She could see the hesitation in his eyes before he finally spoke. “A man called me. Mitch and I both think it’s the same man who vandalized my machine shed.”
“Why?”
“He said the same thing he painted on my tractor.”
Holly was afraid to ask, but she had to know. “What was it?”
“It’s probably nothing, Holly. Just somebody being foolish.” He didn’t meet her eyes.
“Lucas Ryan Walker, if you don’t tell me right now, I'll ... I’ll ...” She was at a loss for words.
“He told me ‘she’s mine’ and to leave her alone, or I won’t like what will happen.” He tilted her chin up and looked directly into her eyes. “You’re the only woman I’m ever with.” He visibly made a valiant attempt to smile but didn’t quite succeed. “Holly, have you...?” Long eyelashes touched his cheeks as his lids closed for a moment. Then, clouded green eyes met hers. “Have you met someone—a man?”
Words. Luke was right in front of her, but she couldn’t hear him. She slapped her hands over her ears as another voice—harsh and angry—grew louder and louder. “You’re mine. You are mine! ”
Luke’s hands covered hers. “Holly?”
His eyes—so dark—now suddenly white. His face disappeared in a blinding light.
“Honey, wake up. You’re okay. Come on.” How had she ended up in bed? Why was her mom in her bedroom?
“She’s opening her eyes, Susan.” That was Luke speaking.
“Luke?” She was even more puzzled when she opened her eyes and saw him kneeling beside the sofa on which she lay.
“I’m right here.” His face was pale under his tan as he looked worriedly at her.
“What happened?” Holly could remember walking with Luke. They were going to look at the snow geese.
He reached over and gently brushed the hair off her forehead. “You passed out. It’s my fault. I upset you, and you passed out.”
“You, how did you—” Suddenly, she remembered—everything. She tried to sit up, only to be met with a throbbing in her head.
“Slow and easy there, Holly.” Her dad appeared at the end of the sofa and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Sit up slowly, or you’ll be right back down.”
She took her time and finally managed to make it to an upright position. She looked into Luke’s eyes and saw the guilt there. “It’s not your fault, Luke.” She couldn’t stop the tears from running down her face. She couldn’t pretend this wasn’t happening. It wouldn’t do any good. “We need to call Mitch. I need to tell all of you something, and I can only do it once.” She looked at her parents’ worried faces. “Mom, will you call Tessa? I could use her help.”
It was written all over their faces; they wanted to ask her more questions. She silently begged them not to. Finally, her mom nodded and stood while Luke pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“I’ll call Mitch.”
Holly closed her eyes to shut out the deep concern in Luke’s.
Chapter 10
What was going on? Tessa had just arrived at Holly’s parents', and Mitch should be there any moment. Something about what Luke told Holly terrified her. So much she fainted. He was thankful his arms were around her; he kept her from falling and being injured.
“Is it finally time?” Tessa asked Holly as she sat beside her on the sofa.
Holly silently nodded, her tear-streaked face still too pale.
Time for what? Luke wanted to ask. Somehow he held onto his tongue. She would tell them when she could.
“Sorry it took me so long. I was celebrating with Missy and Joe.” Mitch spoke as he entered the room behind Tony. “I guess I can tell all of you. Joe popped the question yesterday.”
It looked like Jennifer Ewing’s Intel had been correct.
“So, what’s going on?” Mitch asked Holly.
“Tell him everything, Holly.” Tessa’s blond curls shook with her dictatorial command. “You have to tell him everything, or he won’t be able to help.”
The hope that appeared on Holly’s face was quickly replaced by despair. “He won’t be able to anyway, Tess. Nobody can, remember?” She looked at her friend. “He’s found me.”
“Who?” Luke had to ask. No way was it a new boyfriend; Holly was afraid.
Tessa put her arm around Holly’s shoulders. “Do you want me to tell them?”
“Yes,” was Holly’s whispered answer.
