Page 28 of Lost on Ice
“Where are you staying, anyhow? You must have found a place lightning quick. Like, I’m impressed.”
“Oh…” he shrugs. “Around the corner from here. Temporary place. Can’t say it’s ideal. Have any leads on houses here?”
I think for a moment. Not really, but I do feel like I should help him out. “Nah, but I’ll ask around.”
“Thanks. You have a good night, Abbie.”
“You too, Dr. Westbrook.”
I give him a little wave before continuing on down the hallway, out the back door, and into the frigid evening air. As I make my way to my car, movement out of the corner of my eye causes my steps to falter. I look over and find a tall man pushing away from the side of the building, as if he’d been leaning against it. His coat looks threadbare and too thin to actually be warm. What the hell is he doing? It’s freezing out here.
“Abbie!” The guy smiles and raises his hand in greeting. “Hey!”
I pause and he continues walking toward me. I don’t really recognize him, but he seems to know me. Glancing around, I see that we’re the only two people out here and start to feel uncomfortable. I know this is a small town, but I’m so used to big city living that any unknown man approaching a woman in an unpopulated area is a red flag to me.
“Hi?” I reply cautiously.
“Stuart.”
He stops in front of me, tucking his hands into the pockets of his kaiki cargo pants. He looks older, maybe late thirties or early forties, and his thin, dark hair looks a tad greasy.
“I wanted to tell you how glad I am that you’re back in town. It’s so great to have my favorite nurse around again.”
“Sounds like you never were on the receiving end of a needle from me,” I murmur, realizing only a second later that a snarky response like that probably isn’t good for business. “Anyway, I have to?—”
“Seriously,” he says, inching closer. “I’m so glad!”
Okay, so he has to be a patient, but I still can’t place him. I’m starting to get a weird feeling deep in my stomach. The thought crosses my mind that maybe I know him from Harrisburg, but that can’t be right. Why would a patient from Harrisburg be here?
Unless… no, no. He wouldn’t be this bold, would he? To just appear in front of me like this?
“I’m really happy to be back too, Stuart,” I reply, doing my best to maintain a polite, friendly demeanor. I don’t want to do anything to upset this strange man who appears to have been waiting for me in the parking lot of my place of employment.
Thankfully, he doesn’t linger. “Well, I’ll let you go. Just wanted to tell you how lucky we are to have you back in Ivy Glen. I’ll see you around.”
With a wave, he turns and walks away. I let out a long breath and swallow. My heart is racing and a cold sweat has broken out across my forehead.
“Abbie?”
I jump and turn to find Dr. Westbrook making his way toward me from the back door. He’s frowning, looking between me and the retreating stranger.
“Oh, hey,” I reply, my voice squeaking a bit.
He locks his eyes on me. “Was that guy waiting for you?”
“I don’t know what the hell he was doing. I don’t know him.”
He furrows his brow. “You should be more careful. I know it’s a small town, but creeps are everywhere.”
“You can say that again. I’m fine, though.”
Dr. Westbrook doesn’t look convinced. “Still… just promise if something like that happens again, you’ll come get me or something. Don’t be alone, okay?”
“Gotcha.”
He seems satisfied by that and turns for his car. I hurry to get into mine and pull out of the parking lot, desperate to get home. I didn’t want to worry Dr. Westbrook, but I’m fully freaking out.
I need to calm down. Those messages I got back in Harrisburg have me anxious and paranoid, but things have been good since I moved back here. Calm and peaceful.
