Just Trust - Jeannette Winters Page 0,1

locally. It’s cheaper,” Kyle said, his voice filled with disappointment as though staying local wasn’t his first choice. He walked away with his head hung low, as he headed towards his car.

Reanna understood the desire to get out of Rhode Island and see more. It was on her bucket list to drive cross-country one day. She had a feeling Kyle was looking for distance for another reason. His parents were strict. But at least they kept him on the right path. He was one kid she hadn’t needed to lecture about the importance of making wise decisions, even when you’re a minor.

She waited until he pulled away before heading for her cruiser. It was a little past five and change of shift had already started. Although Friday night would bring a bit more excitement to the town, it was still quiet compared to most places. But she couldn’t clock out right away. She had to file a report. There was no doubt in her mind that the guys at the station were dying to give her a ribbing for spending the last hour at Mrs. Grossman’s. It could’ve been a lot shorter, but she couldn’t leave Mrs. Grossman to box up her pet. That might not be part of her job description, but she was dedicated to serving the community. Even when the person she was trying to help didn’t seem too fond of her. Hopefully tomorrow Mrs. Grossman would feel differently.

Maybe I’ll take my own advice and avoid her street for a few days too.

That was one option, but Reanna never took the easy way out of anything. So even though she had the weekend off, she would make a point to stop in and check on Mrs. Grossman. Maybe bring cookies too.

A few hours later, and with her paperwork all submitted, Reanna finally pulled into her driveway, shut off her Ford pick-up truck, and just sat there enjoying the peace and quiet. She knew once she was inside, that all would change.

When Reanna purchased this house a few years ago, she thought it was way too big for her: four bedrooms and three baths. But it was supposed to be an investment. She’d fix it up, and sell it for a hefty profit. Instead, her kid sister Brenda moved in, temporarily, and hasn’t left. Brenda lived a much different lifestyle than Reanna. Brenda liked to party: loud music, lots of wine… The only rules in the house were keep it drama free, and Brenda couldn’t bring any men to the house.

But Reanna never was good at getting what she wanted. The man-free zone had changed, because Reanna’s ex-husband Bobby was in town. And it was just her luck that he needed a place to stay for a week and had stopped in when she wasn’t home. Brenda made the decision without her. Reanna still wasn’t happy about that. Granted, she and Bobby had a civil divorce, but she still wasn’t comfortable with him there. There were reasons why they weren’t married any longer, and Reanna had no interest in rehashing them.

A car horn blared from behind her. She looked in the rearview mirror to see Brenda in her convertible, impatiently waiting to pull in and park.

“You’d think I owned the home or something,” Reanna said sarcastically to herself. Instead of ignoring Brenda, she turned on her car again, pulled up another two feet, then turned it off.

A moment later, Brenda was opening Reanna’s car door and blurted, “I’m glad you’re here. I need your help.”

That got Reanna’s attention. It sounded serious, but with Brenda, it could be she broke a nail and couldn’t locate the fingernail clipper. She got out of her car and headed towards the porch. “Can I change out of my uniform first or does this need my immediate attention?”

“You will definitely need to change,” Brenda said.

“Good, because I’m tired, and there is nothing I want right now more than a hot shower, my pajamas, and a glass of wine.”

“How about two out of three?”

Reanna took out her house keys and went to unlock the door. The knob turned and the door opened, no key required. “Brenda, what have I told you about leaving the doors unlocked?”

“It’s not like I left it open with no one home. Bobby is inside,” she said, trying to defend her actions.

Don’t remind me.

“That is not the point, Brenda. The doors get locked. Understood?”

Brenda nodded. “This is not the way to start your night.”

“Exactly. I want to come home and