Chapter 11 James
james
Evelyn looks different when she sleeps. She seems younger and unguarded. The body that's always braced, always watching, always ready lets go when she’s in my arms. My eyes trace the outline of her curves.
While I watch her sleep. One thought crosses my mind over and over. It’s clear, cold, and certain. I will ruin anyone who ever made her afraid to sleep.
The storm dies around three. The wind drops and the snow stops coming altogether. The silence that follows is enormous. It’s just the fire ticking and Evelyn breathing. Even the canyon is holding its breath outside the windows.
I don't sleep because I don't need to. I've operated on less rest in worse conditions for longer stretches. But no mission has ever been this important.
Evelyn is the mission now. Right here. This beautiful, sexy, delicate woman in this bed with the fire crackling in the other room is my whole heart. I'm not going anywhere.
I hold her until the sun breaks and the real world comes crashing in around us. The power's back. The storm has passed and the cabin is golden.
When she starts to stir, I get up to make sure the cabin is warm. An hour later, I’m in the kitchen pouring coffee when I hear the small sound she makes. It’s part surprised and part confused.
I find her sitting up with a blanket clutched around her and blinking at the morning light coming through the windows. She's wearing my flannel and nothing else. The sight of it rewires something in my brain that was functioning perfectly fine before and will never function the same way again.
She looks up and sees me and something happens in her face that makes the whole sleepless night worth it.
"Hey," I say.
"Did you sleep at all?" She pushes her glasses on and the world sharpens for her.
"Didn't need to." I hold out the coffee.
She takes it. Our fingers brush and I get another jolt of electricity. She wraps both hands around the mug.
"Thank you," she says. “Not just for the coffee.” She winks and it pulls a laugh out of me.
“I’m available anytime.” My mouth curls into a smile on one side.
We spend the next two days in a blissful haze. It’s a rotation of making love, trading secrets, and drinking coffee. By the third day, I’m up early and the roads are clear. I’m already dreading what’s coming next.
I’m in the kitchen making breakfast when Evelyn finds me.
I lean against the counter and open my arms. It’s not a grab or a pull.
It’s an offer and she takes me up on it immediately.
Evelyn walks into my chest. My arms wrap around her automatically and she sinks in.
I hold her there, warm and solid. She presses her face into my chest and I rest my chin on the top of her head.
"I should probably get to the library," she says.
"I'll check the road."
"James." She catches my arm at the door. “I think I could have made it down yesterday. No one’s going to believe I’m snowed in when the sun took care of it days ago.”
“Ugh. Alright, let's get you to work. But I want to let you know that I’m making a stop to chat with my buddy Hank. He’s the acting sheriff in Iron Peak and he’s one hell of a good man. I’m going to have him keep an eye out for your ex, so I need some info on him.”
“I hate that the whole town has to babysit me. You don’t have to—”
I hold up my hand. “I won’t operate in secret.
I’m not going to make decisions for you or become the thing you're running from. But you’ve got my whole heart and I want to keep you safe.
Let me talk to my friends so we’re all on the same page, just in case this asshole ever decides to come looking. Just say it’s okay.”
She hesitates. “Okay.”
“Great, I’ll drive out ahead. Once we get past all the curves and there’s no black ice, I’ll pull to the side and let you pass. I’ll flash my headlights and you’ll be on your way.”
A smile settles on her lips. “Three flashes?”
“Yeah, I’m here. You’re safe. See you soon sweetheart.”
“You’re the best man I’ve ever known. You’re sexy. I can’t wait to see you again.” She rocks up on her tiptoes and plants a kiss on my lips.
She comes out of her bedroom in the blink of an eye looking like the woman I met at the library.
A button down top with dark jeans. Hair pulled up in a bun.
An expression that says, there’s no book she can’t shelve.
I tease her and she giggles easily. I hate the thought of breaking up this blissful haze, but she has to go and I do too.
I’ll be lucky if the whole damn town is falling apart after this storm.
