Stalked In Conard County (Conard County: The Next Generation Book 41)

by Rachel Lee

  “We now have a police force,” Jake said. “And, since Roger seems to have lost his tongue, I’m Chief Jake Madison. And you are?”

  “Haley McKinsey, Flora McKinsey’s granddaughter... Roger?”

  But Roger’s gaze was following that chunky man down the street. Something had disturbed Haley. He wasn’t going to overlook it. No way. Then, when she called his name, he forced his attention back to Haley and Jake.

  * * *

  The way she had looked at him. Edgar’s uneasiness exploded until he had trouble walking steadily. How could she have recognized him? Of course, he had recognized her, but had been helped by knowing all along what her name was. She didn’t know anything about him and hadn’t even been able to describe him to police. So what had that look been about?

  He’d feared this. He’d feared she would somehow remember him even after all these years. Hell, wasn’t that why he was trying to scare her back to Baltimore? To get her out of here before she did remember something?

  Maybe the dog had attracted her attention. Puddles always drew attention. There was something about the way the Yorkie walked and wagged its tail that seemed to draw women especially.

  Yeah, maybe that was it. Or maybe his time to act was evaporating. Maybe he had to step it up somehow. He wouldn’t be able to breathe quite right again until she was gone.

  Gone one way or another. Since she kept the windows firmly covered and closed at night, he couldn’t scare her in the guise of a Peeping Tom again. Hence the scratching last night, to let her know she wasn’t alone.

  Maybe that hadn’t been strong enough. He’d have to find something better. Something good enough to really scare her on her way, and something that wouldn’t let her know her kidnapper was hanging around. If she ever guessed that, she’d probably head straight for the police.

  When he reached the corner, he dared to glance back to see her talking with Chief Madison. Edgar’s stomach sank into his shoes. Was she telling Madison she’d just seen her kidnapper?

  He dared another look, but saw Madison laughing.

  Okay. Edgar took some deep breaths and kept walking until houses concealed him from their sight.

  Okay, he told himself again. Why ever she’d looked at him, she evidently wasn’t saying anything important about him.

  Good. He still had time to figure out something.

  * * *

  Roger realized as he returned his attention to Jake and Haley that Jake hadn’t missed the little moment, either. His gaze followed the walking man, as well, but only briefly. There was no break in his conversation, however.

  “Say,” Jake said, “you might like to meet my wife, Nora. You could also see the ranch at the same time, because she’s kind of stuck out there.”

  Haley arched her brows. “Stuck?”

  “Two preschoolers. She insists she wants to care for them herself, and not put them in pre-K, but getting it all together to come to town is limited to once a week. By her decision. I think riding herd on them in the grocery or some other place is trying. Active little buggers. Anyway, she could come see you and bring them with her, but...” He shrugged with a smile. “Are you kid-proofed?”

  That elicited a laugh from Haley and everything about her relaxed to normal, much to Roger’s relief. He’d ask her what had struck her later, but he’d let it go for now, rather than risk bringing her tension back. Anything that made her feel better.

  “Anyway,” Jake said, “gotta run, I’m on duty in ten minutes. Nice meeting you, Haley, and if you want to make the trip out to the ranch sometime, let Roger know. He can show you the way and how to get in touch with Nora. See you.”

  “Nice man,” Haley remarked as he walked away.

  Roger decided to gossip, thinking it might distract Haley completely from whatever had disturbed her. “Interesting story there,” he said as they resumed walking. “Nora is the daughter of a local preacher whose following is more like a cult. Anyway, Pastor Loftis...who also owns the town’s pharmacy...didn’t want his daughter dating Jake, and one of his followers played nasty. You don’t need the details. What I’m leading up to is, I think the main reason Nora doesn’t want to put her kids in pre-K is because of those followers. She doesn’t want her kids exposed.”

  “Oh, man,” Haley said. “And what about when it’s time to start kindergarten?”

  Roger shrugged. “Nora’s tough. When she thinks it’s time, she’ll loosen the reins. I’m sure the kids being so young is what makes her pause now.”

  “That would make sense. Bad experiences at an early age can stick.”

  As she would know, Roger thought. He could have kicked himself for reminding her of that. “Is there any shopping you want to do here in town? Or should we go back and get my truck for a grocery run? I’m just suggesting here. If all you want to do is get back to the hoard, I won’t stop you.”

  She laughed again. “Groceries would actually be good.”

  “Then I’ll take you. Gotta keep up your energy for all that sorting.” And gotta keep her away from the house at least for a while. The way she had looked when he first dropped by this morning had him seriously concerned. Fear was wearing on her. Maybe staying in Conard County wouldn’t be the best thing for her.

  He knew he didn’t want her to leave, ridiculous as that was. Their friendship from a long time ago didn’t carry over much, and their friendship now was really new. Too new to form any kind of deep attachment. Besides, she was entitled to make whatever decision she felt best suited her, and that didn’t include any input from him unless it was asked for.

  But that didn’t keep him from wanting to give it. His mama had raised him to stay out of other people’s business, but he sometimes suspected there was an alpha male lodged deep inside him. His impulses would sometimes fit. His actions rarely did.

