Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
The interview had gone better than Ally expected. She was even shown around the facility by Barbara, the woman who, if she was lucky, would become her boss. She’d been nervous, but the two of them had gotten along well.
When she got Barbara’s call the next morning, offering the job, she was thrilled. Thankfully, her start date wasn’t until after the holidays, which gave her plenty of time to come to terms with the fact that Charlotte would have to go into day care every day after school.
Then came the panic attack.
What was she going to wear?
She had a handful of clothes that might be acceptable for office work, but most were worn thin or outdated. The thought of walking in on the first day looking like she didn’t belong made her stomach twist.
So, after breakfast, she and Charlotte bundled up and headed through the cold into town.
Classy and Sassy Boutique sat right off Main Street. Its big front windows were glowing with holiday lights and cheerful garland. The place had plenty of beachy furniture and stylish clothing. The bell chimed as they stepped inside, and the scent of vanilla and new fabric hit her instantly.
“Ally!” Riley called from behind the counter. Her honey-blonde hair was twisted into a messy bun, and she had a tape measure looped around her neck. “I heard you were back in town. It’s about time you stopped in.”
Riley Miller was one of those women you couldn’t forget. She and her cousin Lilly owned the boutique and were married to twin brothers, Corey and Carter, who owned Baked, the pizza place down the street.
Lilly popped her head around a clothing rack, her dark blonde curls also tied up in a messy bun. She had a smudge of blue paint on her cheek and a paintbrush in her hand. “And you brought Charlotte! Oh my gosh, she’s gotten so big.”
Lilly was the one who refurbished all of the furniture that was for sale in the store. She wished that she had a place of her own to fill with several of the pieces she spotted.
Charlotte grinned shyly at the cousins as she clutched her mother’s hand until Lilly crouched down to offer her a candy cane from the counter jar.
An hour later, Ally’s anxiety about finding something to wear to work was gone. The cousins had her in a changing room surrounded by soft sweaters, blouses, and tailored pants that actually fit. Charlotte twirled in front of the mirror in a new purple coat, squealing at how “grown-up” she looked.
“These are perfect,” Ally said, running her fingers over the fabric of a light blue blouse that made her eyes look brighter. “You two really know what you’re doing.”
“It’s our job,” Riley joked with a grin. “And honey, you’re gonna knock ’em dead at your new job in that outfit.”
They left the store with two big bags full of clothes, one for her and one for Charlotte. Her heart was lighter even though her bank account was lower.
Charlotte tugged on her sleeve as they crossed the street. “Can we get pizza now? Pleeease?”
Ally laughed. “You’re going to turn into a slice of pizza one of these days.”
Still, she didn’t hesitate. After putting their purchased things in the car, they walked the short distance to Baked. The comforting smell of fresh dough and garlic hit them before they even stepped inside.
Corey waved them over the moment they entered. “Hey, stranger. Haven’t seen you in a while. Go on and grab any seat you want. I’ll get you both a root beer.”
“Thanks,” she said, settling into the corner booth that Charlotte always picked. Repetition felt nice, normal. She helped her daughter color on her kids’ menu while they waited for their pizza order. For a few precious minutes, it was just them.
Until the bell over the door jingled.
Ally didn’t notice him at first, not until she saw Charlotte’s eyes flick toward the entrance and felt her daughter tense. She glanced up as the man sat at the table directly across from them.
He didn’t order anything. Didn’t even pretend to look at a menu. Instead, he angled his phone slightly toward her.
The click of a camera shutter made her blood run cold.
“Mommy?” Charlotte whispered. “Why is that man taking pictures of us?”
Her voice trembled as her throat closed. Before she could find any words, Corey appeared, wiping his hands on a towel. “Sir, you can’t sit here without ordering.” He must have witnessed what was going on or seen the concern in her eyes. Either way, she was thankful he said something.
“I’ll have a Coke,” Peterson, said smoothly.
“There’s no filming inside here,” Corey said, motioning to the man’s phone, which was now recording them.
“I’m just doing my job.”
