by Rose Pressey
“Okay, you’re right, Mary Jane, we should definitely ask him what he’s doing.” I pushed my shoulders back and held my head up.
I could handle this. After all, I was the café owner. It was my responsibility to protect my employees.
“Maybe I should be the one to say something to him? I could just march up to the table and tell him to stop staring at me.” Mildred said in her soft voice.
“Something tells me he might not listen to you,” I said.
I’d prepared myself to confront him when suddenly he stopped watching us and focused his attention on his plate of food. He kind of looked lonely sitting there. Maybe I was too harsh. Now I was having second thoughts.
“Hold on just a second.” I held up my hand. “We don’t know for sure what’s going on yet. We don’t want to accuse him if he’s just looking at someone else. Besides, he’s back to eating his food now.”
I’d spoken too soon. He finished his bite and then focused on us again.
“Ugh. He’s watching again,” Mary Jane said.
I looked over my shoulder to see if he was watching someone else but there was no one directly behind us. Maybe Mildred had a valid reason for her weird feeling.
“Excuse me, can I get more pie?” a man at the counter asked.
“I need more coffee,” a woman called from across the room.
It looked as if confronting the strange man would have to wait. Time slipped away quickly though after helping all the customers and my chance to speak with him was gone.
Everyone had left the diner now, including the mystery man. I felt the same vibe from him as Mildred. Even though he had left a big tip, I was glad that he was gone. I still wished we’d gotten a chance to ask him why he stared. I suppose it was pointless now.
Mary Jane collapsed onto one of the stools. “Thank goodness that’s all over.”
“Yeah, now we just have to clean up and we can get out of here. I’m going to take out the trash,” I said.
“I’m going to sweep the floor out here,” Mary Jane said as she pushed to her feet.
“What can I do?” Mildred asked.
“Well, it’s sweet of you to ask but I think we have everything else under control now. The dishes are done and everything has been wiped off.”
“Don’t let Elly around any of the ketchup bottles,” Laura said with a wink.
“I’ve had enough ketchup for one day,” I said. “I can’t wait to get home and clean up.”
At least most of the ketchup had flaked off now.
“You still smell like a tomato,” Mary Jane said.
I always hated taking the trash out here because it was dark and spooky. I needed to add more security lights. I had that listed that on my to-do list, but hadn’t gotten around to it. I should definitely make that a priority considering how creepy it was out here.
I scanned the area before I stepped out the back door. There was nothing around, but that didn’t make me feel all that much more comfortable. I eased away from the back door with a couple of bags of trash in each hand. I hurried toward the Dumpster.
Why did the Dumpster have to be so far away? There were a few trees back there, plenty of places for someone to hide. Not to mention the fact that someone could be hiding behind that giant Dumpster. I hurried my steps toward the Dumpster. Once there, I heaved the bags into the Dumpster and spun around in a hurry.
Movement caught my attention and I froze. I sucked in a deep breath and looked over my shoulder. Out of the shadows the man who’d been watching Mildred appeared. Well, I couldn’t make out exactly who it was, but I was almost certain it was him. He had stepped out from behind one of the trees. I knew those were good hiding places and that I should be worried.
“Who is it?” I called out.
Of course he didn’t answer. I wasn’t wasting another second. I spun around and ran for the back door. Once inside I slammed the door in a panic. What was he doing back there? He couldn’t have a good motive considering he was creeping around in the dark. I tried to steady my breathing so that I could stay calm. What would I tell the others? This would send them into a panic as well. Especially Mildred, as this guy had been watching her the most. I’d never seen this man round Mystic Hollow, so why was he here? Was he new in town?
Now I had to go out there and look for him. Well, not exactly. I would just peek outside to see if he had gone away. A tree rustled in the wind. Just that small movement sent shivers down my spine. I wrapped my hand around the door knob and released a deep breath before twisting it. I eased open the door, scanning all around the area. There was no sign of him.
I thought for sure I knew who this was. It was the mystery man who had been in the café. Mildred had been right to think that he was up to something. Now he was outside waiting for us. Should I call the police? Maybe that was a safe thing to do. It could be a serial killer for all I knew. Should I tell the others about this? I supposed I had to, but I didn’t want to freak them out.
What should I do? Even though I didn’t see him outside now, I still had to be on high alert. He could be anywhere out there, and we wouldn’t know it. I especially couldn’t let Mildred leave by herself. I would have to take her back to her bed-and-breakfast room. I would worry about her all night, wondering if the man had found her.
My heart beat faster as I stared out into the darkness. I hoped that he had gone and wouldn’t return. There was no movement outside. It was completely still—not even the branches on the trees moved. We were definitely going out the front door. And I had to get some lights out there. I felt a little bit better thinking that the man had gone, but I didn’t want to let my guard down.
“If you’re still out there I’m calling the police,” I yelled.
“What’s going on back here?” Mary Jane said as she stepped into the kitchen.
I knew my face showed that something was up. I was never good at hiding things like that. She frowned and placed her hands on her hips.
“Okay, what’s going on back here? Did you mess up on a spell?”
“No, why does everyone assume that first thing?”