  He shook his head at himself and kept walking beside Haley as a slow smile creased his face. All his mother’s rules about respecting others had been branded on him. His dad had added to it, reminding him that a businessman couldn’t afford to offend people. Keep your mouth shut unless you have something nice to say and be helpful when you have the chance.

  Right now, his desire to help could lead him down a path that might not be welcome.

  They took his truck because he had more load space and needed to pick up a few things himself. Not that she suggested taking the little car she had rented. It would barely have been big enough to fit him.

  After that sticky bit on their walk, her spirits seemed to have improved greatly. The walk must have done her good, because her color had returned and the pinching around her eyes had vanished. All good.

  At the store he saw the nurse in her. Watching her fill her basket, he finally said, “Are you following the food pyramid exactly?”

  She glanced at him. “No, why?”

  “Because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cart so full of healthy foods.”

  A grin began to dawn on her face. “What would you like to see?”

  He pointed to his cart, which at this point mainly held some cleaning supplies. His home was stocked with enough food to carry him through another four or five days. “Not that.”

  She chuckled. “What, then?”

  He leaned over her basket. “Lots of veggies. That’s good. Boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. Okay. But where’s the beef? And don’t you ever snack?”

  “On cheese and whole wheat crackers.”

  He pretended to groan. “I’m surprised you let yourself have cheese. Fatty.”

  “Calcium without milk sugars.”

  “God help me.” He pretended to frown. “How come you offered me sweet rolls, then?”

  She outright laughed. “Because I like bad things, too. I just try not to overdo it.”

  He shook his head a little, enjoying the exchange. “What bad stuff?”

  “I have a thin
g for potato chips.”

  “Oh, now, that’s bad. What else?”

  “Cookies. Don’t bring me anywhere near chocolate chips or sandwich cookies. Then there are candy bars. Hate to admit it, but I keep one in my bag for quick energy on a long shift.”

  “You’re going to hell.”

  Her laughter was glorious. People nearby smiled as they turned to look.

  “And cheesecake?” he added hopefully.

  “Depends on what kind of pants it’s wearing.”

  Roger almost lost his breath as he looked into her dancing eyes. Man, she was beautiful. “All right. You got me.”

  “For real?” she asked pertly as she pushed her cart down the frozen food aisle.

  Dang, she was flirting. What a change from earlier. He liked this side of her, too. Grinning, he followed with his cart and pulled some frozen fish out of one of the freezers. “I need to go fishing for fresh,” he remarked.

  “We tried that once, remember?”

  Yeah, he definitely remembered, and also remembered feeling a bit stupid when the fishing hole was dry. It had been a fun day, though.

  Haley pulled out some tilapia and cod to join the chicken in her basket and added some frozen Brussels sprouts.

  In fact, from the look of her purchases, she was in no hurry to skip town. The realization settled warmly in him.

  “Why don’t you come to dinner tonight,” she asked when they finally headed for the checkout. “I’ve been sick of cooking for one for a long time. My friends and I would try to get together for big dinners where we had fun cooking for each other, but our schedules didn’t often mesh. So...I cooked for one.”

  “With your job, I’m surprised you didn’t wind up on fast food.”

  “I don’t want the health results.”

  He laughed. “I would have guessed that from your cart. I’d love to stay for dinner, but only if I can help. And, by the way, I’m tired of cooking for one, too.”

  And maybe over dinner he could find out what had disturbed her on their walk. He was certain it had something to do with that man who had passed on the other side of the street but couldn’t imagine what. Maybe she thought she remembered him from childhood visits here.

  He hoped that was all it was.

  * * *

  Haley was glad Roger decided to accept her dinner invitation. Truth was, she didn’t want to be alone. She never felt that way in her snug Baltimore apartment, and she certainly hadn’t expected to feel that way in her grandmother’s house. Damn that Peeping Tom for stirring up memories best left in a deep hole.

  Since the fish was vacuum-sealed in pouches, she could thaw it in cold water and, frankly, fish sounded yummy. She asked Roger and he agreed.

  “Which kind?”

  “I like both, so whichever.”

  She chose the cod and left it to thaw before making fresh coffee. She’d need it to get through this day, but was afraid if she napped she might not get a full night’s sleep.

  As a nurse she was used to crazy schedules and had no doubt that if she stretched out on a bed she’d probably sleep for six uninterrupted hours. Then she’d be up all night. No thanks. She wanted to be so far out of it that the house could scream at her and she wouldn’t wake.

  Last night had been awful. All of it, she assured herself, the result of an overactive imagination thanks to that creep peering in her window. Still she’d wrestled with memory and the fear that was surprisingly strong after so many years.

  While the coffee brewed, she threw together a plate of cheese and crackers for a light lunch for the two of them, then filled mugs and placed it all on the dinette. “Help yourself.”

  “Thanks.” He reached for a napkin from the holder on the table and placed a cracker and a slice of cheddar cheese on it. “So...I’m gathering that last night was hell for you.”

  She hated to admit it. “My self-image doesn’t include becoming terrified by bumps in the night.”

