Page 3 of Coming Home to You
“Who was that?”she asks, concern and fear filling her voice.
“My ex, Jason Henderson.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”Abby questions, but this time she sounds more angry than fearful.
“What was I supposed to do?Post his picture behind the desk with a sign that says, ‘Kelsey’s crazy stalker ex-boyfriend.Beware.’Like that wouldn’t scare away employees and customers.”
Abby sighs and slaps her hands down on the counter.“Seriously, Kelsey, you should have told me.”
“Sorry.Now you know.”I don’t mean to sound insincere or dismissive, but I need to make light of the situation in order to convince her and myself that our safety and the safety of our guests isn’t compromised.I give Abby a small forced smile that does nothing to ease my anxiety and judging by the look on her face, she isn’t done with this conversation.
Before Abby can continue her verbal assault, the police enter the inn and the tension in the room goes from high to Defcon One.
Guns are drawn, with at least five of them storming the small lobby of the inn and two standing guard outside.As much as I love their responsiveness, this town is full of Barney Fifes with far too little to do.This call is the most excitement they’ve had since that unsolved boat fire back in ‘99.I’m pretty sure the entire force has convened at The Rockport Beach Inn, along with all the tourists that are now returning from the beach after watching the fireworks.This is just great for business.
“Put the guns away, guys,” I call quietly from behind the desk, shaking my head, as I plaster a smile on my face.The guests begin filing through the door, each with the same questioning look on their face.“Sorry folks, just a misunderstanding.No worries.”
I quickly look over at Abby and without speaking she knows exactly what to do.She picks up the phone and orders a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries for every room at the inn.Delivered as soon as possible with hopes that each one of the guests disregards the SWAT team that has taken over The Rockport Beach Inn and disrupted their relaxing Memorial Day weekend getaway.
As the crowd is dispersing, the chief of police signals to me from across the room and motions for me to meet him outside.A flick of his head towards the doorway and I’m following him as quickly as possible.I don’t need any more drama.
He stops just short of the road and looks at me with concern.
“Kelsey, are you okay?”
“Of course, Finn.I’m fine.Nothing I can’t handle,” I say smiling through the fear that has settled in my chest.It feels like a vise closing in on me.Squeezing and making it hard to breathe.
“Why don’t you let me take you home?We’ll put a squad car outside your house just to be on the safe side.”
I shake my head and begin to walk back to the inn.I can’t leave now.I can’t leave the guests, Abby, the inn; all unattended and with the constant worry that Jason will return.
“Kelsey!”Finn shouts as I walk away.I ignore him, but he calls again.“Kels!”And that’s what makes me stop dead in my tracks.He sounds just like Beck.So much so it makes my heart break all over again.I shouldn’t be surprised; they are brothers after all.
“Don’t call me that,” I snap back.“You sound just like him.”
Storming back into the inn, I find Abby giggling like a teenager while a young deputy leans up against the desk and shamelessly flirts with her.Finn is right behind me and his voice booms when he calls my name for a third time.
“Kelsey, I really think you should go home and rest.He won’t be coming back tonight.”
“I can take care of myself, Finn.Thanks for your concern, but you can go now,” I say as I begin straightening papers that are strewn on the desk, just looking for something to do.
“Kelsey, you really should go home.I’ll be fine here.Deputy Corcoran told me he’d stay and make sure nothing else happens,” Abby says, as the young cop winks at her and she giggles again.
“Fine, fine,” I say conceding, but still annoyed with the whole situation.
I wish Abby a good night and climb into the front seat of Finn’s squad car.We ride in silence for a few minutes before one of us speaks.
“Kelsey, this is the third time something like this has happened and it’s only been a few months.He’s not going to stop.”
I nod my head in response.I’m not sure what he wants me to say.I have no control over what Jason does; let alone where he decides to show up.Of course I’m terrified, but I’m not sure what more I can do.I filed a restraining order, had him charged with trespassing and got him locked up for a night.All that did was piss him off even more.After that, I installed an alarm system on my little cottage and got a dog.I can’t uproot my entire life because some asshole I dated thinks it was more than that.
“You need to call him,” Finn says firmly as he pulls into my driveway.“He’d be here in a second if he knew you were in trouble.”
“No.I’m not calling him and I’m not in trouble,” I mutter through gritted teeth, angry at just the thought of breaking down and calling Beck.I won’t do it.He’s the one who left me.The one who left my emotions running wild, left me with a broken heart and has yet to return.
And even though the thought of seeing him today sent my body into a tailspin and had me more excited than I’ve been in years, I know it’s wrong.I can’t allow myself to get hurt again.Nothing has changed and it never will.Calling him will only bring more pain into my life.
I slam the door to the cruiser and call a good night to Finn with a dismissive wave of my hand.I hear him shout something about an officer being parked outside my house and in return I let out a quick thank you before closing the door to my cottage.
