Page 44 of Secret Admirer

Would that be enough to deter whoever breached the property and had just been shocked?

I’m not sure.

“Do it. Like I said, the sooner you can get the entire system in place the better.”

He nods and looks outside once again. “I hope this works.”

“Me too.”

“Well, we’re done with the inside for today. I’ll stay outside and supervise the fence work. We’ll have a bigger crew here tomorrow. Will you be here again?”

What he wants to know is if Coco is going to be here.

“I’m not sure, but probably. At least until I have to go to work.” Coco and I hadn’t discussed it, but if she had to work, I knew she’d feel more comfortable with me being here.

Once again, he looks me up and down. I know he’s dying to ask what I do, but he doesn’t ask. Instead, he heads out the front door and doesn’t look back. I quickly lock up the house and set the alarm before slipping out into the garage and Coco’s car. After driving it, I’m not as nervous. It had been years since I last drove, but it was like riding a bike; only I never drove a crazy expensive bike that I’d never be able to afford to pay back if anything happened to it. After seeing two deep scratches down the driver’s side and Coco not caring, I felt better. Driving and picking Coco up from work is another step closer to making me feel as if I’m getting my life back.

* * *

The kids are helping me put away all the supplies in the closet when Lucille comes running into the room out of breath. Her eyes are wide as she searches for someone or something. Once she spots me, she rushes over and takes hold of my arm.

I place my hand over hers. “Is everything okay?” I look out to the hall, but I don’t hear or see anything.

“That sweet girl who dropped you off is on the phone,” Lucille takes in a shaky breath. “She sounds so scared. You need to get to the phone and talk to her. I could barely make out a word she was saying.”

Without thinking I sprint out the door and quickly realize I don’t know where I’m going. I can’t run to Coco’s house.

“Mr. Rivers,” someone calls out.

Turning around, I see the Gladys, the woman who’s always manning the front desk, holding a phone out to me. Quickly, I thank her and put the phone to my ear. I hear a sharp inhalation on the line, but nothing else. “Coco?”

“Bodhi,” she whispers my name before she starts crying.

“Are you okay?” I ask as I try to figure out how to get to her as quickly as possible. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” she chokes out. I stop pacing and listen to her. “I’m not hurt, but…I…” she takes in a shaky breath, “I laid down when I got home and fell asleep.”

“Is there someone there?”

“No, I’m…I’m sorry to worry you, but I had a night…mare that someone was here and broke in because you weren’t here. I need you here with me, Bodhi.” She sniffs causing my heart to break and simultaneously speed up at her words.

I don’t know how I’m going to get there, but I am going to get to her.

“I’ll be right there.”

20

Coco

A loud bangingon my front door makes me jump a foot in the air. Is it my stalker? Maybe it wasn’t the wisest decision to close the shades so no one could see in when I can’t see out, and I’m on edge.

“Coco,” Bodhi yells and bangs on the door again.

My body instantly sags with relief knowing he’s here. Swiping the tears from my face with my sleeve, I run to the front door. My hands can barely unlock the door they’re shaking so much. My dream seemed so real and when I woke up alone gasping for air, I knew I needed Bodhi.

Throwing the door open, I launch myself at him wrapping my arms and legs around him and bury my head against the side of his neck. Bodhi’s arms hold me to him not that I need any help; I’m stuck to him like a barnacle to a boat.

His hands roam up and down my back and arms. “Are you okay? You sounded so—”

---