"Can you see the future young one?" the old man asks me.
I shake my head, "No, sir."
He throws his hands in the air, "By the lords grace, help me! She isn't the one!'' he says, going around me in a circle.
"What do you mean I'm not the one? What are you talking about?"
"Winry Pandora Shade. Do you know who I am?" the old man asks.
I shake my head again, "No,sir."
"I am your great great great great Grandfather! Garrett said you'd be here one day..."
My head snaps up, "You knew my father?"
"Yes, of course I do! I trained him, didn't I?" the old man tells me.
"Sir, you," I struggle to find the right words, "You-um- what do you mean, trained him?"
His eyes get wide, "He's a Traveler dear! Didn't you know?"
I shake my head once again, "No, sir."
The old man laughs, "Well- I guess Garrett hasn't told you anything at all then."
"I haven't seen my father since I was thirteen. And now my mother's getting married, I need to stop her, bring her a reason. I need to find him." I tell him, looking out of the old window, watching the rain fall.
Pitter...patter...
Pitter...patter...
"Winry. You're father- I'm afraid, has made a great mistake." he says.
"And what would that be, sir?"
The old man chuckles, "He's hidden you from your rightful path for far to long. If you wish to save him from his doom with the Empire, I suggest you pick a path."
"What path?!" I yell.
"The one that calls to you every night, dear."
My eyes widen, "The door."
"Good, now tell Evangeline I wish to see her soon." he says.
"Who's Evangeline?" I ask.
He takes a step back, "Your mother dear, who else?"
"My mother's name is Kimberly Ambrose, sir." I say.
The old man sucks in a deep breath, "Oh dear lord."
That response did it. My whole life has been a lie. What about my friends? What about Kimberly Ambrose...my pretend mother, the one I've called Mommy since I can remember?
Is everything just coming back to hit me?
I might as well just be falling in reverse.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
***
Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.