Chapter 7 #2
He might choose to go away, to relocate. An awful possibility because she already cared about him. He’d come to town, bonded with Andy, and melted the ice around Pixie’s heart. In a very short time, he’d gotten her to care.
Should she call him? Devastating news was never good over the phone.
The two other shoppers cautiously approached her. One asked, “Are you all right?”
Pixie nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She wasn’t. “I’m so sorry you had to witness that. I have no idea who that person was, and I regret that she disrupted your shopping experience.”
“We started to leave,” the other one said, “but we were worried for you.”
Pixie thanked her with a smile.
“Do you know who she was looking for?”
Absently, Pixie shook her head in denial. Not even to these strangers would she confess Brogan’s whereabouts.
Renee poked her head out of the break room and glanced around. “All clear?”
“Yes.” Rushing to her, Pixie brought a now-sleeping Andy to her own shoulder, hugging him close. “Thank you. Your timing was impeccable.”
“Eh, maybe a few minutes late, I’m thinking.”
Choking on her gratitude, Pixie rocked Andy, kissed his head, and cherished the weight of him in her arms. What if he’d lived and she hadn’t? Never before had she considered that, but thinking of someone like Ruthie having her baby … Well, she thought about it now.
Renee touched her arm a few minutes later. “Hey, customers are gone for now. Why don’t you and Andy head home? Enjoy the rest of your day off.”
Shaking her head, Pixie said, “I can’t leave you here alone. What if she comes back?”
“I’ll handle her if she does, but,” she stressed, when Pixie started to insist, “I already called in reinforcements. My husband and kids are coming.”
Pixie groaned. “I’m so sorry for all the trouble.”
“The kids are psyched. They like coming into Lankton. New things to see and do. Martin will get them ice cream after they stop by here; then when they’re done with that, they’ll visit a few shops.”
“But he’ll be close?”
“With his phone handy. He said he plans to stroll by inconspicuously a few times.”
A smile came despite her worries. “He really is a great guy, Renee.”
“Right? ’Course I wouldn’t keep him otherwise.” She grinned. “So come on. Let me help you get things in your car before more customers come in.”
“I guess I should.” Chewing her lip in indecision, Pixie looked down at Andy. His hair stood up in an adorable way, his little mouth open in slumber, cheeks flushed.
“He’s precious,” Renee said, attempting to smooth down one wayward lock. It popped right back up again.
Pixie kissed his nose, then smiled when he wrinkled it. If he slept on the way home, he’d be ready to visit with Brogan and Shayna. “You haven’t asked,” she said quietly.
“I don’t think I need to. She said she’s Brogan’s stepmom, and if so, I pity him, but it’s his business.
When she called him names, she just made herself look …
well, worse, because she already looked bad.
Disgustingly so. Like the epitome of the evil stepmom, you know? The stuff they stick in movies.”
“She wanted to make him look bad.”
“Yeah, right. I met the man, remember? I’ve seen him with that little angel. He loves Shayna. Old Ruthie might’ve tried to get things started, but you didn’t let her.” Renee rolled a shoulder. “You know, though, she could be out there right now, spreading her venom.”
“I know.” Her stomach twisted at the thought. “I need to tell Brogan.”
“Sooner rather than later.” Renee picked up the diaper bag and led the way out to Pixie’s car, which was fortunately parked near enough that they could keep an eye on the shop’s front door.
Despite the mild spring weather, the minivan felt like an oven when Renee slid the side door open. A belch of heat rolled out.
“Keys,” Renee said.
“In my purse. Front zippered pocket.”
It was another minute before the van was cooling down and Andy was safely buckled in his car seat. She gave Renee a hug, then cautioned, “Be careful, okay?”
“You betcha. Drive safely and give that big guy a kiss from me.”
“Renee,” Pixie said on a laugh, but her friend was already darting back to the shop. Yup, Pixie knew she was putting off the inevitable. She’d have to tell Brogan about Ruthie, and delaying wouldn’t make it any easier.
Dread made the trip shorter than usual. She was so preoccupied trying to come up with the right words that she was nearly home before she realized another car was following her. Fresh anger washed over her.
Ruthie.
How dare the woman do this?
Panic and indecision tried to take over, until she heard Andy talking to his stuffed dog. He was awake. That made it easier. Never would she risk her son in a confrontation.
Right before she was about to pull down the main road to her home—and the lake house where Brogan was staying—Pixie took a side street.
From there, she backtracked, returning to the more congested area of town that was mostly commercial.
The grocery store, the bank, the only hotel—and then she saw the Dry Frog Tavern.
