As far as days go, her first had been most uneventful. After leaving her parents house in a huff, Katie roamed around town aimlessly until driving towards the lake where she parked and looked at the Rainey place for about an hour. She then went back to her parents house and apologized to her mother, but said nothing of not seeing the Rainey's.

On her way to meet Juliet however, she was quickly pulled over by flashing lights. Hurrying to find her license, Katie didn't even notice who had pulled her over. She rolled down her window when he knocked on it and was surprised to see a long time friend. Dave Newsome.

"Katie Culver! I thought that was you!"

"Sheriff! I...you scared me! Was I speeding?"

"No, I just thought it was you...or well hoping it was you and not some reporter from New York City."

Katie frowned, "You know that I'm a column writer, don't you?"

"Oh yes, of course I know that! But in the past year we have had a lot of reporters...big time, big shot reporters lookin' for a story to write."

"Oh? In Tashmore Lake? I can't believe that. Nothing here would draw that kind of attention!...Would it?"

The pause and look on Dave's face gave Katie the impression that there was or currently is a story to be dug up and exposed. He never answered though, instead he said, "Well where are you off to?"

Katie looked at her car clock, "Actually to Dinner with Juliet...and I'm afraid I may be a little late..."

"Oh! Well then don't let me keep you...but I did have a little question..."

"Yes?"

"Were you at the lake today?"

Katie paused, "Yes..." she said slowly, "why do you ask?"

"Anything you did in particular?"

She looked at him strangely and wondered why he was asking such questions. When did it become a big thing to do so? "No... just thinking."

"Oh... okay," he said, not sounding entirely convinced. "Alright...well drive safely..."

She nodded and he left, going back to his car. She sat in park for a moment thinking about what had just happened and then started the engine, knowing she was going to be late whether she liked it or not.

"...well other than bridesmaids and groomsmen...and their outfits, we haven't really figured out anything else."

"You have the date though..."

Katie sighed. Dinner had been great, and it was good to be back with her best friend and share memories of childhood together, but when Juliet brought up the wedding, Katie was starting to feel frustrated. "Yes, we do...but we can't agree on where. And we have to send out invitations next month..." she sighed again, "He wants a church and I want outside."

"Outside? It'll be the end of winter!"

"So? We get married out in a polished field, then go into the dining hall for the reception. But then he says that won't work at night or in the morning, and I want to get married in the afternoon! We can't really agree on anything anymore..."

Juliet gave her a reassuring smile, "I'm sure it's just the pressures of the marriage..."

Katie rolled her eyes, "Or maybe it's just us. This is both our second marriages...what if, we're not supposed to get married?"

Juliet frowned, "Kate, don't think like that...it'll be fine. Really. I'll help you...I can even come up to the City with you, if you want."

Katie looked at he friend and forced a smile, "Thanks...I'll figure something out...don't worry."

"Let's talk about something else...alright?" she paused, "Have you seen anyone lately that you remember?"

"Except for the Sheriff, not really."

"Newsome?" Katie nodded. "He stopped you?"

"Yea, wanted to know what I was doing at the lake today." She leaned back in her chair, "I told him that I was thinking...because I got in a fight with my mom..."

Juliet paused, "The Sheriff doesn't like us to be at the lake alone...us as in women..." she looked at Katie, "But you wouldn't know about that, would you?"

Katie pursed her lips, "It wouldn't have anything to do with the Rainey cabin, would it?" Juliet didn't answer, so Katie kept going, "Why doesn't anyone like them anymore?"

Juliet looked away, "Katie, it's in your best interest if you didn't go up there."

"Jeez, you make it sound like we're in a horror/slasher flick! What the heck is up with this town? My parents are like you too! It seems as though everyone is!"

Juliet looked her square in the eyes, "Look, I've never forced you to do anything, part of it being you're more than eight years older than me, the other being I know if you're intrigued, you'll do what you want. But all I'm asking, is if you do go up to that cabin, know that you were forewarned..." she paused, "And a weapon wouldn't hurt either."

Juliet's words burned in Katie's mind the next day as she went into the city. The dinner hadn't gone on that much longer after the twenty-three year old had made the comment, and Katie was glad to get away from her for once. The town seemed to have a grudge against Morton Rainey, and she wanted to know why.

The bell above the door at Betsy's Flower Shop jingled sweetly as Katie walked in. Betsy Williams had lived in the town since she was born, and had taken over her mother's business and renamed it. Figuring Betsy would remember her, Katie was happy to come in and see her again.

Betsy, a beautiful brunette who was a little over weight after have three children, turned her bright, blue eyes to her customer. She smiled instantly and said, "Katie Powers, is that you?"

Katie tried hard to keep the smile on her face, "Back to Katie Culver, Betsy...but yes, yes it is."

Betsy came and hugged her, "I'm sorry..."

She shrugged, "It's alright, I'm getting married in six months..."

The other woman smiled, "Again!? That's great!"

"Which is why I came...you're of course invited...we just haven't gotten the invitations out yet...but they'll be coming soon...But uhm, we don't have anyone to do the flowers."

"Wouldn't you want someone from New York City to do that for you...or are you movin' here?"

"No...we're gonna live up in New York City...but, you're not rejecting business...are you?"

Betsy smiled, "You just know I'm cheaper here, huh?"

"Yes. Yes I do. Can you do it?"

"Of course!" She walked over to her counter, pulling out a planner, "when and where?"

Katie sighed, "March 16th, and well...we're not really sure about where...but I'll get a hold of you, is it alright?"

"Don't worry about it, it happens all the time." She said writing in the right date.

