Someone Else’s Life(8)

“I’m so sorry to bother you. But my car died down the road and it’s raining so hard? Is there any way I can come in until the rain lets up a bit?” The strange woman’s sentences all ended on an up note, as if she were unsure of her words.

Annie stared, indecisive, unable to stop the gruesome scenes from Criminal Minds flashing through her mind. She could no longer watch the crime shows she’d loved, not since what had happened to Finn. Marley stood faithfully at her side, and she drew comfort from his presence. Was this the serial killer she’d wanted to see instead of a smiling Kalani the other day? Was she getting her wish and this was finally when things ended for her? She wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or scared. And that made her question her mental state.

The roar of the storm was making it hard for Annie to concentrate. The woman seemed harmless enough, but something was off. Annie’s face scrunched up as she studied her. It was as if she knew her somehow. But that couldn’t be. Yet something fluttered in her stomach as she eyed the woman up and down. She was the same height as Annie but probably at least ten years younger, and looked like someone Annie could be friends with. But why had she come to the Ohana in the back, and not the main house? Annie rubbed her hands over the goose bumps on her arms.

The woman seemed to read her mind. “I went to the big house, but there was loud music playing and I don’t think they heard the doorbell. I saw lights on here so thought I would try.”

She paused, and Annie remembered that Sam had said they were going to have a dance party when she called before inviting Finn over. Cam was home early from school because of the storm, which was supposed to be as bad as her father had predicted yesterday. The wind howled and the rain blew into the Ohana, soaking Annie and Marley. She knew she had to let the woman in. She couldn’t send her back out in this. Could she?

Seeing Annie’s hesitation, the other woman spoke again. “I’m sorry, I’ll go. I shouldn’t have bothered you.”

She turned to leave, rain dripping down her face. She looked so defeated with her shoulders hunched forward and her head hanging down that Annie’s heart won out over her head.

“It’s okay; come in.” Annie opened the door wider, hoping she wasn’t going to live to regret this. If this were a TV show, she could imagine people yelling at her, “Don’t let her in! Are you stupid? You’re falling into her trap!” But this was real life and not a crime show.

The woman walked into the Ohana, dripping water everywhere. The moment she stepped foot inside, Marley suddenly growled deep in his throat.

“Marley. What’s the matter?” Annie reached out to stroke his head.

The woman halted and didn’t move. Marley continued to growl, a deep rumbling in his chest.

“Stop that. Be nice.” Annie ran her hand down his body and Marley quieted. The woman took off her shoes and shrugged out of her soaked windbreaker. “I’ll take that for you.” Annie hung the jacket on the wall hooks by the door.

The woman stepped forward and reached a hand out to Marley. The hair on his back rose as he sniffed it. As he took a careful step back, the rumbling in his chest resumed.

“He’s just being protective of me,” Annie said. At least, she hoped he was. She was still getting to know him and wondered whether this was how he greeted new people. “Let me get you a towel so you can dry off.” She crossed to the small closet next to the bathroom, took a bright blue towel off a shelf, and held it out to the woman. “The bathroom is right here.”

The Ohana was really one big square, with the tiny kitchen to the left of the front door and the bedroom and bathroom to the right. The main area made up both the living and dining rooms, with a small alcove in the back, where they had placed a twin mattress on the floor for Finn.

With a smile of thanks, the woman took the towel and disappeared into the bathroom. Annie took another towel and dried herself off, before rubbing it over Marley. He shook himself when she was done and shot her a look, making her laugh. He’d stood still when she’d given him a bath outside the other day, but had stared at her with mournful eyes, as if wondering why she was putting him through this indignity. He had that same look right now.

Annie hung the towel next to the woman’s wet windbreaker and walked into the kitchen. She picked up the wineglass from where she’d abandoned it on the breakfast bar when the doorbell rang and took a sip of the cabernet sauvignon. She’d been happy to have time to herself this afternoon, with Brody at work and Finn entertained in the main house. She’d vowed to stop drinking so much, but the minute Finn had been out the door with Sam, her hands had reached for the bottle of wine as if they had a mind of their own. And before she knew it, the bottle was open. She couldn’t waste it, could she? She’d just have one glass. Plus, she’d had a good time with Brody and Finn earlier, so this was a celebration of sorts. Right?

She leaned against the counter and thought of the morning as she waited for the woman. She and Finn had driven down to Lihue to have breakfast with Brody at Noka Grill overlooking Kalapaki Beach before he had to go to work. She’d hoped to have a nice family moment sitting at the rooftop deck, looking down at her favorite beach on Kauai. And eventually, they did. But first, somehow, they’d ended up sniping at each other in front of Finn over french toast made with Hawaiian sweet bread for Brody, Spam fried rice for Annie, and loco moco for Finn.