Climbing out of bed, she took her cell phone and sneaked down the stairs. The wood floor creaked under her feet as she crept into the kitchen for a midnight snack. She also wanted to send Chase a text he would get first thing in the morning.
The moon illuminated the kitchen well enough for her to navigate without having to turn on a light. Somehow eating coconut cream pie in the moonlight seemed a lot more fun. She took a seat at the bar and sent Chase a message. She almost choked on her pie when he texted her back.
What are you doing up?
She grinned and sent him a message back. Eating coconut cream pie.
Holding onto the phone, she waited with anticipation for his reply.
Hey, I want some.
Come over and get it.
Stop tempting me.
She giggled and took another bite of pie. They continued with the banter for another twenty minutes. It was surprisingly fun to flirt via texting. Maybe they really could have a long-distance relationship until they figured things out.
After sending him a picture of the empty pie tin, Addie heard a strange noise outside. Keeping a hold of her phone, she went to the kitchen window and parted the curtains. The night was dark, the moonlight casting an eerie glow over the yard. But she couldn’t really see anything suspicious.
Her phone chimed with another incoming message from Chase. You’re making me hungry. I’m going to the kitchen to look for food.
Before making a reply, she glanced outside one more time and saw a light flickering between the trees. It looked like someone was waving a flashlight around, searching for something.
A prickle of fear worried her stomach. Who was out there?
She sent Chase a text. I think someone is in the backyard. I see a flashlight.
Instead of replying, he called her. “What do you see?”
Making sure the back door was locked, Addie peeked out the window, watching as the light made a slow arc across the yard. There was definitely someone outside. “It looks like someone has a flashlight and they’re looking for something.”
“Maybe you should call the police to come and check it out.”
Addie could just see it now. She’d call 9-1-1 and the cops would show up and find nothing. “I don’t want to. What if I’m just seeing a really big firefly?”
He laughed. “Did you really eat all of the pie?”
“What does that have to do with an oversized lightning bug?”
“Nothing,” he said, laughing again. “I just want a piece of pie if I come over there to check things out.”
She had saved three slices and put them back in the refrigerator. “If you come over, I promise to feed you coconut cream pie.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Addie glanced at the clock. It was forty minutes past midnight. “You really don’t have to come over.” She peeked out the window. Only the moon illuminated the yard. “I don’t even see the light anymore.”
“I still want to check things out. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, but my phone is almost dead. Don’t do anything until I get there. And don’t eat all the pie.”
Addie ended the call, then went upstairs to put on her bra. She kept her pink lounge pants on, along with a black Tinker Bell tee that said, Pixie’s Just Wanna Have Fun in hot pink letters.
Ten minutes later, Chase pulled into the driveway. Addie opened the door and waited for him to come inside. He looked adorable, wearing a pair of silky basketball shorts and a Mercer T-shirt that fit him snuggly. But the cutest thing was the glasses he had on. With his messy hair, the dark colored frames added to his overall hotness.
“You look cute,” she said as he stepped inside the house.
He eyed her clothing, a wry smile tipped one side of his mouth. “So do you.”
She closed the door and pulled him into the kitchen, feeling a little sneaky. But Aunt Janie was home and all they were going to do was eat pie—and maybe have one kiss.
Or two.
“Do you want to check out the yard first or eat?”
Chase peered out the window. “Let’s check out the yard.”
As Addie leaned in close to him, she caught the lingering scent of his cologne. “I haven’t seen the light again.”
He held up a small flashlight and unlocked the back door. “Show me where you think it was.”
They held hands as they crossed the yard. The air was a little chilly and she wished she’d pulled on a sweatshirt. She wasn’t exactly sure where the light had been, but they stopped near the gazebo and looked around with the bright flashlight. “I don’t see anything,” Chase said, holding the light so a beam shot across the rest of the yard.
“It probably really was just a big lightning bug.”
