Chapter 10
Emma Jane
Abranch violates me as I maneuver along the side of the seafood restaurant, tucking myself low in the decorative bushes outside the windows of the building that give way to a clear view of Henrietta and—
“What the—” I hiss. Marcus Long is sitting across from her in the spot that’s reserved for Reverend Elton Philip.
My nose touches the window, and I yank myself backward to keep from accidentally making out with the nasty glass.
Henrietta laughs at something Marcus said, and she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
Marcus reaches his hand across the table, and when Henrietta takes it, I mumble a curse under my breath.
They look happy.
But where in the world is the reverend?
Once I’m free of the bushes and out of sight of my lying best friend, I whip out my phone and dial Reverend Philip’s number.
As it rings into my ear, I hear another phone ringing obnoxiously behind me. When the reverend finally answers, it’s as if his voice is…
“Emma Jane, how delightful.”
I spin on my heel and come face to face with the handsome man.
Usually handsome.
Right now? Not so much.
His face is flushed, and I can smell the wine wafting off of him in waves.
“Reverend Philip. What are you doing out here instead of in there?” I point to the seafood restaurant.
The tall, muscular man flashes an off-kilter smile and stumbles as he takes a step closer to me. “I don’t want to be on a date with that girl. I’d rather take you home for a date.”
When he reaches out to touch me, warning bells signal in my head. I swat his hand away, and he has the audacity to laugh. “Oh, don’t be like that, Emma Jane. I’ve seen you looking at me from the pulpit. Don’t act like you don’t want me the way I desire you.”
His slurred speech combined with his audacious words have me taking baby steps backwards. That is, until I’m flat against the brick wall of the restaurant.
“Stop this nonsense, Reverend. You’re drunk. We should probably get you home.”
“I’ve loved you for a long time, Emma.”
I cringe at his use of just my first name. That’s reserved only for Knightley.
“No, you haven’t, Reverend. You don’t know me at all, and you only think you like me.”
He laughs condescendingly then runs his finger down my bare arm.
“I’m very much in love with you. Have been since I first laid eyes on you three years ago. Come home with me.” He takes another step forward, so I duck around him and head for my car. Once I’m in with my door shut, I crank it.
Or I try to.
The engine grinds, and then the leering man appears at my window, shouting something about letting him take me home.
My insides have grown ice cold at this point, and I have half the mind to bolt into the restaurant and have Marcus and Henrietta take me home.
But they looked so sickeningly happy, and even if I wasn’t a fan of Marcus to begin with, I’m definitely his number one advocate after this show the reverend is putting on outside my window.
And I know that the reverend won’t actually hurt me. I think.
But regardless, I’ll need help stopping him and, well, I’m sort of stranded at the moment.
The elders WILL hear about this.
He knocks on the glass, and I grab my phone, dialing the one person who I know is currently in town and will come to help.
After two rings, he picks up.
“Emma Jane? You know I’m on a—”
“Knightley.” His name comes out of my mouth heavy and breathy. “I need help.”
“Where are you?”
“Outside of Perry’s Seafood. The reverend is here, and he’s drunk, and he’s trying to touch me and—” He pounds on my window once more, shouting obscenities and looking angrier by the second.
Maybe I am in trouble, but how do I get out of here without him getting me?
“I’m on my way.” Knightley’s voice is sharp. I keep him on the phone with me, hearing him tell Mallory that he has to go, loud footsteps, and then a muttered curse. “I’m blocked in. Can’t get to my truck.”
I try to crank mine again, but nothing.
Then I hear nothing but a loud static noise in my ear interrupted by what sounds like heavy breathing.
“Knightley, is everything okay?”
“I’m coming, Emma. Hold on. I’m running as fast as I can.”
Two hands splay on my window, and now the reverend has garnered the attention of people exiting the restaurant. With pleading eyes that I pray convey, “someone get this man,” I stare at the two men and two women.
One of the women turns around and heads back into the restaurant while the two men approach my car, effectively pulling the reverend’s attention away from me.
Once the two men coax him away from my car, I get out silently and slip into the restaurant alongside the other older woman.
She sits me down in a booth, and that’s when Henrietta notices me.
Right as the two women who saw the scene outside ask me if I’m okay and need help, Henrietta and Marcus approach the table. “Emma Jane, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I huff. “I wish it were a ghost. The reverend is making a huge scene outside. Did you know he was here?”
Marcus grabs her hand while she looks down at me sheepishly, oblivious to what just occurred outside.
“I don’t like him, Emma Jane. I like Marcus.
I was going to go on this date with him, I swear.
But when he showed up, he went off on me saying something about how he wished I was you.
Marcus showed up then. He took me inside, ordered us dinner, and I told him that my rejection of his letter was all a big lie. ”
“I’m so sorry, Henrietta. I should have never put you into this situation. I—” Tears prickle in the corner of my eyes, but I shove them back. I have no right to cry right now. That could have been Henrietta instead of me out there.
Because of me.
“I know, Emma Jane. Thank you for apologizing, and I forgive you. It’s okay.”
Right as I open my mouth to respond, the door swings open, and the two men who were occupying the reverend stroll inside. “Ma’am, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I answer the older gentleman. “Where is the man?”
“The mayor showed up and said he’d take care of it, though he looked all out of sorts.”
I shoot to my feet and am out the door in four long strides.
I look around, but I don’t see the reverend or Knightley.
I check over by my car, and there’s no one.
Then, I hear a yelp, similar to one of a hurt puppy, come from the back of the restaurant.
I run around and find Knightley holding the reverend by his black collar, shoving him against the brick building.
“...And if you ever so much as breathe in her direction, so help me God, your career as a reverend will not be the only thing you lose.”
“Knightley!” He snaps his head to me, and I watch visible relief slink through the reverend’s body as he drops his head down to his chest. Marcus and Henrietta appear at my side, and Knightley quickly instructs Marcus to hold the reverend back.
Once Marcus has him, Knightley stalks toward me, wrapping me in his arms when he’s close enough to touch me.
He’s sweaty and smelly, but I don’t care. He’s my safety.
I melt into his arms, and that’s when a tear decides to trickle down my cheek.
“You’re safe,” Knightley whispers against my ear, his large hand holding my head against his racing heart. “I’m going to kill him.”
I chuckle then pull back, wiping at the rebellious tear. “No, but we are getting a new leader of our church, right?”
“Absolutely we are,” he comments as if he’s Dwight from The Office.
We’ve watched that entire show together.
That little thought of familiarity has me remembering my conversation with Halle from over a week ago.
I look into his eyes, and my heart races for a whole new reason.
He bailed on his date for me. He ran to me. He showed up for me.
“And I’m calling the police on this sick man,” Knightley says, breaking me from the spell I momentarily fell under.
We both look at the reverend, who is slumped down against the wall, barely conscious.
Marcus isn’t even holding him anymore. Henrietta gives me a questioning look, and I tell her I’ll fill her in on everything later.
“But for now, can you two get the reverend home? I don’t think we need to call the cops. He was drunk and acting stupid.”
Part of me wonders if we should tell the police, but the last thing I want to do at this point is give statements. I just want to go home.
As if reading my mind, Knightley nods and repeats my question to Marcus. They agree to drive the now passed out man home.
I pivot toward Knightley, my heart shuddering under his caring gaze.
“You ran to me…”
“You needed me.”