Word to the Wise

by Jenn McKinlay

  “For an hour,” Lindsey said. “Just staring. And when I came into my office after being out there, he dragged a desk and chair into the shelving so he could continue to do so.”

  She pointed out the window at the stacks, but the desk and chair had already been moved back to their original location.

  “Do you think you might be overreacting?” Herb asked. Lindsey glowered.

  “He brings me roses from his garden,” she said. They stared at her, clearly waiting for more. “He pops up in town, wherever I am.” They weren’t getting it. “He showed up at my house.”

  The men exchanged a look. Herb cleared his throat and said, “Lindsey, you’re an attractive woman, and I mean that as an unbiased observation of fact and not in any way inappropriately.”

  “Okay,” Lindsey said. She wasn’t sure what to make of this.

  “So is it really unreasonable for a man to notice you?” Herb asked.

  The mayor nodded as if to say, What he said.

  “I mean,” Herb continued, “can’t you just take it as a compliment and not have him kicked out of the building?”

  Lindsey returned their gazes, studying the two men sitting in front of her. She liked them. They were both good, solid family men. The sort who went to church every Sunday, doted on their moms, coached Little League and soccer in their spare time. They were solid, salt-of-the-earth types of guys. They could never imagine what it felt like to be a victim of unwanted attention, and Lindsey didn’t know how to explain it beyond the truth that it sucked. She went with the facts.

  “No, I can’t,” she said. “Because it’s not a compliment. It’s creepy and marginally threatening, and if it was your wife, sister, mother or daughter, I don’t think you’d want them to put up with it either.”

  “Oh, now, come on,” Mayor Hensen tried to cajole her. “I know I’d be delighted if a woman thought I was attractive enough to warrant a couple of longing looks and some roses. Surely, being complimented like that can’t be that bad.” He elbowed Herb. “Am I right?”

  “Absolutely,” Herb said. “We don’t want to punish a man for having a silly little crush, do we? You should be flattered, Lindsey.”

  “Flattered?” she asked. “Did you miss the part where the guy showed up at my house with flowers when I was home alone? I never gave him my address. I’m not even listed at that address. That’s crossing the line.”

  “Yes, he did admit that he might have overstepped,” Herb said.

  “Might have?” Lindsey asked. “There’s no ‘might have’ here. Listen, there’s something wrong with him, and I’m not willing to put my staff or myself in harm’s way if this guy decides to show up with a gun or a bomb or whatever. So no, I’m not going to pretend that I find this flattering. I don’t. It’s wrong and it’s weird, and I expect your support on this.”

  The two men exchanged another look.

  “Here’s the problem,” Herb said. “Mr. Grady has threatened to sue the town for infringing upon his civil rights if he is kicked out of the library. Since he hasn’t threatened you in any way, we feel it is best to let him back into the building.”

  “You’re joking,” Lindsey said.

  The two men simply looked at her, and she knew that their fear of a lawsuit outweighed their concern that she and her staff could be at risk. In that moment, the disappointment she felt in these two men she considered colleagues and friends had no bottom.

  “I’m afraid not,” Mayor Hensen said. “Mr. Grady is allowed to use the library, just like any other resident of Briar Creek and the Thumb Islands. I’ll be making my position on this clear to Chief Plewicki as well.”

  He rose from his seat and Herb followed. At the door, Herb looked back and said, “If you have any other information, if he does anything that warrants further consideration, let us know, and we can discuss it again.”

  With that, they left, and Lindsey felt betrayed on a level she had never before experienced.

  CHAPTER

  6

  I don’t understand how they can care more about his right to use the library than your right to safety,” Sully said. They were driving to the Blue Anchor since neither of them felt like cooking. “I’m going to have a talk with Mayor Hensen.”

  “I appreciate that,” Lindsey said. “But I don’t think it will do any good, and I feel as if I’ve already been labeled the problem child, and if my fiancé goes in to stick up for me, it only looks worse. So I’d rather you didn’t.”

