Holly ran for her truck, returning within minutes. Duster whined and pranced about them.
Holly snapped her fingers and pointed to the house. “Stay.”
Duster slunk off and Eli settled Sassy into the back of the truck. He climbed in and said, “I’ll ride back here with her. You drive.”
“You’re sure?” Anxiety glittered in her eyes.
“I’m sure, Holly, let’s go.” If Sassy didn’t make it, he didn’t want the dog dying in her arms.
Thirty minutes later, Sassy lay on the table in the vet’s office, X-rays finished. The doc removed his gloves and said, “I think she’ll be fine. The bullet’s entered her shoulder and the X-rays show that it didn’t hit any bones. I’ll get it out and she should be good as new in a few weeks.”
Relief rolled over Holly’s face and Eli felt his own neck muscles loosen a fraction. He wrapped an arm around Holly and gave her a squeeze.
Holly looked at the doctor. “I guess just call me and let me know how she’s doing, will you?”
“You got it, darlin’. You know who shot her?”
Resolve hardened Holly’s features. “No, but I’m going to find out.”
Saying their goodbyes, they made their way from the room.
Eli looked at her. “You have any idea at all what’s going on? And why someone’s working so hard to get your attention?”
Lips pursed, she blew out a frustrated sigh. “I’m not sure, but I have my suspicions.”
He took her arm and led her out into the lobby. “Care to share those with me?”
She rubbed her palms on her jeans. How much should she tell him? “I’m being hassled to sell my land to a company called Transcross.”
“Right, I remember you saying something like that. Your mother wants you to sell and you don’t.”
“Exactly. I think she’s just trying to make me feel like it would be fine if I wanted to. The land’s a lot of work,” she admitted. “And even with Mr. Ryan’s sporadic help, between the store and the land, it’s time-consuming and exhausting. But I love it. For now. Ask me again in a couple of years and I may feel different. I don’t think so, but…” She shrugged.
“So these guys want you to sell out?”
“Yes, they want to build some kind of horse farm resort thingy.” She waved a hand in disgust. “Apparently, our location on top of the mountain with the rolling hills, the view for miles, etcetera, is absolutely perfect and would bring in millions.”
“Are they offering you a fair price?”
“Actually, yes, but it’s not about the money. It’s my home. I don’t want to leave and I shouldn’t be forced—or scared—into doing it.” She looked at him. To tell or not? Uncertainty trembled inside her. She needed help. Taking a deep breath, she plunged on. “They threatened me. And my mother.”
“What?” He looked outraged. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“They told me not to. At least I think it was them. I can’t think of anyone else who would benefit from threatening me. The guy that grabbed me in front of the sheriff’s office said that I should accept a generous offer, and that if I told anyone I was being harassed, my mother and I might end up with more medical bills, but I need help, Eli.” Tears pricked then began a slow dribble down her cheeks. When he reached out a finger to catch one, the dam broke. “I simply can’t do this alone anymore,” Holly swiped at the tears, grateful for his support. Voice shaking, she said, “They don’t play by the rules and I don’t know how to fight dirty.”
Distressed by her emotional outpouring, he pulled her into a tight hug. She let him, needing his comfort, his closeness. Then he said, “You think Transcross has something to do with everything that’s happening?”
“Yes, but I don’t know how to prove it.”
Eli looked at his phone. Still no call from Ken. Tracing a plate was simple. He resolved to call Ken later if the man didn’t get back to him soon.
His mind tripped over itself coming up with several plans of action. He rejected them all except one.
* * *
That evening, Holly spent her time at the church making sure all of the last-minute details were taken care of for the auction the next day. Once again, Alex dogged her steps, offering to carry something for her, bringing her a bottle of water. Nice things, just things she didn’t want Alex to be doing.
Now, if Eli was the one…
But Eli had stayed home with his father because Buckeye had some personal business to attend to with his daughter.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Alex heading her way again. She turned, bumped into a table and sent items flying.
“Here, let me.”
Alex knelt next to her, grabbed a plastic bowl and lid and set it on the table.
“Thanks.” Holly sidestepped him, but he was too quick. He snagged her hand.
“Well?”
She didn’t have to ask what he meant.
He pressed. “What about tomorrow night?”
Holly swallowed. “No, thanks, Alex.”
A sigh. “It’s Eli, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, kind of.” She bit her lip, hoping he wouldn’t be too mad. “But I don’t even know if that’s going to work out, okay?”
To her surprise, he nodded. “Okay.”
Okay? That was it?
He dropped her hand and walked away to start chatting with one of the other single ladies.
Shaking her head, she pushed Alex from her thoughts.
“I guess that’s it,” Mary said, coming up beside her.
Holly stretched the kinks from her back. “Yep. I think we’re good to go.”
Mary gave Holly a hug. “It’s been fun doing this with you. I’ve enjoyed hanging out and getting to know you better.”
Grinning, Holly returned the squeeze. “Absolutely.” Speaking of hanging out and having fun, guilt hit her when she realized she still hadn’t called Leigh-Ann.