Tessa’s gaze scanned the group standing in front of her before landing on Mitch. “During the first week of our senior year of college, we received a phone call. Neither of us thought too much about it since it was a hang-up. We figured it was a wrong number or something.” Her arm tightened around Holly. “But then we started getting more of them, as many as ten times a day. At first, we didn’t know whether it was both, or just one of us, being harassed.”
“Then he said my name.” Holly’s breath hitched. “He called me ‘my Holly.' I asked him to please stop calling me. I thought he’d just go away.”
Tessa resumed speaking. “He just became worse. He called and told her she was his, and they were going to be together.”
Mitch spoke up. “Did you have your number changed?”
Holly looked guiltily at her parents. “That’s when I told you I was only going to use my cell phone from then on. I got rid of the land line, remember?”
Susan’s eyes widened. “That’s why you did that?”
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Holly’s gaze dropped to her lap. “I thought if he didn’t have a phone to call me on, it would stop.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Frustration warred with concern in Tony’s expression.
“Mom didn’t want me to go to Tullen in the first place, Dad.” The agony in her eyes as she turned to Susan tore Luke’s heart out. “I’m sorry, Mom, but it’s true. You didn’t make it very easy for me. If you’d have known about him, it would have been more challenging for me to stay there. And I didn’t want to give up my life because a man was frightening me.”
“I take it he somehow managed to get your cell phone number.” Mitch made the observation.
Holly visibly shuddered. “The house phone hadn’t even been disconnected for a week when the calls started coming to my cell phone. I don’t know how he managed to get the number. I never gave it to anybody except my study groups and administration. But he got it anyway.”
“You changed your cell number when you got a better deal with another carrier,” her dad said flatly. “You were trying to get away from him then, too, weren’t you?”
“I’m so sorry, Dad.” Holly’s tears were falling again. “I didn’t mean to lie to you and Mom. I was just trying to handle it on my own. To be an adult.”
“Is he the reason you’ve never wanted a computer of your own?” Susan shared a look of comprehension with her husband. “You were afraid he’d send you e-mails?”
Holly’s sad eyes met Tessa’s for a moment before she turned to her mom. “He’s never contacted me on my e-mail account at school. It sounds silly, but I’m afraid that might change if the computer is in my house.”
“I don’t think it’s silly.” As always, Tony had chosen to support his daughter. “You have every reason to feel that way.”
“Did you call the police?” Luke could no longer remain silent.
Tessa answered him. “Campus security tried helping first, but they soon turned it over to the Tullen City Police. They told us Holly was doing everything right; ignoring him, and changing her number. They said there wasn’t anything that could be done unless—” Her cheeks flushed red, and steam was bound to rise any time as Tessa spit the words out. “She had to wait until he made physical contact. If he got his hands on her and did who knows what, then they would do something. Cretins.”
Holly gently patted her friend’s leg. “It wasn’t their fault. They didn’t know who he was, either.”
Mitch pulled his pad and ink pen out of his shirt pocket. “What happened to make you think he’s found you
, Holly?”
“I received a call last week. I tried to tell myself it was just laughter, but it wasn’t. He said my name. He called me ‘my Holly.’” Holly didn’t quite meet Tessa’s gaze. “I’ve also been receiving hang-ups for the past two weeks.”
“Holly.” Tessa’s voice was a mixture of shock and dismay.
”I’m sorry. I chose to pretend everything was okay.” Holly’s eyes were begging Tessa for understanding. “I wanted it to not be true, but I’m sure it was him now.”
“What makes you sure?” Mitch asked.
Holly’s gaze shifted to Luke. “One of the things he told me over and over.” She drew a ragged breath. “He’d say ‘you are mine.’ And he would never allow any other man to be with me.”
Luke’s breath caught in his throat. “The vandalism.”
“He’s close, Luke. He’s close enough he knows I spend a lot of time with you. He’s warning you away from me. Don’t you see?” Holly’s tears were falling faster. “He’s going to hurt you, and it will be my fault.”