Corey frowned. “Yeah? Well, my job is making sure my customers feel safe. You’re making them uncomfortable. This is private property, and I think it’s time for you to leave.”
Corey’s brother, Carter, was watching from the counter and called over, “You want me to call the police?”
The bell chimed again, and, as if on cue, the door opened to reveal two officers stepping inside.
“Speak of the devil,” Carter muttered.
Aiden’s gaze immediately went to Ally and Charlotte. His jaw tightened after seeing them holding onto one another tightly. “Is everything okay here?”
She had met Aiden on several occasions in the past. He was not only the law in Pride, he was a good friend of Juliette’s.
Peterson straightened, clearly realizing he was outnumbered. “Fine,” he said, his fake calm cracking at the edges. “I’m just leaving.”
He grabbed his coat and strode out without another word. The moment the door shut, Ally exhaled shakily.
Aiden came over to them and rested a reassuring hand on the table. “Are you all right, both of you?”
She nodded, though her pulse was still racing. “Yeah. I guess we were just startled.”
Charlotte leaned against her side. “It was that mean man again, Mama.”
“Again?” Aiden asked, looking toward the door, then nodded toward Nick, who followed Peterson outside while Corey crouched beside the booth.
“You don’t worry about him, kiddo. He’s not welcome in here again,” he said in a soft tone.
Ally managed a small, grateful smile. “Thank you.”
Aiden stayed long enough to eat a few slices as the pizzeria filled up for lunch.
People around them were going about their normal day while she sat worrying.
Even Charlotte seemed to relax and enjoy the meal as she chatted about her letter to Santa, which they had just dropped off in the big red mailbox that sat outside of Town Hall.
They were just about to leave when she spotted Joe’s car pulling up outside.
She didn’t want to admit it, but her heart did several jumps in her chest at seeing him step out of the car. She saw him stop and talk to Aiden as he was leaving.
They seemed on good terms. How did Joe know him? Had they talked before? Her curiosity got the better of her and, since they were done eating, she quickly got Charlotte ready to leave just as Joe headed into the Brew-Ha-Ha across the street.
“Hey,” she called out a little breathless as she dragged her daughter to catch him in time.
He turned and gave her a smile. He seemed unsurprised to see her.
“Hey.” His smile was quick and had her heart racing for different reasons. “Hey, Charlotte.” He crouched a little. “Have you taken any more pictures?”
“No, it’s too cold. Mama says we might go out later today and walk to see the horses. My uncle Nate is taking care of them in the barn.”
He nodded and chatted with her about the two horses her brother and sister-in-law had on the property.
“I was just heading in for a cup.” He motioned to the coffee shop and glanced back. “How about you come in and I’ll buy you a cup of hot chocolate and your mama some coffee?”
Charlotte glanced up at her. “Mama?”
“Sure,” she nodded, wanting desperately for a moment to talk to Joe alone. Maybe she could convince Charlotte to go read a book in the children’s section for a few moments?
Inside the Brew-Ha-Ha, warmth and the rich scent of roasted beans hit her quickly.
The windows were fogged slightly from the contrast of the warmth inside and the cold outside.
There was soft Christmas music playing from the speakers, which reminded her that she still had shopping to do for her sister and brother-in-law.
Charlotte’s pink hat was dusted with snowflakes, and her cheeks glowed pink.
Faye smiled at her while making a coffee and signed that she’d be right over with hot chocolate and to get their coffee order.
She noticed that her sister’s eyes landed on Joe for a moment before turning away.
They sat in one of the high booths by the windows and chatted about Charlotte’s letter to Santa while they waited.
When Faye finally made it over to them with Charlotte’s hot chocolate, complete with pink marshmallows and sprinkles, Joe ordered a black coffee.
“I’ll have a pumpkin spice coffee thing, the one you made for me yesterday,” she said with a smile.
Faye nodded before she turned back to Joe. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m Faye, Ally’s sister.” She held out a hand for Joe. “You are?”
Joe smiled and shook her hand. “Joe Dalton, PI. I recently quit working for Ally’s ex, and I’m doing my best to make up for that mistake.”
