The Lottery Winner by Emilie Rose Page B

warnings. Reluctantly, she dug the phone out of her pocket, but she didn’t recognize the number on the screen.
    Her pulse hitched. What if yesterday’s stranger had finagled her number from someone at the restaurant? Did anyone besides Miri have it?
    Get a grip, girl. More likely, it’s a wrong number. You’re letting your brother’s paranoia get to you.
    Knowing she’d never relax if she didn’t find out who was calling, she pushed the button. “Hello?”
    â€œJessamine, how is my baby girl?”
    Her mother’s voice made her sit up so quickly she sloshed coffee down the front of her shirt. She set down her mug and plucked the hot fabric from her skin. “Mama! This is a surprise.”
    â€œBrandon told us last night you weren’t coming home for Christmas. I hate that he always calls when I can’t speak to you and from somewhere other than home. You know your brother. He’s afraid someone will track the call to a cell tower and place you if he calls from here. But I needed to hear your voice and make sure you were okay.”
    She hadn’t spoken to her mother in weeks. A flood of emotion rushed over her. There was so much to tell her...and so much she couldn’t say. “I’m...I’m good. Whose phone are you using?”
    Her mom’s chuckle filled Jessie’s ear. “You don’t get to be my age and have a special agent son without learning a few tricks. I made Brandon give me your number—just for emergencies, I told him. Then I drove down to Columbia and bought a phone from a convenience store. I’ve driven over to the outlet mall to use it.” Her mother sounded quite proud of herself. “So how are you? Be honest, Jessamine. I’ll know if you’re not.”
    Honesty was an impossible order. Once she left this island behind, she would never tell another lie. Lies made life too complicated.
    â€œI’m doing more painting and drawing than ever,” she hedged. “I have time to concentrate fully on the details these days. I never realized I could be so...prolific. It’s beautiful here, Mom. I wish you could see it...but I miss home.”
    â€œWe miss you, too, honey. You don’t know how much.”
    â€œBrandon’s freaking out over your pink pistol.”
    â€œHe can complain all he wants, but after—”
    The abrupt stop jarred her. Ten seconds ticked past, each one making Jessie more ill at ease. “Mom, what aren’t you telling me?”
    More silence. “Someone broke into your house again last week. Brandon didn’t want you to know. Your new alarm worked and scared the criminal away. He didn’t take anything, and he got away before the police arrived. But we have a picture of him from your security camera, so they’ll catch him. And your daddy fixed the doorjamb and reinforced it. It’s better than new.”
    The crook hadn’t taken anything—except Jessie’s sense of security. Loss and a feeling of violation welled up inside her. She dropped her head into her hand. Damn this lottery win. Would she ever get her old life back? Would she ever feel safe in her own home again?
    â€œThat’s why Brandon insisted I stay longer, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes. None of us like it, but it is for the best.”
    â€œThanks for letting me know, Mom. I don’t like being kept in the dark.”
    â€œI told Brandon you wouldn’t, but he insisted there was nothing you could do from there except worry. Jessamine, this period of trials will pass, and we’ll all be better off than before. You’ll see a big difference in your dad, too, when you get back. He’s responding to his medications.”
    Her mom could always find a cloud’s silver lining. “That makes it all worth it.”
    â€œDo you need anything? Whatever it is, I’ll find a way to get it to you.”
    She needed to get back to normal: to her