Page 189 of Valor

“What?”

“And get this. I saw him in the village square when I talked to my mom on the phone. Oliver, he knows where I’m staying.”

“Are you certain about this?”

Meghan looked out the window; the mountaintops were wrapped in wispy clouds. “He followed us today.”

“What?”

“I saw him in his car, parked in front of the coffee shop. He took pictures of us.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You don’t think I’m being paranoid?”

He glanced over.

“Nope.”

“What should I do?”

“We need to involve the police.”

“But I don’t have anything to prove this. One picture taken at the train station doesn’t really cut it.”

“Okay, then we will get proof.”

“How?”

“He parked in front of your place. We’ll see if that was a coincidence or?—”

“How?”

“I work at the high school across the square, remember? I can get in and watch your Airbnb. You call me if you see his car. I get the license plate number and maybe even a couple of pictures. That’s a start. What do you think?”

Meghan fidgeted with her phone. Now Oliver offered to watch her. That would make two men observing her every move. That did not make her any more comfortable. Maybe she should go straight to the police.

“It’s an idea. But what I wonder is, why me? Is this some random stalker, or did he know I would be on the train? And if this is not a coincidence, how did he know I would be coming here?”

“Good questions. But the most important is this: Do you feel safe?”

His voice sounded genuine. Oliver did care about her, as she could tell from his series of kind gestures, protectiveness, and care. Meghan blew out her cheeks but remained silent.

“Okay.” He nodded. “You can stay with me.”

Meghan sucked in her breath. What was she to say to this? The man following her was more than creepy, but moving into Oliver’s place? Would that be a wise choice? She’d only known him for a couple of days. He was a high school teacher, but that didn’t automatically make him a saint.

“I understand your hesitation.” He broke the awkward silence. “Let me just say my mother lives with me, and we do have a spare room. It used to be my sister’s before she got married and moved to Brno.”

Did he live with his mother? Meghan struggled not to stare at him. She knew Oliver was too good to be true.

“I don’t know. What would your mom say?” She couldn’t imagine imposing on a virtual stranger.

“She will love you. And she will cook.” A smile broke on his face. “And bake.”

“But I prepaid for the entire two weeks.” Meghan struggled to keep the disappointment out of her voice. For a brief moment at the coffee shop, she was sure she felt something for this man. But living with his mom? That raised some red flags. But did she want to deal with a guy who had “mommy” issues? Not that she would consider a long-distance relationship, anyway.

They passed the sign welcoming them back to the village. She only had a few minutes to sort out this strange invitation.

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