“And what about the women? I see a murder. I have to try and stop it.” All of Cassandra’s anger was gone. Only a thin edge of desperation made her words sound harsh.
“Can you stop it?”
“I can try.”
Running Stream shrugged. “You have a strong will, Cassandra. It isn’t my intention to step between you and your fate. As a friend, I warn you to deal with Beaker very carefully. The townspeople can never understand. They’ll blame you.”
“A case of shoot the messenger.” Cassandra knew her friend was right. The officials of Gatlinburg didn’t want trouble, and when they got it, they were always looking for a convenient scapegoat. Sheriff Beaker was a reasonable man, about fifty percent of the time. But he didn’t hold with dreams and visions, and during his long tenure in office, he’d driven out on Highway 441 plenty of times to warn her mother about complaints. He didn’t personally care what Sylvia McBeth did, or whose money she “conned.” He just didn’t want trouble.
“Get some sleep, Cassandra.”
“Yeah, great idea.” She couldn’t help the sarcasm. She’d love to sleep—if she could forego her little trip through dreamland.
“I’ll send Bounder over tonight to sit with you.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Cassandra sighed. “I don’t need your son to take up baby-sitting.”
“Bounder loves to visit you.” Running Stream smiled, and the severity of her face was radically changed. “He views you as his oldest sister, a wise woman with much grace and beauty.”
“You can’t flatter me into letting your twenty-two-year-old son spend his free time taking care of me.”
“Then do it for me, Cass. I’m worried. You asked why the dreams have come back to you now, at this time. The answer to that question concerns me.”
A chill touched Cassandra’s skin. “What are you saying?”
“Like it or not, you’re involved in those murders. Until we find out why, I’ve got a right to be worried.”
End of Chapter 1
Too Familiar
Trouble’s Double Contest Winner
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Trubba Chubba has blue eyes like his mama and his tail is as strong as a monkey’s tail. His fur is shiny and soft. Skye says, “He gives me hugs all the time. I love him so much! I know he's a perfect double for your Trouble."
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