Page 11 of Her Surprise Protector
When I stepped onto my driveway, I leaned against the car door. Bending low, I suggested, “Hey, I was thinking. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to give me your number too. That way I can let you know the arrangements I’ll be making to secure your home.”
“Uh, sure.” Elena read out her number to me as I entered it into my contacts.
I saved it, zipped the phone back into my armband and waved goodbye to Bree, who waved back. “Thanks for the ride…Elena.” I didn’t know what was so different about her name this time when I said it, but we both sensed the difference.
The evening shadows flitted across Elena’s face. “Thank you for everything…Riker.”
Chapter Six
Elena
At some point in our lives, everyone made a promise they couldn’t keep. It just happened. For example, what if I promised Bree that she could have a cookie, but the last cookie happened to have mold growing on it or something? It wouldn’t be my fault when I broke my promise, because I couldn’t let Bree eat a moldy cookie. But she wouldn’t be happy with me.
I didn’t doubt that Rikercouldkeep his promise to provide security for my house, but I doubted hewould.He was probably a busy man who had forgotten all about me by the time he woke up this morning. Besides, he was undoubtedly one of the Hamptons filthy rich. He lived on a pedestal above the average person, his wealth a buffer between him and us.
Riker had seemed angry yesterday – even protective, but I assumed that came with working security. He had done his civic duty by helping me out, but he had no obligation to offer anything more.
“I made sliced strawberries,” I told Bree coaxingly, putting them in a bowl and tilting it so she could see the bright red fruit. “Don’t you want some?”
Bree shook her head and tossed a toy block across the room. “Play!”
I knew what play meant, and it didn’t mean play with me. Bree had grown accustomed to seeing the kids at the daycare five mornings a week. Then she became confused when she didn’t get to see her friends on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sometimes, this made me happy, because I didn’t want Bree to feel sad or alone when she went to daycare. Other times, it made me feel less…needed.
I needed to shake those conflicting thoughts from my mind and deal with Bree’s obstinate mood. Of course, Bree needed me. She was only two-and-a-half years old. Even when she was older, she would still need me. She was the only person in my life who always would, actually. Friends and men would come and go, but Bree would always be my little girl, and I would always be her mother.
Bree calmed down, and I had a chance to sit for a few minutes and grab some breakfast in the form of a toasted English muffin with butter. I needed to figure out a good way to get Bree’s mind off the weekend schedule change, so I could take care of some chores around the house. And I needed to figure out what to do about Oscar.
My muffin plate hit the sink harder than I intended.What was I supposed to do about my ex? The police should do their job and keep him from bothering – from threatening – my child and me. Like I had told Riker, I couldn’t afford a security system. And if Oscar confronted me outside again, a home alarm wouldn’t help me anyway.
Riker might forget his promise, but I could remind him. I had his number, right there on the table. One quick call, and as he had said, he would handle everything.
I put the idea out of my mind. That was what Riker had said, yes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he had an excuse as to why he couldn’t keep his word this morning.
I didn’t know what to do, but I did know one thing – I wasn’t staying in this house all day with an antsy toddler, worrying about Oscar’s next move.
On Friday I had gotten paid, meaning I could afford to buy a couple of new things for Bree and even one or two for myself if I found some good deals. Maybe I would also take her to try that new Chinese place near my work. They had mac and cheese on the kid’s menu - Bree’s favorite.
I got ready to leave. After hunting for a cloth bag and some of Bree’s things to fill it, I dressed her as well as myself and threw on a minimal amount of make-up. Leaving the house was quite a process now that I had a daughter. Grabbing my purse and phone before sauntering to the car was no longer an option.
Finally, I slipped on Bree’s tiny sneakers. Picking up my bag with one hand and Bree with the other arm, I carried them to the front door and paused.
This was it. This was the part of the day I had been dreading. Inside, we were safe. Oscar might have been a creepy stalker, but I doubted he would try to break in the house in broad daylight. But outside… that was a different story. My house was no longer a safe haven for my daughter and me. Oscar could be lurking anywhere, waiting for us to go somewhere - like yesterday. With Bree in my arms, it would be difficult to run or push him away.
I peered through the windows for several moments, watching the ocean breeze brush the feathery tops of the tall grasses and wreak havoc with stray leaves and loose sand. Nothing was stirring outside except nature.
A deep breath helped me square my shoulders, and I marched out the door. With the bag in the crook of my elbow, I was prepared to swing it as hard as I could if need be. And my other arm gripped Bree to my hip tighter than usual as I headed for the car.
Nothing happened. Oscar must have decided to do something with his life aside from stalking me today.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I situated Bree in her car seat, locked the front door, and then we were on our way. I hated how I sighed in relief when I glanced up in the rearview mirror and watched my house fade in the distance. Our home had been my beautiful beachside sanctuary for years, and now I couldn’t be comfortable inside without pulling curtains tighter, checking locks and eyeing the once-lovely scenery with distrust.
Oh well. I’d figure it out. I always did. I had been through some hard times with college and finding a job after, then moving into the living situation I had now, but I had always managed to get along alright.
Ringing interrupted my stream of thought, and I couldn’t help but jump a little since I had stopped at a light, and Bree was sitting so quietly. The number was unknown, but that wasn’t uncommon due to my job. “Hello?”
“Hello, Elena. It’s Riker.”
