Mine

Chapter 7

Sunday afternoon, Jennie played the beach scene over and over in her head. It hadn’t helped her worry when David called her multiple times after he’d seen her home and deemed her little house safe. What if the landslide hadn’t been an accident like he thought? But why?

“Momma?” Zoey tugged on Jennie’s shirttail.

The mixer hummed and her daughter held out a spatula.

Jennie blinked. “I’m sorry, baby.” She took the offered utensil and scraped the sides of the bowl containing the start of chocolate chip cookies.

“Ready?” Zoey hovered a measuring cup above the egg and sugar blend.

“Got for it.”

Zoey peered into the bowl. A dusting of flour poofed in her face. The girl giggled.

She smiled at her ten-year-old. So innocent, yet wiser than most adults. Her smile faded. Due to her poor choices, her daughter had lost her carefree childhood.

The two finished with the dough and placed a cookie sheet filled with lumps of yummy goodness into the oven. Jennie set a timer and washed her hands.

The doorbell buzzed and Zoey sprinted for the front entrance.

Her heartbeat thundered in her chest. “Zoey! Wait!” Visions of the creep who’d texted her whirled in her mind. What if he’d come to take her daughter?

She threw the cloth she’d used to dry her hands on the table and raced after Zoey.

“Aunt Tina!” Zoey squealed with delight.

Jennie rounded the corner in time to see Zoey jump into her best friend’s arms.

“How’s my girl?” Tina squeezed the young girl, dropped her to her feet, and stepped back, keeping her hands on Zoey’s shoulders. “Let me look at you. You’ve gotten so big. What’s your mother feeding you?”

“Vegetables.” Her daughter screwed up her face. “Yuck.”

Tina laughed. She placed her hand next to her mouth and whispered loud enough for Jennie to hear. “I agree.”

“Stop conspiring with my kid.” Jennie grinned.

Her friend’s gaze connected with hers. Two years had passed since they’d seen each other in person. They video chatted frequently, but Tina had kept her distance for Jennie’s sake. Her fear of being found had dictated their agreement.

So why had Tina come now?

She embraced the woman who’d befriended her during the darkest years of her life. The woman who’d discovered her battered body and had taken care of her little girl while she’d fought for her life in the ICU. A woman whom she loved like a sister.

“I’ve missed you.” Tears welled in Jennie’s eyes.

“Me too.”

After the long hug, Jennie ushered Tina to the living room and motioned for her to have a seat.

Jennie plopped down on the sofa opposite Tina. Zoey had managed to wiggle between them. “Not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but what are you doing here?”

Tina’s gaze connected with Zoey’s.

Hmm. Something was up with those two.

“All right you two sp—”

The kitchen timer rang.

Jennie jumped from the couch. “The cookies. I’ll be right back.” She paused and glared at the pair. “Don’t think you guys are off the hook.” She rushed to the kitchen and removed the baking sheets. Placing them on the counter to cool, she hurried back to her friend.

Stepping into the living room, she stopped.

Zoey and Tina talked in hushed tones. Her friend’s deep brown complexion contrasted with Zoey’s lighter features.

The two were completely opposite in looks, but exactly the same in personality.

And a force to be reckoned with when they were together.

Jennie was in trouble if these two were plotting. What were they up to now?

When they noticed her, they stopped.

“I can see there’s a conspiracy going on. Spill it.” Jennie lowered herself onto the couch.

Zoey snuggled beside her. “I love you, Momma.”

She raised a brow. “Uh huh.”

“Forget it, Zoe. We’ve been found out.” Tina turned her attention to Jennie. “Zoey called me yesterday.”

Her friend held up her hand to stave off the comment Jennie had on the tip of her tongue.

“She told me about the text message and the weird stuff going on, including yesterday’s incident. Girl, I’m worried. I had to come. Please let me stay and help.”

Jennie rubbed her forehead with her thumb and forefinger.

“I…” What could she say? Worry consumed her that Zoey’s predator would find her.