Forget what kind of relationship she thought they had. He knelt and held the woman he loved as tightly as he could.
“None of this is your fault.” She wasn’t going to blame herself. “It’s that twisted man’s fault. Mitch will help us, and we’ll find him. Do you hear me?”
“Holly.” Mitch sounded hesitant. “Are you sure this couldn’t be Jack Wallace trying to frighten you? You made him pretty angry when you helped Billy.”
Holly seemed unaware of leaning toward Luke as he released her and dropped to his knees. “Jack Wallace didn’t try to disguise his voice when he called me. He wanted me to know who he was so he could make sure I understood his threats. This other man, my stalker, just wants to torment me.”
Susan stepped toward her daughter. “Well, that does it. You are packing your things and moving home until this is all over.”
“I can’t, Mom.” Holly’s eyes begged for understanding. “If I give up my house, he’s taking something away from me. It’s enough he’s able to call and threaten me. Let alone damage Luke’s shed. I can’t let him take my life away from me. I can’t let him win.”
“But honey, if he’s brazen enough to attack somebody Luke’s size, what might he do if he managed to get his hands on you?” Tony questioned his daughter.
The phone’s ringing saved Holly from having to answer her father.
Susan walked over to the table and answered it.
“Hello.”
The genteel woman Luke had known most of his life abruptly became a fierce Amazon warrior. “You, listen to me.” Her grip on the phone tightened. “You will never…and I mean, never so much as breathe on my daughter. I don’t even want you to look at her! Who do you think you are, anyway? Skulking around town like some James Bond wannabe.”
Her frown grew as she listened. “Don’t you even say her name. You leave her alone, you...you—”
Mitch managed to pull the phone from her hand. “This is the Shadow County Sheriff. I am telling you right now to stop harassing Holly Morris. This isn’t some big town where you can slither around like the cowardly snake you are. Holly has many, many friends in Shadow, and we’ll find you. And when we do, believe me, you’ll be the one who doesn’t like what happens.”
Luke had never heard Mitch use that tone of voice before, and he was impressed. He sure wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end.
Mitch was silent for a moment before he returned the phone to its cradle. “He hung up, but it wasn’t until after I finished talking. He heard everything I said.”
“What can we do to protect our daughter?” Susan asked Mitch. “Please tell us what we should do.”
Mitch gave Holly a concerned look. “Holly, I understand what you’re saying about giving in to him. I really do. The fact remains, if this is the same man who wasn’t afraid to tackle Luke, you’re in danger. I just can’t advise you to stay at your house. Not alone.”
“What if I move in with her?” Tessa asked. “He never approached her physically while we were together in Tullen.”
“You can’t put yourself in danger,” Holly protested.
“Please!” Tessa let out an unladylike snort. “If he’s seen you with Luke, you can bet your pretty little petunia basket he’s seen you with me.”
Holly shook her head. “But—”
“Listen, Holly Morris, I wasn’t his tar…I wasn’t the one he called, but he has to recognize me. He’s called Luke and your parents; he’ll call me, and you know it. And since I’m not about to sit down and have a friendly chat about your blissful future together, he won’t like me. You and I will be safer together.” Blonde curls shook as she turned to the sheriff. “Tell her, Mitch. It’s an ideal solution.”
“It would be better than being there alone,” While he definitely wasn’t enthused, Mitch seemed satisfied with Tessa’s suggestion.
Luke looked at the women—Holly, slender and, although at five-seven, considered tall for a woman, seemed petite to him. Tessa was about the same height as Holly, but not quite as slim. While both women were healthy and in good physical shape, he couldn’t see the two of them-even together-confronting the giant who ran him over. Just as he was about to voice his concerns, an idea popped into his head.
“I can arrange for them to have an overnight guest to keep them safe.”
“Luke!” Holly’s puritanical mother was back. “I know you would be a perfect gentleman, but it’s still inappropriate for you to stay there.”