An hour later I’m out ahead of her in my truck. I check the canyon road ahead of her, then pull over to let her pass. She drives by and I raise a hand then flash my headlights three times.
I’ll always be here. She’s safe forever. See you soon sweetheart.
I should be headed to The Summit House or responding to one of the million text messages I have from Jocelyn, and I will. But I head to the sheriff’s office first to have a chat with Hank.
Hank's on the porch of the sheriff's office with a cup of coffee that's probably been in his hand since six when I arrive. I park the truck and take a seat in the other chair beside him. We sit for a while like old friends, because that’s exactly what we are at this point.
"Got something I need to ask you," I say.
"Figured this wasn’t a drop by visit.” He lets out a chuckle. “Shoot it at me. What do you have?"
"The woman at the library. Evelyn Porter."
"The one you've been fixing shelves for."
I don't ask how he knows because everyone knows. Information moves through this town faster than the snowmelt in spring.
"She's running from someone," I say. "An ex. Controlling type. I don't have every detail, but it's there.”
Hank doesn't react. His coffee cup stays exactly where it is. This is why I trust him. He’s got years of law enforcement experience in a town where the biggest crime is someone's dog getting into someone else's trash, but he treats every piece of information like it matters.
"What do you need?" he asks.
"If anyone comes through town asking about a woman matching her description, dark hair, glasses, early thirties, I need to know before they find her."
"I'll keep an eye on the canyon road," he says. "Only way in and out. Anyone new comes through, I'll clock them. I'll let Ryan know too. He's on nights this week."
Ryan Halloway is one of Hank's deputies. He’s quiet and sharp-jawed. He’s the kind of man who takes up less space than you'd expect for his size. But he’s a good dude and I like the idea of him watching out for my girl.
“Thanks man.”
A week passes and I see Evelyn every day. Not just at the library either. She sleeps over at my place. I take her to The Ridge Diner and love on her until she calls my name into the ceiling. My world is complete. I feel whole in a way I can’t describe.
It's noon on a Thursday when my phone rings. I'm at the Summit House replacing a showerhead for Nora, and the caller ID says Hank.
I answer before the second ring.
"Something?" I say.
"Probably nothing. But you said to call." Hank's voice is careful. "Ryan clocked an out-of-state plate coming through the canyon this morning. Sedan. Not a rental, not a tourist. Drove through Main Street slow. Didn't stop. Went up toward the north ridge and came back down twenty minutes later."
The north ridge. Evelyn's cabin is on the north ridge. My hand tightens on the showerhead.
"What state?"
"Washington.”
Lumberjack Lagoon is in Washington.
The showerhead hits the floor. I'm already moving.
"Where's Evelyn?" Hank asks.
"She’s over at the library.”
"Good. Ryan's parking on Main Street now. Head on over there and we’ll meet you."
I'm in the truck in an instant. The engine’s on and my hands are at ten and two. My breathing is controlled because this is what I was trained for. Not plumbing. Not baseboards. This.
A thought catches me mid-stride. It’s clear and undeniable. Love. I love this woman. But I file it for later.
I push through the door and the bell chimes. Evelyn is behind the desk with Jocelyn and June. They look up as I barrel inside.
“Hey yo, look who decided to grace us with his presence.” Jocelyn’s voice is too cheerful.
Evelyn’s face softens, but it shifts when she reads my expression. "What's wrong?" she says.
I walk to the desk and get close enough that my voice won't carry. "Hank's deputy clocked an out-of-state car this morning. Washington plates. Male driver. Went up toward the north ridge."
I watch the color leave her face. Her hand grips the desk. Knuckles white.
I put my hand on the back of her neck. Firm, warm. An anchor.
“Is that the ex?” June’s voice is a whisper dripped with concern.
“He’s not coming in here.” Jocelyn folds her arms across her chest.
But my attention is laser-focused on Evelyn. "Hey, I've got you. Breathe."
She breathes and it’s shaky.
"Hank's at the office. Ryan's on Main Street. I'm here. One road in, one road out, and there are people watching both ends."