Marlow worked there, and Herman, the proprietor, was a friend.
With more haste than necessary, Pixie pulled into the lot.
She stayed behind the wheel, watching in the rearview mirror until the unfamiliar car approached, then drove past slowly.
Yes, that was Ruthie’s frowning face staring through the window, checking out the tavern and Pixie’s car.
When the car drove on past and went around the bend, Pixie inhaled a bracing breath, backed out, and headed home yet again.
At this point, she had no idea how dangerous the woman might be. Certainly, she was ruthless, crass, and out to start trouble. But was she an actual threat? There was no way for Pixie to know.
Her hope was to get Andy inside before Ruthie had time to turn around and follow again. Heart hammering with dread, she continually glanced in the rearview mirror, but all she saw behind her was an empty stretch of road.
A deer leaped out in front of her, making her hit the brake. It jostled Andy and he started to cry.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry.” Her voice shook. What she wouldn’t give to have Cort and Marlow nearby. If they were home, she’d call them to meet her at the house and they’d take care of things.
The second she had the thought, it angered her.
I’m a grown woman, damn it. I can handle my own issues.
Andy said, “Mam,” on a sniffle.
“It was a deer, sweetie. Just a deer. Mama didn’t want to hit it.”
“Der?”
“Yes, but the deer is fine. We’ll be home in just a minute.”
“Cup.”
“Yes, I’ll get your cup as soon as we’re inside.”
She should call Brogan—but she didn’t want to look away from the road while driving.
Finally, the house was in view. She started to pull in, but then up the road, she saw Brogan jogging out of his driveway and she made a split-second decision. Instead of pulling in at her house, she drove a little faster to his.
Seeing her, he paused to smile—until she went right past him and parked at the side of the house, out of view. Frowning, he glanced toward her car. She got out and shouted, “Brogan, I need you up here. Could you hurry, please?”
If Ruthie turned the corner and saw him, she’d lose the opportunity to warn him.
Alarm showed on his face and in his posture. Pushing the stroller, he sprinted toward her while she rushed to get Andy out of his seat.
He reached her in seconds and asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She hefted Andy into her arms, then reached in for his diaper bag. “We have to go inside. Please hurry.”
“Honey, you’re scaring me.” He glanced at Andy. “And you’re scaring him.”
She didn’t have time to explain. “Inside, Brogan. Now.”
Her urgency became his. With a nod, he pushed the stroller to the front door, unlocked it, and lifted the whole thing inside. Winded as if she’d run a mile, Pixie crowded in behind him and shut the door, then went to the window to look out, but she didn’t see Ruthie’s car.
“Hey.” Brogan took Andy from her, looking him over to assure himself that the little boy wasn’t hurt. “Take a breath, okay? Then tell me what’s happened.”
Anxiety had a death grip on her. Now that she’d reached him, she knew it would be all right—somehow. “Today, at the shop, your stepmother showed up.”
His head jerked back as if she’d struck him. “Ruth is in Bramble?”
She shook her head, but then nodded.
“Yes, no?” His sharp tone showed his confusion.
“The shop is in Lankton, remember, not far from Bramble, but Brogan”—Pixie braced herself—“she followed me. She’s looking for you.
” Pixie stepped past him and knelt down by Shayna, who was still in the stroller.
The baby grinned, pumped her legs in excitement, and cooed.
“She said you stole her granddaughter.” She glanced up to see anger and hurt in his eyes. “Brogan … she says she wants her back.”
Rage boiled up, and with it a flash fire of disappointment. Did Pixie believe those lies?
“Fend?” Andy spoke in a small, confused voice. His palm open against Brogan’s jaw turned his face so Andy could see him.
Knowing the child felt his sudden tension, Brogan immediately removed his frown, then kissed Andy’s temple. “All is well, little man.”
Pixie let out a long breath. “Ruthie was horrible,” she said as she lifted Shayna from the stroller and protectively cradled the baby against her shoulder. “She was rude at the shop, and she caused a scene. I’m sure it upset Andy.”
“I thought you were off today.”
“Renee was delayed, so I filled in until she could get there.” Holding the baby, she went to the couch and sat down. “I’m sorry if I startled you, but after she tried to follow me, all I could think to do was to protect Andy—and to warn you.”
“Warn me?” He set Andy down when he started to wiggle, assuming he wanted to see Shayna. Instead, Andy tried to climb into her stroller. Troubled by other thoughts, Brogan helped him.
Then Andy said, “Wok.”
“What?”
“Wok.” Andy rocked, trying to get the stroller to move.