The week was ticking by quickly.

Kayla and Ginger watched as people showed up to prepare the spot for their wedding. A platform was built where the couples would exchange vows, chairs were set out so there were two short aisles, and walkways built so the heels of their shoes didn’t sink into the ground.

Tonight was the rehearsal. Cat had taken off work and was having coffee with Kayla and Ginger as they watched the happenings of the morning.

“Can I tell y’all something? I mean, please don’t tell Evan. I don’t want him thinking anything of this, but I want to tell y’all just in case it’s true,” Ginger said nervously.

Kayla locked eyes with Ginger and furrowed her eyebrows. “Are you all right? Ginger, if something’s wrong, you’ve got to tell Evan.”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Ginger replied a little nervously.

“Ooo, you have my attention,” Cat said with a mischievous grin.

“I had a dream. It happened the night we went through their parents’ room, and I can’t get it out of my mind,” Ginger said as she looked at Kayla.

“What kind of dream?” Kayla cautiously asked.

Ginger shrugged. “It was odd. I was in a house, not this one, but one with a lot of boxes everywhere. It was kinda messy.” Ginger waved her hand in the air. “Oh, never mind, I’m being silly,” she said as she shook her head.

“Oh, no, you’re not getting off that easily. Spill, my friend.” Cat was looking at Ginger over her mug before she blew into her hot cup of coffee and sipped.

“I was standing at the start of a hallway, I guess, when two snakes came out of a room. There was a pink one and a blue one. The blue one chased the pink one into another room. When I found them, the blue one had killed the pink one. I don’t know what to think of it. Do you think…” Ginger’s words trailed off as she looked apprehensively at Kayla and Cat.

“Yes!” Cat yelled.

Kayla turned toward Ginger. “You think it’s your subconscious telling you that you’re having a boy?”

“Yeah, kinda. I don’t know. It’s silly, right?” Ginger played with her napkin as she looked between her friends.

“No, it’s not. I’ve heard mothers say they knew way before any tests were done. Some had dreams, some just had gut feelings. Is this the first time anything like this has happened?” Cat excitedly asked.

“Yes, but maybe it was something I ate,” Ginger quietly said.

“We haven’t eaten anything spicy, and you’ve stayed away from the foods that make you sick, so maybe Cat’s right,” Kayla said.

“In case no one believes me when the baby is born, I wanted to tell y’all. You’re my witnesses, but please don’t tell Evan. I don’t want to give him false hope,” Ginger begged.

“Deal,” Kayla and Cat said in unison.

“What time are you parents getting here?” Kayla asked.

“They said lunchtime.”

“Cat, the dress you picked is beautiful. Thomas is going to flip when he sees you in it,” Kayla said.

“Hmm, maybe,” Cat said.

“Whoa. What’s that supposed to mean?” Ginger asked.

“Our schedules have been crazy since I took this new position. We just haven’t seen each other that much,” Cat said with a sad smile.

“You’ll figure it out,” Ginger said encouragingly.

“I hope so,” Cat replied.

Before anyone could say anything else, the doorbell rang. Kayla excused herself to answer it. “Your parents wouldn’t come to the front door, would they?” Kayla asked Ginger.

“I wouldn’t think so. They didn’t last time.” Ginger stood to follow Kayla just in case, but Ginger’s phone rang just as Kayla reached the door, so she didn’t make it out of the kitchen.

Kayla opened the door then said, “Ginger, this guy says you have a package that only you can sign for.”

Ginger walked toward the door. “It’s a delivery guy, Evan. I have to sign for a package. I’m sure it’s just a wedding gift.” Ginger pinned the phone between her shoulder and neck as she signed the clipboard for the guy. “Thank you,” she said as she took the envelope he stretched out for her.

Ginger closed the door and said into her phone, “It’s an envelope. I wasn’t expecting anything. There’s only a street address.” When Ginger pulled out the contents, she froze. There was a copy of the wedding announcement from the blog, a picture of her, and a note.

“What is it?” Kayla asked.

Ginger heard Evan yelling through the phone, but she was in shock. Kayla took the phone from Ginger. “Evan, you need to get home. Mitch is in the barn, I’ll call him now.” Kayla disconnected that call, then made one to Mitchell.

“When was this? That looks like the drugstore at the bottom of the mountain in North Carolina,” Kayla said as she looked at the picture.

“It was the day I saw the man, the day I went for the pregnancy tests,” Ginger whispered.

Ginger no sooner got the words out when Mitchell came barreling through the back door. “What’s wrong? Evan called not five seconds after I hung up with you.”

“Ginger got a delivery. This time it was addressed to her, not Evan,” Kayla explained.

“What does this mean?”

“I don’t know,” Ginger said. “Where’s Evan?”

“On his way. Hang in there for me,” Mitchell coaxed as he rubbed her arms.

A few moments later, they heard the sirens and knew it was Evan. Mitchell went to meet him at the door. “Where is she?” was the first thing Ginger heard. As soon as Evan cleared the hallway, she rushed into his arms. He wrapped her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “Where is it?”

Evan looked at the picture, then the announcement, and finally the note. “No wonder your admirer was worried, darlin’. Your eyes were red and puffy.”

“Are you defending him?” she asked.

“No, but did you read the note? It’s another warning,” Evan said. “Is he the reason you looked so upset? I’ve kept you safe before, I’ll do it again.”

“He’s going to ruin our wedding, isn’t he?” Ginger asked through a sob.

“No, darlin’. I’ve got extra security. Some off-duty officers from both the town and county as well as officers on duty.” Evan rubbed her back then pulled her away so he could look into her eyes. “Since the reception is a street dance for the town, it’ll be a hard event to cover if we don’t find this guy by then. If I’m not by your side, Nathan or Sam will be. Mitchell and Kayla will have their own things to do, but you will not be left alone for a second. Do you understand me?”

Ginger nodded, and Evan raised a brow. “I understand,” she whispered.

“I’ve got you. He will not get to you. I promise,” Evan said with conviction.

“I know.”