Author's note: Thanks again to all who have reviewed. If you haven't reviewed, then shame on you! I'm just kidding, but I do want to hear from you. Enjoy this chapter, everyone!

Chapter Eight: Trick

"So, what is the name of the town again?"

The road leading out of town took only a few minutes and after passing the stables on the outskirts, Winnie saw the familiar outline of trees. There was still light outside, but Winnie felt fear rising up in her chest. She took a deep breath and glanced over at Maggie, who smiled at her warmly. Winnie smiled back, feeling a little bit better.

"It's called Windy Hollow." Carter snapped the reins over the horse again.

Winnie shifted in her seat and nearly fell over her when they hit a bump in the road. She clung on to the ridge of the seat with her fingers and held on for dear life. "So, how did you meet the Tucks?"

Carter remained looking straight ahead. "Well, we live down the road from them in Windy Hollow."

"Oh, you live in Windy Hollow, too?"

"Yes, we have for about three years now."

"That's nice for you." Winnie relaxed her grip on the seat slightly, feeling more comfortable with the situation. It's okay, she told herself. They mean you no harm. They are helping you. She resolved that she would have to start learning to trust people more when they were doing kind things for her. "Do you visit with them very often?"

"Oh, yes. Why, the Tucks invite us over for dinner all the time. We was just over there two weeks ago, wasn't we, Maggie?" Maggie nodded pleasantly and smiled at Winnie again. She smiled back again and relaxed her shoulders. This wasn't so bad after all, she decided.

"In fact, they was talkin' about you when we was there."

Winnie sat upright and leaned toward Carter excitedly. "Oh, were they really? Please tell me what they said!"

He smiled and snapped the reins again. "Well, they were just telling us what a lovely young woman you was and how much they were missin' you. We feel like we know you already just from hearing them talk."

Winnie was so overjoyed to hear that they missed her that she fell back in her seat. Her hands were no longer clasping the seat tightly, but were resting upon the edge comfortably. "Yes, ma'am. They just won't stop talkin' about how much they love you and your mama."

Winnie's blood stopped cold and her hands gripped the edge of the bench violently. Her mother? Why, the Tucks didn't even know her mother; she had made all that up when she got to Maple Bend. Winnie's breath came in short gasps and she pulled herself up stiffly. "Who are you?"

Carter narrowed his eyes at her, but had to turn away to tend to the road. "What do you mean, Miss Foster? What's wrong?"

"Are you sure you really know the Tucks?"

"Well, of course we do. That's what we've been trying to tell you this whole time." Carter stole a glance at his wife, who shifted her eyes from Winnie to her husband. Then she nodded and turned back to Winnie and smiled. Winnie did not return it this time.

"I think I need to go back to Maple Bend. Would you please stop the wagon?"

Carter pulled the reins and the horse stopped suddenly, nearly throwing Winnie from her seat. He jumped down from the bench and stood in front of her with his hand reached out to help her down. She took it nervously and stepped off the seat. "Thank you," she said as kindly as she could. "But I really must go now."

"I don't think that's a very good idea, Miss Foster." The hand holding hers tightened painfully and would not let her go when she tried to pull away. Winnie looked up into Carter's eyes and became frightened. The gray orbs with gold flecks were not kind or laughing; they were dangerous and serious now. "After all, you just never know who you may run into."