She fumbled with the key to the back door, dropped it, and watched as it fell down alongside the steps. She scrambled down off the edge of the porch, and after she’d searched through the ice-coated grass, she finally spotted the silver key under the overhang. She grabbed it, hurried back up the steps, and turned the key in the lock.
They entered the house, and she turned quickly to close the door. As it was closing, she saw the end of the man’s scarf, blowing in the wind just as he stepped around the corner of the house.
Chapter Thirty-nine
She slammed the bolt shut and with her back against the door, she slid down to the floor and sat with her arms wrapped around Mandy’s neck. She’d have to call the police.
She stood on wobbly legs, while she whispered for Mandy to be quiet. She peered out the window along the edge of the kitchen curtain, and saw him standing at the end of the driveway, peering up and down the street. He must not have seen her go into her house. He now started down the sidewalk, away from her property, looking carefully in every direction.
She was thankful that there’d been no snow yet this year, no snow to reveal her tracks, which would have led him directly to her door.
She hurried over to the kitchen counter, grabbed her phone and dialed nine-one-one. She explained the situation, and they told her they’d send someone out immediately. She told them that she didn’t want a police car to arrive at her home. If the man happened to see it, he may figure out that this is her house. They told her they would send an unmarked police car.
The officer arrived and told her that if they didn’t find him, all they’d be able to do was to patrol her neighborhood several times during the day and night. She couldn’t press charges, since she didn’t know who the man was, and he never really did anything to harm her. If she’d seen him touch anything in the yard, they would have been able to check for fingerprints, but he hadn’t done anything other than walk through her yard. They checked with all the neighbors up and down the block. No one recalled seeing the man.
She called the phone company on Monday and they informed her that they’d change her number immediately. She called the twins and all of her friends, to notify them of her new number, and everyone was concerned about her being home alone.
“Mom, I think we should come home. I’m so worried about you.”
“I’ll be perfectly safe, Kayla. This person, whoever he is, doesn’t even know where we live. And Mandy will protect me.”
Sean wanted her to stay at his house until the police found the man.
“Sean, they won’t be able to find him. The only description I could give was his height and the color of his coat and scarf he wore across his face. None of the neighbors saw him. Heck, they hadn’t even seen me run through their yards with Mandy.”
“All right then, I’ll come over to stay whenever I’m off work, which unfortunately, isn’t often enough. However, I’ll be there with you, whenever I’m able. And I’ll always make sure I phone whenever I’m on my way, so you’ll know that it’s me who’s arriving, okay?”
“That’ll work. That way, if he should happen to find out which house is mine, he won’t know if I’m home alone or not.”
“Well, I’d better get going. I have to get ready. I’ll throw some clothes in my car, so I’ll be able to come directly to your house when I leave work.”
Shannon pulled into the driveway soon after Cassandra hung up the phone. She was anxious to get out of the house; they planned to do some Christmas shopping. She grabbed her purse, pulled on her jacket and gloves, then hurried out the door.
“Where would you like to eat?” Shannon asked when she hopped in.
“Do we have time to head over to the Woodland Mall? I have my ring in my purse. I’d like to drop it off at the jewelers. It was one of Auntie Em’s and I lost one of the small emeralds. I’d really like to have it replaced.”
“Okay, we can eat at the food court, and then get some more Christmas shopping done. I can hardly believe Christmas is only two weeks away.”
“I know, and the kids will be here in another week. I want to go to Barnes and Noble also. Kayla hinted for a few books when they were home for Thanksgiving. I’m glad they’re staying for two weeks this time.”
When they stopped at Woodland Jewelers, she found a beautiful gold neck chain for Sean. She also spotted a necklace for Kayla, a sparkling white gold heart, with a pearl in the center.
“Well, I’m almost done with my Christmas shopping. I only have a couple more things to get for Kyle.”
Shannon frowned. “I still haven’t thought of anything for Dan. He’s the most difficult person to buy for.”
“I had only two ideas for Sean. It was either Craftsmen tools or jewelry. He’s always buying the tools, so I chose this.”
When they walked back to Shannon’s car, it had begun to snow. By the time they found the vehicle it was coming down quite heavily. Cassandra tipped her face up, catching the fluffy white flakes on her tongue, and giggled when Shannon tried to do the same, only to have them splatter into her eyes.
“Hey,” Shannon shrieked. She looked up and noticed a light pole directly above her head, where a Blue Jay sat watching them. It fluttered its wings, and knocked a clump of snow on her face.
Cassandra laughed so hard, tears filled her eyes. “Good aim, buddy. At least it wasn’t bird poop.” They both laughed, and dropped a few packages on the ground. They picked up the bags and tossed them onto the back seat.
“Come on, we’d better get home before the roads become slick.”
The following Saturday Sean and Cassandra went to the mall to pick up her ring and finish their shopping before the twins arrived.
“Let’s get the remainder of the Christmas shopping done first,” Sean said, “and we’ll stop at the jewelers on our way out.”
“Okay, I only have two items left for Kyle and then I’ll be done.”
It didn’t take long, and as they were walking out of Barnes and Noble Sean looked down at her. “Are you hungry? We could stop at the food court, or head elsewhere. Where would you like to go?”
