Chapter 8
Landry
“Do you want to drop this stuff off at my house and come back into town for dinner?” Taylor asks as we exit the boutique on Main Street.
“No, we don’t have that much. We can carry it and tuck the bags under the table while we eat.”
“Okay, what sounds good?”
We wander along the street, debating restaurants.
“How about the diner?” I ask, nodding across the street.
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
She laughs as she grabs my hand and tugs me to the front door.
Today has been wonderful. It’s rare that Taylor and I have alone time.
Reyes is always hovering, and even when he’s working, I’ve been too nervous to be much fun.
Today is the first time I feel safe and carefree.
I can be myself and hang out with my sister.
“How about that booth?” Taylor asks.
I nod, following her to the booth in the back. I glance over at where Cooper and I had our first date and smile, blushing slightly as I sit and slip my shopping bags onto the booth beside me.
“What’s that look about?” Taylor asks as she passes me a menu.
“Cooper and I came here on our first date.”
She smiles knowingly. “It’s crazy how fast it happens, isn’t it?”
I frown. “What? How fast what happens?”
“How fast you fall in love with them.”
I blink, my hands tightening around my menu. “Love? Cooper and I haven’t said that to each other,” I admit quietly.
She shrugs. “Maybe not with words, but he’s shown you every day since he met you. That’s how it always seems to go with these guys. Plus, I know you. You’re glowing. I can see that you love him.”
Am I in love with Cooper? Surely, it's too soon? I mean, he’s been nothing but kind, generous, sweet, and patient with me. He’s made me feel safe and in control again. He walks with me, never making me feel like a baby for still having anxiety after the kidnapping.
He’s been my dream man this entire time. I never really thought about having a dream man. I always thought I would stay single forever, that it would be Taylor and me against the world. But now I can’t imagine my life without Cooper.
“I should tell him,” I whisper.
Taylor snorts. “I’m sure he’d love to hear it. If he’s anything like Reyes, he’s going to make you say it a hundred times a day.”
“Hello, ladies!” our server greets, appearing at our booth. “What can I get for you?”
We quickly place our order and go back to catching up.
“So… how was the other night?” Taylor asks, leaning closer to me across the table.
I smirk, knowing she’s talking about the night of the full moon. Turning my head, I show her my bite mark.
“Amazing,” I sigh dreamily.
Taylor chuckles. “I know, right? I remember in high school, the girls used to complain about the first times. Hell, they’d complain about having sex with their boyfriends all the time. Talking about how bad it was, how they never got off, how selfish their guys were.”
I grin. “Not Cooper.”
She winks. “Not Reyes either.”
“I never thought I’d date or get married… or fated,” I whisper. “I mean, after watching Mom…”
“Yeah, me neither. I thought we’d be living together in our eighties with a dog or cat or something.”
“Same.”
“I would have loved that,” she says softly.
I smile. “Me too, but this is better. Seeing you so happy and in love. Seeing Reyes take care of you. It’s what you deserve.”
“You too,” she whispers, dabbing at the tears in her eyes.
Our food is dropped off, and we both dig in. The conversation turns to our search for work and getting settled in town.
“What else do you still need to buy?” Taylor asks as we wrap up.
I look over what I bought today. Socks, some sexy new bras and underwear that I can’t wait to show Cooper, a few pairs of pajamas, face wash and moisturizer, and new hair ties.
“I think I’m good for now. When winter comes, I’ll need boots and a coat, that kind of stuff, but I have the essentials.”
“Me too.”
Taylor pays the bill, and we stand, gathering our stuff. I smother a yawn as we head out, and she laughs.
“All this shopping has worn me out,” she says, smothering a yawn herself.
“We can take a nap on the couch when we get back to your place. The guys won’t be home for a few more hours,” I say, glancing at my watch.
“Sounds like a plan. Come on, we can take a shortcut back to my place.”
I follow her outside and around to the back of the diner to the hiking trail. Looking down, I adjust my bags in my hands, and when I look up again, it’s too late.
“Taylor!” I scream, but the van is already screeching to a stop next to us.
Everything happens so fast. I’m frozen in shock and fear, and it feels like I’m watching everyone move in slow motion.
Taylor turns to me, her eyes wide and scared. She reaches for me, to grab me or push me out of the way, I’m not sure.
The men jump out of the van, two of them going for Taylor and three for me. I open my mouth to scream, but they press a cloth over my face. They do the same to Taylor, and I watch her eyes droop as mine grow heavy.
Darkness swirls around me as the men grab me and toss me in the back of the van. Tears trickle from my eyes as the door slams shut behind me.
My last thought before I’m pulled under is if Cooper will find me in time.
Then the blackness takes me.