  Sully looked as if he was going to argue, but then he nodded. “I understand, but I really don’t like this.”

  “I know you don’t,” she said. “Me either. I hate looking over my shoulder, wondering if he’s there, just lurking.”

  He pulled into the lot and parked his truck under a streetlight. He came around the front of the truck and opened Lindsey’s door for her. His face was creased with concern when he took her hand to help her step down.

  “At the risk of sounding bossy,” he said, “I’d prefer it if you didn’t travel anywhere alone for a while. Since I’ll be taking you to and from work, that’s covered, but if I’m out on the water during the day, I want you to have backup. I talked to Robbie and he’s at your disposal during the day.”

  “Thank you,” she said. She would have said it wasn’t necessary, but the fact that Grady had threatened to sue the town over his right to sit and stare at her made her think it was a good idea to use the buddy system for now.

  Sully kept her hand in his as they strode into the restaurant. Ian Murphy waved to them from behind the bar as they entered, and Lindsey knew he’d send their usual drinks over as soon as they sat down. Fortunately, a small table by the window was available, and they were able to sit and enjoy the view of the bay and the islands as the evening sun set.

  In an obvious effort to lift her spirits, Sully told her about the tour group he’d taken out that afternoon, complete with a funny story about one of his passengers, who suffered from a fear of deep, dark water, so much so that he refused to move from the center of the boat and had no interest in looking at anything on the tour. She felt her tension fall away.

  “Why was he on the boat, then?” Lindsey asked.

  “His wife insisted that he go because she wanted to do it,” he said. “I genuinely felt bad for the guy. His fear was legit—pasty face, sweating profusely, the whole package.”

  “Why would his wife do that to him?” she asked.

  “No idea, but my guess is that she didn’t take his fear seriously,” he said. “I promise I’ll never do that to you after we’re married—or ever, for that matter.”

  “Me, too,” she said. “That’s just cruel.”

  “I have a feeling they’ve been married for so long she’s stopped thinking of him as his own person, and now he’s just an extension of her, which was probably why she couldn’t understand a fear she doesn’t have herself,” he said.

  “You’d think it would be the other way,” she said. “That she would understand him better since they’ve been married so long and that she would protect him from the things he fears.”

  “I know,” he agreed. “They were definitely the oddest couple I have ever met.”

  Their first course arrived, and Lindsey felt her mouth water. The Blue Anchor was known for its fresh seafood, and tonight was no exception. Ian had hooked them up with crab cakes that were loaded with fresh crabmeat, a broth-based chowder with just a hint of cream in it, and a pan-seared cod filet with homegrown steamed asparagus. Divine.

  It was while chomping down on a bite of asparagus that Lindsey felt what was beginning to be an old familiar creepy feeling. Someone was watching her. She knew it. She could feel it in the prickle at the back of her neck and the way her heart sped up like an early warning system. She didn’t want to alarm Sully, so she said nothing. Maybe it was just her imagination. Perhaps it was another patron sta
ring at her because she was out of the library. Sometimes this threw people off, to see her out in public, as if librarians were expected to live in the library.

  She swallowed her asparagus. It went down hard. She picked up her glass of wine and took a sip, trying to ease the tightness in her throat. Then she lifted her napkin and dabbed her mouth, using the opportunity to look down and to her right and then down and to her left. Her gaze was immediately caught by a man sitting at the bar. Aaron Grady. His stool was swiveled away from the bar to face her. Again, he gave her a skeevy smile and then lifted his own glass of wine to her in a silent toast.

  She broke eye contact immediately. She didn’t know what to do. Should she confront him? Ignore him? Call him out for going to the mayor? She closed her eyes. She hated this. She hated being made to feel vulnerable.

  “Are you all right?” Sully asked. “You look pale. Do you want me to take you home?”

  Lindsey opened her eyes. The concern in Sully’s gaze was a balm. Just his being here made her feel better. Surely, Grady would be able to see that Lindsey had a wonderful, loving man in her life and that whatever it was Grady wanted from her was not going to happen—ever.