Her hand wraps around my wrist. She holds on.
"I'm not running," she says. There’s a quiet fire in her words. "I didn't drive to the bottom of a canyon to run again."
“You’re damn straight,” Jocelyn adds.
I spend the afternoon in the reading chairs. Evelyn works on shelving. She processes holds, and even helps patrons with a tight lipped smile. But I don’t miss the way she looks at the door every time it opens.
Hank texts at 3 p.m.
Hank: Plate belongs to someone out of Lumberjack Lagoon. No warrants yet, but I’m digging into a criminal record.
I show Evelyn and she goes still.
“It’s him. Laken. My God, it’s never going to stop. Maybe he somehow got the info from my mom. She’s always going to that church group and nothing stays secret. Or maybe he’s been having me followed all along…” She spirals.
The day is nearly over when a man steps inside. He’s average height and looks like a real jackass. Something in me knows it’s him before he says a single word. Every muscle in my body clenches. A part of me wishes he would try something because I’m looking for a reason.
Laken steps up to the desk. “I’m looking for Evelyn Porter.”
"I don't know anyone by that name," June says pleasantly. "Can I help you find a book?"
The man looks past her and his eyes stop when he sees Evelyn standing in the children’s section. “Evelyn. I just want to know you’re okay.”
I'm on my feet. I don't remember standing.
"I think you should leave," Evelyn says. Her voice is quiet. Thin. But it comes out.
I stop two feet behind the man.
"Can I help you?" My voice is calm and level, but my heart thunders underneath the surface.
He turns and looks up at me. “Holy shit dude, you’re huge. It’s fine, I’m just looking for a book.”
"We don’t have books here. The door's behind you,” I growl.
“Evelyn, I just want to talk. Briefly. Come on, you leave in the middle of the night? Do you know how hard it’s been to find you?
Just come home. This is how you treat me after everything I’ve done for you?
Are you embarrassed, because you should be…
” Laken takes a step toward her and I lurch into action.
“We’re done here,” I snap. “You’re done. You can leave or I can make you leave. Your choice asshole.”
“Oh, calm down.”
“This is calm.” My adrenaline spikes and I ball my fist. “You don’t want to see me lose it, I promise you that.” But I’m already enraged.
I reach for Laken's shoulder, but Evelyn’s hand on mine stops me in an instant.
“No, James, it’s okay. He can’t hurt me anymore.” Evelyn’s voice shakes. There’s a sarcastic chuckle in her voice and she turns to look at him. “You can’t be here. I’ve found my place and I’m not hiding from you. There’s nothing you can do to me now.”
Ryan appears through the window and gives me a nod. Hank’s cruiser pulls to the curb and he flashes his headlights at us.
“Ah, the gang’s all here. That’s perfect timing.” I flash Laken a shit-eating grin and wave Ryan inside.
“Howdy,” Ryan tips his hat to me.
"I haven't done anything.”
Ryan cuts in. “Oh you have. We were able to find a whole bunch of little things you’ve done, stalking, impersonating an officer, destruction of property to name a few.”
“Evelyn, what the hell is this?” Laken’s hands fly.
“Don’t talk to her. Talk to me. Because this is me giving you an opportunity to leave Iron Peak on your own. You won’t be back. But you do get to choose how we do this. You might want to take your time, there won't be a second chance.”
“This is insane. You people are insane. I’m just trying to talk. I’m fucking out of here. You deserve each other. You’re all fucking crazy.”
“Good choice, I was super worried for a minute there.” Jocelyn gives him a thumbs up.
Ryan puts a hand on his belt buckle. “Hank and I will go ahead and follow you to the outskirts of town. Just to keep everyone honest.”
“I appreciate it.”
When the door closes, Evelyn grips the desk with both hands and shakes. The full-body tremors I see in her make me want to run after Laken myself. But instead, I fly to her side. It only takes two steps to get my hand on the back of her neck.
"Iron Peak takes care of its own," June says. “He can’t hurt you.”