Page 7 of Five for Silver

He’d seen it a lot in the past month.

So much so, that he’d convinced himselfthispick-up truck was following him.

Keeley had tried to rationalize his paranoia.

He’d been noticing more and more red trucks, but notthe same make or model. It was a coincidence, not a stalker andyet, Chad bristled at the touch of eyes.

Chad changed direction, heading straight towardsit.

The engine rumbled into life, and the truck pulledaway, slicing into traffic to the sound of furious car horns. Chadsquinted, but he was still too far away to read the plate.

He curled his fingers into something soft beforerealizing he still had hold of the rabbit.

“Shit.”

The woman had gone, and Chad could no longer hearthe rattle of her pushchair.

He sighed, and studied the rabbit. Peter Rabbit. Andby the intricate gold stitching, not a cheap one. He tugged Peter’sblue waistcoat firmly around his body, then trudged back to hiscar.

The woman didn’t reappear, and neither did the redtruck.

Chad admitted defeat and drove home, only for Romeoto meet him on the doorstep with his arms crossed and eyebrowraised.

“Bird feeder?”

“Shit,” Chad backed up. “I’ll go get one.”

Romeo caught his arm before Chad could escape.“Don’t worry about it.”

“But I want mynicewake up calls.”

“How could I deny my Juliet anything,” Romeo said,pulling Chad into the house. “I’ll order a bird feeder online.”

Chad’s mouth dropped at the pile of chain spillingout of a delivery box in the entrance hall.

“Urm … Romeo?”

“It’s for Mercutio.” Romeo replied with a shrug.

“Chain?”

“And padlocks.”

Chad picked a section of chain from the box, gapingat the weight. “What the hell?”

“Just in case he’s vicious.”

“We’re not getting a goddamn werewolf, Romeo. He’s atimid, sweet boy.”

“Don’t make me jealous.”

Chad tried to shove the box with his foot, but itdidn’t budge. “Outhouse.”

“Fine.” Romeo leaned over to heave the box off thefloor. “No need to be agrumpabout it.”

He winked as he passed through the doorway.

Chapter Two

---