by Jenny Rabe
She backed up and started for her car. “Maybe.”
“It’s not every day I get a stalker.”
Wheels rolling over gravel made them turn their heads to the front of the parking lot. A police car drove toward them. Brian froze. Cambria moved by him once more and reached for his hand. Brian moved his hand in time, running it through his hair instead. His posture stiffened as the officer climbed out of his car and came toward them.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered. “It’s like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Brian crossed his arms but didn’t say anything.
The man pulled at his pants to keep them from falling down his skinny waist. His voice came out high-pitched and nasally. “How y’all doing tonight?”
“Fine,” Brian said through gritted teeth.
The officer cleared his throat. “We got a tip a few minutes ago that someone was painting the town, spreading graffiti everywhere.”
Brian didn’t move an inch, so Cambria took the lead. “Well, they got it wrong, Officer. . . Blakely,” she said, reading his nametag and gesturing to the freshly painted wall. “We’re doing a service project to clean up the graffiti. We just painted this eyesore of a spot. What do you think?”
She stood back so the officer could see the wall behind them.
“Hmm,” he grunted. “Must have been someone driving by. Looks like you two have been working hard. Nice job. I know the town really appreciates it.”
“Oh, you know, just doing our part to make the world better.” She hoped her cheerful disposition lightened Brian’s mood, but he seemed as edgy as ever.
The officer faced the wall and inspected their work. “Are you two carrying ID with you?” Cambria headed for the car. “Yes, sir. Be right back.”
Brian moved to open his wallet. “Is this really necessary? We’re not doing anything wrong.”
Cambria hurried to the car before she missed any more of their conversation. It was almost funny how he’d responded to the officer. Almost. If only his previous news hadn’t been on her mind. He said he hadn’t done anything wrong, and she believed him, but what could he have done that would get the attention of the national news?
“Wait, you’re not the Brian Da—”
“Yes, I’m him,” he said, cutting the officer off. “Now are you done with my license?”
The officer raised an eyebrow and reached for Cambria’s ID. “Be right back. Just need to check something.”
Cambria sidled up next to Brian, hooking her arm through his. “Everything okay? You look tense.”
He nodded curtly. “Just don’t like cops, is all. Let’s get the rest of the stuff packed up so we can get out of here afterward. I better get home anyway.”
Cambria glanced at her phone. It was getting late. Before he started backtracking and putting up walls, she wanted to save the moment. “I had fun tonight.”
Finally, a smile. He reached over for a hug. “Me too. But I think we should slow down a little. I got swept up in the moment and I’m not thinking straight. The newspapers would have a parade with what happened to your husband.”
An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach at the thought. There wasn’t much in her life to hide, but surely they wouldn’t go after Shawn now that he was gone. Maybe it was good he was pulling back. They had taken a few steps forward in their friendship tonight. Maybe one at a time was what they needed.
Brian stiffened next to her again as the officer came up to return their IDs.
“Thank you, you two. Have a good night.” Officer Blakely smiled a goofy grin and handed Cambria the licenses back.
As the police car pulled away, Brian turned to her. “I need you to prepare for the worst. If we’re going to be . . . friends, you need to know what you’re risking. If they do decide to go after you, they’ll attack everything. That includes you, your art, your family. Even your late husband.”
Cambria froze, imagining Shawn’s story broadcasted on the national news. Did she want the whole world to know how he had died? Would they blame her for not doing anything? She swallowed the tight feeling growing in her throat.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” she said, though she didn’t sound very convincing.
“Okay, if you say so.” He came around to her car and opened the door.
“Goodnight. Maybe I’ll see you at practice.”
She nodded. “Maybe.”
She waited until he started the engine before leaving the parking lot. As she drove home, she couldn’t shake off the uneasiness that had settled in her gut in the last few minutes. Finally, she and Brian were being open with each other and now there were new obstacles in their way. She couldn’t help but wonder if there would ever be a future with Brian?
Chapter Twenty Three
Brian
Brian was a little worried that Cambria wouldn’t show at practice the next day. He’d asked her to come, but that had been before the cop had shown up. And of course, the officer had almost said his last name in front of Cambria.
There was so much misunderstanding attached to his last name. His dad was well known in the cancer community, and even more so in the city Brian had grown up in. When he found out the doctor performing his dad’s surgery was inebriated, he was livid. But now, guilt racked his conscience that he was the reason an entire hospital administration was replaced.
In his defense, the administration had been corrupt enough to let multiple things slide, which Brian’s lawyer found out after they started the trial. How was Brian to know the hospital’s leadership were full of crooks and embezzling money within the hospital?
No, he didn’t want Cambria to know who he really was. Not yet. She’d probably find out sooner or later, but right now their relationship was too young, and he didn’t know if a blow like that would completely undo what they had gained in the last twenty-four hours.
Coach Smalt sent Brian to catch in the outfield, and he saw Cambria from a mile away, running down the hill in pink shorts and a white top. Her usual military hat was missing, showing off her long, unruly hair. From where he stood in the field, he could tell she was smiling. He sighed in relief. Everything was okay.