Luke laughed in spite of himself. “Not me. Clarence.”
He grinned at the look on Holly’s face. “You know how he feels about you, Holly. He won’t even let Dad get close.” The idea was growing on him. “I’ll bring him after dinner every evening, and pick him up before I do morning chores. You won’t have to worry about him during the day, and he’ll sleep all night unless he’s needed.”
Holly slowly smiled. “I like the idea, Luke.” She turned to Mitch. “Is that safe enough, do you think? I mean, he called my parents’ number, so he knows this place. It’d be just as safe in my house as out at the farm, wouldn’t it? Tessa and me…and Clarence.”
“I guess.” The sheriff still wasn’t one hundred percent on board.
Displeased looks appeared on her parents’ faces. Luke may just have fallen out of favor with them, but he had a feeling Holly was going to stay in her house one way or another. At least, Clarence would offer some protection.
“Thank you, Luke,” Holly murmured.
His voice was just as hushed. “Don’t you know by now I would do anything for you?”
His heart leaped as he saw the light in her eyes. That was as close as he’d ever come to telling her how he really felt, and she looked pleased. He wanted to kiss her very much, but this was neither the time nor place. However, he knew now he was going to kiss her again. It was worth the risk. She was worth the risk.
Chapter 11
“Clarence, get off my bed right now, or I’ll tie your legs together and use you as a footstool!” Holly hid a smile behind her hand as Tessa scolded the dog for at least the third time since Luke dropped him off.
“I guess we didn’t really consider where Clarence would sleep when Luke told us he’d sleep all night.” It was all Holly could do not to laugh at her friend’s frustrated expression as Tess chased the dog into the living room again.
“Well, I don’t know why he likes my bed so much. It’s not even a full size, for the love of Einstein. He hangs off both sides when he stretches out on it.” Tessa glared at Clarence.
Holly couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Well, it is the guest room after all. And Clarence is a guest.”
“What am I?” Tessa was trying to look indignant, but Holly could see the amusement in her friend’s eyes. “Maybe I should go make a pallet out of blankets and curl up on the floor next to your bed.”
“No. You snore.” It felt good to joke around with Tessa. Normal.
Clarence took advantage of T
essa’s inattention and slipped back past her into her bedroom. Holly bit her lip to keep from laughing harder. She wondered which one of them would win this battle.
“Luke loves you, you know.” Tessa made the observation out of the blue.
Holly’s laughter died. “We’re good friends, Tess. He loves me like that. I love him the same way. You, of all people, know that.”
Tessa shook her head. “He loves you like a man loves a woman, Holly. You have to see it. You just don’t want to acknowledge it, because then you’d have a decision to make.”
“He can’t—I can’t.” Holly closed her eyes for a moment. “I just can’t deal with this right now. Please don't ask me to. Things are fine the way they are. Right now, I have to get through this stalker trouble again.” She would think positive. “At least, being here, I feel like I have a chance of him being caught. Mitch is right that a new person will stand out, and somebody is bound to notice if he’s paying too close of attention to Luke or me.”
“I pray you’re right.” Tessa walked over and gave Holly a hug. “I agree it’s better we’re home this time. You have many people around here who care about you; you're much safer than when it was just you and me.”
Tessa’s words made Holly realize something. “You know what, Tess?” Her friend looked questioningly at her. “There’s one thing I need to do I haven’t done. I need to call Pastor Rollins and ask for my problem to be added to the prayer chain. I can’t keep this a secret if I expect people to be on the lookout for him, and I need God’s help more than ever. How could I forget the most important One to go to?”
“I know what you mean.” Tessa smiled gently. “I’ve been praying, but the more people who pray, the better. And between our Lord and Clarence, I feel safer already.” She suddenly looked around. “Where is Clarence? He’d better not have...” She turned and headed to her room.
Holly laughed softly as she dug the phone out of her purse and punched in the pastor’s number. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be able to hear the one-woman tirade coming from her guest room.
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