And then there was David. Tina would have plenty to say about that.

But as much as she tried to be independent, she needed her friend.

“I suppose you two will wear me down, and I’ll end up agreeing anyway.

” Jennie gave Tina a genuine smile. Not a forced one she’d become good at over the last couple of days. “You can stay.”

Zoey leapt from her seat and fist bumped Tina. “I knew she wouldn’t tell us no.”

“You and me both.” Tina wrapped her arm around Zoey’s waist and the two formed a united front.

The doorbell rang for a second time. Jennie’s peaceful haven had turned into Grand Central Station.

“Who on earth could that be?” She stood and pinned her daughter with a glare. “You didn’t summon anyone else, did you?”

Zoey raised her hands in surrender and shot her a who me? expression.

Jennie exhaled. She hoped whoever her daughter had contacted didn’t turn her world upside down.

She turned the knob and eased open the door.

Detective Whitman stood on the porch in worn jeans and a black t-shirt, highlighting muscles she’d tried to ignore since they’d first met.

Jennie fisted her hands on her hips. “So, what line did Zoey feed you to get you to come over?”

His eyebrow arched. “Excuse me?”

“It seems as though my daughter is calling in back up. Just wondering how she got you here.”

The corner of his lips curved upward as he propped himself on the doorframe. “Well, let me see. She did promise me cookies.”

“She did not.” She narrowed her gaze. The man was enjoying her frustration.

“Okay, she didn’t. But they smell good.” He grinned like a little boy.

She shook her head and stepped aside. “Come on in, join the party.”

He brushed past her. “Party? What party?” He froze. “I’m sorry. You have company. I can come back later.”

“No.” Zoey rushed to David. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him the rest of the way into the room. “I want you to meet my Aunt Tina. Well, she isn’t really my aunt, but that’s what I call her. She’s mom’s best friend…and mine too.” Her daughter beamed at Tina.

Tina rose and extended her hand. “I’m Tina.”

“David.” He accepted her offered hand. “Ahh, so you’re Aunt Tina. Nice to meet you.”

Her friend perused David from head to toe. “You’re right, Zoey. He is hot.”

David choked and coughed.

Jennie patted him on the back. “Sorry about that, but you’ll have to get used to it. Tina is nothing if not blunt.”

“I…um…thanks…I think,” he stammered.

Laughter bubbled from Jennie. She wondered how often David found himself speechless. “Go on. Have a seat. She’s harmless.”

His eyes widened. “Are you sure about that?”

“Most of the time.” She motioned him toward the easy chair. The least she could do was give him a safe place to sit. She plopped on the sofa near Tina. “What brings you by?” She shifted her gaze to her daughter, then back to the man trying to compose himself.

He cleared his throat. “I came from talking with Officer Hanes about yesterday’s incident. The evidence is inconclusive. The small boulders could have been pushed causing the rockslide, but they didn’t find anything to say one way or the other.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Then I’m thinking positive. It was a mishap.”

David leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “I want to agree with you, but I can’t ignore what I saw.”

“What you saw?” Tina piped in.

“Right before the rocks tumbled toward Jennie, someone was watching from the top of the hill.” David ran a hand over his head, mussing his hair. “I’m sorry I failed. I should have focused harder and got a better look at him. Then we’d know for sure.”

“Failed?” Zoey shot off the couch, her voice rose an octave. “You yelled at my momma. Then tackled her, protecting her like some sort of superhero. Who cares what the person looked like? Momma didn’t get hurt because of you.”

Jennie clasped her daughter’s hand and pulled. “Honey.”

“Well, it’s true,” Zoey huffed and dropped beside her.

“I agree with my daughter. You saved me from being hurt or worse.” She rubbed Zoey’s back but never took her gaze off David. “Speaking of hurt. How are the cuts and bruises?”

He blinked as if hers and Zoey’s words didn’t compute. “I’m a bit sore, but ibuprofen is doing the trick. By the way, thanks for taking care of my wounds.”

