“They can always be better.”
She sighed. She’d made a promise with herself that she wouldn’t let money or success control her. All she really wanted was to make a living as a writer. Everything else would be a bonus.
“I’ll think about it,” she finally conceded.
“Okay, let me know in a few days. We don’t have much time left. And stay safe, okay?”
“I’m trying.” She sighed as she ended the call. Sebastian was just doing the job Juliette had hired him to do. But she didn’t like being pressured. She didn’t like feeling like a cog in a machine. Yet, to Sebastian’s credit, he had been there for her when Logan left her. He’d flown in from New York, stayed at a nearby hotel, and he’d helped wipe her tears.
“Everything okay?” Jack asked from across the room. “I couldn’t help but overhear part of that conversation.”
He sat there with a laptop—he’d grabbed it from his car—and he typed something. Doing work, he’d said. She suspected he was really keeping an eye on her.
“Yeah, it’s fine. It’s just that sometimes I feel like everyone wants a piece of me.” She couldn’t even begin to tell Jack how far that extended into her life. But it did.
“I’m sorry to hear that. But don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.”
Funny, Logan would have told her the exact opposite. Logan would have looked out for Logan’s best interests.
“I appreciate that,” Juliette said. “I did agree to do a reasonable amount of publicity for this upcoming movie, though. I just need to define what ‘reasonable’ is.”
“Right now, I’d say you need to take care of yourself. Certainly these people care about you more as a person than they do as an author, right?”
She wished she could say yes. She really did.
But she had no idea if that was the truth or not.
Ty and Cassidy got back to the house at six, and they brought dinner with them. The four of them gathered around the table and enjoyed a shrimp boil from a seafood restaurant in town. The scent of Old Bay, onions, and shrimp floated in the air.
They set a rule: no talking about work over dinner. Instead, they chatted about the Lantern Beach Illumination coming up on Monday. About the unseasonably high tide taking place this weekend. About the rain coming in tomorrow. Mundane things, but things that made life, for a moment, feel normal.
Jack couldn’t help but notice that Juliette seemed to relax some as they sat around the table. She was quiet but warm. Petite but strong. Intelligent but humble. Under different circumstances, Jack could see her enjoying her time here.
But that standoffish look remained in her eyes. Something was holding her back. Was it because she was in a strange place surrounded by unfamiliar people? That likely played a factor.
Jack couldn’t help but think there was more to the story, though.
After they finished eating, they all moved into the living room, where a fire crackled. The tone noticeably became more somber as they braced themselves for a conversation about everything that happened. Juliette sat in one armchair, and Jack made himself comfortable in the matching chair beside her.
Cassidy drew in a deep breath and turned to them. She sat on the couch beside Ty, a cup of coffee in her hands. She’d changed from her police uniform to some jeans and a sweater, making her look much younger and more relaxed.
“Well, I figured I should give you an update on today,” Cassidy started. “We’ve been combing the island, looking for the man responsible for your attack. We’ve also been asking other people if they’ve seen anyone suspicious or if they saw anyone at your place. Of course, your place is pretty secluded.”
“I thought it would be safer,” Juliette said.
“And this guy . . . he’s good. No one has seen him, other than the receptionist at the clinic. My guess is that he came over on the ferry and found a place to stay at an abandoned house. He must have brought food with him, because the clerk in the general store didn’t recognize his photo.” Cassidy shook her head. “It’s perplexing, really. Everyone leaves some kind of footprint. Why hasn’t this guy?”
“He’s been like that from the start.” Juliette pulled a blanket around her. “He usually avoids all the security cameras and everything. Then when I told the police back home, they looked at me like I was crazy. I didn’t have the guy’s name. I didn’t have a description of him. Even I can understand why I might seem a little crazy.”
“He’s probably doing that on purpose,” Cassidy tapped the side of her coffee mug and looked off in the distance in deep thought. “And for that very reason. He doesn’t want people to trust you. And it sounds also like he’s trying to isolate you. That’s why he sent that email to your manager. It’s why he messed up your finances. If he can catch you at a low enough point, he figures you could run into his arms.”
“I would never want to do that.”
“He may be testing that, however. In fact, I’m not even certain he wanted to kill you last night. I wonder if it was his plan from the beginning to injure you, to try and make you hit rock bottom.”
“That’s not comforting.” Juliette shivered.
Jack noticed that, as the evening went on, she looked more and more exhausted. This had all been draining on her. Plus, there was her stab wound. Her pain medication could also make her tired.
The woman needed to rest if she was going to heal.
“I realize that news is not comforting.” Cassidy shifted. “Juliette, when did you say you got into town?”
“Three days ago.”
“So the first couple of days you were here, he left you alone?”
“That’s right.”
Where was Cassidy going with this? Jack wondered. She was obviously trying to put something together.