  “If that guy hadn’t looked in your window, you might not have been.” He popped the entire cracker with cheese in his mouth and chewed, eyes gazing at her. He said nothing, as if he waited for her to speak.

  But what could she say? “I’m embarrassed,” she confessed. “The only thing I didn’t do last night was hide under the covers or look under the bed.”

  He nodded. “Don’t be embarrassed. Your worry was provoked, and unusual noises are hard to take, especially in an environment you’re not used to. Heck, even at your place in Baltimore you’d probably get at least a bit weirded by strange noises.”

  She tilted her head to one side. “Are you always so kind, understanding and patient?”

  He appeared startled. “Hell, no.”

  “Well, you’ve been incredible to me. By now, I might be getting impatient with me. Heck, I am getting impatient with myself.”

  He smiled with his eyes, crinkling the corners. “Be kind to yourself. Eat. You look worn to the bone.”

  “Okay, you’re not always nice.”

  He laughed. “I’m serious. Eat. As for the rest, you haven’t given me any reason to be impatient. I’m doing my best to understand what I’ll never understand.”

  “What’s that?” she asked, wondering if she were beginning to step into dangerous territory. There were things she simply didn’t talk about for her own peace of mind.

  “What happened to you when you were a kid. The words all fit together. I know what they mean. But as for your experience of it...” He just shook his head. “Even if you were to share every detail, I hope I’m smart enough to know that would never be like walking in your shoes.”

  For an instant, her eyes stung as tears tried to well up. She blinked rapidly. Fatigue, she told herself. But it wasn’t just fatigue and she recognized it. Roger had just expressed a level of understanding different from walking in her shoes. He understood that he couldn’t know. Even her own mother had held her while she’d cried and dared to say, I know, I know. At the young age of five, Haley understood that wasn’t true. Nobody knew.

  Meant to be comforting. Useless, really. She took care never to say that to a patient or family member.

  She released a sigh and finally took a cracker and some cheese. He was right; she needed to eat. She hadn’t even bothered with breakfast this morning. As if waking up at last, her stomach gave a little growl. It didn’t embarrass her. Everyone’s stomach growled.

  This morning she’d barely tasted the coffee she’d made, but now it tasted hot and bitter and oh, so good.

  They had nearly cleared the plate when Roger spoke again. “What happened this morning?”

  She knew what he meant and, all of a sudden, her heart galloped. “What?”

  “When you stared across the street at that man. Was it his dog? Cute little thing.”

  He’d given her an out. She could say it was the dog. But lying didn’t come naturally to her. Her best escape would be to say it didn’t matter. But it had mattered and she wondered if it was a sign of a crumbling mind. Strange noises at night kept her awake, and now some guy walking down the street had frightened her? Because he had, and he’d barely glanced at her.

  She decided to be truthful. Roger might as well know all her craziness. If he couldn’t take it, then he wasn’t a friend.

  “The guy,” she said. “The guy bothered me for some reason.” Skimming over it.

  “Did you meet him when you were a kid?”

  “Maybe, I don’t know. Did he always live here?”

  “I don’t know. I could find out.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  For the first time she got treated to another side of Roger. He wasn’t one to be dismissed. “It does matter. You froze like a deer in the headlights. That wasn’t the reaction of thinking you might have met someone as a kid. Although, it passed fast, but even Jake noticed.”

  �
��Oh, God.” She wanted to bury her face in her hands. Welcome home, Haley. Your slip is showing. “Damn. I’m too tired. I thought...for some reason his walk looked familiar. But only briefly. Then he started walking unevenly and it didn’t seem familiar at all. So I can’t really tell you what happened or why. Just a fanciful moment like last night when I imagined someone in the attic or scratching at my window. I should just go back to Baltimore and come back to deal with this house later when I won’t make a fool of myself.”

  “You’re not making a fool of yourself.”

  “I know I am, Roger! Damn, stop being so nice. I’m acting crazy today.”

  “You’re not acting crazy, but I’m not going to argue with you. Pointless. If you want to think you’re losing your mind or being foolish, nothing I say is going to change that.”

  She thought she heard a thread of steel in his voice. She dared to look at him and saw his expression had grown grim. What had she said to put that look on his face? She didn’t like it, but didn’t know what to do about it. She sure as heck wasn’t going to apologize for arguing with him. What she knew about herself and what he thought of it were two entirely different things.

  But she regretted making him feel bad. “Roger?”

  He drew a deep breath and his expression eased. “Sorry. I suppose I shouldn’t get frustrated when I can’t help in any way.”

  That’s how she was making him feel? Not good. “You’ve helped a lot. Really. You’ve been calming my fears since the guy looked in at me.”

  “Yeah, but I can’t help at all when you’re determined to believe you’re flipping out. That guy set off a firestorm inside you, and you should give yourself space to feel whatever you feel and stop worrying you’re crazy. But it’s your head, not mine, and I’m no shrink to be giving advice like that. All I can say is that I don’t think you’re crazy.”

  She was grateful for that. She had begun to think she was teetering in a way she hadn’t in years. There’d been plenty of therapy to teach her coping mechanisms, but that training seemed to be slipping away. “I wonder...” She trailed off.