Chapter 18
18
“Sit down, Stephanie,” Hardy said. “You look like you’re about to fall over. I’m calling the sheriff.”
Gone was the sweet and teasing tone he’d been using with her while watching The Love Boat . In its place was the return of the barking he’d done when he’d driven her to the ranch.
At least now she wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Now she realized he only got this way when he was on edge or felt like he was losing control of a situation.
Which somehow didn’t relieve her mind. If Hardy was worried, then she should be petrified.
And just like that, the moment that had changed her life flashed before her eyes. Once again, she recalled the slight movement around the cars. The low buzz of engines running in the distance. The children’s laughter. She felt the sun on her cheeks, and when the wind shifted, she caught a whiff of the dumpster. Just as she spied the shadow of someone lurking behind it.
And then there had been all that blood on the pavement.
Suddenly, a buzz filled her ears, her vision went blurry, and she felt a little faint.
How could she have allowed herself to settle into this new, unfamiliar life? Why had she dared to be happy that her hands weren’t cracking and sore from cleaning the floors with vinegar?
She’d been such a fool. She’d honestly been content to lounge on the couch watching silly television dramas in a pink hoodie. Somehow she’d pushed the real reason she was in Crittenden County to the side.
That wasn’t right. She should be ashamed of herself.
“Yes, I’m sure. Dan is bringing over the box now,” Hardy barked into the phone.
Focusing back on the present, Stephanie turned her attention to him.
Hardy was pacing now. Pacing as he talked to the sheriff. Back and forth he went, his ear to the cell phone. His hand nearly pulling out strands of his hair as he listened to the sheriff.
While she listened to him. She needed to hear what he was saying. Hear what he was thinking she should do.
“Yes, I can be there whenever you need me . . . afternoon works.” Pause. He turned his head. Looked directly at her. “Yes, sir. I will.”
After he disconnected, he hung up the phone. Stared off into the distance for a moment before walking to her. “You all right?” He crouched by her side.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“You don’t need to be afraid. I’m not going to leave you.”
His voice had been gravelly with emotion. It made a lump form in her throat. “I understand. I’ll try not to be.” She hated saying those words, though. Because that’s all they were. Just plain old words that meant nothing. Someone had sent her a box of bullets. How could she not be scared to death about that?
He perched on the edge of the sofa. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise.”
“It really was from him, wasn’t it?”
“The sheriff’s gonna ask around, and we’ll touch base again tomorrow afternoon.” He sighed. “But, yeah. It’s almost a certainty that the guy who dropped off the box was the man who’s after you. I mean, who else would be doing this?”
She was still in danger. “Maybe I should leave.”
He scowled. “What? No.”
“But I’m not safe here. Anyone could show up ...”
Hardy shook his head. “One more time. You’re not alone. You’re not even close to being alone.”
But she was. Just like she’d been from the time her parents died and she’d moved in with Jo and Mark and their kinner.
Hardy resituated himself. Scooted a little closer to her, close enough for her to smell his cologne again. Feel the warmth radiating from his body. “Stephanie.”
“Yes?”
“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” he asked softly.
Unbidden, a tingle skittered across her skin. Making her feel electrified. Just from the thickening of his drawl. “Nothing.”
“Come on.” He reached out, curled a strand of her hair around a finger.
How come that made her feel breathless?
She took a fortifying breath. “I was just thinking that I’ve been alone for a long while now.”
“Not just here.”
“Not just here. And now ... I’m scared, and I’m so very far away from everything I’ve ever known. I don’t know how he found me.”
“I don’t know either, but our security team knows to take extra precautions. And the sheriff’s working on it. We’ll get some help from one of the deputies if we can. You don’t need to worry.”
His words were as sweet as the almost-tender expression on his face. But still, she didn’t believe him. How could she when that man—that awful, terrifying man—sent her that box?
“I’m going to worry.”
He blinked. Softly, he said, “Don’t you think that God has your back? Don’t you think God is big enough to hold on to your worries for you?”
“He is, but He can’t know ...”
“He can, Stephanie. If you can’t trust the sheriff, then trust me. If you can’t trust me, then trust Bev, who sent you here. Better yet, trust in the Lord. He put Bev in that parking lot to save you. He gave Bev me, because He knew she would call me if she needed help. And He knew that I would do anything she asked of me. That I would protect you, Stephanie. Finally, the Lord gave me Carter Russell, who gave us a safe place to stay.” Leaning closer, he repeated the words, but this time in almost a whisper. “You. Are. Not. Alone.”
“All right. Fine.”
He looked frustrated but didn’t argue anymore. She was grateful for that.
“Come on. Let’s watch another episode of The Love Boat .”
“What? Nee. I don’t feel like it.”
“Come on. Maybe the Captain will fall in love this time.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Or two people will fall in love and actually end up happy together.”
That sparked a giggle. “You’ll really sit and watch another episode?”
He picked up the remote. “I’m already on it.”
When the theme song started playing, Hardy grimaced but then changed his expression. He kicked his feet up on the coffee table, boots and all, and sank into the cushions. “Remember how you have your cell phone now? Remember you have my phone number programed into it?”
“I do.”
“Beverly gave it to you for a reason. Text me if you get scared. Call me if you get scared. I’m right next door, remember?”
“What if it’s in the middle of the night?”
“Then you call me in the middle of the night. Steph, if you call me then I’m going to pick it up,” he said, all while sounding like if she didn’t do that, then he was going to take it personally. “You with me?”
“Yes.” She giggled. Who would have ever thought she’d be taking directions from such a bossy Englisher?
Well, maybe she would’ve thought that.
Because he was better than she imagined. As bad as the situation was, she didn’t feel as petrified because she believed him when he said he was going to protect her. That maybe, just maybe she didn’t want to be anywhere else, because if she was, then she would be alone again. And she wasn’t ready for that.
“Here, Stephanie.” He tossed one of the throw pillows that had been sitting on the easy chair.
“What’s this for?”
“Get comfortable. You’re still looking like you’re waiting for bad news.”
“It could still happen.”
“Of course it could. But not tonight. We’re going to watch this show, then we’re going to raid your fridge and find something to eat. And then, if we really feel adventurous, maybe we’ll play a game of cards. I’m going to be here for hours.”
That seemed to be all her body needed to finally relax. As she slowly became engrossed in the newest love stories on the ship, her eyes became heavy. She shifted. Puffed up the pillow a bit under her head. Stretched out her legs.
And eventually succumbed to slumber.
When she woke up, she was lying on top of her bed. Still in her sweatshirt and sweatpants, but the elastic band had been taken out of her hair and it was in tangles around her arm like the tentacles of an octopus.
It took her a minute to figure out what had happened. To remember that she’d fallen asleep on the couch watching The Love Boat . That Hardy had been sitting next to her when they’d watched the show. And ... a box holding bullets had been delivered to her in Kentucky.
Jerking to a sitting position, she pressed her hands to her face and tried to breathe deep.
And then she noticed that on the bedside table was a note. And her cell phone.
Don’t be mad that I put you to bed. You would’ve had a crick in your neck if you’d slept on the couch all night long. I locked the door so don’t worry. You’re safe. If you get scared, you call. I promise I’ll answer.
She stared at the cell. Reread the note. Then, to her amazement, she felt her eyelids get heavy.
It might be wrong, but she felt secure.
Hardy’s note and promise were enough.