Chapter 16
Addison looked at her smartwatch. One more mile.
Sweat dripped from her brow. A cramp shot through her side, but she pushed herself.
After waking in Nash’s arms this morning, she snuck from his bed before dawn like a thief.
Running always cleared her mind. Too bad it wasn’t doing it for her this morning.
Her phone pinged. Anonymous text. Slowing to a stop, Addison bent and sucked in a breath as she tapped the message on her watch.
One word appeared. Not a nice one at that.
She tapped the screen with more force than was necessary.
Straightening, she scanned the street and buildings around her.
It was quiet this morning. Only one car sat in the church parking lot.
Another obscene message popped up. Addison blocked it and reported it as junk.
These messages were weirding her out, not that she’d admit it to Nash. But with each blocked message, a new one appeared. Either the caller had an unlimited supply of phone numbers, or they found a way around her block. The thought of a techie stalker had her knees shaking.
The rock through her window actually had her calling the police last night. Sure, Nash thought it was at his urging, but her home being violated pushed her over the edge.
A car engine revved. Addison whipped around. Her heart thundered in her chest.
She scanned left, then right, not knowing which way to go.
The church bell rang, and she jumped. The bell rang three times a day other than for mass. Six in the morning, noon, and six at night.
She stared at the wood and brick building. Next thing she knew, she was climbing the concrete stairs. It probably wasn’t open, but something urged her on.
Wiping her hands on her shorts, she gripped the door handle and pulled. Miraculously, the door opened.
Well, shit. She hadn’t been to service in years. Now, what should she do? Go in or run like Chicken Little?
Music flowed from the worship area. Someone was playing the organ. Addison tiptoed through the welcome space and into the larger area where they held services. Empty. She slipped into the back pew and listened. She couldn’t recall the song, but it was beautiful.
The music stopped. Addison tensed, swiveling around to see if anyone was coming. When no one appeared to kick her to the curb, she exhaled.
Staring at the cross above the pulpit, she let her mind wander. After a minute, she bowed her head and interlocked her fingers. “Our Father…”
When she finished the prayer, she frowned. Now what?
With a shrug, she started another. “Hail Mary, full of grace. Her fleece was white as snow.” She stopped. Wait. That isn’t it.
It had been so long she’d totally forgotten the words. She dropped her head into her hands.
Her mom always told her to talk to Jesus when she needed him. He’d be there. Well, here goes nothing.
“Jesus. Hi, it’s me. Addison.” She shook her head. “Shit, like he doesn’t know it’s me.”
She slapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry about the swearing. Let me start over.”
She cleared her throat and focused on the cross. “It’s been a while. And I don’t have a right to ask you for help, but I was running by and” —she rolled her eyes— “sorry. Let’s start again.”
She ran a hand through her hair, pushing back the strands that had escaped her ponytail, and exhaled. “It’s been a rough couple of weeks. I lost my job. Partly my fault. I see that now. But at least I stopped things with Mark before they went too far.”
Did she get brownie points for that? She sucked in a breath before continuing, “I’ve had some crank calls.
Hangups. Those didn’t bother me so much, but they’ve gotten worse.
And you know…” She blinked back the mist clouding her vision.
“I’m scared. Not just because of the weirdo trying to freak me out. No, it’s Nash.”
There. She’d said it out loud, and the roof didn’t collapse. “After waking in his arms… My feelings for Nash Steele scare the ever-living shit out of me.”
She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I need to stop swearing.”
“That’s okay. Jesus has heard worse, and so have I.” A figure moved from the shadows. Betty from the diner stepped into the light.
Addison almost peed her pants. “Were you there the whole time?”
“Yes and no. I was in the choir loft, practicing. When I heard you praying, I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“I should be going.” Addison stood and rushed from the pew into the welcome area.
“See you later. By the way, today’s lunch special is pulled pork and slaw. It’s Nash’s favorite.” The woman winked.
“Thanks.” Addison bolted from the church. She’d be lucky to get back to Nash’s and pick up her cat before Betty spread the new gossip to half the town.
Her phone rang. This time, she clenched her jaw before opening the message. Her breath whooshed out at the sight of Marti’s name.
She tapped a reply. Girls’ night tonight?
“You have a lot of explaining to do.” Marti stood on the doorstep, one hand on her hip, the other holding a bottle of wine.
Well, shit. The news was out. All of Gray Duck Grove probably knew by now that she’d spent the night with Nash.
She flagged her friend inside and closed the door.
She peered through the shiny new windowpane.
Nash had demanded her key at lunch so he and Cade could replace the pane.
It was his stipulation to her moving back home.
“I heard from Mr. Wilson at the Farm and Fleet.” With her free arm, she pulled Addison in for a big hug. “I want all the details, but not yet. Laney texted. She’s on her way.”
“Mr. Wilson knows?” News traveled fast and wide in town. Addison shook her head as she took the wine to the kitchen. The doorbell rang as she popped the cork free from the bottle.
“I got it. I hope she brought cookies.” Marti sprinted to the door and was back a moment later. Her brows elevated. “You have a guest.”
“Hey, nice house.”
“Corey? What are you doing here?” And how do you know where I live? She’d been careful to meet him in a public place. Addison made it a rule never to share her address until the third date.
Except for Nash. But it wasn’t really a date. She’d been blowing off steam.
Just keep telling yourself that.
