Chapter 4

FOUR

Evelyn Hartwell stepped out of the local grocery store nestled in the heart of Pinewood Falls. The picturesque New Hampshire town, with its mom-and-pop shops lining the main street, was a postcard of serenity—at least on the surface. Evelyn balanced grocery bags in her arms, while her twelve-year-old daughter Chloe followed closely behind, bundled in a puffer jacket to ward off the crisp air.

“Let me help you with those bags.” Tommy, the young grocery bagger, stepped outside behind them.

“That’s very kind of you, Tommy, but we can manage. Thank you.”

They made their way down the sidewalk, the sounds of small-town life surrounding them—the distant laughter of children in the park, the comforting scent of fresh bread wafting from the bakery, and the crunch of fallen leaves beneath their winter boots. Pinewood Falls felt like a place frozen in time, but Evelyn’s world was far from peaceful. Beneath her calm exterior, worry gnawed at her, refusing to let go.

Chloe tugged at her sleeve. “Mom, we need to stop by the pharmacy. I’m almost out of my medicine.”

Evelyn’s cheeks warmed. Her mind had been in a thousand places, aside from where it needed to be. “Of course. I can’t believe I almost forgot.”

“That’s why you’ve got me.” Chloe wore a proud smile. “To help keep things straight.”

“Don’t know what I’d do without you.” She laid a kiss on the top of her daughter's head.

Entering the pharmacy, the familiar jingle of the bell above the door offered a moment of comfort. Mr. Jameson, the kind-hearted pharmacist, looked up from behind the counter.

“Evelyn, Chloe! Always good to see you both. How can I help today?”

Evelyn handed over the prescription, her fingers trembling slightly. Mr. Jameson took the slip, disappearing behind the counter to process the order.

Chloe leaned against the counter, her body language betraying her exhaustion. Evelyn’s eyes darted between her daughter and Mr. Jameson, the pressure of everything—Chloe’s health, the bills, the endless struggle to stay afloat—tightening her chest.

A few minutes later, Mr. Jameson returned, his expression less cheerful, more apologetic. “I hate to tell you this, but it looks like your insurance has lapsed. I tried applying a discount code for you, but the best I could do is $150 out of pocket.”

Evelyn’s stomach dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. “My insurance ... I couldn’t afford to renew the plan Kevin had before he passed. I’m trying to get full-time status at the vet clinic, but until then … no benefits.”

Mr. Jameson sighed, clearly feeling for her. He glanced at Chloe, whose pale face reflected her need. He softened his tone. “I know things have been tough, Evelyn. Pay what you can for now. We’ll figure the rest out later.”

Evelyn’s heart ached with gratitude, but shame crept in just as quickly. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the little cash she had, barely enough to make a dent. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice tight with emotion. “I’ll pay more as soon as I can.”

Mr. Jameson placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’re not alone in this. We’ll make sure Chloe gets what she needs.”

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Evelyn blinked them away. One escaped her lashes, and she was quick to wipe it before Chloe saw. With the medicine in hand, they stepped out of the pharmacy. It was colder now than before they’d entered the warm building.

As they made their way toward their station wagon, a familiar voice called out. “Ms. Hartwell!”

Evelyn turned to see Liam, a teenager with unruly red hair, jogging toward them, a stack of flyers in his hand. His earnest expression made him look even younger than he was, a beacon of the town’s hopeful youth.

“Would you be interested in attending the rally tomorrow?” Liam asked, slightly out of breath. “We’re protesting the corporate takeover of our town’s natural resources.”

Evelyn allowed a playfulness to her tone. “Does your father know you’re out here stirring up trouble?”

“He’s doing his part to keep people safe.” Liam shrugged. “I’m doing mine.”

Chloe took one of the flyers, her pale cheeks flushing with a spark of excitement. “Are you going to the rally?”

“Wouldn’t miss it, kiddo,” Liam said, ruffling her hair. “Maybe you can convince your mom to come.”

Evelyn met her husband years back when she was a waitress at a truck stop. He was a long-haul driver. It wasn’t a Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lover’s fairytale, but it was their story. The byproduct of their love was the daughter that they made together. Her husband’s death had left a hole in both their lives.

