Page 28 of Someone Like You
Like someone was watching her.
She looked across the way, and once more she caught the guy staring at her. He didn’t seem scary, but why was he looking at her? If he wanted to see kangaroos he should come through the exhibit.
As soon as he was caught, the man turned away again, put his book and what looked like a pencil case into his bag, and he walked the opposite way, back toward the giraffes.
Maddie watched him go. The guy was tall with strong shoulders. Dark hair, handsome features. Something about him looked familiar. She kept track of him till he moved out of sight. Where did she know him from? High school? Or maybe here at the zoo. If he was a member she’dprobably seen him during one of her summers here.
But why was he watching her?
Good-looking or not, the guy seemed a little creepy. She didn’t notice him for the rest of her shift. Not till she was leaving the zoo, headed out to her car. Like normal, her walk to the exit took her past the flamingos.
And there he was. Not far from the pink birds, he sat on a bench, sketchbook open. But he wasn’t watching the flamingos. He was looking for her. Waiting for her. As if he had known she’d have to walk this way when she finished work.
This time he didn’t look away. He locked eyes with her and started to stand. Immediately Maddie knew she hadn’t seen him before. The guy was a stranger and he was staring straight at her.
Fear hit her square in the heart.Dear God, who is he? What does he want from me?She did an about-face and moved faster than before. There were a dozen ways out of the zoo. Maddie could get to her car before he could figure out which way she was going.
Unless he knew what car she drove.
Calm down,she told herself. The guy was probably harmless. Just here sketching animals and birds. He maybe thought she was pretty, nothing more. Even still her breathing came faster. She kept checking over her shoulder in case he was following her.
When she reached the parking lot, Maddie looked around again. No sign of him.Good Thank You, Lord.She slowed her pace. By the time she was locked in behind the wheel of her car, she felt more in control. There had been no reason to panic. What was the guy going to do to her in full daylight at the zoo?
No matter how handsome the stranger was, Maddie knew one thing for sure. She wouldn’t tolerate another day of being stared at. If he came back, she would tell Ms. Barber and her boss would call the authorities. Maddie relaxed against the headrest. Yes, Ms. Barber would make short work of the guy. Forget the zoo security, she’d call the Indianapolis Police and the man would be escorted forever off the zoo property, sketchbook and all.
Probably in handcuffs.
10
The annual fundraiser for the Bloomington Crisis Pregnancy Center was under way at Bryan Park, and Brooke was handing out ice-cream cones as fast as she could make them. Her sister Ashley worked beside her, while their husbands grilled hot dogs on the other side of the picnic area.
The event drew nearly fifty volunteers and it had long ago become a Baxter family tradition. Mid-seventies and pure sunshine made this the perfect day for the event. Even her dad and Elaine were here somewhere, probably manning the bouncy house with the youngest grandkids or helping with the face-painting booth like last year.
People from all over the community typically joined the fundraiser, and nearly every church in Bloomington chipped in one way or another. Bryan Park acted as a bustling hub for area families. Expansive ball fields, forever green grass, and the most beautiful sugar maple trees. This year, local businesses had donated double the cost of the event to create a windfall for the clinic.
“We need more chocolate chip cookie dough.” Ashley blew at a wisp of her dark hair. “When do we get backup?”
“Soon, I hope.” Brooke laughed. “Kari and Ryan should be here in half an hour.”
“I thought so.” Ashley dug her scooper into thechocolate ice cream. She looked at the little girl in front of her. “Nuts or sprinkles?”
And so it went without a break.
Brooke couldn’t have been happier about it. Every year the fundraiser had seen more people come by for free food, games and health checkups. The community knew by now that the crisis pregnancy center did more than ultrasounds. They screened for cancer and disease and counseled women on family planning. Word was out that the clinic Brooke and Ashley ran was a safe place for women of all ages—no matter their situations.
Downtown Delight had donated the ice cream, and as Brooke and Ashley worked, the owner of the shop brought new tubs of three different flavors. “That’s all we have.” He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “Perfect day for a waffle cone.”
“Definitely.” Brooke smiled at the man. “Thanks again. You and your staff.”
“Happy to help!” The man waved and headed for the parking lot.
Brooke grinned at Ashley. “All this ice cream makes me remember the first year we lived here.” She thought for a few seconds. “You were in fifth grade.”
“The infamous ice cream social disaster?” Ashley ran her scooper through the mint chip and filled a cone. “Ah, yes. I drop a whole bowl on my teacher’s head a few days before school starts and … well, it’ll be my claim to fame for always. Even if I live to be a hundred.”
“You’re probably right.” Brooke laughed as she put two scoops of vanilla in a bowl, topped it with chocolate sauce and handed it to a small boy. She stole a glance at Ashley. “I mean, you slipped? Is that what happened?”
“I did.” She shrugged. “Stepped on a napkin or something. Next thing I know Mr. Garrett is wearing my ice cream like a hat.”
