You did a good thing there.”
“You make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.” Or was she just hungry? “My real reason for calling is to ask if your boys enjoy lecturing you about your life? Is this a stage? Are they going to grow out of it?”
“Oh God no. I love my boys like crazy, but when it comes to their mom, they’re the worst mansplainers on the planet. They have endless opinions about my life.”
She winced. “So this isn’t just a phase?”
“Afraid not. I’m hoping once they have their own kids, they’ll realize I’m not as clueless as they seem to think I am.”
Great. So all she had to do was wait ten years for Jackson to grow up, get a job, get married, and father children.
Val realized something and felt her stomach drop. “Monica, do you realize our children are nearly the age we were when we started having kids?”
“Girl, you’ve got ten years. How do you think I feel? I was eighteen when I started having babies! Every one of my kids is already older than I was when I started. Which I am very happy about, obviously. Gil and I were lucky idiots.”
“You were not idiots. You were lucky.”
“We were kind of idiots. Anyway, be safe today. I had the dream about blood on the snow again last night, which feels more ominous today.”
“I’ll be careful.” She thought about the boys chopping wood. “I might tell Jackson and Andy to leave the woodpile for another day though.”
Monica groaned. “I feel useless that I’m not getting anything more than the blood and the snow. Blood and snow and ski tracks. It’s coming every night now, which means whatever is going to happen is going to happen soon.”
“Call me if you get anything else.”
“Trust me, I’m napping as much as I can. I haven’t been this well rested since before I had kids.”
“Love you,” Val said. “Bye.”
“Bye.”
She swung by the coffee shop to grab the packed sandwiches Ramon had made for the day, then she drove to the sheriff’s office on the edge of town. She saw Sully’s truck, various county vehicles, and a familiar blue BMW in the parking lot.
What the hell? What was Americano Asshole doing here?
Val walked up to the porch just as Sully and Allan Anderson were walking out.
“I know you know more about Mason than you’re letting on,” Anderson said. “Do you know who I am? You don’t want to cross me, Sullivan. If you think I couldn’t have your job if I wanted it—”
“Do you want my job?” Sully put his sunglasses on, tipped his hat down on his forehead, and turned his mirrored stare onto Anderson. He was about six inches taller than the blond man, so Anderson was forced to look up.
“You want my job?” Sully had the edge of a smile on his face. “You think you could handle my job, Mr. Anderson?”
Americano Asshole puffed his chest. “I know you think you’re the big man here, but—”
“What I am,” Sully said, “is a public servant to the people of this county, Mr. Anderson. Now that includes your wife, who was the victim in an accident that falls under my jurisdiction. I realize you’re not happy about my investigation so far, but if you think I’m going to rush the highway patrol investigators just because it’s inconvenient for your insurance claim, you’re very mistaken.”
Val had to admit it was delicious to watch.
Anderson’s face was red. “The real police in Bridger City already told me what happened to my wife’s car, Sheriff. I don’t need—”
“It’s interesting that they think they know what happened when your wife’s Mercedes has been at