She quirked an eyebrow
“Okay, fair enough, but that’s not what’s wrong.”
“Well, then what happened?” Mary Jane asked.
Now I would have to tell her. I never kept anything from her anyway. We would just have to keep this from Mildred.
“That creepy man was outside when I went to take out the trash.” I rushed my words.
Her eyes widened. “Oh, my gosh. Close the door and lock it. Is he still out there?”
“I think he’s gone now,” I said as I closed the door.
“You think he’s gone, but you’re not sure?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not sure.”
“Okay, we’ll take a look together.” Mary Jane said.
“Take a look for what?” Laura asked from over my shoulder.
I spun around to find Laura and Mildred were now in the kitchen standing behind us. So much for keeping this from them. I exchanged a look with Mary Jane. She shrugged.
“The strange man was outside when I took out the trash,” I said.
Laura gasped. Mildred’s eyes widened.
“He’s going to kill us, isn’t he?” Laura asked.
“No, of course not,” I said. “We’ll just tell him to get out of here.”
Laura nodded while Mildred remained frozen. I hoped this didn’t end badly.
“He can’t get all of us if we go out there,” Mary Jane said.
She’d always been brave. Like the time she’d confronted John Lashley on the playground. He’d bullied everyone until the day Mary Jane knocked him off the teeter-totter. Some things never changed.
I looked from Laura to Mildred. They stared as if they were terrified for a bit, but ultimately nodded.
Laura grabbed my arm as I was ready to open the door. “Wait. Why do we all have to go out there again? Can’t we just hide in the kitchen?”
; “Forever? We have to leave, right? You guys don’t want to spend the night in the café?”
“That might not be a bad idea,” Laura said around a sigh. “It’ll be light out then and we can go home.”
“But then we have to open the café again,” I said.
“Oh, right,” she said, releasing a deep breath.
“I suppose we have to check,” Mary Jane said.
“Okay, on the count of three I’ll open the door and then we’ll go outside.” I wrapped my hand around the door knob and tried to steady my anxiety.
I had to prepare myself in case the strange man was right there on the other side when I opened the door.
“What’s going on in here?” a male voice asked from out in the dining area.
We all screamed in unison. Mildred peeked out the door. “It’s a solid six-foot-three hunk of a man. He has perfect blond hair. He’s far away, but I think he has sparkling green eyes? They’re gorgeous like the rest of him. He’s fit too. I bet he has a rippling six-pack of abs underneath that green t-shirt. Don’t get me started on those blue jeans he’s wearing.”
“That was some description,” Mary Jane said. “I don’t know if I should stick my head in the freezer or be scared. Nevertheless, that’s Elly’s boyfriend Rory Covington.”
“I think that’s the most I’ve heard Mildred talk since she arrived. We’re back here, Rory,” I called out.
“I’m glad he’s here,” Laura said.
“Oh, thank goodness it’s just you,” I said when he stepped into the kitchen.
Rory stepped over to me and held me in his arms. “Are you all right? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“No ghost, just a strange man. He was outside. Well, that was after he was inside.”
“I’m confused. Where is the man now?” Rory asked.
“Well, he was in the restaurant and after we closed he was out back,” I said.
“What makes you think he’s strange?” Rory asked.
“He just gave off scary vibes when he was in the restaurant earlier and then I spotted him outside when I was taking out the trash. He popped out from behind a tree and was staring at me.”
“Ladies, you stay here. I’m going to check it out.” Rory headed toward the back door.
Before I had a chance to say anything like, “Be careful, Rory,” he was out the back door. We scrambled over to watch.
Chapter 4
Rory stepped out into the darkness and we watched from the refuge of the kitchen. I was antsy about this.
“What will we do if someone’s out there and attacks him?” Laura asked.
“Then we grab utensils from around us and we go after the guy. As a matter of fact, maybe we should arm ourselves right now.”
“I’m getting a knife,” Mary Jane said.
Mary Jane, Laura, Mildred and I ran around grabbing sharp objects. Mildred had an apple peeler.
“That’s an interesting choice,” I said.
“It was the first thing I saw,” she said.
“Okay, so now we’re ready if the guy tries to get Rory.”
It was so dark out that I could barely see. Rory was farther away from the café now.
“I hope he comes back soon,” I said.
“Me too. I want to get out of here,” Mary Jane said.
“Do you see him out there?” The meat cleaver wobbled in Laura’s shaky hand.
“I can’t see him now. Where do you think he went?” I asked.
“I didn’t see anyone,” Mary Jane whispered.
Rory jumped out in front of us. We screamed and stumbled backwards. Thank goodness none of us tried to stab him. Though Laura had reared the meat cleaver back, ready to whack Rory’s head. It would’ve been bad if the man had been at the door instead of Rory.
Rory held his hand up. “Sorry, ladies. Did I scare you?”
“Just a little bit,” I said, trying to catch my breath. “You didn’t see him?”
He shook his head. “He must be gone now.”
Rory stepped inside the kitchen and closed the door behind him. My tension was still high. Rory secured the lock and I set the knife down. The other ladies still held their weapons.
“I think it’s safe now. You can put those down,” Rory said, casting a nod my way.
