17. Cassidy
CASSIDY
Alyssa came rushing into my shop, her eyes wide as she plopped her coat on my counter, knocking books out of the way.
“Did you hear about Clara?”
“Who?”
“Clara. The Parker family matriarch.”
I grinned at the mix of excitement and awe on her face. “I wasn’t aware you even knew Clara Parker.”
“Oh, I don’t, but the gossip around town is that she passed out at Thanksgiving, and the whole family went to the hospital with her.”
“Oh my gosh. Is she okay?”
“I have no idea. The whole family was there all night, and no one around town knows anything yet.”
I frowned at the revelation. “That’s strange.”
“I know. Not even Georgia has any information.”
Georgia was known for having all the latest gossip, and since her daughter was married to Liam, it was even stranger that she knew nothing.
And on top of that, Sam had been at the Parkers’ on Thanksgiving, but he hadn’t mentioned a thing about Clara.
Then again, I had bigger issues at my house that night.
“Well, I hope she’s okay. Is she home?”
Alyssa nodded. “She got home late last night.”
“Well, no news is good news. At least, that’s the saying. So, what are you up to today?”
She sighed heavily, leaning on the counter as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I have to look for a job.”
“Are you ready for that?”
Though I knew very little of Alyssa’s past, it was clear that she’d been through some very rough times.
I’d seen plenty of moments at the shop where Alyssa completely zoned out, didn’t hear a word I said, or even remembered what happened in the previous hour.
She always pretended she was just thinking about something, but I had the feeling it was her trauma sneaking up on her, taking her back to places she didn’t really want to go.
“I have to be ready. JR can’t take care of me forever.”
“He’s your brother. I hardly think he cares. In fact, I would guess that the only thing he wants is for you to be happy.”
She smiled brightly at me, refusing to look defeated. “Well, if I’m going to be happy, I have to make myself happy. No one can do that for me.”
“Any guys on the horizon?” I asked, though the answer was always the same.
“Nope, and I’m perfectly happy with that. Though I do miss orgasms.”
Sam’s face flashed through my mind, but I quickly tucked that sexy smile away for a time when I was alone and could think of the way he used my body so well.
I wouldn’t get a single thing done if I stood around here thinking about Sam and the amazing things he could do with just a simple touch. So, I snatched some books up off the counter and carried them over to the non-fiction section to shelve.
“Any idea where you want to work?”
When she didn’t immediately answer, I turned and caught her gnawing at her bottom lip.
“What is it?”
“Well, it’s just…I had an idea, but…”
“But what?”
She opened her mouth, but never got a word out before the door chimed and Ellie walked in, her eyes darting to every corner of the store before she took a hesitant step forward.
“Good morning, Ellie!” I beamed, hoping to come across as friendly and not overbearing. I’d told her she could come in anytime she wanted. That didn’t mean I wanted her to feel like I was going to gush over her whenever she came in. That would only make things worse for her.
“Hey.” She shot me a hesitant smile, but didn’t come in any further. The uncertainty in her eyes was killing me. I would give anything to be able to help her, but I had no idea what she needed.
As she wrung her fingers together, I took a step forward, hoping she would open up to me a little.
“Um…is it okay if I…hang out?”
“Of course! Alyssa was just about to tell me about an idea she had for a job. Which I’m dying to know about.” I jerked my head to the comfy chair just a few feet away from the central sitting area. “Take a seat. I’ve got coffee in the back. Want some?”
“Yes, please.”
I had a massive amount of work to do, but I’d gladly stay late if it meant Ellie had a few moments of peace in her life. After getting three cups of coffee, I placed them on a tray, along with cream and sugar, then headed back out to the girls.
“So, tell me about this job.”
Her eyes darted to Ellie as she stirred in her cream and sugar. “Actually, I was thinking that maybe Ellie would want some help at the boutique.”
The shop got deadly quiet as Ellie’s hands shook around her mug. For a moment, I thought she would flee, but when she raised her eyes and looked at us, the pain and sadness in their depths held her captive.
I didn’t think twice as I rushed to her side, gripping her hand in mine.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “I’m just—I don’t know if I can go back.”
“That’s where I thought I could help,” Alyssa smiled. “You’ve worked so hard for your shop, and I know people are wondering when it will open again. I thought maybe I could take over for you until you’re ready to come back.”