“My guess is that he was watching you and maybe figuring out the town,” Cassidy said. “Figuring out your schedule.”
Juliette glanced down at the crumpled napkin in her lap. “I see.”
Cassidy frowned. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you want to hear.”
“No, but I need to hear it. I’ve got to figure out my next plan of action. I can’t stay here. Yet I can’t go back home either. Truthfully, there’s nowhere that I’ll feel safe.”
“Well, you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need,” Cassidy said, glancing at Ty who nodded in agreement. “And I mean that. I know what it’s like to be in your shoes. Long story, but I honestly get it. At least here, you have me and Ty. And Jack over here is great to have around as well.”
Jack smiled over at Juliette, trying to ease her anxiety and maybe encourage her to stay. He knew it wasn’t his business, and that he hadn’t known her long enough to have an opinion. But his gut told him she was better off here than anywhere else.
“I appreciate that, more than you can know,” Juliette said.
At that moment, her phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen. “I don’t recognize the number.”
“This could be nothing, but if you wouldn’t mind, answer the call and put it on speaker,” Cassidy said. “Has this guy ever called you before?”
“He has. And he always changes numbers.”
“Burner phones. If you don’t mind . . .” Cassidy nodded toward the phone.
With trembling hands, Juliette answered and hit the speaker button.
“It’s me,” someone said on the other line, his voice deep and raspy.
Jack sucked in a deep breath.
Her stalker? It had to be.
“What do you want?” Juliette asked.
“I want you.”
Jack felt his body tense at the man’s voice. More than anything, he wanted to reach out and try to ease Juliette’s anxiety. But he couldn’t. It wasn’t his place.
“Please, just leave me alone,” Juliette said. “Haven’t you done enough damage?”
“I’m sorry. Sometimes my rage gets the best of me. I only want what�
�s best for you.”
“Then leave me be.” Juliette’s face was pulled tight with tension as she held the phone.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I love you,” the man rasped. “Can’t you see that?”
“This isn’t love. I don’t even know your name.”
“My name isn’t important. I just need for you to give up.”
“I’ll never give up,” Juliette said, her voice morphing from shaky to steely as determination filled her gaze. “Never.”
“Then I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”
And then the line went dead.
Jack knew, beyond a doubt, that things had just gotten worse, and it would be harder than ever to keep Juliette safe.
Chapter Twelve
Juliette sucked in a deep breath when she stepped from her room the next morning and spotted Jack sitting at the kitchen table wearing a button-up shirt and khakis. She’d known from the moment she saw the man that he was handsome. But something about seeing him dressed up took her breath away.
What’s wrong with you, Juliette? You should know better than to feel anything for anybody—even if you don’t act on it. Feelings only get you in trouble. Humiliate you. Make it look like you’re living a lie.
Jack’s face lit with a grin when he spotted her, and her heart did another flip.
Stop it!
Yet her heart seemed to have taken on a mind of its own.
“Good morning.” Jack stood. “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
“Oh, I’ll just grab some coffee. My stomach still isn’t feeling great. Too much has been happening.”
“Eating might make you feel better.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”
Juliette grabbed a mug and poured herself some coffee, adding some half-and-half and one teaspoon of sugar to the steaming liquid. “When did you get here?”
“Just about ten minutes ago. Ty and Cassidy have a rule—they won’t be alone here with a member of the opposite sex. It’s actually a pretty wise plan of action when it comes to protecting your reputation.”
“I agree. That does sound wise. But what does that mean? That you have to babysit me?”
He smiled. “No, not babysitting. Just looking out for each other. However, I have to be at the church early so I can turn the heat on and look over my notes.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“I thought I’d give you fair warning that church doesn’t start for another two hours . . .”
“I’m okay with that.” Juliette supposed, if she was honest with herself, she just felt so incredibly safe around Jack. And it wasn’t that he was extremely muscular or intimidating—though he was strong and protective. No, it was just his presence that gave her this unexplainable comfort.
“If you’re okay with it then sure,” Jack said. “Can you be ready in ten minutes?”
She glanced down at her jeans and pullover top. “I guess I didn’t exactly bring clothes for church—not every church, at least. Is this okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine. We’re a beach community, and we’re casual. I just didn’t want to make any assumptions.”
“Ten minutes is just enough time to finish my cup of coffee.”
“Take your time.”
She stared at Jack a moment and wondered if there was more to his calm demeanor. Was anyone really this nice? Maybe.
The heroes she wrote about in her books were this kind. But she hadn’t found that they translated into reality. No, her fictional heroes were a perfect mix of strong and gentle, tough but tenderhearted.
Every time she wrote about them, she felt like she was writing a lie.
But now Jack made her feel different.
Maybe those men really did exist.
But Juliette could sense there was more to him than he let on. Had working at the church made him feel like he had to always put his best foot forward? Had it made him feel like people would judge him if he was anything less than perfect?