“Yeah, we’re okay, everybody. Put down your weapons.”
Reluctantly they put their utensils away.
“What do you think that guy was doing out there?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, it’s probably a creep and he wanted to get another look at the lovely ladies working at Mystic Café.”
“He might get more than he bargains for,” Mary Jane said with a pump of her fist.
“It’s time for us to get out of here,” I said, motioning for everyone to follow me toward the door.
We made our way out into the dining room, but we were hesitant about stepping out into the darkness. We huddled together on the sidewalk as I locked the door.
“Mildred, we can take you to your place,” I said. “You’re staying at the cottages?”
“Oh, I suppose I could walk,” Mildred said.
I exchanged a look with the others. Apparently, Mildred was serious.
“I don’t think so, Mildred,” I said. “Not after what happened tonight.”
“Well, if you’re sure it’s no trouble,” she said.
“It’s absolutely no trouble,” Rory said.
Mary Jane was giving Laura a ride home.
“Call me when you get home safely,” I called out to Mary Jane as she got in her car.
Mary Jane tossed her hand up. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
Mildred got into the truck with Rory and me. I sat in the middle. It was a tight fit but it was better than having her walk.
“So you’re staying at the cottages, Mildred?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s where Tom got me a room,” she said.
I felt Rory glance over at me at the mention of Tom. I knew he would ask about Tom’s visit once Mildred was out of the truck. It wasn’t a long drive and soon we pulled up to the cottages.
Rory walked Mildred up to the door, making sure that the innkeeper answered. As soon as Mildred was able to check in okay Rory and I got back into the truck and headed out toward my place. I knew he would stay the night with me because he would be worried about the incident. He’d want to check the doors and windows. Though he would have to leave early in the morning so that he could get back to the farm. That meant he would leave before the sun was even up.
The silence in the truck didn’t last long.
As soon as we came to a red light Rory looked over at me and asked, “So Tom was in town?”
I’d known he would ask that. “Yes, he brought Mildred. He didn’t stay long. Two minutes, maybe. He had a slice of the cherry pie.”
A frown remained on Rory’s face.
“What did he say?” Rory asked.
Rory said there was a chemistry between Tom and me. I wouldn’t deny that, but nothing had happened between us other than just a kiss.
“He said he brought Mildred here because of a big mission and he needed my help,” I said.
“Tom always seems to need your help,” he said.
“Rory, you’re just being jealous now.”
“Well, can you blame me?” he said. “This mysterious guy is always popping in and out. His life seems so glamorous and I’m just a farmer.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Tom is mysterious. I never know when he’s gonna be around. You can’t count on him. I know I can always count on you.”
“Oh, great. Reliable old Rory. You make me sound like this pickup truck,” he said.
“Cut that out right now. You’re just being negative,” I said. “I don’t think of you like that.”
When he flashed a sad-eyed look my way my heart melted. What else could I say to make him feel better? At the moment I was all out of words. I hoped I thought of something to make him feel better soon. I always wanted to m
ake everyone feel better. When I couldn’t achieve that then it made me feel as if I was a failure.
Soon we had arrived at my house, pulling down the long gravel driveway to the tiny white cottage house that I called home, sweet home. This place made me safe and secure, nestled among the fullness of the trees. Tiny snowflakes started to drift downward from the clouds. Soon it would be time to decorate the tree. I couldn’t wait to share that with Rory. We’d have a fresh pine that I’d place right in front of the living room windows. The ornaments I’d already purchased were white and silver with a big star for the top.
Rory jumped out of the truck and hurried around to my side, opening the door for me. I pulled my coat a little closer to my neck and wrapped the scarf a bit tighter. The temperature was steadily falling with the night.
“Thank you,” I said as I embraced him in a hug.
I planted a kiss on his lips, allowing my mouth to linger over his for several seconds. The sentiment had been a spur-of-the-moment thought. Maybe I felt as if I was making up for his feelings earlier in the truck. The snowflakes fell faster now, cascading down over our heads. This was truly a romantic setting.
“Wow, I should give you a ride home every night,” he said.
“Maybe you should,” I said with a wink. “Come on in and I’ll fix us a late-night snack.”
“Can I have a sugar cookie and hot chocolate?” he asked as he followed behind me.
I laughed. “With marshmallows?”
“It wouldn’t be the same without them,” he said.
Rory watched out the living room window as I made the hot chocolate. He stood in the exact spot where I wanted to put the tree. “This would make the perfect spot for the Christmas tree.”
“It’s like you read my mind,” I said as I handed him the hot mug.
***
Four in the morning came a lot sooner than I anticipated. At least that was the way it felt. Rory had kissed me goodbye and I snuggled under the covers again, hoping to get another hour of sleep. As soon as the sun popped up over the horizon I’d need to head back to the café for the morning rush. Plus, I’d have to get back to the lessons with Mildred.
I’d just closed my eyes, trying to drift off when a noise sounded from outside my window. My eyelids popped open and I sat up in bed. My heart thumped faster and goosebumps prickled along my skin. It was probably nothing, I reminded myself. Maybe it was the wind or a cat.