Chapter 17
17
Stephanie had been living in the quiet, pretty, secluded cabin on the Russell Ranch for three days. She was surprised how quickly she got used to wearing jeans and sweatpants.
She’d also become a fan of Fritos, Archway oatmeal cookies, and frozen pizza. And a fan of an old television series she’d found, The Love Boat . Three days ago, all those things had been completely foreign to her.
Looking at herself, currently lounging on the couch in the middle of the afternoon in jeans and a pink hoodie and watching cruise ship director Julie avoid the attentions of a passenger from Virginia, she was struck by the fact that she was completely comfortable.
She didn’t know how any of this had happened.
She was even more confused by how content she felt, which did make her feel guilty. Of course she was feeling content. Usually, she watched over her cousins and helped with all the cooking and cleaning. In addition, she did most of the laundry. Now, she didn’t have to do anything but take care of herself.
Was it selfish to enjoy this new life she’d been thrown into? Or was it something else?
Once again, Stephanie’s mind drifted back to her home in southern Ohio. Though things weren’t easy at her aunt and uncle’s, she fit in with the Amish community. She had a few girlfriends who she visited with during church services or when there was a large gathering. She might not be happy, but she wasn’t unhappy either.
Every time Aunt Jo asked if she was ready to be baptized in their faith, she said she wasn’t ready. She didn’t feel like she could explain it, but she often felt as if God was quietly calling for her to wait. When Stephanie had confided this to their bishop, he said he understood. Her aunt and uncle didn’t feel the same way, but they didn’t argue their point.
Now she was beginning to wonder if the Lord had been quietly preparing her for this moment. Maybe He really had been wanting her to not get baptized—because He felt she would be better suited to an English life.
She wasn’t sure, but it was something to pray about, for sure and for certain.
When a knock came at the door, Stephanie clicked pause on her remote and peeked out the window, wondering if it was one of the ranch hands. Even though Hardy had said that all the ranch hands were reliable and harmless, Stephanie wasn’t sure that she believed it. Every time Dan stopped by to either drop something off or to speak to Hardy, she felt uncomfortable. He always seemed to be half smiling, like he was playing a joke at her expense.
She was in luck today, though. Standing on the other side of the window was Hardy. Breathing a sigh of relief, she opened the door. “Hi.”
“Hey, you.” He smiled slightly. It warmed his eyes and also seemed to warm her heart too. “May I come in?”
“Of course.” He asked permission to enter every time, which she thought was really considerate of him. He acted like she had some control in her life. She desperately needed that.
“How are you doing today?” he asked as he strode forward. Then paused midstep. “Wait. Are you watching The Love Boat ?”
Hardy sounded so appalled, Stephanie wasn’t sure if she should be embarrassed or not. But since he was the one who was making her stay here, she figured it shouldn’t matter. Besides, the evidence was frozen on the screen. “Yes. I’m in the middle of an episode. Have you seen this show before?”
“It was popular before my time, but yeah. I’ve seen it.” Rubbing back a chunk of dark hair that had fallen over his forehead, he added, “Pretty much everyone over twenty has seen at least a couple of episodes. The reruns are everywhere.”
She couldn’t tell if he liked the show or not. She supposed it didn’t really matter. She was stuck in hiding and appreciated having something to take her mind off her worries. “I’m enjoying it.”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “Are you, now?” He sat down on the couch. “What’s going on?”
Noticing that the paused screen showed Julie confiding in Isaac the bartender, she blurted out, “The man who likes Julie lives in Virginia. That’s a problem since she’s, you know, living on a ship.”
He kicked his feet out and crossed his boots. Just like he was settling in. “What do you think’s going to happen?”
She thought about it. “I’ve only seen a couple of these episodes, so I’m no expert, but I’m guessing that it isn’t going to end well.” Since he looked so interested, she continued. “Last time, Gopher kissed a woman because he thought it was love, but it was only a fling. Love onboard a ship isn’t all that easy.”
He burst out laughing. “I reckon you might be right, at that.” He looked bemused as they watched more of the scene.
When a commercial came on, she studied him. “Did you come over for a specific reason?”
“Yes. To check on you.”
“Obviously, I’m fine.”
“Good.” Looking her over, he added, “I like that sweatshirt you’re wearing. Pink suits you.”
Why did that make her happy? “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Looking completely comfortable, he folded his arms across his chest.
“Are you planning to stay here awhile?” She wasn’t sure if she meant her couch or him staying in the cabin next door.
“Yep.”
Starting to worry, she whispered, “Why?” Had something happened and she was in danger again?
“Why do you think, silly? I’m going to watch this show with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Girl, don’t leave me hanging. I need to find out how Julie’s heart is about to get broken by that loser from Virginia.”
“I don’t know if he’s a loser ...”
“You let me be the judge of that.” He pointed at the television screen. “Commercial is over.”
