Page 62 of Where Love Lies

“Hey, I’m heading out. Want to come?”

She shakes her head, looking down at her hands that rest between her knees. I wasn’t expecting her to say no. I can’t leave her behind when Heston is out acting like a mad man.

“No, I’ll stay back. Have you heard any news on Dad?”

Inhaling a deep breath, I reply on an exhale. “No baby, I haven’t.”

Without another word, she stands and stomps up the stairs. I should call the sheriff on my way into town.

Outside, the too hot sun smothers me with its intense heat, sweat instantly beading on my forehead.

Instinctively, I look over at Rhodes’ house, but I don’t see him. Inhaling, I think about the pros and cons of us spending time together weighs heavy on my mind.

One hand on the wheel, the other holding my phone, I dial Sheriff Reese to see where we’re at with Cam’s missing-person case.

“Hello, you’ve reached Sheriff Reese, I am currently unavailable, but if you leave a brief message, I’ll try and return you call by tomorrow.”

“By tomorrow?” I repeat angrily, just before the answering machine makes a loud beep.

“Uh,” it takes me a second to get my head straight from her message, “yeah, this is Rain Adler. I’m calling to see if you have any leads or anything news about my ex-husband, Cam? Please call me back as soon as you can.”

Hanging up, I slip my phone into the cup holder.

Finally reaching the market, its parking lot is full of cars, so I park in the shade, near the back, making sure to keep my windows an inch down to let it breathe. I hate getting into a car and feeling like you just slide into an airlocked crockpot.

Head down, purse hanging from my shoulder, I go inside. Cool air blows aggressively as if it’s going to blast my body back to its normal temperature, and it feels good.

“Hey Rain!” Turning my head toward the friendly voice, I find Blair working register three. I’ve been in here a few times, and the fact she remembers my name like were friends feels great. It makes living here more personal and comfortable.

“Hey Blair.” I wave and grab a small basket to carry the few items I need. Down the baking aisle, I stare at my phone for the ingredients for this damn pie.

I could get a graham-cracker crust, ready to-go pie crust, or make my own. Making my own is clearly what Tenly would want.

I’ll meet her in the middle and get the ready to go pie crust, but get real apples for the filling. Reaching for a bag of Red Delicious apples, footsteps close behind me, causing me to look over my shoulder to see who is near, but there’s nobody. I look the other way, nobody again. Goosebumps rise along my tanned arm, and I suddenly don’t feel safe. Heston knows I come to this market, could he be here? Jesus I’m a paranoid loon.

Grabbing a random bag of apples, I shove them in the basket and get the last few items I need, without coming to a full stop. Zigzagging through people and cutting them off to get to Blair’s lane, I dump my items on the belt, and she starts checking me out.

“You okay, Rain? You look sick.”

Digging in my purse for my card, my eyes looking over my shoulder, I reply, “Um, yeah. Just in a hurry.”

“Did Heston find you?’ My head snaps up, and I almost drop my purse. “He came in looking for you a few minutes ago.” I freeze, I knew someone was watching me.

“Did he say anything to you?” I frantically ask. Looking up from the scanner, she gazes at me, a confused look on her face from my sudden change in demeanor.

“You know what, here’s forty, keep the change.” Setting the two twenty-dollar bills on the belt, I grab my bags and rush to the exit. Outside, my feet make haste, my arms squeezing my bags against my chest. I hurry to my car, praying Heston doesn’t find me. After the way he was last night, the idea of us being alone together is terrifying. Jerking my car door open and shoving the bags into the passenger seat, I turn the car on, make sure my doors are locked, and peel out of the lot.

Glancing in my rearview, I anxiously rub my neck. What am I going to do? Heston knows where I live, where I shop, and who I talk to. Maybe I should toughen up and sit down and talk to him. But his voice last night, and the words he chose to roar into the night, make me second-guess being anywhere near him. No, I should get a restraining order. That’s stupid though, they don’t work. Heston can show up to hurt me and I’ll only have a piece of paper to protect me.

What I need is a taser or, better yet, a gun.

33

Pulling into the driveway, I shut off the vehicle and shove my door open, stepping out onto shaky legs. Even after the drive home, I’m still upset.

“Just in time.” Looking up, Rhodes is heading my way with a couple of grocery bags of his own. Noticing my unease, his face falls serious, and he quickens his step.

“You alright? What happened?”

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