Katie took in a deep breath, ready to start investigating, "So, do you have any flowers that say... 'it's been a long time'...?"

Betsy paused, "Who is this for?"

Katie swallowed, "The Rainey's."

An eyebrow went up as an only reaction and Betsy said slowly, "You've been gone a long ?"

"At least twelve years."

"Things have changed. The town has grown larger and smaller in that amount of time...things have happened, things haven't happened..." she paused, "Things have definitely changed in the Rainey's lives."

Katie leaned against a wall, "Like what?"

"Things that you shouldn't be involved in!"

Having a puppy around was definitely interesting. He seemed to have endless energy, running in and out of the doggie door, sliding around on the slick wooden floors and chewing on little floor rugs. But Mort was happy for one thing. The dog was housetrained.

That was the only problem. The little pup needed a name. And as Mort sat in his chair in his study, watching him chew on a plastic chew toy in a large, plush chair that Chico always laid in, he wondered what he would name him.

Mort wasn't sure how he even came up with the name for Chico. Isn't there a candy called Chico? Or Chicos? Or is that the Spanish word for girl? Mort shook his head slightly and looked at the screen before him. He had the beginning and the ending of this current story, but the middle...that had become the problem.

He sighed and looked back at the puppy, figuring that was an easier task than writing a story. "What do you want your name to be?" Mort asked.

The pup moved his dark eyes to him as she still had her mouth around the toy. He, of course, gave no response and then began chewing again. "How about teeth?... Terrence? No. That's a person's name." He paused, pulling out a bag of Doritos and eating them. His head came up and he jumped down when a chip fell to the floor. "Chip?" he offered. "No, that doesn't have much character, does it?"

He sat down and watched him eat the chips. Mort sighed, "You don't even have any spots..." He paused, a contradiction wasn't that bad, was it? "How 'bout Spot?" Still, there was no response. He sighed again, "It'll be our last resort."

He looked back at his computer screen and then looked at the empty Jack Daniels bottle and mountain dew can sitting next to each other. "Maybe I should call you Jack..." he looked at the little pup, and then said, "I'll think about it..." I'm also glad you're not a child...I can't believe I'm having this hard of a time. He looked at the puppy again and open his lap up to him. He paused, and then jumped up onto him. He then quickly cuddled up next to him and closed her eyes, attempting to get some sleep.

Mort sighed, "We'll figure it out later. I've only known you two days..."

Katie slammed her door and hit her steering wheel. This whole thing was frustrating her. Why was it so hard to find out anything in this little town? She took in a deep breath and looked to the right, seeing the lake. "...if you do go up to that cabin..." Turning on the engine and buckling up, she pulled out of the drive way and into the street. It's one way to get answers.

You haven't seen either one of them in years.

If there's such a big secret, then why can't I just go see what it is?

"...a weapon wouldn't hurt either."

Katie paused. I've got to do this. One way or another, I am going to get to the bottom of this.

After driving to the road that would lead to his house, Katie parked and took a deep breath before walking out of her car. She started to walk up the hill, hoping to find either Amy or Morton. But there was a possibility that she would have to go to the door. But just as she was thinking about how she would introduce herself, she stopped just before bumping into the very man.

"Mr. Rainey!"

He looked up, taken aback from the sudden voice. In front of him stood a beautiful woman. She had strikingly red, curly hair, that cascaded a little past her shoulders. Her skin looked smooth and silky as the whiteness of it stuck out to him, and her rich, brown eyes seemed to complete her face. She was maybe five foot five and thin.

Katie, equally shocked, said his name, not expecting to see him at all. He had changed since she had last seen him. His hair wasn't long enough to wear in a pony tail anymore, but he still had roots showing from a hair job done a long time ago. He had thinner frames on his glasses though, which seemed not him.

Mort paused, "I'm sorry...do I know you?"

Is that a retainer I see? "Oh...I'm sorry...I'm Katie Culver..." she stuck out her hand, "Mark and Melinda's daughter..."

Oh yes...I remember you... "We bought Chico from them, right?" he asked, shaking her hand.

He remembers! "Right...how is Chico?" she said smiling.

She has a beautiful smile too. "He's dead...about a year ago...but I just, actually, bought a new dog," He said, letting go of her hand.

That's sad...but a new dog is good... "Oh really? What kind?"

You have beautiful eyes. He pointed down at the little puppy at his feet, "A black lab...a puppy."

How adorable. "Oh, I love labs." There was a brief pause and Katie then said, "So, where's Amy?"

Amy? "Uhm...Amy?"

This can't be good. Maybe that's why I shouldn't have talked to him. "Your wife's name is Amy...right?"

You don't have a wife. "I don't have a wife."

Uh oh. Definitely not a good question to ask. "Oh Mr. Rainey, I'm sorry...I didn't know you two..." she paused, he seemed totally clueless to what she was talking about but she decided not to press an apology. "Where is she living now?"

What is she talking about? "Call me, Mort."

A sign to stop talking about the Ex. "Alright...I just wasn't sure if I should..."

He shrugged, "We're old friends...It's okay."

She smiled, he really did remember, "Well I've got to go...I've got a dinner date."

Mort nodded, "I'll see you around then."

She shrugged, "I'd like that."

He nodded again and waved a goodbye. She smiled and waved as he left. Well that was awkward enough, they both thought.

Author Thanks:

Lordoftheringsfanficreader

NY926: yea...it does have a meaning. The first chapter was a little unorganized I'll admit, but I hope you got more meaning out of this chapter.

Dawnie-7: HEY! Glad to see you reading this fic as well.

A Depp Girl