She turned her attention back to the episode. Isaac, who she was now coming to realize was the most knowledgeable when it came to love and romance, was warning Julie not to get too attached.
And then, right after several commercials for drugs and lawyers, there the couple was, standing against the ship’s railing. Julie wearing a blue gown and the Virginian wearing a tuxedo, and they were dancing under the stars. It was all very romantic.
Until Hardy started to laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
He motioned to the screen. “They are. It’s not going to end well, you know.”
“I know.” She lifted her chin and pretended she was an expert at romance. “They’re too different.” Just like she and Hardy were very different.
“They are,” he agreed. “They also live in two different worlds. Plus, he’s talking about himself a lot. That’s a big problem right there.”
“I thought that too.”
After they listened to a conversation, Hardy grunted. “Just for the record, she’s a whole lot better off without him.”
“Because they’re so different and live too far away from each other?”
“No. If they’re in love, they’ll work those things out. But listen to him, Steph. He’s an idiot. And a liar.”
“You think so? He seemed sincere.”
“He’s slick. No one is as successful as he’s trying to sound like.”
“He could be.” Though, the more she listened to the Virginian, the more she wanted to wrinkle her nose. Plus, he had no muscles in his arms. Not even half what Hardy had.
“Nope. No man who’s really a multimillionaire is gonna be floating around on the Love Boat , Steph. They’re going to be sailing on their own yacht. Remember that next time some guy starts trying to sweet-talk you.”
It took effort not to roll her eyes. “Hmm.”
“I’m right. Just you see.”
She folded her arms across her chest and tried to act like she couldn’t wait to find out what happened. But her traitorous mind only seemed to care about the fact that Hardy was sitting next to her.
And that he smelled good.
Had he just showered? She closed her eyes. She shouldn’t be thinking about things like that. No, she should be thinking about the time. That was what was safe. It was almost four in the afternoon. Didn’t he have other things he’d rather be doing instead of watching television with her?
Fifteen minutes later, the credits were rolling and Hardy was gloating. “See, I told you. That man was a liar.”
“He really was. Poor Julie’s heartbroken.”
“Ah, she’ll get over it. I have a feeling she’ll be flirting with some dude in a couple of episodes.”
He sounded so sure, she chuckled. “I fear you might be right.”
“I know I am.”
“You shouldn’t be gloating, though,” she said as she clicked off the TV. “It’s bad manners.”
“I don’t disagree, and gloating is nothing to be proud about. But you can’t blame me, can you? I’m only human.”
“I guess not. He wasn’t very nice. I think Julie is going to be sad for a while.”
“She’ll be right as rain in the next episode. That’s the charm of the show. Drama happens, but then everything’s all good in sixty minutes.”
“Perhaps so.”
His gaze lingered on her. Making her feel good. Making her wish that things were different. If only for a little while. Like Julie McCoy, she’d enjoy experiencing love for a little while. Just to know what it felt like.
“What are you going to eat for supper?”
“I’m not sure.” Did this mean he wanted to eat with her? If so, why?
“Want me—” His phone buzzed. When he glanced down at the screen he stiffened. “Hold on a sec. I’ve got to take this.”
To her surprise, he walked out of her living room and stepped out of the front door too. Peeking out the window at him, she frowned as he ran his fingers through his hair and became even more agitated.
Then his voice rose. She wished she could hear his words through the door.
When he came in again, he was scowling.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Yeah. That was Dan. A package was just dropped off for you at the front gate.”
Her pulse started racing. “But no one knows I’m here.”
“No one is supposed to know you’re here. I thought whoever followed us had given up. Maybe not.”
“What kind of package is it?” Imagining all sort of things, she blurted, “Maybe Bev sent something?”
“Bev wouldn’t risk your safety by doing that.”
“But—”
“Dan said that the guy who dropped it off was all business. All he said was that he was told to deliver it to the front gate.” Looking irritated, Hardy clenched one of his hands. “And Dan didn’t think to get the guy’s name. He didn’t even think to point out that the license plate had been taken off the vehicle. I discovered that on the security camera. Man, I thought I trained him better.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand. I didn’t do anything. I haven’t told anyone where I am.”
“No one thinks you did. Because there were two things in the box. A package of .22s ... and a note.”
“What are .22s?”
“That’s the size of the bullet. I think it’s a calling card from the gang member back in Batavia. He knows you’re here.” He cleared his throat. “But the note is what is disturbing.”
“What did it say?”
Softening his voice, he said, “I don’t think you need to know the exact words.”
“I think differently.” She lifted her chin. “I’m involved and I’m a grown woman. Don’t treat me like a child.”
“All right. Fine. It says that you should leave, because the next time you’re around a .22, it will be lodged in your heart.”
Slowly the message sank in. And then it took almost everything she had not to sink onto the floor.