“It’s what I do.” The words left her mouth before she could haul them back in. The man had risked greater injuries in his attempt to shield her. “It was the least I could do. You protected me and got hurt doing so.”

Hair sticking out in multiple directions, he stared at her then sighed. “Listen, I should head out. I only wanted to give you the info in person.” He pinned his gaze on Zoey. “Sorry I couldn’t confirm whether or not the rocks were an accident. But I’ll keep looking into it.”

Jennie’s daughter nodded. The movement almost imperceptible. What was going on between those two?

David slapped his legs and stood. “I better go.”

“Hold on.” Zoey hurried to the kitchen.

He turned to face Jennie. “Sorry for the interruption.”

“It wasn’t a problem. Besides, I have a feeling someone in this house knew you were coming.”

“Maybe.” He grinned.

Zoey appeared in the living room. “Here.” She shoved a paper plate at him. “I want you to have some cookies.”

Hand on her daughter’s shoulder, David closed his eyes and exhaled. “Thank you.” He peered at Jennie. “I’ll let you catch up with Tina.”

The man’s tenderness toward Zoey and his protective nature yesterday had her mind swirling. She’d only known him a few days, but he exuded integrity. Plus, Aunt Emily trusted him. Could she?

He pivoted and was gone before she untangled her thoughts.

She stood staring at the wooden barrier between her and the man who’d saved her life.

“You’re right, Zoe.” Tina’s voice broke through her musing.

“Told you,” her daughter sang.

Jennie spun and faced her friend and daughter. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” they said in unison.

Yeah, right. Those two were trouble with a capital T.

“What do you say we get a snack and have a marathon chat session?”

Tina smiled. “I’d love it.”

Six hours later, Zoey headed off to bed, leaving Jennie draped over the arms of the easy chair and Tina sprawled across the couch.

Jennie had missed her friend, but her life was different than when she lived next to Tina. The woman had been her lifeline and had begged her to walk away from Kenny.

“I’ve never thanked you for being there for me. If I’d only listened to you sooner.”

“You were hurting and scared. Everyone could see that.”

“I think all of Brad’s friends felt bad for me. Levi and Adam stopped by Kenny’s and checked on me every week, sometimes more. Not sure Kenny was too happy about it, but he put up with it.”

“Levi and Adam have asked about you over the years, especially this last month. I’ve never hinted that we keep in touch or where you live which didn’t make them happy. They both worry about you.”

“I miss those two. They weren’t only Brad’s friends but mine too.” Tina’s words registered. Jennie scrunched her forehead. “Wait. Why this month?”

“You haven’t heard?” Tina’s eyes widened. “You haven’t, have you?”

“What are you talking about?”

Tina flung her legs over the edge of the cushions and sat up. “Kenny had his parole hearing a week ago.”

The world spun and the lights grew dim. He couldn’t be out. The man had beaten her and left her for dead. If Tina hadn’t found her… She pulled in a ragged breath, “Was he released?”

Her friend nodded. “I thought you knew.”

“No. I’ve had no contact from my old life except for you. I didn’t leave my address with the police either. I hadn’t wanted to take a chance.” She scrubbed her hands over her face.

“Levi visited Kenny in prison over the years, said he’d changed. Felt bad for how he’d treated you. Even had a groupie girlfriend that he was looking forward to being with once he was out.”

“Does Levi believe him? Do you believe him?” Jennie’s stomach twisted in knots. The man who’d almost killed her was back on the streets. Had he found her? Was he the one causing all the problems?

“Not sure on both accounts. Levi seemed to think he still has anger issues so he’s leery of Kenny’s proclamation. Adam on the other hand thought Kenny told the truth.”

Jennie’s heart raced. This couldn’t be happening. She bolted to the door and checked the locks.

“What if it was him at the lake? What if he was the one who tried to hurt me?”

She thought she had more time. Her worst nightmare was on the loose.