And she still hadn’t given Eli an answer to his letter. Tomorrow was Valentine’s. She really needed to get her act together.
Holly’s cell phone rang. Glancing at the number, her heart flipped over. Eli. Climbing into her truck, she answered the call. “Hello?”
“Hey, Holly, do you have a few minutes?”
“I was just heading home, but sure.”
“Do you want me to meet you somewhere? Are you hungry?”
“Starving.” With everything going on, she’d skipped dinner. Now, it was pushing eight o’clock.
He laughed. “All right, see you in a few minutes at the diner on Main?”
“I’ll be there.”
Holly turned the key and the truck started right up. She let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Memories of the other night flooded back through her, causing her to shudder.
Glancing around, she realized Mary had already driven off. Once again, it was just her and the dark. Her stomach did another flip as she put the truck in Drive. Her eyes darting around the church parking lot, she didn’t see any other cars. No headlights in front of her to blind her with the glare.
Nothing.
Her nerves eased and she headed down the mountain to the town below.
As she passed a small side road, she noticed a car approach the stop sign. Holly kept going and saw the car turn in behind her.
She tried to think who lived down that way. The Pastori family. And the Arringtons. Mr. Harvin who drove a truck for a food company.
The car behind her closed the gap and soon it was right on her tail.
Annoyance—and fear—hit her. Maybe it was just a teen being a pain. Or maybe it was whoever had been causing all of her other problems.
She pressed the gas and sped up a little. So did the car behind her. She flicked the rearview mirror so the headlights weren’t in her eyes.
Just a couple more miles and she would hit the main street of town. Where Eli would be waiting. Grabbing her cell phone from the cup holder, she started to punch in Eli’s number when she felt a harsh
jolt from behind that jerked her forward against the seat belt then back against the seat.
Terror surged full force. “Hey!” she yelled, not caring there was no one to hear her. The headlights pulled closer and she braced herself for another hit.
When it came, the cell phone flew out of her hand to land on the passenger floorboard.
Fingers gripped the steering wheel in a white-knuckle grip. All she could do now was hang on and get to the bottom of the hill.
Or should she try to outrun him? Slow down? Find a turnoff?
Whispered prayers fluttered from her lips. Please, God.
He came at her again, this time hitting her hard enough to make her swerve to the edge of the mountain. She hit the guardrail and slid along it for a few feet. Sparks flew as metal screeched on metal.
Gritting her teeth to keep from screaming, she forced herself to keep a clear head, keep the fear and trembling under control.
Finally, Main Street came into sight. The car behind her made an abrupt turn and sped out of sight.
Holly braked to a halt in the middle of road. She sucked in gulps of oxygen and refused to cry. Her heart pounded in her throat and her head felt like it might explode.
The diner was right in front of her. Pressing the gas, she pulled forward into a parking spot.
Eli stepped out to meet her and got a glimpse of her truck. Eyes wide, he loped over to the driver’s door. “What happened?”
“Someone just tried to run me off the road.”
A vein in his forehead started pulsing. “What? Who?”
“I don’t know who.” She paused as she climbed out. “But I think it was the same one as the car that scared me in the parking lot of the church.”
“What kind was it?”
“I got a glimpse of it in the streetlights this time. It was a large four-door car. Some type of sedan. A luxury car.”
“Well, then,” he said slowly, “my information might come in handy.”
“What information?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve been doing a little digging.”
* * *
Seated at a booth across from him, Holly blinked at him. “What kind of digging?”
Eli pulled out a piece of paper where he’d written some things down. “I saw a car like the one you just described sitting outside your store the other day. I tried to approach them, but when they realized I was coming toward them, they drove away.”
“Someone was watching my store?”
“Yeah. But I got the plate and called a buddy in New York to run it for me.”
“Oh. And?”
“It’s registered to a guy named Patrick Zimmerman.”
“Zimmerman?” she nearly squeaked.
“Yeah, you recognize the name?”
“He works for Transcross.”
Eli nodded. That was the information he had, too. “They’re trying to force you off your land. If they destroy your business, they ruin your livelihood. If enough scary things happen, maybe you’ll get scared and sell out.”
“But that’s ridiculous, I’m not selling no matter what they do.”
He admired her spunk. Just one of the many things he admired about her. “I know that and you know that, but I’m wondering if their tactics haven’t worked before on someone else.”
Holly shuddered. “So how do we stop them?”
“I’ve made a few calls and managed to get an investigation started.” He leaned forward. “But until we get whoever’s after you, you’ve got to take care, watch your back.”
“I’ve been doing that. It’s not working out so good for me.” Her weak, yet brave, smile nearly did him in.
He grasped her hand. “I’m here for you, Holly, all right?”
She swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you, Eli.”
“Which brings me to another thing.”
“What?”
“You never responded to my letter.”
A light pink dusted her cheeks. “Oh, that.”
“Uh-huh.”
She studied him. He could almost see her thoughts. Take the leap? Or continue to be wary? A deep breath later, she smiled up at him. “I’d be honored to be your date tomorrow.”
