Nefarious (4 Ch. Sample)

Chapter Two

"Ugh!" With a swing of her arm, she threw down the dust rag in her hand and ran from the dining room, through the kitchen and out on the patio. Rylan took a few deep breaths of warm wooded air to calm her nerves. She heard the sound of gravel crunching. Someone was here. Wiping her face with the hem of her shirt, Rylan expected to see her cousin walk around the side of the house. Where had Marlysa been all morning?

"Good day, Miss. Somers." Sheriff Thomas said when he spotted her standing on the patio. The Sheriff had always been a heavy-set man with now gray hair and a gray beard.

Rylan forced a smile. She knew she shouldn't be surprised he was here today. Not since she had ran into Mrs. Thomas last night at the grocery store. Mrs. Thomas had probably told him to come check in on her, all things considered.

"Hi, sheriff." Rylan's arms crossed loosely around her. It was odd seeing him again. The last time she had seen Sheriff Thomas was in the hospital when he broke the news about her parents and sister. Rylan mentally shook her head. Strong. She needed to stay strong. She did not want pity from these people, and she did not want them to think she was fragile. "What brings you around?"

"Just out on my rounds and thought I would come see if my wife was right. She said she saw you last night, but I was sure she was seeing things." Thomas said with a smile.

"Nope, I'm here." Rylan shrugged her shoulders. Interacting with people had become almost nonexistent in her life and especially with people she knew. This was person number two from her past. The pastor was a stranger and she still wasn't sure about Casper.

"Glad to see you're doing well, Rylan." Thomas said a little gruffly as he scratched his bearded chin. "The wife said you were thinking of selling this place." He looked up at the house that was a scene of a case that is still a thorn in his side. It was a good think Rylan was selling. She needed to move on.

"Not just thinking but going to." Rylan corrected him. "There's really no reason for this place to just sit here like this. I'm never going to move back here." There was an edge to her tone.

"How long you plan on staying?" Thomas asked. There was real concern in his tone. Rylan wasn't sure but she thought he looked sorry for her.

"I was planning on just a month but that was before I saw this place." Rylan's tone was weary as she looked out over the backyard with its overgrown lawn. There was no way just her and Marlysa, when Marlysa decided to show up that was, could get this entire place ready in a month.

"That yard does look pitiful. I'm sure I could gather a few able body men to come out and take care of the outside and I'm sure the wife wouldn't mind helping out on the inside." Offered the Sheriff.

"I'll take the outside help." Rylan said without hesitation. She had a timetable to stick too and with the help on the outside her and Marlysa could easily get the inside done by themselves. She really didn't want anyone else inside.

"I'll make some calls today."

"And you're sure this won't be any trouble?"

"None at all." He assured her with a smile. "I know just the guys to do it."

"Thanks Sheriff. Um, can you explain to them what needs doing so I, um." Rylan stumbled over the right words to say. She didn't won't to come off as rude or ungrateful. She just really didn't want to have to deal with people unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Why don't you tell me now what you're thinking for the outside area so then you won't have to worry about anything else."

"Okay." Rylan said with relief. The two of them walked around the backyard. She was glad the Sheriff knew more about landscape then she did. He made most of the suggestions and she just agreed to them.