Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
ABBY
Iwalked into the light and airy office, brimming with nerves. Squeezing the strap of my purse, I glanced around the small yet stylishly decorated room.
“You must be Abigail. Citrus or lavender?”
I looked right and discovered a brunette woman fiddling with an essential oil diffuser. “Oh, um…it doesn’t matter. Are you Dr. Lowry?”
“Maya. I don’t prefer formalities,” she said. “Have a seat.”
Hesitation gripped me before I made my way to the aqua-hued loveseat, draped with a navy blanket and colorful throw pillows.
My gaze drifted back to Maya, who offered me a smile.
She was beautiful, exotic, and slim. Her ebony hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, her green eyes round and large.
She resembled a Disney princess. “Thanks for meeting with me.”
Maya strolled over to the reclining chair across from me, the ghost of a smile still tugging at her lips. “I’m surprised the hospital referred you to me. They usually send their patients to Dr. Schroeder in Crow’s Peak. Ashland is a bit of a drive.”
“It wasn’t bad. To be honest, I enjoyed the ride over.
I haven’t gotten out much.” I played with the fringe lining the hem of my blouse.
The first meeting was always so awkward.
“I debated even coming today. I don’t like talking about what goes on inside my head. It’s…kind of a dark place sometimes.”
“Even more reason to confide in someone. I’m glad you came,” Maya replied, crossing one leg over her opposite knee. She leaned back, tilting her head with a soft sigh. “Tell me about yourself. What makes you tick? What makes you laugh?”
Swallowing, I pondered the questions. I’d never given much thought to those things. “I don’t really tick. I just kind of…get by,” I said, realizing how remarkably depressing that had sounded. “I mean, I have hobbies. I enjoy things. Photography.”
“That’s a great hobby. I admire a good photographer. Is it your job?”
“I had a few clients back in Illinois. I was thinking of finding a studio around town and making a business out of it.” When I registered the second question, I quirked a smile. “Bumble bees make me laugh.”
Maya chuckled through her note-taking. “Tell me about your family. Your parents, siblings. Significant other?”
I shook my head. “Just me. My parents died in a car accident when I was a teenager. My brother is estranged, and my boyfriend and I recently split up.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Maya said, her tone sympathetic. “Do you have a lot of friends?”
“Not exactly. I’m staying with my best friend until I find a place of my own. I just moved here.”
“That’s a big financial commitment,” she noted. “Are you currently working?”
“Money’s not really an issue.”
She squinted, marinating in the vague response. “Tell me a little about what happened to you.”
My eyes closed.
Memories festered.
Darkness. Ropes. Cigarette smoke.
Little Bird.
I inhaled a shaky breath. I could feel his anger, could smell the tequila on his breath. Fisting my hands together in my lap, I lowered my head. “I keep finding myself back in that van…every time I close my eyes.”
Maya studied me carefully, as if weaving my words into something she could make tangible.
“That must have been horrific for you.” She tapped the end of her pen against a notepad.
“I want you to switch gears for a moment. Tell me how it felt when you realized you’d survived. That you’d been rescued.”
My eyes remained closed as my thoughts shifted.
Sunshine. Fresh air. Hope.
Cooper.
I swallowed, new feelings sweeping through me. The tension in my body began to dissipate. “It felt liberating. I was relieved,” I whispered. “I felt…strong. Scared but strong.”
“You are strong, Abigail. You’re a fighter.”
I nodded. “The officer…” Pausing, I dug my fingernails into the heels of my palms. “The officer who rescued me has been kind. It’s nice to know someone has my back.”
Maya shifted in her chair, her head cocking to the side. “Officer McAllister?”
“Yes.” I glanced up, surprised. “You know him?”
“I live in Crow’s Peak. I know everybody in that town.”
My gaze traveled to my unpainted toenails peeking out of my sandals. I thought about the donut crumbs that had landed on them earlier, and the memory made me smile.
Silence hovered as Maya scribbled down more notes. “You seem fond of him,” she observed.
“Oh, um…” My chin popped up as I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I’m just grateful for him. He’s been so dedicated.”
Maybe it was more than that.
Maybe there was…fondness.
It was a ridiculous notion to even think, let alone speak, considering I hardly knew the man.
But he was my hero.
“Well, Abigail,” she said, straightening as she uncrossed her legs.
Clearing her throat, she ran a hand through her ponytail, and her perfectly manicured nails glided through the glossy strands.
“I’d like to caution you there. You’re still in a very fragile mindset.