He gave her an impish grin, shining the light above her so it cast her in its glow. “Or Tinker Bell.”
A light breeze rustled the trees above and a lock of her hair blew across her cheek. Chase stepped toward her and combed her hair back with his fingers, tucking it behind her ear. “Do you think your aunt will kill me if we sit in the gazebo for a few minutes?”
“Hmm,” she teased. “I sure hope not."
Behind the glasses, his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Good.” He tugged on her hand, leading her toward the gazebo. “Because this is just too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
“What do you mean?” she asked as they sat down on the bench.
Chase circled his arm around her shoulders and looked down into her eyes. “I mean the moon. You.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “Me.”
“I see.” Her heart bumped around inside her chest as he slowly lowered his head. “I’ve never kissed a guy with glasses before,” she said in a low whisper.
Man, she could say the stupidest things.
A puff of minty breath feathered against her mouth as he let out a low chuckle. Then he kissed her, stealing her breath and making her forget about anything else. Her head felt all floaty and light as his fingers tunneled through her hair.
Okay. This wasn’t the first time he’d kissed her, but it seriously felt like she’d never experienced anything like this. Not even a couple of hours before. She brought her hand up and cradled his jaw, feeling the rough whiskers against her palm. Everything about him felt so right. So perfect.
It was perfect—until a twig snapped and someone grunted. They jerked apart, both looking toward the sound. “What was that?” Addie whispered, digging her hand into his bicep.
Chase removed his arm from around her and pulled out his flashlight. “I’m not sure.” He stood up and stepped out of the gazebo.
Addie shot out of her seat to follow him. An owl hooted and she swallowed back a startled scream as she grasped onto his arm again. “Hey, don’t leave me.” She looked around, wondering how the romantic night had just turned creepy.
He made a sweeping motion with the beam of light as they stepped further back into the yard. They heard another twig snap and what sounded like a curse word. Someone was definitely out there.
“You need to go back inside,” Chase said. “Go call 9-1-1.”
Addie didn’t want to leave him, nor did she want to venture back across the yard with only the moon for her light. “Let’s both go back.” She tugged on his arm.
He shook his head. “Go back and call the police. And wake up your aunt.”
No sense mentioning her aunt was out for the night. “Okay.” She scanned the area one last time before making a run for the house. She had only gone a few steps when she remembered her cell phone was in her pocket. Relieved she could join Chase again, she pivoted on her feet and ran right into something big and solid.
A hand came over her mouth. A dirty, smelly hand. “Don’t make a sound, sweetheart.”
Despite the warning, Addie tried screaming. But without much success. Pure terror rocketed through her and she squirmed, trying to get away. The man held her tightly—so tight she couldn’t br
eathe. With her elbow, she jabbed him in his protruding stomach. He grunted and his hand loosened, allowing her to scream for all she was worth. “Help!”
“Shut up,” the man said, pulling her back to his chest and clamping his hand back over her mouth. He dragged her out of the path, deeper into the shadows of the trees. “Just calm down.”
Calm down?
She wiggled without making any progress as Chase’s footsteps pounded against the ground. He yelled out her name, the light from his flashlight bouncing wildly as he sprinted toward her. “Addie! Where are you!”
He zoomed straight ahead, passing right by her. “Chase!” she screamed, only it came out muffled and lacking any kind of volume. Having a hand over your mouth tended to do that.
It made her mad.
She twisted and squirmed but the man kept a solid grip on her. A surge of adrenalin shot through her and she thrust her chin up and bit down. Her teeth only caught a little flesh, but it was enough to make him release her mouth. “Chase! Help me!” she cried out.
Her captor swore, shaking his hand. “I don’t wanna hurt you, but if you can’t shut up—”
The beam of a flashlight shone in their direction, making him stop talking. There was enough moonlight to show the shocked expression on Chase’s face as he came to a halt.
“Hold it right there, son,” the man holding her said. “I don’t wanna hurt no one.”