Just to show he was following her advice, he focused extra hard on the batters. Only three fly balls flew out to left field, but he caught two of them.
When he came in after the round ended, Coach Smalt pulled him aside. “Next practice, give first base a try.”
Brian beamed at him. “Yes, sir.”
The coach slapped his back one good, hard time and ended the practice. Before Rob could leave, Brian dragged him up to the bleachers to meet Cambria.
“Cambria, this is Rob. Rob, meet my stalker.”
She laughed and slapped Brian’s arm. “Hi, Rob,” she said brightly.
Brian tried to imagine how Rob would view her. Her hair was pinned back with a paintbrush sticking out at an odd angle, and her fingernails were streaked with blue and green paint. Her white blouse was stained in a few spots with red and yellow paint, and her flip flops looked torn at the edges.
Rob smiled wide. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Want to go out for dinner with us tonight?” he asked Rob, sending Cambria a questioning look. She nodded, and he turned to Rob for an answer.
He crossed his arms in front of him. “Yeah, sure. Can I bring that woman I’ve been talking to? I’m sure she’s ready to meet in person now.”
Cambria looked down at herself, then back to Brian. “I might need to clean up some. Did a little painting today.”
Brian chuckled and moved to sit next to her on the bleachers. “I’m glad you came.”
Rob met Cambria’s eyes. “Ruby’s Steakhouse sound good to you two?”
Brian leaned over so Rob couldn’t hear. “Don’t worry. I’m going to pay.”
She gave him a little smirk. “Oh, I see you’ve found a way around your promise.”
He took her hand and squeezed, then just as quickly released it. “Always.” Turning to
Rob, who pulled out his phone, he said, “See you tonight.”
Rob waved back and focused on his phone again. Brian was sure he was calling his lady friend.
When Brian shifted his attention back to her, Cambria smirked at him. “You don’t have to pay for me. I’ve been selling paintings like crazy. They’re almost all gone. That’s why I’ve been painting like crazy all morning.”
“Well, you can try to pay, but I can guarantee you whatever money you have will be no good.”
She huffed, but resolved to let it go. When they were safely in the truck, Brian couldn’t take it anymore. He leaned toward her and reached for her hand. No one could see and even if they did, he couldn’t help it.
* * *
After a quick shower, Brian headed to the garage to add the remaining paintings to ones already stacked neatly in a row, waiting for something to be done with them. He knew he wanted to give them back to her, but how? Any way he diced it, Cambria would get mad at him, and they’d have to start all over. That was the last thing he needed. He had just earned her trust.
His phone beeped with a message, and he went back into the house to read it.
I told you to stay away from her. It’s all downhill from here.
He gritted his teeth and, for the first time, answered back. Who are you? What do you want? He imagined the person laughing at his feeble attempts to discover the mystery writer.
I thought that was pretty clear. I want to expose you and anyone close to you.
Anger swelled in his chest. He typed out another text.
I’m going to find out who you are and make you pay.
In seconds the person replied.
Isn’t it your turn to pay this time?
His legs shook as he read the last message. It had to be someone connected to the hospital lawsuit. Before things escalated, Brian needed to be proactive. He changed his email passwords, then stopped by the local phone store and changed his number, before filing a police report. Now if only he could figure out how this person was watching him. Was it someone that he knew? How else would they know about Cambria? That thought irked him more than anything.
By the time he made it to her house, she was talking on the porch with the Walkers.
“Sorry, I’m late,” he said, taking a deep breath. “Had some changes to make.”
Cambria lifted her eyebrows in concern, but he gave a slight shake of his head. Now was not the time to air out his laundry. He didn’t know who he could trust anymore. Maybe Rob would have some advice for him.
Mr. Walker held out his hand and gave Brian a firm handshake. His dark eyes seemed to dance with a happy secret.
“Nice to see you again, sir,” Brian said politely. He waved when Mrs. Walker peeked around his shoulder.
“Same here,” Mr. Walker said. “I’m glad you’re taking good care of Ms. Cambria.”
Brian nodded and suppressed his grin from growing wider. “I’m trying. She’s a tricky one though.”
Mrs. Walker came over and patted him on the shoulder. “If she’s spending time with you, you should feel lucky. She doesn’t open up to many.”
“Hey, what does that mean?” Cambria said, a teasing hint to her voice. “I took all of your casseroles without complaint and even washed the dishes when I was done.”
Mrs. Walker nodded. “Yes, dear, you’ve done well. I’m just glad to see you getting out more. It makes my soul happy to see you smile.”
Cambria reached a hand around Brian’s back and squeezed his side. “Lots to be happy about, I guess.”
Brian looked behind them, wondering if someone had seen. “We better get going, but it was nice seeing you both.”
They nodded and said their goodbyes. “Y’all be careful,” Mrs. Walker called to him as he opened Cambria’s door.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said. But as he closed the door and walked around to his side, Brian thought of his stalker and felt a sucker punch to the stomach. Was he really protecting Cambria if he hung around her?
She leaned over and opened his door. “Need some help opening your door?”
He shook away his thoughts and got inside the truck. “Funny. We better hurry. I bet Rob’s wondering where we are.”
