Since Sam worked only three days a week and every other Saturday, he had plenty of time to scope out the best areas to find women. It wasn’t the fact that they were women that mattered—blood was blood—but women were far easier to apprehend and control than men. Sam couldn’t afford any problems along the way. Keeping his mother alive was too important.
He tucked the van into a spot at the far end of the parking lot. The paved trails weaved in and out, near busy streets, into the woods, and along a man-made lake. There were wide-open spaces, and that was usually where he’d find young ladies throwing balls for their dogs to fetch. That day, the parking lot was half full—just right. Too many people and he might be noticed by runners passing by. Too few and he wouldn’t have enough options. Dogs were good icebreakers, but at times, they posed a threat too. He’d stay away from large dogs if at all possible. He sat in the van with the heater turned up high and stared out the windshield. People came and went, but he was patient and waited for the perfect opportunity. A lone woman running on the other side of the lake caught his eye. Fewer people jogged in that area since it was a distance away. Sam grabbed his binoculars and peered through them. It didn’t look as though she had anything with her. He assumed she’d be grateful for a bottle of water. He slipped on his gloves, zipped a bottle into each side pocket of his lightweight jacket, and made sure his own bottle was on the left. He snugged his wool cap over his ears and exited the van.
It’s time to get busy. Now to think of something to say that will cause her to stop.
Coming up from behind made the most sense. She’d have no idea how long he’d been running. It would give him time to chat and gauge how tired she was. Being a friendly, good-looking guy couldn’t hurt.
He closed in on her as he rounded the farthest area from the parking lot. He glanced over his shoulder. All was clear. She was a hundred feet ahead—now fifty. When he saw the bench at the next bend, the location couldn’t have been better. He’d pass her then cry out because of a leg injury. They’d sit for a minute, and he’d offer her some water as he drank his. The rest would be a cakewalk.
He called out that he was on her left as he passed by, then he stumbled near the bench and grabbed his leg. “Ouch. Damn that hurts.”
She slowed to a stop. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. I can’t put any weight on my leg, and pain is shooting through it.”
“Let me give you a hand.” She motioned toward the bench. “Here, sit down.” She took a seat next to him. “What can I do to help? Did you twist your ankle?”
“No, I think it’s a shin splint.”
She nodded. “Those really hurt. Did you stretch and hydrate yourself before you started out?”
He grinned through the wince he had perfected. “No, but water is a smart idea and actually sounds good right now.”
“It sure does.”
Sam reached into his right pocket and pulled out the first bottle. He handed it to her.
“Oh, I can’t take your water. You need it more than I do.”
“I have two.” He unzipped the left pocket and pulled out the second bottle. “I guess I had planned a long run.” He chuckled and made sure she noticed the twinkle in his playful blue eyes.
She smiled. “It looks like your ambition may be cut short.” She twisted the lid and took a deep gulp. Sam did the same.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Molly Davis. What’s yours?”
He did a quick scan of the area as he responded. “Sam—” He coughed into his hand to avoid saying his last name. He glanced at her shoes and laughed. “You’d be hard to miss with those lime-green runners.”
“You like them?”
“Yeah, they’re great. Do you come out here often, Molly?”
“About twice a week, yet I’ve never seen you before.”
“Yeah, I’m a newbie at this location.” He held up his plastic bottle to clink against hers. “To new friendships.” He tapped bottles and took a drink. He watched as she did the same. Her bottle was nearly empty. “You must have been really thirsty. Want the rest of mine?”
“No, I’m good. Let me give you a hand back to your car,” Molly said.
“Really, you’d do that?”
She pulled her cap down tighter. “What are friends for? It’s getting colder outside, anyway. I’ll probably just leave too.” She stood and wobbled.
“What was that?”
She reached for the arm of the bench to steady herself. “I don’t know. Maybe I stood up too fast. I’ll be fine, but I’m going to sit in my car for a bit to make sure.”
Sam pulled her tightly to him, his arm around her waist as they walked. Her legs were giving out. He had to get her to the van before somebody noticed them. There was one more bench before he reached the parking lot. With two people jogging toward them, he quickly sat down with Molly at his side. He leaned in and kissed her as the joggers passed. They had no idea she was unconscious.