Oh, yeah? Then let me go. Addie thought as she tried to break away. The guy tightened his grip.
“Just let her go,” Chase said, holding out an imploring hand.
The man grunted and then spit over Addie’s shoulder. Suddenly she knew who was holding her captive. “Ernie?” she asked, trying to look at him.
He swore again. “Why can’t you just shut up?”
His arm clamped around her neck, cutting off her airway. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on breathing as Chase tried reasoning with the guy. “Look, Mister. I know you don’t want to hurt her so just let her go. We won’t call the police and we’ll forget this ever happened.”
Ernie spit again. “I sure ain’t wantin’ to hurt no one, but y’all startled me.”
Um, can’t breathe, here! Addie caught at the hand around her neck, but he only tightened his hold. Unable to catch her breath, she felt her fingers start to tingle. Her respiratory rate increased as she desperately tried to suck in enough oxygen. She started to panic, a feeling of doom crushing her just as much as the arm around her neck.
Ernie and Chase continued their discussion. Her breath came in short gasps until finally her head began to spin. The men’s voiced faded as Addie felt her world go completely dark.
Chapter Twenty Four
Chase tried to think of what to do next as he pled with Ernie to let Addie go. He wasn’t dealing with the sharpest tool in the shed. The guy was stuck on the fact he thought he was all alone and they had intruded on him.
Holding the flashlight in one hand, Chase took a small step forward. His gut clenched at the sheer look of panic on Addie’s face. Her eyes were wide and she was gulping for air. The stupid guy had her in a chokehold. “Hey, man,” Chase said. “You gotta let her go. She can’t breathe.”
Ernie glanced down just as Addie’s eyes fluttered shut and her body went limp. She slipped through the man’s arms and fell to the ground. “Well, shoot,” Ernie said, looking completely dumbfounded. “That ain’t good.”
Chase let out a growl as he lunged forward, knocking the big man to the ground. Then he turned to Addie and grasped her by the shoulders. Rolling her onto her back, he pressed his fingers against her throat. Her heart beat at a fast and steady pace, her chest rising and falling with each breath.
Knowing she was safe, he twisted around to take care of Ernie. The big oaf lay as still as a statue. Chase found his flashlight on the ground and aimed it at the man’s face. Ernie’s head lolled to the side, his arms flailed out beside him. Tobacco-stained saliva dribbled out of the corner of his mouth, disappearing into the unruly beard that covered his face. Scanning the light down, he noticed his chest expanding regularly as he inhaled and exhaled without a problem.
Just to make sure he was really out, Chase shone the flashlight directly in Ernie’s eyes. There wasn’t the slightest twitch in his eyelids. It could be a trick but he seriously doubted Ernie had the brain cells necessary to fake it this well.
A soft moan coming from Addie drew his attention away. He quickly knelt by her side, the moist grass cool against his knees. Taking her hand he leaned close. “Addie?”
Her eyes popped open, a wild look in them. She gasped, attempting to sit up. Chase kept her down. “It’s okay, baby. You’re okay.”
“Where…But…I…” She licked her lips and took a steadying breath. “Ernie?” she finally said, giving up on anything more complex.
“Out like a light.”
“You hit him?”
One side of his mouth lifted. “In a round-about way.”
Her forehead puckered. “The grass is wet.”
He helped her sit up and she threw her arms around his neck, knocking his glasses askew. “You saved me.”
Holding her close, he drew in a deep breath of relief and smiled. She couldn’t seem to form more than a three or four-word sentence. “Actually, you passed out.” He buried his face in her hair. “Ernie wasn’t expecting that.” Neither had he. He would never forget how he felt as he watched her slump to the ground.
Behind him, Ernie groaned. Chase stood and Addie huddled behind him. “Addie, go into the house and call the police.”
She pulled her phone from her pocket and held it out. “I’m not leaving your side again.”