“Here will be fine. Remember, we still have to stop by the jewelers to pick up my ring.”
Sean snapped his fingers and said, “Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot.” He guided her into the food court. “What are you hungry for? The Old Fashioned Soda Fountain is down at the end of the aisle. They have great burgers.”
“That sounds good.” She smiled up at him. She’d noticed a strange grin on his face all afternoon, and there it was again. Once their food arrived, it slipped her mind.
When they entered Woodland Jewelers, it was crowded with Christmas shoppers. They stood and waited patiently. When the jeweler finally brought the ring box out for her, he handed it to Sean.
“That’s my ring,” she said nicely, and held out her hand to the jeweler. The jeweler laughed and looked over at Sean. Sean opened the box, withdrew the ring, and took her hand in his. He was about to place the beautiful diamond ring on her finger.
“Wait, this isn’t mine.” She quickly looked up at the jeweler. She tried to remove her hand from Sean’s, but he wouldn’t let go.
“Yes, it is,” he said, with a smile.
“No, mine was a large emerald with a smaller emerald on each side. I asked you to replace the smaller emerald that had fallen out.”
He looked up and winked at Sean, then reached beneath the counter, brought out her emerald ring, and handed it to her.
Sean placed his hand on her shoulder and slowly turned her to face him.
“It is yours, Cassie... that is if you like it.” He slipped it on her finger, and lifted her hand to examine the ring. It was a one-carat marquise diamond center stone set with three diamond accents down each side of the gold band. “It looks awfully nice on that beautiful finger of yours.”
Her mouth dropped, and she looked up at him.
“Will you marry me, Cassie?” he asked, and brought her hand to his lips.
&nb
sp; “Oh, Sean,” she said softly, clearly surprised that he’d asked her. She threw her arms around his neck and said, “Yes, definitely,” and he lowered his lips to hers.
“I just couldn’t wait until Christmas, Cassie. When you told me you had to pick up your ring I thought, why not now? I’d already picked it out two weeks ago. Then Eddie here,” he nodded toward the jeweler, “called to let me know that both rings were ready to be picked up. Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful. I love it. I love you so much.”
Suddenly every customer in the store cheered, clapped, and yelled their congratulations.
“Way to go, man!” one of the men shouted.
“You never do anything that romantic for me,” moaned a matronly woman.
Cassandra admired her ring, while tears lightly glistened in her eyes. She glanced up at Sean, surprised again by this unpredictable man. When his gaze met hers, her heart turned over in response. With a smile, he carried their packages in one hand and placed his free arm around her shoulders, and they turned to leave.
“Merry Christmas,” Eddie, the jeweler, said with a smile, and they walked out the door, their eyes only on each other.
Chapter Forty
Christmas had come and gone too rapidly. It felt as though the twins had been home for only one week, not two. When they’d seen their mom’s engagement ring, they were so happy for her. They let Sean know just how much he meant to them by treating him as though he was already a big part of the family.
When the time came for them to part at the airport, the twins hugged and kissed her.
They all shed a few tears as they said goodbye for the third time.
“Call me soon. That goes for both of you. I’ll miss you,” Cassandra said.
Kayla threw her arms around Sean, and thanked him again for her Christmas present. He’d given each of them a Blackberry and told them that he’d take care of their monthly bill while they attended college.
Kyle shook his hand, and pulled him off to the side, a few feet from the others. “Take good care of Mom, Sean. I know that something’s been bothering her, and she won’t tell us what it is. We can tell that she’s been hiding something from us.”
Sean put his arm around Kyle’s shoulder and gave him a light squeeze. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. She just misses you both. She’s not used to having the house to herself. However, that won’t be for too much longer,” he said, with that special sparkle in his eyes that Cassandra loved so much.
With their carry-on bag over their shoulders, they waved their final goodbyes and headed toward the gate.
Sean placed his arm around Cassandra’s waist, and they stood and watched until the twins had passed through security and disappeared among the crowd.
All of a sudden, the twins were gone again. Sadly, Sean would also be leaving town, but he promised her that this time it would only be for a few days, and he’d call her every chance he could.
“Just be careful, Cassie, and always keep the doors locked. If you should notice someone following you, head somewhere other than home. Go to a neighbor’s, or even to the police station.”
Snow lay thick when Sean left for the airport. Cassandra was still in her nightgown and robe when Shannon knocked at the door. She wore her long winter coat, her heavy boots, and carried an empty coffee cup. When Shannon removed her coat, Cassandra burst out laughing, and shook her head. “You are something else, girl,” she said, with a grin.
Beneath her coat, Shannon wore her bathrobe, and under that, her flannel pajamas. When she pulled off her snow boots, she reached in and pulled out her slippers, which were stuck in the bottom of each boot. Cassandra giggled and poured their coffee.
“Wouldn’t it have been easier just to put on a sweatshirt and sweat pants under your coat, to walk over in this freezing January temperature?”
“No way,” she said, “it’s too early to get dressed. I was just sitting by the window waiting for Sean to drive off. All I had to do was throw on my outer gear and head right over. Anyway, let’s see that ring again.”