Faye’s eyes remained narrowed for a second before she laughed and nodded. Then she signed “I like him” to Ally before turning to make their drinks.
“Whew, I’m glad she likes me,” Joe said softly as he leaned toward her.
“You… know sign language?”
He nodded. “My sister who has four kids, one of them, Dean, was born deaf. He’s eight and, well, he runs the world already,” he said with a grin.
He leaned casually against the counter while they waited, but his eyes kept flicking toward the windows, scanning the street. That little habit, so subtle most people would miss it, didn’t escape her.
When the drinks were ready, Charlotte asked, “Mama, can I read one of the stories?” she asked, already eyeing the shelves of children’s books nearby.
“Of course, sweetheart.” Ally brushed her hair back and smiled. “Stay where I can see you.”
Charlotte headed over to the small table in the corner.
Joe waited until Charlotte settled with a book on her lap before he spoke. “Aiden filled me in on what happened over at Baked.”
Ally let out a shaky sigh. “It appears as if you know Aiden well?”
“Not well, but the day after I came into town, I informed the police why I was in town. They didn’t like it, but…” He shrugged. “Then, when I quit and found out about Peterson, I updated them on things. On my status.”
“Which is?” she asked, sipping her coffee.
His eyes met hers for a moment and held. “Undetermined at the moment,” he said with a slight smile.
She glanced toward the window, half-expecting to see Peterson’s car parked nearby. “It’s like Ted can’t stand the idea that I might actually have a normal day.”
Joe’s expression softened. “Word on the street is that Peterson’s working for Ted. But I’ve filled Aiden in on how he works. They’re going to patrol your place more often. I’ve also told them where he likes to park.”
Her gaze snapped to him. “You did?”
He nodded. “After Peterson showed up in the store, I wanted backup whenever he got near you two. They’ll keep an eye out for him, especially around town and near the house.”
The words hit harder than he probably realized. She wasn’t used to anyone having her back. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “I, I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” He sipped his coffee and watched her over the rim. “I just want to make sure you and Charlotte are safe.”
“That’s not your job,” she said softly, though she didn’t mean it to sound ungrateful.
He gave a half smile. “Maybe not. But I’m not good at walking away from something that doesn’t sit right.”
Something in his tone made her chest ache. She remembered the story he’d told her of the woman he’d wanted to build a life with. How she’d been ripped away from him, and the one responsible hadn’t been held accountable.
“You make it sound like this isn’t the first time you’ve dealt with men like Peterson.”
“It’s not,” he admitted, his gaze drifting to the window.
“Guys like him aren’t paid just to dig, they’re paid to intimidate.
There aren’t many lines they won’t cross.
” He stopped as he looked back at her. “Let’s just say I try and pick my jobs carefully.
Which is why, when I found the truth about your situation, I switched sides. ”
“What does that mean?” she asked quietly. “Are you going to work for me now?”
He hesitated, then met her eyes. “I’m not taking your money, but if I can find something that your ex is doing that puts you or Charlotte in danger, I’ll provide your lawyer the proof so you can take him to court. But the fact is, he’s the DA. That makes it a lot harder.”
Her pulse quickened. She knew he was right. It was one of the reasons why, when she’d tried to hire a different lawyer in Portland to countersue Ted, she’d come up against brick walls. She was quickly told that no lawyer in town would touch her case.
Before she could ask more, Charlotte ran up, proudly holding out a book. “Mama, look! It’s about a reindeer that gets lost in the snow.”
Ally smiled, smoothing her daughter’s hair. “That sounds like a good one to take home.”
Joe smiled too, the tension fading from his face. “Sounds like a perfect book for Christmas time.”
Charlotte giggled and climbed into her mother’s lap, and for a brief, fragile moment, Ally let herself enjoy the normalcy of it, the warmth of the coffee, the steady hum of conversation around them, and the quiet strength of the man sitting across from her.
But deep down, she knew Peterson wasn’t done. And neither, she suspected, was Ted.