This time he agreed. Seeing her held captive by that man—not knowing what would happen to her—had been a wakeup call. In that moment Chase realized how much she really meant to him. How much he loved her.
He took the phone and dialed 9-1-1 and then reached behind him to find her hand. He held on, determined to never let her go.
The police arrived just as Ernie came around. Chase kept his hands to his side in an effort to keep from shutting up the guy with his fists. He wasn’t typically a violent person, but when it involved the woman he loved, Chase found out he wasn’t opposed to hitting someone in order to protect her. He glared at Ernie and admired the patience of the cop arresting him. The officer was more in control than Chase was.
“This ain’t right, y’all. I didn’t mean to hurt no one,” Ernie said for the hundredth time as the officer hauled him away. “I’m telling ya…they startled me.”
Gage, the paramedic attending Addie, snorted and rolled his eyes. “That boy’s two bricks shy of a full load.”
“I think it’s more than two bricks,” Chase said, shaking his head in disbelief. Apparently Ernie didn’t see anything wrong with trespassing on private property. Or holding a girl in a chokehold.
Chase crouched down by Addie and took her hand. “You okay?”
She squeezed his fingers and nodded. “Yes. Much better now that I don’t have to listen to that sorry excuse for a man complain anymore.”
Gage chuckled. “For someone who isn’t from the south, you sure got spunk.”
“Hey,” she said. “I’ve got southern blood running through my veins.”
Both Chase and the paramedic laughed at her poor attempt at a southern accent. Addie was tough, and had been joking around with the police and the ambulance crew, but Chase could hear how shaky her voice was whenever she talked.
She narrowed her eyes. “What? I do. Not everyone loves pulled pork and coconut cream pie, ya know.”
“Speaking of the pie,” Chase said in a low whisper. “You still have a couple of slices, right?”
Her hand trembled slightly as she held up three fingers. “One for each of us if we’re quiet about it.”
Gage removed the blood pressure cuff. “Y’all knock yourself out.” He patted his rounding stomach. “The wife’s got me on a diet.”
Addie gri
nned. “I have dibs on the third piece then.”
“Hey,” Chase said wryly. “Let’s not forget who came over to rescue you.”
“True.” She batted her eyelashes playfully. “Even if I was held captive, you still deserve the third piece.”
Gage laughed and picked up his chart to write on it. “I think the girl wins.”
Chase leaned in and kissed her on the mouth. Then said, “Nah. I’m definitely the winner here.”
* * *
Staring at the phone, Chase couldn’t decide if he felt excited or panicked. Nashborough wanted him to fly in for an interview tomorrow. In one way it couldn’t have come at a better time. Whit Barclay decided to stay in South Carolina a few more days, so Chase wouldn’t have to worry about him. As for Hayden, for once it appeared she’d kept her word. He knew she did it to protect herself, but this time around her selfishness actually benefitted him.
In matters of the heart, the timing was terrible. Addie only had a few more days in Georgia before she flew home. He still hadn’t talked to her about the potential job and move to Tennessee.
His eyes scanned the rest of the email. He’d be flying on a private jet owned by Nashborough, and had the option of staying the night in a hotel, or returning that same evening by the same plane. Either way, the company needed his reply by the end of the day.
Placing the phone on his desk, Chase stood up and walked over to look out his office window. If he’d gotten the offer last week, he wouldn’t be having this dilemma about what to do. He’d prayed so fervently about working for this company. He believed if he got an interview, and then subsequently offered the job it was an answer to his prayers.
Now, he wasn’t sure what to believe.
Last night, when Addie fainted, Chase knew he was in love with her, and wanted to marry her. No fear. No second guessing. His doubts returned this morning the minute he read the email.
He groaned, and ran his hand through his hair. “Please, God. Tell me what to do.” He waited for a few heartbeats, praying for divine guidance. Closing his eyes, he prayed more sincerely about what to do.
Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1 Page 24