Big Sky Dynasty

The last one to come in the door, Agnes stopped and struck a pose. “Like my new ’do? I decided to go à la natural.”

“It’s cute. I didn’t realize you had naturally curly hair.”

“Neither did I,” Agnes said with a chuckle. “Who knew?”

As Georgia helped her knitting class, she could hear Nicci upstairs moving around. It seemed odd since that apartment had been empty from the time Georgia bought the building and started her shop.

But the sound of life upstairs was also reassuring. She hadn’t realized how alone she’d been for some time. It would be nice having someone around—even temporarily.

She was especially anxious for Nicci to come down so she could meet everyone. Georgia wanted Rory to like Nicci and noticed that Rory had been watching the door to the apartments ever since she’d arrived.

“Hello everyone!” Nicci said a few minutes later. She stepped into the class area wearing navy capri pants and a navy-and-white-striped shirt, sandals and the same silver jewelry she’d been wearing the day before.

“Nicci, come join us. I want you to meet my friends.”

Georgia introduced them all, doing as Nicci had advised, introducing her by what she had said was her maiden name, Nicci Angeles instead of Corbett.

“That way I won’t have to answer a lot of awkward questions,” Nicci had said. “You don’t mind doing that, do you?”

It was a little white lie of omission. Georgia was happy to do it if it made things easier for Nicci.

As each person was introduced, Nicci complimented the knitting and choice of colors. She especially liked the baby blanket Rory was making and asked when her baby was due.

“The end of the month,” Rory said.

“I was thinking Georgia and I should go to a movie tonight at that old fashioned theater I saw in town,” Nicci said impulsively. “Rory, I hope you’re free and can come with us. I’ve heard so much about you I feel as if I already know you. Georgia is so lucky to have such a good friend.”

AGNES HAD BEEN ANXIOUS to meet the young woman renting the apartment upstairs. She figured Georgia could use the extra income and renting to a young woman close to her own age seemed ideal. Georgia had spoken so highly of the woman this morning before class. Agnes knew she was going to like her.

As Nicci made her way around the class, Agnes began to feel an uncomfortable pressure in her chest. She was suddenly struck by the strangest feeling. Dread. And even more stranger and alien to her, fear.

She felt her smile slip as Nicci now approached her. Why would this slim, attractive young woman fill her with such dread and fear?

Agnes quickly looked down at her knitting, afraid the woman had noticed her reaction, one so foreign to Agnes that she was at a loss to explain it. She was a woman who didn’t hold grudges and didn’t make enemies and yet—

Nicci stopped in front of her. As Agnes looked up and into the woman’s green eyes, she felt a chill rattle through her as if someone had just walked over her grave. For an instant, her gaze locked with the young woman’s. Her heart began to pound erratically.

“This is my most faithful knitter,” Georgia said by way of introduction. “And,” she added lowering her voice, “my favorite.”

“I heard that,” Rory said and everyone laughed.

“This is Agnes Palmer. Meet Nicci Angeles, my new tenant.”

“And new friend,” Nicci added as she reached for Agnes’s hand, flinching a little as their fingers touched, her gaze also startled as their eyes locked once again.

Agnes would remember little after that. The moment her fingers touched Nicci’s hand, she could recall only the woman’s bloodless touch, the soft jingle of the silver bracelets, the murmur of voices around her and the feeling of being out of her body.

Images flashed behind her eyes. A boat rocking in rough seas. Angry voices. Blood. She pulled back her hand as quickly as she could and saw something ugly flicker across the woman’s face.

“It is very nice to meet you, Agnes,” Nicci said, her green eyes as cold as her touch. “I can see why you are such a special student to Georgia. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again soon.”

Agnes heard what she knew was a threat and shuddered inwardly as she forced a smile and murmured, “Nice to meet—” The lie stuck in her throat.

Her fingers, as if of their own accord, began knitting again. She put a smile on her face and pretended to listen to the others, thankful only when the renter excused herself and left them alone.

Only then did Agnes feel as if she could breathe.

“WELL?” GEORGIA ASKED when she and Rory were alone after the class. “You liked her, didn’t you?”

“I saw her for only a few minutes,” Rory said noncommittally.

Georgia couldn’t hide her disappointment. “I thought for sure the two of you would hit it off.”

Rory touched her friend’s arm. “I have to be truthful with you, Georgia. There is something about her I don’t trust. Did you see the way she got you to go to the show with her tonight by putting you on the spot in front of us all?”

“Come on, it was just a spur-of-the-moment invite.”

“You don’t know anything about her and she’s living across the hall from you and for all you know she could be dangerous.”

Georgia groaned. “I’m pretty sure she’s not an ax murderer since I helped her unpack and didn’t see an ax.”

“But you don’t know that for sure. It might be one of those folding axes,” Rory joked, clearing the air a little. “Seriously, there’s something about her. She makes me uneasy.”

“I think you’re jealous,” Georgia said. “And I think it’s ridiculous. You’re still my best friend.”

“Jealous?” Rory started to protest then sighed. “Okay, maybe I’m a little jealous, all right? I miss you and this pregnancy makes me a little weird…” She laid a hand on her swollen belly. “But Georgia, I’m not the only one who doesn’t trust her. I saw Agnes’s reaction to Nicci.”

“Oh, please, Agnes likes everyone.”

“Exactly. Agnes didn’t like her. And I saw Nicci’s face when she shook Agnes’s hand. She didn’t like Agnes either. It was spooky.” Rory shivered. “Agnes almost looked afraid of her.”

Georgia laughed. “Do you hear yourself?”

“I know. I sound crazy,” Rory admitted. “But look at the way this woman has insinuated herself into your life.”

“If this is about the movie tonight, come with us,” Georgia said. “You can spend some time around her and see if you still feel the same way.”

“I’ll think about it.”

A horn honked in front of the shop. Georgia waved to Rory’s husband. “She’ll be right out!” she called to Devlin.

Rory took both of her friend’s hands in hers, drawing her attention back. “Honey, just be careful. Promise me you’ll try to find out more about her.”

Georgia nodded and gave her a hug and then stood back and watched her leave. Maybe Rory was right. What did she really know about Nicci Angeles Corbett?

As she turned, she was startled to find Nicci standing at the back of the shop. From the look on her face, she’d heard everything.

Chapter Four