Saved by the Blizzard: A romantic winter thriller (Tellure Hollow Book 2) (5 page)

I tried not to gape at him. The polite tone was like hearing him try to speak Portuguese, obviously rusty and awkward on the tongue. Not only that, but he was referring to Rick as ‘Steve,’ which had to be significant. I was too overwhelmed to piece all this together. Everything was happening too fast.

Rick appeared from my left, brushing past me casually. He and Noah shared a knowing look, almost a nod and smile. Something about it raised my hackles. Feeling like I was at a distinct disadvantage in terms of scheming, I played the cards I had. I took advantage of the power I had over Hughes. Locking my eyes on him, I could almost see him tremble. “Do you think I could speak to you for a moment, officer?” I glanced at Noah and then added, “In private?”

His Adam’s apple bounced with a deep swallow, but he gestured to the room beside the one Dylan had pulled Walt into. “Ah...of course.”

I swished past him, feeling Noah’s cold eyes on my back as I left. As soon as the cop shut the door behind me, I let the tears I’d been holding back well to the surface. He didn’t need to know they were more out of frustration and anger than from fear. I settled on the edge of a cheap looking office chair and made a show of wiping my cheeks.

“The man back there,” I sniffed, “he’s been stalking me. I spoke to Officer Dylan before, but he’s obviously busy now with Walt...”

The officer came around to the side of the desk and leaned against it, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “It’s alright, we have him behind bars now. He won’t be able to hurt you.”

I swallowed my annoyance. “No, the other guy. He says his name is Steve but...” I sobbed a few times, shrinking away from his touch. Blinking up, hoping whatever makeup I still had on was running a little, I found his eyes. “His real name is Rick Oakley. He has a criminal record and I’m pretty sure he wants to hurt me.”

The policeman grew serious which somehow made him look younger, like a confused child. “Has he put his hands on you? Is that how you got all those cuts?”

I considered lying but had the feeling it might end up biting me in the ass. I shook my head but kept my expression terrified. “He tried to kidnap me and I had to jump out of the truck to get away. But he’s made it obvious he wants to. He came after me with a gun.”

“Okay, I believe you but I’ll have to look into what you’re telling me. Where does he have a criminal record?”

“North Carolina.”

“Do you want to press charges? File for a restraining order?”

I chewed on the idea but ultimately decided it would be a lot of hassle for little payout. What I wanted most was for Rick to show up on their radar. His history would take care of the rest. I shook my head.

“There’s not a lot I can do right now but I’ll give him a good talking to, maybe scare him straight.” I nearly laughed at the idea of this kid scaring Rick straight, but I managed to keep it together. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to me between his first and middle fingers. “You call me the second something happens and I’ll come straight away. Any time.” He looked at me earnestly, boring the hint in with his eyes.
I get it buddy, I have your number.

I held the card in my hand, choosing to pretend he was looking out for my wellbeing and not just trying to get into my pants. “Thank you,” I said flashing him a demure smile. “I feel better already.”

When we walked out of the room, I came face to face with Rick and Noah. I took pleasure in their bruises and obvious concern about my private meeting with the rookie cop. But they still stood there, free, cocky, and dangerous.

I touched the cop lightly on the arm as I passed. “Thank you,” I whispered. “Do you think I’d be able to go visit my friend in the cell again? I feel really uncomfortable out here with...” I nodded towards Rick. “I promise, I’ll really be good this time.”

“What a fucking day that was,” I groaned as Bryan opened the door to his house. It was well past 9 p.m. and my stomach was grumbling. In all the excitement, we hadn’t eaten anything all day except those stale sugar cookies from the station.

Bryan chuckled softly as he closed the door behind me. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you, but you have such an elegant way with words.”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” I said with a wink. “You don’t grow up on a military base without a few things rubbing off on you.”

He stepped behind me and set the plastic shopping bags on the counter. We’d stopped by the gas station on the way home, the only business in town open on Christmas night. We had a veritable feast of microwave burritos, chips, and beer to look forward to. Honestly, I couldn’t have cared less what we ate as long as we were together.

The police had allowed Rick to leave with Noah without much questioning. It took a few hours to finally get the charges booked against Bryan, but the moment he had been officially arrested, Walt posted bail and he was free to go. By the time we left the station, I’d had all the officers in stitches with my jokes but Bryan had barely cracked a smile. Even when I’d returned to the cell to cheer him up, he’d remained mostly sullen and reserved. There were little reminders here and there that no matter how comfortable I felt in his presence, I didn’t actually know him all that well. I couldn’t get a good read on him. Was he embarrassed? Upset? Disappointed? I hated the awkwardness between us but I wasn’t sure what more I could do or say.

He popped the microwave open and tossed in our dinner, the clicking of the old-fashioned dial the loudest sound in the room. Digging through the bag, I pulled two cans of beer free from the plastic rings and cracked them open, handing him one without a word. I leaned against the counter, facing him without meeting his eye. There was a long pause as we took sips of the foamy liquid.

“I’m really sorry—” I started.

“We need to talk—” he said at the same time.

Our eyes met and we laughed. Figures that we’d speak at the exact same time.

“What did you say?”

He smiled almost shyly as the bell on the microwave dinged. “It’s alright, let’s eat first.”

