Chapter 6 #3
Thank God she’d managed to stay alive with only stitches in her arm and a bandage on her collarbone as evidence of the dangerous encounter. It could have been so much worse. The assailant could have been successful in stabbing her to death.
Dammit, who was after her? Who could possibly want her dead? One thing he’d learned early on about her was that she was kind and caring and wasn’t the type to make enemies.
Was it really possible one of the men she worked with could be behind these attacks? Because she’d turned down their invitation for a date? No matter how he worked the questions around in his head, there were no forthcoming answers.
Suzanna released a deep sigh. “I can’t believe my life has become such a horrible nightmare and I don’t know why.”
“Let’s hope Chief Calloway gets some answers for you very quickly,” he replied.
“Let’s hope so.” She fell silent once again and remained quiet until they pulled into his driveway. She turned and looked at him. “Seth, I promise you I’ll try to be a good houseguest.”
He shut off his car engine and turned and cast a gentle smile at her. “Suzanna, that’s the very last thing I’m worried about. Now, let’s go get you settled in. Sit tight and I’ll come around to walk you inside.”
Once again, he looked around the area, making sure nobody was lurking before he got out of the car and hurried around to the passenger door. “I’ll come back for your things,” he said as she got out of the car.
He hurried her to the front door, unlocked it and then ushered her in. Lydia Winnibaker sat on the sofa with the television playing softly.
She stood at the sight of them. “Suzanna,” she said in obvious surprise.
“Hi, Lydia,” Suzanna replied.
“Suzanna had a little trouble at her place tonight, so she’s going to be staying here for a few days,” Seth said. He went on to explain about the attack on her.
“Oh, honey, you must have been terrified.” To Seth’s surprise, the older woman walked over to Suzanna and gave her a big hug. “You know I’m here for you.”
“I know, and thank you.” The two women stepped back from each other.
“Your sweet mother must be weeping tears for you in Heaven,” Lydia said.
“I hope not—I would never want to cause her to cry,” Suzanna replied.
“Is Sammy still asleep?” Seth asked.
Lydia nodded. “Yes, he and that new pup of his have been asleep since I got here. And now I’ll just get out of your hair.” She picked up her purse from the sofa.
“I’ll walk you out,” Seth said and then turned to Suzanna. “I’ll be right back.” She nodded and sank down on the sofa.
Seth walked Lydia out to her car. “You know, Suzanna’s mother was a good friend of mine. I watched Suzanna grow up,” Lydia said.
“That’s nice. Suzanna can definitely use all the friends she has right now,” Seth replied as he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket to pay Lydia for her time.
“You take good care of that woman in there,” Lydia said. “She’s one of the good ones.”
“I definitely agree,” Seth replied. With that Lydia got into her car. Once she had driven away, he opened his back car door and retrieved Suzanna’s suitcase and dress bag.
He carried them back in with him. “If you want to come with me, I’ll show you the spare bedroom,” he said to Suzanna. She looked rather lost as she got up from the sofa and followed him down the hallway. The spare room was between his room and Sammy’s.
It was a simple room with a queen-size bed covered in a cheerful yellow bedspread and matching yellow curtains at the single window. Against one wall was a wooden dresser with a mirror, and wooden nightstands flanked the bed. The nightstands each sported small gold lamps.
“It’s nothing fancy,” he said as he placed the suitcase on the floor and then hung the dress bag in the closet.
“It’s lovely,” Suzanna replied, her voice holding her exhaustion.
“The bathroom is right across the hall, and you should find anything you need in the linen closet next to the bathroom.” He smiled at her. “It’s late and I’m sure you’re tired, so I’ll just let you get settled in, and then I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thank you again, Seth…for everything.”
He smiled at her once again. “Good night, Suzanna.” He stepped out of the room and pulled the door closed behind him.
He immediately moved to the next doorway and peeked in at Sammy. Lady was curled up by Sammy’s side and both were sleeping peacefully.
The birthday party that had taken place earlier in the day felt as if it had happened days ago. It was hard to believe so much had happened since that happy event.
When he went into his bedroom, he sat on the edge of his bed and stared at his gun safe in the corner of the room.
Kansas was an open carry state, and inside his safe he had two rifles and one 9mm.
The rifles he had for any wild animals that might threaten the farm.
The 9mm he had for home protection. Maybe it was time he got it out and had it handy so he could for sure protect Suzanna.
He unlocked the safe and withdrew the handgun. He checked to make sure it was locked and loaded and then slid it under his pillow. He didn’t anticipate any trouble tonight, but he’d be ready if any came to find her.