  She supposed she could pretend that nothing was wrong and not tell Sully that Grady was here, but then she was lying to her fiancé for a man who was doing his level best to haunt her every waking hour. She wasn’t going to do that.

  “Grady’s here,” she said. “Sitting at the bar.”

  Sully’s head whipped in that direction. “I can assume he’s the one in the pressed shirt and pants who is staring at you?”

  “Yup.”

  Sully snatched his napkin out of his lap and pushed back his chair in one motion. “I think it’s time I had a chat with him.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked. “He’s already threatening to sue the town—”

  “I’m not the town,” Sully said. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”

  “Oh, no, I need for him to know that I am with you one hundred percent. I don’t want him to skew it in his mind that you were confronting him on your own. I want him to know you have my full support,” she said. She pushed back her chair and stood, too.

  “Fair enough,” Sully said.

  Together they crossed the restaurant. Sully looked deceptively calm, but the muscle ticking in his clenched jaw let Lindsey know he was trying to keep his frustration with the situation in check.

  “Aaron Grady?” he asked him as he stopped in front of him.

  Grady kept his gaze on Lindsey, not even acknowledging Sully.

  “Hi, Lindsey, you look lovely tonight,” Grady said. He stared at her as if she were there to meet him and he was delighted.

  She shook her head. “Mr. Grady, I’ve been very clear that your constant presence and staring makes me uncomfortable. I am asking you to respect my wishes and stop.”

  “Stop? But why?” Grady asked. He blinked at her, clearly confused.

  Sully stepped in front of Lindsey and loomed over the smaller man. “She just told you that you are making her uncomfortable. You need to stop following her and stop staring at her. This isn’t a suggestion. If I see you anywhere near her again, I’ll feel compelled to make my point more decisively.”

  “Are you threatening me?” Grady asked. “Who do you think you are?”

  “I’m the man who is going to marry her,” Sully said.

  Grady gave him a supercilious smile. “Maybe.”

  Sully glowered. “There’s no ‘maybe’ about it. And let me be clear: I’m not threatening you. I promise you, if you come near her again, I will do whatever it takes to keep you away.”

  Grady ignored him, looking past him at Lindsey. “You can do much better than this.”

  Sully took a half step forward, raising his fist as he did so. Lindsey heard a gasp from a woman nearby, and she grabbed Sully’s arm and held him back. She was not about to let him get arrested over this, as nice as it would have been to have him punch some sense or fear into Grady.

  “Problem here?” Ian asked from behind the bar.

  “This is Aaron Grady, the guy who’s been harassing Lindsey,” Sully said.

  Ian snapped his bar rag off his shoulder and dropped it onto the bar. Several customers turned to watch the altercation.

  “Right.” He took the half-finished glass of wine from in front of Grady and poured it down the drain behind the bar. “That’s it, then. I’ll ask you to leave once, Mr. Grady, and if you refuse, I’ll assist you out,” Ian said. It was obvious from his tone that assist was a euphemism for toss.

  “You can’t do that,” Grady protested. “I’ll have your job. Where’s the manager?”

  “You’re looking at him,” Ian said. “I’m also the owner, so let me clarify that you aren’t welcome in here any longer. Now go.”

  Grady scowled. He slid off his barstool and stiffly turned away from Ian. His gaze lingered on Lindsey. Then he gave her his usual smarmy smile and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lindsey.”

  No one moved until the door shut behind him. Sully turned and tucked Lindsey into his side. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said. “Creeped out but fine.”

  “What is that guy’s deal?” Ian asked.

  “I don’t know, but he’s going to stop harassing Lindsey,” Sully said. “I plan to make sure of it.”

  Several customers were eavesdropping, and Lindsey felt the need to get everyone’s attention off her. “We’ll see Chief Plewicki tomorrow. I’m sure she can take care of the situation.” Then she forced a smile and dragged Sully back to their table. She wanted nothing more than to put the whole thing behind them.