The awkwardness was still palpable. We ate in near-silence, making small talk about the weather, New Year’s Eve plans, anything but what weighed heavy. It was agonizing. While it might seem hard to believe given all my secrets, I hated leaving things unsaid. In my mind, I was just waiting for him to drop a bomb on me. Being so hyper-aware of the police presence, we hadn’t had a chance to talk about everything that had happened, even why Rick was suddenly Steve, complete with a driver’s license and everything. Despite the night we’d spent together, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. With a heavy heart, I braced myself for the worst. I couldn’t blame him if he decided my baggage was too heavy to help carry.

I could tell he was nervous about something. He inhaled his dinner so quickly, I’d only managed to take three bites of the scalding hot burrito before he began to talk.

“My dad died in a car accident.”

I nearly choked on a chunk of tortilla. The way he’d blurted it out! It wasn’t the shoe I’d prepared for, but I knew I had to roll with it. Swallowing quickly so I could respond without spitting my food out, he continued talking before I could get a chance. I slid over on the sofa and wrapped my arm around his shoulder. I didn’t know where this was coming from but I wanted him to know I was there to listen, despite the burrito lodged in my throat.

“I don’t talk about him much, but I want to...with you. It’s just hard...that day...”

“Is that when you got hurt, too?” I asked quietly.

He looked at me sideways, his features cast in long shadows. How I wished I could read his mind, just so I could find the right words to comfort him! After a pause, he nodded. I tried to ignore the unconscious way he rubbed at his bad knee, like he was soothing away the memory.

“Oh God, Bryan I’m so sorry,” I said nestling my head onto his shoulder. “That’s terrible.”

“It uh...it changed my entire life.” I could tell he was having a difficult time with talking.
Why right now? Why after everything that happened today did he feel the need to do this?
“I wanted to tell you at the cabin,” he said, his voice low. “You’ve been so...honest with me. I know I haven’t been as open but—I was a different person back then. I didn’t want you to find out any other way—”

“But when did you even have a chance?” I laughed. “Between saving me from my psycho ex and teaching me how to ski, we haven’t had a lot of time to sit and get to know each other.” I cupped my hand on his opposite cheek and pulled his face towards me. “It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past. Who we are now, who we’re becoming in the future...that’s what matters. You have such a good heart.” Bryan studied my eyes. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more, but chose to kiss me instead. I almost gave into the magnetic pull of his lips, but I felt I needed to drill my point home. “As long as we’re open and honest with each other, I don’t care what’s happened in the past.”

I didn’t mean to completely shut him down, just reassure him. My declaration seemed to comfort him but I could tell there were things left unsaid. By the time we finished the beer, a deep weariness had completely sunk into my bones. After a quick shower to wash off all the grime from our little fugitive adventure, we curled up into bed. Bryan’s arm slipped easily over my waist as he buried his face in my hair, slipping into place like perfect puzzle pieces. I had no idea what the next day would bring, but it felt good to feel safe.

If I’d only kept my damn mouth shut and let him talk, we might’ve been able to avoid the whole thing.

____________

We were pretty much inseparable for the next couple days. With Rick still roaming free, it seemed inevitable that he’d come for me again. Of course, he’d backed off with all the added police attention but it was a matter of when, not if, he’d be back.

Walt didn’t seem to mind my presence in the shop and I made myself useful. I’d greet customers, make coffee, clean up the perpetually messy shop area. Getting free labor was pretty much the only thing I’d ever seen put a smile on Walt’s face. Well, that and stories about Bryan smashing Noah’s face in.

While we hadn’t had
the
conversation, all the extra time together made me feel like Bryan and I were becoming an official couple. Our lives fit together so easily. We’d go to work, come home, make dinner, go to bed. A few times we went out to the bar if we didn’t feel like cooking. It somehow felt familiar, comfortable, but new all at once. I found myself looking at him throughout the day and trying to remember what it felt like to be without him. I’m not saying I was falling in love or anything crazy like that, but I was content.

Everyone was happy with the arrangement, except for Kayla. Two days before New Year’s Eve, she came storming into the shop. I suppose a little blame could be laid on me. I
had
been ignoring her calls all day, but in my defense, she had been calling every twenty minutes. We hadn’t actually seen each other since the night I’d run away. I refused to go up to the cabin and she refused to come down to Bryan’s.

The bell tinkled over the door and I heard her call my name. “Liz! Are you here? Lizzie?” There was a crash and her mumbled curses as she knocked a display over, still shouting my name.

“We’re back here,” Walt called out from the register as she appeared. “Ah, how are you, miss? How those skis working out for you?”

Kayla glanced at him as if a lamp had magically begun speaking to her. Quickly blinking and with a slight furrow of the brow, she said, “Yeah, good, whatever.” She looked at me, her expression morphing into exaggerated relief. “
There
you are! Why haven’t you answered me? I was scared shitless.”

“I’m fine. You don’t need to keep calling me all the time.” It was difficult keeping the irritation from my response.

She reached across the counter and grabbed my arm, pulling me to the opening. “I can’t help it when you’re staying with him,” she said in a low voice. She dove against me, pinning my arms to my sides in a big hug.

I pressed my lips together to keep from screaming. She could be so pig-headed and frustrating! “Bryan isn’t a problem. Steve is the problem and as long as you refuse to accept that, I can’t come back.”

“I think you’re forgetting who assaulted Noah with a gun. Have you seen his face?” she whispered harshly. She looked over my shoulder to where Bryan was working, as if he’d be able to hear her over the sound of the grinder.