Page 60 of Waitress at the Shadow Ridge Inn
“I barely survived the last time,” I said, my voice little more than a hoarse whisper.
“This time will be different,” she insisted. “You’ve got me right here with you. And he doesn’t know that we know, right? But we do, and we’ll be prepared.”
I wrapped my arms around myself and began to pace. “So, I’m just supposed to wait here like a sitting duck?”
“No, that could take too long. Do what you normally do. Put yourself out there. Make yourself visible.”
“I’m supposed to work. What if he shows up at the inn?”
Angie shook her head. “He won’t. Aaron is too smart to try anything in public. He’ll wait until he thinks you’re alone and vulnerable. If he hasn’t already figured out where you live by then, he’ll follow you back here. I’ll be here, out of sight, ready and waiting. The moment he shows up, I’ll call the cops.”
I was already shaking my head. “It’ll take them a minimum of twenty minutes to get here, probably longer if the sheriff has his hands full with something else.”
“Then, you’ll just have to keep him occupied.”
“Seriously? What am I supposed to do, invite him in for a coffee and a late-night snack?” I said irritably.
Angie frowned. “You’re forgetting one thing. Aaron is obsessed with you, and you don’t even know he exists.”
“I don’t see how that’s helpful.”
“All you have to do is talk to him. Engage him in conversation. Pretend like you’re pleasantly surprised to see him. Maybe make him think that you’ve always harbored a secret crush but thought it would be inappropriate. I don’t know.”
That was a big ask. “How am I supposed to accomplish that while I’m trying not to piss myself?”
“Turn on the Casey magic. Charm him like you’ve been charming every other man who has ended up in your sights since freshman year.”
There was a bitterness to her tone that I didn’t appreciate. She made it sound likeIwas the man-crazy one.
My expression must have relayed some of my thoughts because she exhaled and rubbed her forehead. “Sorry. It’s late, and it’s been a really, really long day.”
She could say that again.
“Why don’t you catch some sleep?” she suggested. “You look like you’re going to face-plant any minute.”
She wasn’t wrong. The adrenaline that had been shooting through me was fading, leaving me bone-tired.
“What about you?”
“I’m too wired. Go on. I’ll keep watch, then grab somez’s later.”
I nodded and reluctantly headed toward my bedroom. I understood the importance of getting some rest, but I doubted my mind would allow me to sleep anytime soon.
“Ang?” I called back over my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” she said softly.
22
I managedto get several hours of fitful sleep in before I gave up and went to relieve Angie. I found her curled up on the couch, sound asleep. So much for being a sentry. I supposed the physical and mental stress of the situation had taken its toll.
Dawn was on the horizon. I put the coffee on, then moved silently around the cottage, peering cautiously out of every window, scanning the exterior of the cottage on all sides. I saw nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. No strange vehicles, no one lurking about. Not that I expected to see anything. My stalker—Aaron—was too clever to make such a stupid mistake.
With daylight came a sense of temporary safety. Aaron wouldn’t come now. Even if he’d worked out where I was, he’d wait until nightfall.
By the time I finished my rounds, the coffee was done brewing. I made myself a cup and padded to the shower, thinking of how this morning was so different from yesterday’s. I missed sleeping next to Steve. Feeling his strong arms around me. Hearing his heartbeat beneath my ear. Burrowing into his fragrant warmth and losing myself in the bliss of his touch.
I wanted that. Today, tomorrow, and beyond. If I made it through this, I was going to make sure he knew that.
