Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
W as it lonelier to have a friend who didn’t try to connect, or to have never made that friendship in the first place? It was a loneliness tinged with hurt.
She’d meet the right man someday. She hoped. Meanwhile, she was self-sufficient. She always had her ear out for any accounting jobs that might come up. She’d graduated with honors but hadn’t put her knowledge to the test yet. If her stepfather hadn’t been found out, she would have never used her degree. They probably would have married her off to the richest buyer. The whole thing left a bad taste in her mouth.
She stood from her seat on the sofa. If she didn’t leave soon, she would be late for work. Knowing Glen would be there to silently stare and glare at her made working there more of a chore these days. She’d enjoyed working at The Morning Glory until Glen. He unnerved her. Yesterday, she’d noticed him trailing behind her as she went home. Why follow her? The town was so small he had to know where she lived.
He’d taken away her sense of security, and it was time to make him stop harassing her.
The best part of work was Ruby Lou. She actually cared.
The familiar thunk of the bell was almost a comfort when she entered The Morning Glory Café. The place was empty.
“Ruby Lou? Where is everyone?” she called as she tied her apron.
She screamed as she was grabbed from behind. All she saw was a gun out of the corner of her eye, aimed at her head.
“Please—”
“Please what? Please be nice to you? That’s not going to happen.”
It was Glen’s voice, and a shiver of fear ran up her spine. Struggle or not? Her instinct was to smash her head backwards into his face, but that wouldn’t work. Would he harm her either way?
He dragged her into the kitchen and slammed her down on a chair, causing her to wince. Before she knew it, her hands were tied behind her back and to the chair.
“Where is Ruby Lou?” Her voice trembled. “And Gus?”
He smiled. “They are cooling off in the walk-in cooler. They were easy to herd up. Well, once they saw the gun, that is.” He released a harsh, mirthless laugh.
Lord, please protect those in the cooler. Please, please …
“You know, all I did was be nice to you. I paid attention to you. I left tips. I tried to be the perfect gentleman and the perfect boyfriend.” He paced back and forth, in his agitation waving the gun about.
“I was born here in Tyrone. I had to leave for a while, but I’m back. It seems my friends are gone. ALL I WANTED WAS YOUR FRIENDSHIP!!!” He leaned in close. “And I get what I want. Sometimes it just has to be the hard way.” He walked out of the kitchen.
It was difficult to breathe. Her lungs were struggling to get enough air. Panic attack? She’d never had one before, but this was what she might have imagined.
Glen walked back into the kitchen. “I had to make sure the door was locked, and I put the closed sign up. I did that when I first got here, but then I didn’t want you to think anything suspicious was going on. When I saw you walking down the block, I opened the door and put the open sign up.” He looked at her, and then his brow furrowed. “You look so pale.”
“I’m having a hard time breathing. It’ll go away once I’m calm.” Her attempt to take a full breath failed.
“You have nothing to fear from me,” he said. He sounded serious.
What was wrong with him? Not one person had ever told her Glen was dangerous. He was stalkerish, but…
“So what do we do now?” he asked.
Staring down at her knees, she schooled her expression. Was he asking her or baiting her? Was it a rhetorical question?
“No ideas?” he mocked. “I want to know why you led me on.”
“I thought we—we were friends. Like you said, we did spend a lot of time together.” She gasped again, trying to pull in enough air to speak. “Is this about the event at the Community Center? I didn’t mean to make plans to meet you and not show.”
“Liar!”
The trembling wouldn’t stop.
“Glen, I know what it’s like to have no friends. I’m new to this town. I was raised in boarding schools. Girls only liked me because my stepfather was supposedly rich. Most people here in this town know what my stepfather did, and it hasn’t been easy to form friendships. I’ve been kicked out of McKeegan homes twice.” Unwanted tears stung her eyes. “It’s hard to be on your own.”
“Twice?” He snickered. “I thought the older one liked you, but I guess not. Are you trying to get his money?”
Shaking her head, she finally pulled a full breath. “No. I want to make my own money. I never want to be homeless and penniless again. I’m not good enough for the McKeegan name.”
“I guess we are alike that way,” he mused, frowning. “I’ve been looking for a job. My brother runs the family ranch and doesn’t see a place for me. I do live there, though. I have my own house, and I don’t do anything. It’s a win for me. Maybe you could live there with me.”
“I would like to meet your family,” she offered, praying she sounded sincere. “Isn’t that how friendships are formed? We get to know each other.”
“I already told you I spent a lot of time getting to know you. I know you had a car that anyone would love to have. I know you used to dress like a classy lady. Now you wear clothes that are plain and cheap. See, I do know lots of things about you.” He smiled as though he’d just won a prize.
“Glen? Friends don’t tie the hands of their friend. Friends don’t make the other friend afraid.”
He glared angrily, making her quickly look away.
Glen had been ignoring the knocking on the door, but now the knocking had turned into pounding.
“I’m going to untie you and go out the back door. Friend or not, if you tell anyone I was here, I’ll kill you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Glen I understand.”
Please Lord, I don’t want to die today. I need your protection for me and everyone else.
Her hands were untied, and Glen walked backward to the door and left.
She quickly locked the back door and then opened the cooler. Ruby looked frightened and Gus had a black eye.
“Praise be to God!” exclaimed Ruby Lou. “I prayed the whole time we were in there that he’d not harm you. Gus, come and sit at the counter. You need to warm up. People are pounding on the door. I’d best open it before they break through the glass,” Ruby added as she led Gus to a seat.
Thank You, Lord. Thank You for never leaving me.
“Gus, let me get you some water,” Aurora suggested.
“I’d rather have coffee. Ruby put it on before—” A crowd of people surged into the Café.
Aurora filled a mug and handed it to Gus. With so much going on, she hadn’t glanced at the crowd.
She felt a hand on her and turned around. Stewart looked at her and opened his arms.
The trembling of her body finally ceased. It was fine and comforting to find safety in the arms of someone you loved.
Loved? She’d best put that out of her head, but for the moment, she’d allow herself to feel.
Pulling away, Stewart took Aurora’s hand and led her to a table. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. Then he tenderly kissed her cheek.
“I was so worried about you. Receiving the call, I felt a tight knot in my throat as my heart raced. I got here as fast as I could. I thought… I wanted to break the door down, but the sheriff wouldn’t allow it.”
“And you’re not the most patient of men.”
“Not where you’re concerned. Are you sure you’re not hurt? He didn’t touch you, did he?”
“No, he just tied my hands behind my back. I was never so scared, and he’s still out there. He had a gun. I don’t know what to do.” Her eyes glistened.
He pulled her closer and rubbed her back. Her body relaxed against him. He’d protect her if it was the last thing he did.
“I know you like your independence. I also know you are quite capable of looking out for yourself, but I won’t be able to sleep knowing you are alone. Would you please come to the ranch where there is security? Just for as long as you like. I had a talk with Katie, and she won’t be meddling in our business again.”
She nodded against his shoulder, and his heart soared. He’d best lasso that heart. He didn’t know how Aurora felt. He’d woo her if he had to. Flora would know what to do.