“I texted earlier to see if you wanted to catch the game down at the bar?”
“I must have missed it. So, you tracked me down?”
One jersey-clad shoulder shrugged. “It wasn’t too hard. My mama’s bestie lives two doors down. She knew you.”
He told his mom about me after one date? Well, shit. Sometimes Addison forgot how small Gray Duck Grove really was.
Corey glanced around the room. He looked totally out of place in his head-to-toe Twins paraphernalia.
“Thanks, but I have company tonight.” She gestured toward Marti, who was now sitting at the counter, sipping her wine.
“Oh. She can come too. The guys will be there.” He wasn’t getting the hint.
The doorbell rang, and Laney walked in. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Cookies? Yes!” Marti snagged the container from her. “You’re my savior. The kids were in overdrive today.”
Laney eyed Addison before turning to Corey. “Are you joining us tonight?”
His gaze drifted to the cookie in Marti’s hand. He shrugged. “Can we turn on the game?”
Addison opened her mouth, but Laney cut her off. “Sure. Take off your pants, and I’ll go heat the wax.” She started toward the bathroom.
“Wax? What?” Wrinkles of doubt marked his painted face.
“It’s spa night. If you’re staying, you’re getting a bikini wax and brow tweeze. It only hurts for a second… or two.” Laney batted her big blue eyes at him.
Corey stepped back. “Thanks, but um. The guys are waiting for me. I’ll catch you later, Addison.” He flew out the door like his pants were on fire.
Silence hung in the room until Addison closed the door. A snicker slipped from Marti, and then the floodgates opened. The room erupted in laughter.
“That was a good one. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.” Addison held a hand to her aching side.
“Thanks. I’m pretty proud of myself. One look at you and I could tell you didn’t want him here. Not tonight.” Laney sat on the stool next to Marti and snagged a cookie.
“Okay, we’re here. We had unexpected entertainment. Now, it’s time for you to spill.” Marti handed Addison a glass of wine.
“I don’t know where to start.” She rubbed her fingers on her temple.
“How about with the baseball game?” Laney gave her an encouraging look.
“Screw the game. I want to know about the rock through the window.” Marti stared at her, not blinking. Waiting.
Mr. Wilson. The window. “That’s what you meant when you said you heard about it at the Farm and Fleet.”
“Yeah. What else would I be talking about? Wait? There is something else. Okay, I need to top off my wine, then start from the beginning.” Marti grabbed the bottle and refilled all three glasses before nodding for Addison to continue.
Addison blew out a breath. Here goes. “You know I went to Davey’s game with Nash.”
“Yes. How was it?”
She thought for a second before answering. “Entertaining. They lost, but Davey had a good game… Nash kissed me.”
“And…?” Laney brightened.
“Woot! Woot!” Marti fist-bumped Laney.
“And it was… a surprise. Davey had a great play, and I think the kiss was to shut down the mom who kept hitting on Nash.”
“Oh, bummer,” Laney said.
“Yeah… not really.” Addison took a drink of her wine, fully avoiding eye contact.
“Addison?” Laney’s brow shot up.
Addison cleared her throat. “Anyway. After the game, we stopped by his parents’ house. They are so sweet, and… he… He’s such a good son.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I was, a little. My first impression of Nash was so wrong. Like out-of-the-ballpark wrong.”
“And after his parents’ house?” Marti asked.
“He brought me home, and we found the broken window. Guys, he went all protective hero. He wouldn’t let me go in until he checked out the house. I’m not going to lie. It was kinda hot.”
Marti fanned herself.
“He insisted I call the police.”
“I love a man who takes charge.” Marti snagged another cookie.
“Oh, he took charge and wouldn’t let me stay here until the window was fixed. So, I packed up Lu, and we had a sleepover at Nash’s house.”
“Was Davey home?”
“No. He was at his mother’s.”
“Oooh, that’s interesting.” Marti grinned over the rim of her glass.
“Wait. You and Lu. How did Max and Lu get along?” Laney paused, her wine halfway to her mouth.
“Surprisingly well. I thought Lu would kick the poor pup’s butt. Except he didn’t. They played.”
“Did you and Nash play?” Laney asked.
Heat flooded Addison’s face.
“Say no more.”
“Hold up. I want more. How was it?” Marti leaned in.
Addison couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips.
Marti waved her off. “Never mind. From the look of you, he rocked your world.”
“It was… good. Better than good, but…” She scrunched up her face.
“What?” Laney frowned.
“It was strange. I freaked. Not during, but in the morning. I ran like a scared little girl. I never run. Fuck the walk of shame. I strut out the door and own it. Anyway, I took a run to clear my head, and when I got back, I thanked him and said I needed to go home. Other than when he asked for my keys to fix the window, we haven’t talked. ”
“You need to.”
“I know. We will. I just needed a day to process it all.” Addison slumped into the chair.
Laney patted her hand. “There’s more going on than you and Nash hooking up. You have a stalker.”
The word slapped her back. She knew someone didn’t like her. Not everyone did, but a stalker? That implied they wanted to do her harm.
“Hey. You have us. We have your back. And now, Nash does too.” Marti put her hand on top of Laney’s and Addison’s.
“And Cade too. We all have your back.”
“Thanks, guys.” For so many years, it was just her mother and her, then Laney and Marti too, but now… She had a feeling she’d need all the help she could get.