Chapter 878



Kallie cleared her throat and replied, “Oh, no reason. Just curious.”

Kallie pondered the familiar scent she had just smelled. Perhaps it was just an illusion. She had been struggling to get a good night’s sleep lately, likely the reason she’d been experiencing some unsettling thoughts. Exhaustion was starting to creep back in.

With the conversation winding down, Kallie noticed the intensifying rain.

“It’s really pouring out there. Where do you live, Miss Payne? I can give you a lift if you’d like.”

Lacey shook her head and rose from her seat.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll manage.”

And with that, she turned and walked away.

Kallie watched in surprise as Lacey stepped out into the downpour without an umbrella. Kallie sensed something didn’t seem right and hurried after Lacey.

“Miss Payne!” Kallie shouted, trying to get her attention.

But the relentless rain muffled her voice. Lacey didn’t seem to hear Kallie and quickened her pace, disappearing into the rain-soaked street.

Kallie, her concern growing, was about to run after Lacey when she noticed a man holding an umbrella walking toward Lacey. He was tall and stood with an air of confidence and nobility.

Even from behind, it was evident that he was a strikingly handsome man. Kallie stopped dead in her tracks. She recognized that silhouette. It was Jake! There was no mistaking his distinctive form. But what was Jake doing with Lacey? Maybe she was wrong.

As Kallie watched the man and Lacey, it became clear they were well-acquainted. They chatted familiarly, their laughter mingling with the sound of the rain. He held the umbrella protectively over Lacey, shielding her from the downpour. He even offered her a clean handkerchief to wipe the rain from her face.

They strolled along, side by side, gradually disappearing into the distance. A sudden gust of wind snatched Kallie’s umbrella from her grasp, sending it tumbling down the street. The icy rain brought her back to her senses with a jolt. Kallie shook her head, retrieving her runaway umbrella.

“I must be losing it,” she muttered, her brow furrowed in confusion. How could that man be Jake? She must have seen it wrong.

After returning to the cafe, Kallie couldn’t shake the image of the man from her mind. Even though she’d only seen his back, he’d seemed so familiar. But it appeared unlikely that man was Jake. Jake couldn’t be with Lacey. Nor could he watch Lacey come to her without doing anything.

Kallie was starting to think she was going crazy.

“I need to see a therapist.” She pulled out her phone to book the first flight back home.

Just before Kallie was due to leave, she received a message from Neal, saying he planned to stay behind with Brysen for a while. They weren’t coming back with her.

Kallie wasn’t happy about this and immediately went to find Neal.

“Brysen’s been through a lot here. Staying in this place won’t do her any good.”

“She needs to come back to Burmoos with me. I’ll find her the best therapist and make sure she gets the help she needs,” Kallie stated.

Neal just smiled.

“Miss Nixon, I know you care about Brysen. You’ve always treated her like a sister. But you’re not her. How can you be sure she doesn’t want to stay here?”

Kallie frowned.

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