“But you don’t know about the system or the ordering process…”
“Well, that’s stuff you could teach me when no one’s around.”
“And we can make sure Ryder’s there,” I chimed in. “Or JR. I’m sure Delaney and Josie would be willing to help you get things going again.”
As she bit her lip, I sent up a quick prayer that she would accept the help. If Ellie didn’t start somewhere, she might be stuck in this perpetual state of agony for the rest of her life.
“I mean, I guess we could try it.” She gave a hesitant smile, then went back to her coffee. Her hands were no longer shaking, and as she eased back into my couch, I got the distinct feeling that this might be just the thing for her.
While the girls sat and talked about the shop, I got back to work, shelving books and pricing new collections that arrived. When all that was done, I dusted the books and made sure nothing looked old and outdated.
The day passed so quickly that I didn’t even realize it was closing time until I glanced up at the clock just as someone entered.
My whole body stiffened when Wyatt stepped inside, his dark eyes trained on me. After the fiasco at Thanksgiving, I was seriously hoping that I wouldn’t see him anytime soon.
Yet, here he was. Standing in my doorway and staring at me like he was going to eat me alive.
Or murder me.
And based on how crazy his family was, I hadn’t ruled out the latter.
“Wyatt,” I finally pushed out of my lungs. “Uh…we’re just about to close.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here.”
Unease skittered down my spine as he took a single step forward, then another. Swallowing hard, I watched as his rough hands shoved deep into his pockets, but just because they were out of the way didn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to strangle me with ease.
“You’re…here because we’re closing?”
He took another step forward, his eyes narrowing further on me. “I came to talk about what happened the other night.”
“Oh, that,” I swallowed hard. “Um…”
“I’ve got a new sliding door for you in the back of my truck.”
“Oh, well…that’s really not necessary.”
He took another step forward. My heart kicked up a notch, and as I glanced around the store, I wished more than ever that Alyssa was still here with me.
Wyatt had never actively made a move against anyone I knew, but his whole family was a little nutty.
And based on how he exploded at my house, I knew just how angry he could get.
“I insist. We broke your door. It’s only right that I replace it.”
“But it’s already dark outside, and—”
“It’s cold. The longer that door is off, the worse your electric bill will be.”
“Really, it’s not a big deal. I actually have plywood covering the door.”
His presence was overwhelming as he stepped closer, pressing me back against the counter. “Is there a reason you don’t want me installing the door?”
Besides the fact that he was freaking me out? I knew I shouldn’t be scared of Wyatt. He’d never done anything to me, and yet, I was terrified at the thought of being alone with him. That look he had in his eyes at my house still haunted me.
“Of course not,” I answered, dropping my eyes, unable to stare at him for a moment longer. “I just need to lock up. How about I meet you there?”
I held my breath as I waited for his answer. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, he nodded and took a step back. “I’ll see you there.”
As soon as he was gone, I ran over and locked the door, fingers shaking and terrified for what I’d just gotten myself into. Spinning around, I pressed my back to the door and took a deep breath.
“It’s going to be fine. Everything’s fine,” I repeated.
Besides, he came to fix the door. That’s all he wanted. But just to be on the safe side, I messaged Alyssa, casually mentioning that my door was being fixed, and that Wyatt would be over there soon.
There. At least if anything happened to me, they would have a suspect in mind.
I briefly considered messaging Sam about the whole thing, but after how weird things were after Thanksgiving, I decided against it.
He wasn’t exactly someone I would think of as reliable in any situation that had to do with a relationship, and I wasn’t about to drag him into this when he made it perfectly clear that the only thing he wanted from me was sex.
“Screw it,” I muttered, gathering my things.
If I died tonight, at least I recently had good sex.
I bit my nail as Wyatt finished installing the door. It had been hours, but Wyatt never stopped for more than a water break. Despite the cold weather outside, he seemed determined to finish the job.
Which struck me as odd.
Why did I get such horrible feelings from him earlier if all he really wanted to do was get the door replaced?
Was I just that judgmental that I could only see what the town gossiped about?
Or maybe this was part of his plan. Maybe he was luring me into a state of ease, only to turn around and strike when I least suspected it.
After all, the rumor around town was that he murdered his wife, and that’s why she hadn’t been seen in years. Not that I ever believed that, but the way he backed me against the counter had me rethinking the possibility.