Chapter Twenty Four
Cambria
You’re being really quiet,” Cambria said as Brian moved into the exit lane. He reached for her hand and squeezed but continued to stare straight ahead. “Is anything wrong?”
He sighed. “No and yes.”
She cleared her throat, hoping her voice sounded level. “Please explain before my mind goes into overdrive, and I start questioning my motives for coming tonight.”
The small smile he had evaporated from his face. “It’s nothing to worry about. How about if we just forget about what’s bothering me for right now? When we see Rob, I’m sure he’ll have some advice to help me get over this bump.”
“Okay, but as long as we talk about it. Tonight.” Her tone allowed no wiggle room.
He gave her knee a reassuring squeeze, and she dropped the subject. She stared straight ahead and thought about this afternoon’s excitement.
“Well, I have some good news. I finally called the owner and offered to buy the house.”
“Really?” Brian asked, his voice cheering up considerably. As a black car tailed behind him, he moved into the next lane and sped up. “That is great news.”
“Yeah. It was even cheaper than I thought. Even if I don’t sell many paintings, I’ll be all right. The owner is drawing up papers right now.”
“That’s great. When do you sign?”
Cambria shrugged. “He said within the month.”
“I’m really glad you’ll be staying around.” Brian squeezed her knee again, this time sending an electric jolt up her leg.
He pulled into the steakhouse parking lot a few minutes later, and they met Rob and a woman at the front of the restaurant. She had long, dark hair that curled around her shoulders and was a few inches taller than Cambria with a professional air to her.
Her smile was warm and friendly as she spoke. “Hi, you must be Brian and Cambria. Rob, you didn’t tell me how cute Cambria is. She’s adorable.”
Cambria didn’t know whether to be flattered or annoyed at being called cute at her age. “Oh, we just met today.”
The woman widened her expensive smile. “Of course, of course. I’m Jean. Jean Bennett. Rob and I met a few weeks ago at a party, and this is the first time he’s had available to go out.”
Rob shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yep. I’ve been busy.”
Rob and Brian exchanged glances. “Busy, huh?” Brian said with a smirk.
“Should we go eat?” Rob asked, leading Jean toward the door.
For the next few minutes, Cambria stayed glued to Brian’s side. He went straight to the host and asked if there were any private seating arrangements, slipping her a few bills.
The host immediately found a spot in the back of the restaurant in a closed off room. It had a number of tables and chairs, but she closed the door on her way out. Brian sat down next to her at the table closest to the back of the room.
Cambria stared at the menu, her eyes glossing over as her thoughts turned to Shawn. In the last few months of his life, he hadn’t once taken Cambria out, and since neither one of them felt like cooking, they had certain takeout restaurants on speed dial. A sharp pang stabbed at her stomach, and it had nothing to do with her hunger.
“You look like you’re thinking of something,” Jean said.
Cambria snapped her head up from her menu. “What? Oh yeah. Just remembering.”
“Have you come here before?” she asked. It was an innocent question, but it raised Brian’s head from his own menu, and Cambria wanted to set things straight before his mind would spin a dozen directions.
“Nope, this is my first time here.”
Jean arched an eyebrow but didn’t say more.
Rob leaned over and showed Brian his phone. “Dude, did you change your
number again? I tried calling you, but the line was dead.”
Cambria’s eyes flickered to Brian, but he didn’t seem concerned. Brian looked from Rob to Jean.
“Oh, she’s safe,” he said, seemingly guessing Brian’s next question. “We’ve talked about everything.”
Brian stiffened next to her. It didn’t take a genius for her to guess how he felt. Of course he didn’t want a stranger knowing about his past. She didn’t even know his whole story.
Cambria slid a hand over his leg and squeezed his leg. He reached for her hand and squeezed back.
“Sorry, Brian,” Jean said. “I’m so sorry about your dad. I’m sure you didn’t want me to know, but I promise to keep quiet about the whole thing. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”
Brian relaxed against the seat but continued to hold Cambria’s hand for another minute. “It’s fine. I just have to be careful about who knows. Vultures are everywhere.”
Rob dropped his glass, shattering it on the wood floor. “Oh man, I’m sorry,” he said to a waiter who came in the room in time to see it happen, then swoop in to clean up the mess.
The waiter waved away Rob’s concerns. “No problem.”
After they ordered, Cambria dived into the bread bowl in the middle of the table.
“So tell me about yourselves,” Jean said to them after the waitress left. “I only get to hear Rob’s side of things, and I’m sure it doesn’t do you two justice.”
Brian put his arm around Cambria, then took a sip of his soda. “There’s not too much to know about me. I work for a web design company and—”
“You own and run a web-design company,” Rob corrected.
Brian put his drink down. Cambria noticed his friend did not catch on to visual clues very well. The waitress brought her a salad and sticky finger appetizers for Rob and Jean.
“He’s a great baseball player,” Cambria said, digging into her salad. “His team won their first game last week.”
“Right,” Jean said, her smile growing. “Rob’s talked a lot about their baseball life. It doesn’t fascinate me as much as it does Rob, but I’m happy for him.”