It’s natural to be attracted to the man who rescued you, but it’s not wise. ”
“Attracted?” I blanched. “No, no…that’s not what I meant.”
She sent me a tight-lipped smile. “Of course.”
I leaned back against the sofa cushions, newly rattled.
Attracted.
No, that wasn’t what I’d meant at all. I hadn’t felt attraction toward any man since Jordan. And in those final years with him, even that feeling had subsided. Our relationship had gone stale. My baggage and tortured past had whittled us down to nothing. Jordan had strayed, and I’d left.
Sure, Cooper was handsome. Charming and caring. But attraction was a heavy word and it carried with it a sizable weight. It came with layers, questions, and feelings I wasn’t prepared to revisit.
I wasn’t ready for a complicated word like that.
Maya had it wrong.
There was no attraction.
I pulled into Daphne’s driveway later that afternoon, feeling encouraged. Lighter. I could breathe without choking on my own oxygen. It felt good to talk about the feelings surrounding my captivity. We hadn’t delved deep into my true darkness yet, but it was a promising start.
Officer Walker was parked in front of the house when I turned onto the gravel driveway. He hopped out of his cruiser to greet me as I exited my own vehicle.
“Miss Stone. A pleasure.”
I tipped my head and offered him a wave. “You got suckered into being my babysitter today, huh?” I tried to lighten the graveness of my situation.
It was the only way to get through it without crumbling.
James chuckled, his baritone voice rumbling through me. “Hardly suckered. I take my position as town babysitter very seriously.”
“Well, I appreciate the extra hours you guys are clocking in,” I said with a smile. “Makes a girl feel special.”
“It’s an honor, Miss Stone.”
The sentiment warmed me. “I took my first adventure into Ashland today. It felt good to be out on my own for a little while.”
I decided not to mention how terrified I’d been at first, always looking over my shoulder and driving the precise speed limit, as if that would, somehow, make me blend in. Or clutching my pepper spray in a death grip while it hid inside my purse.
It was better to focus on the wins.
James looked less than celebratory. “Miss Vaughn told me you left to run errands. I thought it was a little soon for you to be without protection. I’m surprised McAllister didn’t send an officer with you.”
“He didn’t know. I just wanted to feel normal for a couple of hours.”
He approached me, his eyes shimmering with understanding. “Well, your secret is safe with me. In the future, I highly advise letting us know ahead of time, so we can accompany you.”
I nodded. “Will do.”
“Well, go on inside. I’ll be here if you need anything.”
I liked James Walker. I liked all of the officers in Crow’s Peak. They were kind and helpful, eager to answer my questions and go that extra mile. It had been a long time since I’d felt like people genuinely cared about me.
Since Nana, anyway. She always cared.
“You’re back!” Daphne appeared from the kitchen, shoveling a spoonful of cereal into her mouth as I traipsed inside. Pink fuzzy slippers adorned her feet and an oversized robe was tied around her waist. “Man, I’m such a bitch for not going with you. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I’m not a toddler, Daph. I can do big-girl things.” I knew she was only showing concern, but I was more than ready to move on from my ordeal and start living my life again.
“Okay, but as long as Freakazoid McGhee is still on the loose, you’ve got a target on your back, whether you like it or not.”
“What if they never find him?” I countered. “Then what? I’m stuck inside a house for the rest of my life with bodyguards parked out front?”
Milk dribbled down Daphne’s chin as she swiped it away with the sleeve of her robe. “I don’t think The Crow has it in their budget to keep twenty-four-seven surveillance on you for all eternity.” Her eyes twinkled knowingly as she added, “As much as I’m sure you’d enjoy that.”
My head snapped up. “What does that mean?”
“Oh, please. You’ve had a girl-boner for Kate’s brother since you saw him at the bar that night. I’m sure you’re not complaining about him hanging around all the time.” She set her bowl down on the island. “Don’t bother inviting me to the wedding. I so do not approve.”
“Wow.” I sighed, my eyes rolling up. “You certainly haven’t gotten any less dramatic over the years.”
“It’s part of my charm.”
A smile crested. “There will be no wedding. And there will be no girl-boners for that matter. God, that’s an awful term. What’s wrong with you?”
Daphne snorted. “Again, part of my charm.”
“Delightful,” I said with a chuckle. “Hey, I’m going to unpack my camera stuff. Want to be my model? I was thinking about getting a photography business up and running.”
“Damn, girl,” Daphne grinned, her hands cinching her hips. “From Almost Murdered to Boss Babe. I’m kind of impressed.”
I ducked my head, my eyes settling on a white shag rug. “Yeah, well, I need to keep busy.”