She would guess yes. Juliette couldn’t imagine what it would be like to live in such a fish bowl where everyone watched and judged your every action, trying to make sure you practiced what you preached.
She wanted to go deeper with him. She wanted to know the thoughts in his head.
But if Juliette asked, she would be overstepping. She knew that.
So instead, she took her last sip of coffee and rose. “Let me grab my Bible, and I’ll be ready to go.”
A woman who traveled and took her Bible with her.
Jack had to admit that he was impressed.
Besides, in this digital age, so many of those at his church didn’t even have physical Bibles. They used electronic versions on their phones or tablets. And there was nothing wrong with that. But there was just something about the crisp pages, about flipping through all the biblical books until you found the verse you were looking for, about highlighting certain texts and taking notes in the margins . . . those were things that, to Jack, made his Bible a treasure.
And Juliette, by all worldly accounts, was madly successful. She had everything she could want—money, a nominal amount of fame, and she was doing a job she loved.
Jack had looked her up last night. He’d seen her book titles. Read the positive reviews. Checked out a preview of the made-for-TV movie based on her recent book.
The Juliette he’d seen in some of the pictures showed someone with culture—she’d looked fantastic, with her hair styled, jewelry, nice dresses, and makeup.
But she looked equally good in jeans and sweaters without makeup. The woman was a natural beauty and appeared to be self-made.
Yet she was still a believer.
He’d seen too many people who’d reached high levels of success and abandoned God, or who just came to church to increase their social standing within certain community segments.
But this woman carried her Bible with her.
Just like Leah always had.
Every morning, the first thing his wife had done was grab the Bible her grandmother had given her when she was ten and read it while drinking coffee. Then she’d jotted notes in her prayer journal and spent time talking to God. She said it was the only way to start her day—that it was a privilege, not a chore.
Leah had been one in a million. She’d been the one who held his hands up when times got tough, who reminded him why he did what he did.
But then God had taken her away from him.
His gut twisted.
“It’s so incredibly quiet here,” Juliette said beside him in the car as they headed down the road. The church wasn’t far from Hope House—less than a mile. A steady, cold rain had already begun to fall, but it was supposed to clear out before tomorrow’s Illumination event.
She was correct about the quiet—especially at this time of the morning. There were no other cars out here. “It is. It’s part of the reason I like it. It feels good for the soul, you know?”
“Yeah, I really do.” Juliette glanced at him. “So, what’s your sermon on today? Or is it a secret?”
“It’s no secret. It’s on doubt.” A topic Jack had chosen because it was so undeniably real to him. “Specifically, it’s about how Zechariah doubted when Gabriel told him his wife Elizabeth would have a child.”
“Sounds fascinating. Not your typical sermon at Christmastime.”
“No, it’s not. But I thought it was important.”
“I agree. Doubt is something few people want to ever admit they struggle with, even if it’s only for a time. But I believe doubt can make our faith stronger—especially when we come out on the other side of it.”
“I agree.” A whiff of peppermint and cinnamon wafted toward him. Juliette must be wearing lotion or scented shampoo. Either way, the scent was alluring.
He glanced over at her and smiled.
But the reaction was short-lived. He caught sight of an SUV coming from the opposite lane. The vehicle charged at
them, going full speed.
And, Jack couldn’t be certain, but it almost looked like the man from the security footage—Juliette’s stalker—was behind the wheel.
“Brace yourself!” he yelled.
Because Jack knew he wasn’t going to be able to stop in time.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the SUV T-boned them, and everything went black.
Chapter Thirteen
Juliette sat up with a start.
A dingy room came into focus.
A dirty floor.
Blood on her hands.
An ache throughout her body.
Everything came crashing back to her.
That SUV had hit them.
Then everything had gone black.
And now this.
Here.
Now.
Jack! He’d been in the car also.
Was he okay?
Juliette swung her head around and spotted him beside her.
He sagged against the wall, his white shirt stained with red. Blood trickled from his forehead.
She let out a cry at the sight of his unconscious body. Was he even alive?
Her shoulders relaxed just a touch when she saw Jack’s chest rising and falling.
He was alive.
But her stalker had done this to them. She was sure he was to blame.
Juliette sucked in a quick gasp of air at the thought.
Where was he now? Her stalker?
Where were she and Jack right now?
She had no idea. All she knew was that the place had dim lighting. A dank smell. And it was cold. So cold. Her lightweight coat offered little to no warmth.
Juliette would figure that out later.
Right now, she scooted closer to Jack.
Her entire body was sore. She glanced at her stomach.
Blood stained her abdomen. Had her stitches popped open?
Later. She’d check later.
Right now, she grabbed Jack’s arm and shook him.
Please let him wake up. Please!
Startled, his eyes jerked open.
His gaze lurched toward her. Toward the room. Back toward her.
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