  Despite the dessert that Ian sent over to their table, there was no saving their dinner. Lindsey felt jittery, and even though Sully tried to rally, she could tell he was still furious with Grady for his behavior toward Lindsey.

  They finished the strawberry shortcake and didn’t linger over coffee. Lindsey knew they were both eager to get home, away from the furtive glances of their fellow diners and the possibility that Grady would pop up again.

  Sully paid their tab, and they headed to the door with a wave at Ian. Lindsey went to push through the door, but it was yanked open before she got there. A woman strode into the restaurant. She was middle-aged, with stylishly cut gray hair and glasses. She wore a collared blouse in a pretty shade of pale green with khaki capris and sandals. Lindsey moved aside to let her pass, but the woman looked her up and down and then curled her lip in a faint sneer.

  “You’re her, aren’t you?” she asked.

  “Excuse me?” Lindsey said.

  “You’re the woman who is trying to steal my man,” the woman spat. “I’m Sylvia Grady, Aaron’s wife, and I know all about you, Lindsey Norris. You’re a husband stealer.”

  Lindsey felt her face get hot in embarrassment as everyone in the restaurant turned to stare. Then her temper kicked in. She was about as far from a husband stealer as a nun was, and she refused to let this woman humiliate her.

  “I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken,” she said. She was pleased that her voice came out calm and controlled. “I’m about to get married, and I can assure you, I have no interest in anyone but my fiancé.”

  “Pfft.” Sylvia puffed out a breath through her teeth, dismissing Lindsey’s words. It was too much.

  “Don’t,” Lindsey snapped. She was furious. “I can’t imagine why you would ever think that I could have any interest in your husband when I am marrying this man.” She reached behind her and grabbed Sully’s hand in hers, pulling him forward. “Honestly, why would I ever look at another guy when I have him? He’s smart, funny, kind, well-read and the handsomest man I have ever known, so please save your ‘pfft.’ I promise you, Sully is the only man for me.”

  Sylvia glanced at Sully. She opened her mouth and then closed h
er mouth. Her lips compressed into a thin, tight line, then she tipped her chin up and stared at Lindsey in defiance. “Well, you’re obviously one of those women who gets off on wrecking other people’s marriages. You should be ashamed of yourself.” Then she looked at Sully. “And you should find yourself a better woman than this one.”

  Lindsey reared back as if the woman had slapped her. Then she felt her own hand clench into a fist. She’d never hit another person in her life, but she was seriously tempted. Luckily, Sully was there to hold her back just like she had done for him.

  “Mrs. Grady, let me be clear: there is no better woman for me than Lindsey, and I won’t listen to you slam her with lies. As for your husband, nothing could be further from the truth,” Sully said. “He is the one who is out of order. Lindsey has made it very clear to him that she is uncomfortable with his attention. I suggest you save your anger for him, not my fiancée.”

  “You poor, foolish man,” Sylvia said. She made a tut-tut noise, as if Sully was just some poor slob destined to be cheated on. “You’re doomed for heartbreak. Mark my words—she’ll ruin you.” Then she turned toward Lindsey. “Stay away from my husband.”

  Before Lindsey could respond, Sylvia turned and slammed back out the front door. Lindsey knew without turning around that everyone was staring at her. She refused to acknowledge it. Instead, she squeezed Sully’s hand in hers and said, “Are you ready? Because I am desperate to get home.”

  “Roger that,” Sully said. He pushed the door open, and they left without looking back.

  * * *

  • • •

  Sully was up and gone before Lindsey rose the next morning at six thirty. She found a cup of coffee and a note on the nightstand.

  Today will be better, I promise. Also, Robbie is coming to take you to work. Call me if you need me. Be careful.

  Love you, Sully

  Better? Lindsey figured it couldn’t get much worse. After their altercations with both Gradys, Lindsey had been left feeling frustrated and vulnerable. She resented Sylvia Grady’s insinuation and was angry that Aaron Grady had put her in this position. She had done nothing but her job, and here she was being stalked, accused and left feeling victimized. This was simply not okay.