Cassandra held out her hand and wiggled her finger under the fluorescent light.
“That’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen, honey. He definitely has good taste. So… when is the wedding going to take place?”
“We haven’t even talked about it, Shannon. Probably in another twenty-some years or so,” she said with a smile. “It really is beautiful, isn’t it?” She sat down at the table and admired the marquise diamond. “I don’t care to set a date just yet. We’re back together after twenty-three years; twenty-three years that I’d spent thinking that I’d never even see him again. I want to take it slow, enjoy life, and be happy. For once in my life, I’m happy.”
“I can see that, just by looking at you, honey.” Shannon snapped her fingers in remembrance. “By the way, last night I was thinking about those flowers that were delivered here, and the man who was following you last month. If the man hadn’t known which house you live in, then how did he have the flowers delivered? That is, if he is the same man who had the roses delivered… Did you happen to see the company name on the delivery truck?”
“Yes, Pink Lady Floral was printed on the side of the van.”
“Well, maybe you should call them. They might know who the man was.”
“I have a better idea. Let’s get dressed and drive over there.”
*
They drove up to the Pink Lady Floral. The store had just opened when they entered and they walked over to the counter.
A short, elderly woman stood behind it and looked up. “Well good morning, ladies. You’re bright and early this fine day,” she said with a smile.
“Hello, Ma’am. My name is Cassandra Becker. Do you have a moment?”
“Sure do, honey, what can I do for ya?”
“On November twenty-seventh one of your employees delivered two dozen roses to my house, with a note card attached, but there wasn’t a signature. Would you happen to know the name of the person who ordered them?”
“Hmm,” the woman said, “I do remember that. When the man ordered them, he paid cash. He told me your name but said that he didn’t have your address, and asked if I could look it up for him. I could find out your address, but told him I wasn’t able to give it out to him, but I could have the flowers delivered. The man did look rather strange. I asked him why he didn’t know the address, but he had your phone number. He told me you were a new acquaintance of his. He had only met you recently, and he wanted to send you flowers for your birthday.”
“My birthday? It wasn’t my birthday.”
“Could you describe this man to the police?” Shannon asked. “Would you mind speaking to them?”
“I’d be glad to. I’ll help in any way I can. I could describe the man, and maybe they have one of those kinda people they have nowadays, who would be able to draw up a sketch of him, with my description.”
“That would be great,” Cassandra said. “Would you mind coming to the Woodland Police Department with us?”
“Why don’t you two go on ahead, let them know that I’m coming. As soon as my two employees arrive, I’ll come down to the station. By the way, my name is Lillie Mae Lundquist,” she said and held out her hand. “Both Missy and Tom should be here any minute. I’ll be there in about twenty or thirty minutes.”
“We’ll let them know you’re coming so they can be prepared. We’ll see you over there. You’re sure you don’t need a ride?”
“Nah, I still drive. I’ll get there just as soon as I can, honey.”
“Thank you so much, Lillie. I really do appreciate this. You could be a godsend,” Cassandra said, and she and Shannon hurried out the door.
*
The police officer looked over the sketch and smiled. “This is very good. Now all we can do is wait and be on the lookout. Ms. Becker, if you happen to spot him anywhere, anywhere at all, anytime of the day or night, please call us here at the station,” he said, and handed her one of h
is business cards. She glanced at it and read his name, Officer Benjamin Townsend.
“And Ms. Lundquist – ”
“Ah, ya can just call me Lillie Mae, Mr. Policeman,” she said with a smile.
The officer cleared his throat, smiled and nodded. “Lillie Mae, if you see him again, anywhere, or if he should happen to return to your floral shop, please call. Don’t say anything to him; just act as if he’s any other client. Try to excuse yourself and leave the room to make the call, otherwise wait until he leaves.”
“I’ll sure do that, young man.”
“Now, Mrs. Miller, if you happen to see any strangers at all in the neighborhood that may look suspicious, please call the station right away, and it would be a good idea to call Ms. Becker, to let her know that she should stay indoors.” He then handed his card to Shannon as well. “I’m known here at the station as Officer Benjamin,” he said. “Now, do you have any questions?”
“Officer, do you think the sketch will help?” Cassandra asked.
“It looks to be a very good sketch. Ms. Lund… I mean Lillie Mae,” he corrected himself and smiled at Lillie, “seems to have a very clear memory. With the clues of a scar near his left eye, and a tattoo of a shark on the left side of his neck, he should be very easy to spot, if he shows up in our area.”
The women slipped on their coats and picked up their purses. Officer Benjamin said, “One more thing… if any of you do happen to see him anywhere, and you notice that he may have touched something, anything at all, let us know about that immediately. That way, we may be able to get fingerprints.”
He smiled at the three of them and said, “Okay, ladies, if there are no more questions, you may leave. Just be sure to keep your eyes wide open, and be very careful. We don’t know who this man is, what he’s capable of, or whether he is armed and dangerous. So don’t try to do anything except to call us here at the station. If there’s a need for immediate help, then be sure to dial nine-one-one.”
The Sunny Side of the Mountain Page 21