“I uh…” Cassie leafed through the papers in the bag someone handed her. “It’s 1427 Riverwalk Drive. He said it was a fourplex just off Main Street.”

“It is.” Matt turned to Maggie momentarily. “It’s my place, you know where to go.” That bright, white smile moved back to Cassie. “You’re going to be my neighbor. I live in apartment C. Chuck said he had a new tenant moving in to A. He’s a good guy.”

Maggie nodded and grabbed her purse from another bystander. “Okay, Shane you can come by in half an hour and take her statement then. We can’t have her be late.”

The cop scowled but moved to the side to let them pass. “Fine. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking imposing and suddenly, Cassie found him far less attractive and a lot more scary.

“Don’t mind him. His bark is worse than his bite.” Maggie ushered Cassie to a sedan across the street.

On the quick ride over Cassie was aware that Maggie Chase was sizing her up. It annoyed her but she supposed it wasn’t unusual. After all she was a stranger in town, it would be natural to be curious. Still, it made her nervous.

“I apologize for my mother-in-law. I hope you don’t think poorly of her. She’s really a very good person. She’s just a terrible driver and she gets distracted. I think it’s all the hairspray she uses to keep her helmet hair lacquered. Anyway, I just wanted you to know she’ll make it right. Heck, if I know her, she’s already working on making you enough food to last you until Christmas.”

Cassie just wanted the ride to be over so she could be alone again. She needed a shower, a cry and then a lot of sleep. “That isn’t necessary. She doesn’t need to do anything but be sure her insurance takes care of any repairs for my car.”

“If it doesn’t, she’ll deal with the difference. So, where are you from? What brings you to Petal?” Maggie pulled her car into a driveway in front of a well kept fourplex with a big oak in the front and brightly colored flowers in beds that hugged the walk.

“This is nice,” Cassie murmured, avoiding Maggie’s questions. The place felt friendly, open.

“Matt lives in the top apartment on the left. You’re next to him on the right. Oh, there’s Chuck.” Maggie waved.

Thank goodness the woman was as ADD as her mother-in-law. Cassie knew she’d have to deal with the questions sooner or later but after the last two months, hell, after the last year, she was exhausted. It was hard for her to be rude but it was self preservation at that point. If she didn’t get rid of them and get some privacy, she’d lose her shit in front of her new neighbors. “Uh, thank you, Maggie. It’s very nice of you to have brought me here.”

“Oh no problem. I’ll wait here for you. Kyle and Shane will be here and they can help you move your bags in.”

Cassie couldn’t figure out if Maggie was being purposely obtuse or was just really nice. “That’s not necessary. I can move my own bags. It’s not a big deal. Really.” Cassie got out before Maggie could reply.

Not that that stopped the redhead from getting out. “Chuck! This is Cassie, your new tenant. Polly rear-ended her right in front of The Pumphouse. She’s had a rough night.”

Cassie ground her teeth and tried to remember that Maggie meant well. But she’d had enough being managed. Stepping forward she held out her hand to the man walking toward her with a sympathetic smile. She’d had enough of those too.

“I’m Cassie Gambol, it’s nice to meet you.”

“I wish it was under better circumstances. That Polly.” He chuckled and shook her hand. “Come on up. Your furniture was delivered earlier today. I didn’t know where you wanted everything but I had them do the hump work and bring it upstairs.” He led her up those very stairs as he spoke.

When he opened the door, Cassie knew immediately she’d be okay. The apartment was right. It felt safe. Second floor. One entrance. She’d put on all the window alarms after everyone left.

“You just let me know when and where you want this stuff moved, okay? You surely don’t need to be hefting anything heavy after a car accident.” He dropped a set of keys into her hand and pulled out an envelope. “Here’s a copy of the lease you sent me last week. Rent is due the fifteenth. But as you paid the first two months, you’re good until September.”

She walked through the place in a daze. Her muscles were sore and she wanted everyone to leave her alone so she could shower and sleep for about twenty hours. He showed her the various highlights, where the circuit breaker was, the air conditioner and heating controls.

When they walked back into the living room Shane and Kyle entered with Matt and each carried one of her bags.

“Do you want these in the bedroom?”

Numb, she just nodded. The giant looked at her with suspicious concern but took the big suitcase into the other room as she got rid of Chuck. Only four more to go.

Telling herself to just hold on a bit longer, she thrust her new insurance card and driver’s license at Shane when he came back into the room. “I was at the light. Stopped. Because it was red. Your mother hit me and knocked me into the intersection. My airbag went off. She wasn’t going super fast but fast enough.” Her recital of events was delivered in a flat voice.

“Would you like to go to the hospital?” Maggie looked concerned.

“I’m fine. I’m just exhausted, so if you’re done, you can all go and I’ll sleep.” Her nails dug into her palms, trying to stave off the shakes.