Small town life meant everyone knew each other’s business. The community had been supportive in the wake of his death, but it was Liam who seemed to be able to bring out the kid in her daughter. The son of the town’s sheriff, the teenager was as trustworthy as they came. He’d been Chloe’s babysitter, but after she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he took on the role of surrogate big brother. The way Chloe lit up every time he was around filled her with joy.

But her happiness was dashed at the sight of a sleek black Cadillac Escalade parked alongside her car.

“Time to go, honey.” She instinctually reached down and grabbed her daughter’s hand, giving it a slight squeeze. “Bye Liam.”

“Think about it!” The boy said as the pair swiftly walked toward her car.

Her grip tightened on Chloe’s hand as Beauregard Covington stepped out of the SUV, his white suit a stark contrast to the rustic surroundings. He approached with a slow, calculated stride.

“Mrs. Hartwell,” Covington drawled, his voice smooth and sickly sweet. “I believe we have some unfinished business.”

Evelyn’s pulse quickened as she tried to step around him, but one of Covington’s men blocked her path. Chloe pressed in closer, seeming to sense her tension.

“How many different ways do you need me to say it? I won’t sign.” Evelyn fought to control the tremble in her voice. “This is our home. I won’t let you take it.”

“Many of your fellow townsfolk said the very same thing. All of them came to their senses. All of them but you.”

“You forgot Malcom Trent?”

“Didn’t you hear?” Covington’s teeth gleamed, matching the brightness of his suit. A cold amusement danced across his face. “Mr. Trent saw things differently. He came to his senses last night. Signed the papers. Now there’s only you.”

Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat. “No… Malcolm would never?—”

“But he did,” Covington purred. He pulled out a document from inside the breast pocket of his suitcoat.

Evelyn stepped close enough to see Malcolm Trent’s signature scrawled at the bottom. She also noticed a dark, rust-colored stain beside it, which spoke volumes as to how that had come to pass. “Now, I suggest you follow suit. No need to draw out the inevitable.”

“You don’t scare me,” she said, hoping her fear didn’t break the surface.

“You seem like a good mother. Don’t you want your daughter to get the best care possible? Give her a better life. Better than the one you’re currently giving her.”

Chloe broke free of her mom’s grasp and stepped forward with her fists balled. “You don’t know anything. My life’s perfect. My mom’s the best in the whole world!”

Convington chuckled softly and stooped to meet the little girl’s defiant eyes. “I’m sure she is. But I’m not sure you’d be singing the same tune if you lost your house and were out on the streets.”

Evelyn caught Chloe by her sleeve before her daughter took a step closer. “Don’t ever speak to my daughter. You address me and me alone.” Rage burned inside. A fire she hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever.

Before the moment could erupt into something worse, Liam stepped in. “You should leave, Mr. Covington. My father’s the sheriff. He won’t stand for you harassing Ms. Hartwell.”

For a moment, Covington didn’t move a muscle. He quietly considered the boy. “No need for unpleasantness, young man. This is just business.”

Cold rain began to fall from the dark clouds above. Nobody moved. Nobody crossed the invisible line between them.

Covington let out a loud sigh. Looking past Liam, he locked eyes on Evelyn. “I’ll be by in a day or two. Hopefully, it’ll be enough time for you to reconsider. After that, the terms won’t be so friendly.”

His words lingered, the threat behind them unmistakable. Covington turned and strode back to his SUV. His men followed without a word, leaving Evelyn standing there, shaken.

Liam touched her arm gently. “Ms. Hartwell, if you need anything—anything at all—my dad and I are here for you.”

“Thanks, Liam. Means more than you know.” Her mind raced. She was the last holdout, the only person standing between the town and Crystal Springs. She wasn’t sure she could stand her ground much longer. She looked down at Chloe. The image of the rust-colored stain on Trent’s deed flashed in her mind’s eye.

They got into the car, blasting the heat to max, and drove away. The flyer for the rally fluttered on the dashboard, a quiet reminder of the battle yet to come.