Relief, joy, gladness, all of those emotions and more flooded him. “I’m the one who’s honored.”
She gave a little laugh without a bit of humor in it. “That is if you don’t mind dating someone who’s a trouble magnet.”
He tightened his fingers around hers. “I don’t mind a bit. We’re going to solve this together, all right?”
A small nod. He wasn’t sure if that meant she believed him or not, but as far as he was concerned, he was back on cop duty until he was a hundred percent sure she was safe.
* * *
Holly stared into the mirror. Leigh-Ann and her mother stood behind her. “Well?”
“You’re stunning.”
“Thanks for the loan of the dress, Leigh-Ann. I waited until the last minute to even say I’d go to dinner with him so shopping wasn’t even a possibility.”
Black and red, the shin-length velvet hugged her trim form. A high neck and long sleeves would ensure warmth. The matching black leggings and boots completed the ensemble.
“Not a problem.” Her brown-eyed friend leaned over and hugged her. “Thanks for calling, I’ve missed you.”
Holly smiled and stood. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“I’m sorry I can’t make the auction tonight. I forgot to ask for the night off and my supervisor put me on the schedule, so…” She shrugged. Leigh-Ann worked as a nurse in the Bryson City hospital.
“It’s all right. Joel has to work tonight, too, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s why I don’t really mind going in. But I expect to hear all about it when we have lunch next week.”
Holly hugged her. “You bet.”
Thankfully, her mother seemed to be feeling better, although she said she didn’t feel up to the chaos of the auction.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right all by yourself?” Holly hated to leave her alone for too long. Mr. Ryan had volunteered to make a last minute pickup and deliver it to the auction so even he wouldn’t be around.
“I’ll be fine, Holly. I have a number of people I can call if I need to. Now get going.”
A knock on the door sounded from downstairs and Holly’s stomach did a nosedive. Then bounced back up. Rubbing her hands together, she said, “That’s Eli.”
The three women scurried from the room. Holly peeked out the window and gulped. He sent her blood pressure soaring and her heart into overdrive. However would she make it through dinner with him without babbling like an idiot?
“Holly, open the door.” Her mother giggled like a schoolgirl. Holly’s heart warmed at the sight.
She opened the door to see Eli decked out in dress pants and a collared shirt. A black wool blazer barely contained his shoulders. It was a good thing she’d taken a peek before opening the door. She wouldn’t have been able to find her tongue.
“Hi there.” He gave her a slow smile that set the butterflies in her stomach free.
She ignored them and grinned. “Hi.”
He greeted Leigh-Ann and her mother, but never took his eyes off her. “You look stunning.”
Giggles and laughter ruptured from behind her. She rolled her eyes then smiled. “Thanks, I’m glad everyone’s in agreement tonight.”
He offered his arm; her mother handed Holly her purse and practically shoved them out the door. The only thing that marred the leaving was the cop car sitting in her drive to keep an eye on her mother. A painful reminder that all was not right with her world.
But at least her mother would be safe.
Eli opened the door of his truck and helped her up and into the seat.
Once they were on the way, Holly said, “I hate to bring this up, but have you heard any more from your friend in New York?”
“Nothing yet. I’m sure he’ll get back to me soon.”
Twisting the strap of her purse, she watched the trees zip by. “I reported what happened last night on my way down the mountain.”
“Good, at least it’ll be on record.”
“That’s what I thought, too.”
The conversation was stilted, her nerves tight. But she reveled in his presence. Could she really believe he was home for good?
“Are you really…”
“Holly, I promise…”
They’d spoken simultaneously. And just like that the ice was broken. He reached over to grasp her hand as they both laughed. “I don’t want this to be awkward.”
She took a deep breath. “I don’t, either. We used to laugh so much, remember?”
“Yeah, I do. I want that back.”
“Then let’s get it back.”
He grinned. “Deal.”
The Steak House was located on the outskirts of town off a little road that looked like it went nowhere. However, the restaurant was well visited by locals and tourists alike.
Eli parked and Holly waited for Eli to come around and open the door for her. He did and took her hand to help her down from the truck. “You really do look beautiful.”
His husky voice sent shivers along her nerve endings. “Thanks, Eli.” She grinned. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
They laughed and headed for the restaurant.
Two steps later, she stumbled to a stop. If Eli hadn’t had a grip on her hand, she might have tripped and fallen.
Alex stood on the porch, drink in hand, staring at them as they approached. Taking a deep breath she said, “Hello, Alex.”
CHAPTER NINE
“Holly, Eli.”
Eli fingers had tightened almost painfully on hers. She wiggled them and he loosened his grip. “Alex.”
Holly ignored Alex’s unwavering stare as his eyes followed them into the restaurant. Eli leaned over next to her ear. “Do you want to go somewhere else?”
Anger spurred her. She thought Alex had moved on. Only now here he stood, watching her. “Absolutely not. Unfortunately, this is a small town and Alex Harwood lives in it. I’m bound to wind up at the same restaurant as he is upon occasion. Let’s just go in and forget about him, okay?”
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