Why did it feel like an alien lifeform was currently trying to claw its way out of the pit of her stomach? There was no way—absolutely no way—the photographer from the magazine captured a picture of her. Even if they had, what were the odds of it making it into the magazine? Surely they wouldn’t post pictures of all twenty-five realty companies and their associates? The magazine’s interior was prime real estate. If anything, the pics would be small, the people unrecognizable—she hoped.
“Did you see our picture, Serena?” Elizabeth Burkette, office manager for Boudreau Realty, perched on the chair across from Serena’s desk, practically vibrating with excitement. “They only used five pictures for the entire article, and we’re one! Isn’t it awesome?”
“Awesome,” Serena echoed, reaching for the magazine with a trembling hand. She wanted to pick it up as much as she wanted to grab a rattlesnake by the head, but Elizabeth sat on the edge of the chair, a huge grin on her face, waiting for her to look. Every instinct screamed for her to flee, and she swallowed down the bile in her throat, before picking up the glossy magazine.
“I marked the page for you with a sticky note.”
“Thanks, Elizabeth.” Drawing in a deep breath, she opened the magazine, her eyes scanning the page, focusing on each photo. Near the bottom, in bold brilliant color, Boudreau Realty was displayed. It was one of those candid-type shots, where people sat at their desks or at the file cabinets, instead of a posed group pic. Releasing the breath she’d been holding, she looked at Elizabeth and smiled. Everything was good. Serena wasn’t in the picture.
“The one on the bottom is good, but I meant the one on the top of the next page.” Elizabeth stood and leaned across the desk, tapping her finger on the picture at the top of the opposite page. Serena’s breath caught in her throat. She felt lightheaded at the sight of her, Elizabeth, and Ms. Patti standing beside the copier. They looked to be having an animated discussion, and Serena held a sheaf of papers in her left hand. How was this possible? She’d been so darned careful, made sure she and the photographer hadn’t been in the office at the same time.
“I can’t believe my picture is in a national magazine! My sister is going to have kittens when she sees this.”
“Here.” Serena pasted a smile on her face and handed the magazine to Elizabeth, her heartbeat racing, bile churning in her stomach. “Take mine so you’ll have an extra one.”
“Are you sure? Don’t you want a copy? I mean, you’re in there too.” Despite her words, Elizabeth snagged the magazine and clutched it to her chest.
“It’s fine. Keep it.” Serena stood, pulling her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk, and slung the strap over her shoulder. She took a long look around her desk, the realization sinking in she probably wouldn’t see it again after today. Turning away so Elizabeth wouldn’t see her tearing up, she gave herself a mental shake.
Get it together. You knew you’d have to leave eventually. It’s not safe to stay in one place too long.
“I’m running late. I’ve got an appointment to show a couple of rental properties. Can you let Ms. Patti know I’ll give her a call later tonight?” Serena grabbed the manila folder from her inbox and shoved it into her purse, the one she carried everything in, not caring if the pages got wrinkled and mutilated in the process. She needed to get out. Away from the office, someplace where she could draw breath and figure out her next move.
Staying in Shiloh Springs was no longer an option. Not once the magazine hit the shelves. If anybody in her family caught wind of where she lived—well, it didn’t matter, because she wouldn’t be living much longer if they found her.
Every instinct screamed for her to run, jump in her car and drive, without a backward glance. Leave everything behind. Starting over was hard, but she’d done it before, and she could do it again. Nobody in Shiloh Springs knew who she really was; they knew the persona she’d adopted the last time she’d moved, trying to stay one step ahead of her uncle and his followers after they’d found her before. Tears burned her eyes as she fumbled with her keys, dropping them on the ground at her feet.
“Crap.” Squatting down, her hand wrapped around the key fob. Clutching it in her fist, she drew in a deep breath. It wasn’t the end of the world, just the end of this phase of her life of changing identities and running away from her troubles. Everything would work out, though right now her heart was breaking to leave it all behind. She’d been so sure this time was different, hoping she had a chance at a normal life.
Looks like I was wrong.
“Everything okay, Serena?”
Time froze at the sound of his voice. Antonio Boudreau. What was he doing here? She hadn’t known Antonio was in Shiloh Springs. Last she heard, he’d headed back to Dallas after everything calmed down with the whole Rafe and Tessa scandal, a fiasco which nearly ended up killing the schoolteacher and the county sheriff. Fortunately, things worked out and they were blissfully happy. She wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t wedding bells in their future.
“Antonio, you startled me.” She straightened, holding up
