8

 

Sierra paced the motel’s threadbare carpet. The damp, stuffy air choked her, and she turned the knob to start the antiquated air conditioning unit. The contraption rattled as it blew out cool air, but at least it worked.

After she’d talked with Piper, Sierra had called Allie, but the voicemail had picked up and she’d had to leave a quick message. Sierra wished she could’ve spoken with her friend in person, after all Allie had intercepted Chase, allowing her to escape.

In a moment of sudden panic, Sierra wondered if Chase had done something to Allie. But, that didn’t make sense. Chase had shown no interest in Allie, other than changing the bakery’s back light, free of charge. Sierra’s racing heart calmed, but more questions arose. If Chase had meant to do harm, why would he go out of his way to install security lights? And, if he had been in Shenandoah Valley almost as long as she had, as Luanne suggested, why hadn’t he approached her sooner?

With a myriad of questions mulling in her mind, acid churned in her stomach. The muffin she’d nibbled on earlier hadn’t filled her, and her belly rumbled, greedy for nourishment. Sierra set aside the curtain and peered across the street. Dale’s Hardware Store, Dr. French’s Veterinarian Center, and Summit Bank comprised the businesses on one street side. A diner named Carl’s occupied the opposite corner. The sign out front claimed homemade country cooking, but when Sierra considered going there her palms broke into a sweat. What if Chase was scouring the area? What if he had contacted Kevin and they were both on the hunt?

A convenience store stood next to the diner with only a few cars in the lot. A quick stop in there would limit her exposure. She gathered a few bills from her satchel, picked up the room key and opened the door. Her skin crawled as if someone had their eyes on her already, and she hadn’t taken a step outside. Shaking off her unease, Sierra darted across the parking lot.

The door chimed as she entered the store. A teenaged clerk mumbled a greeting without peeling his eyes from the newspaper’s sports page, while a country-western tune crooned from overhead speakers. She concentrated on finding something edible. Wilted hot dogs spun in greasy circles in a glass enclosure, looking as if they’d been on the rollers for weeks. Her stomach revolted and she looked over the pre-made sandwiches. A turkey and rye had expired two days ago and the egg salad on wheat looked as if someone had taken a bite out of it before re-wrapping it in cellophane. Disgusted, Sierra perused the remaining choices.

The bell sounded behind her, and Sierra’s first instinct was to turn and look. Had she been found? Customers frequented stores like this all day long, she rationalized. Just because someone came in behind her didn’t mean—

Sensing something wasn’t right, she stilled. A wispy breeze drifted inside and a hint of peppermint brushed past her. Fear tightened Sierra’s chest. She dared glance over her shoulder, but the person had moved out of sight. She drew in a deep breath but didn’t detect the scent this time. The hairs on the back of her neck crawled with uncertainty. Had she imagined Kevin’s scent? Or, had the instincts she’d come to rely on warned her of true danger? Doubting herself, she inhaled again. Nothing.

The peppermint aroma was probably her overactive imagination at work, fed by exhaustion and anxiety. Yet, even as she rationalized her fears, sweat coated her palms and her heart raced. A large security mirror hung above the refrigerated section. She searched the reflection but found no one within range.

She swiped her palms against her jeans, unsure what to do. Even if Chase had alerted Kevin, neither would know where Luanne had taken her and the chances were slim they could locate her so quickly.

Although her mind told her not to worry, blood rushed through her veins. The sounds of someone stepping along the back aisle set her into action. She spun, picked up a bottle of water and grabbed the nearest package of processed food. She hoped the six white powdered donuts would suffice.

She hurried to the counter, peeking down aisles as she passed. She caught a glimpse of someone’s back as they rounded a corner, but she couldn’t make out any distinctive traits.

Sierra attempted to smile as she paid the clerk, but only managed a weak nod. “Keep the change,” she offered before scrambling outside and across the lot. Instead of heading to her room, she circled the motel, peering around corners and perusing the streets for anyone who might be following. Aside from a woman pumping gas at the convenience store, no pedestrians were in sight. Traffic eased by and no cars pulled in or out of the motel’s parking lot.

The sun cast bright rays on the earth, warming pavement and highlighting the surrounding forest. A red-tailed hawk circled above, and maple, birch and mountain laurel trees swayed in the breeze. The peaceful, natural environment made Sierra feel ridiculous slinking around with a package of mini donuts and a bottle of water dangling from her fingertips.

She slipped inside her room and twisted the deadbolt into place. The dim room held shadows and blinding panic seized her breath. What if someone had managed to get inside while she was out? She would’ve just sealed her own fate. She jerked around, looking for danger.

The air conditioner unit continued to rattle and spit out air. The lights remained on. The curtains were still closed, and her satchel lay on the bed, undisturbed. After a quick check of the bathroom, she released a pent up breath and chastised herself. It was bad enough she had two flesh-and-blood men to worry about, she didn’t need to create imaginary complications.

Exhausted, she perched on the bed’s edge, and removed her shoes and socks. She forced the sugary donuts down her dry throat and drank the entire bottled water before curling up on her side and allowing her mind to wander.

How had her life spiraled so far out of control? A few precious months ago she’d thought she had finally found a great job and the perfect man to stand by her side. Kevin had showered her with cozy words and fantastic promises making her believe she’d begun to live a real life fairytale. Now, she lay in a lonely room on the opposite side of the country, fearing the very man she’d considered taking as her husband would succeed in his desire to kill her.