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Celia would never like storms like this. Or driving at night. Fortunately, she and Cameron rented a home from her brother-in-law Lamar that was pretty close to the center of the town. She’d have to drive over to Ronnie’s to pick her son up, but they could be home in fifteen minutes.
She was careful as she locked up the clinic, conscious that she was the only one there. And that it was almost ten at night. The parking lot and the road—almost the entire town—seemed completely deserted.
Thunder cracked.
Celia shivered.
Just as a van pulled in to the parking lot next to her.
Celia’s heart jumped into her throat.
Until she saw the handicapped placard in the front window and recognized the man at the wheel.
Jake pulled up right next to her. Celia forced herself to breathe deeply. He rolled down the window. “Hi, honey, you’re out late tonight.”
“I’m filling in for Claudia tonight. She’s ill. Normally I’m out of here by eight. When there are people around.” The rain was starting up heavier again. She pulled the hood of her rain jacket up higher.
He grinned at her. “You want a ride? This thing is my own version of the Batmobile.”
“What are you doing out here this late?”
“Historical society emergency meeting. They’re talking about a historical marker on Becca’s Ridge. But we need to find more information about it.”
“I’m not familiar with the story.” Lightning flashed. Celia gave an undignified squeak.
“Hop in, honey. I’ll give you a ride home.”
“I need to pick up Cam. He’s at Ronnie’s.”
“I’ll take you. I’ll be back in town by eight in the morning. I can pick you up and bring you back to your car.”
She wanted to say yes. But she also needed to stand on her own two feet. “I—”
“Ok. You don’t trust me. I’m a very scary man, after all. But at least let me follow you home. I’ll feel better, knowing you are locked up nice and tight. With what’s happened in town, just...humor me.”
She nodded.
She hadn’t even thought about that. “Thank you.”
He followed her to her sister’s and waited patiently while she collected Cam. And then he followed her home.
Once they were in her drive, Celia shocked herself by asking him to come in for just a little while.
“I’d like that very much. Especially if you have cookies.”
He used his crutches and walked right up her walkway and into her home while she carried her son.
Just as she was about to close the door, a truck passed beneath the nearest streetlight.
A red Ford truck, exactly like the one she’d seen before.
Celia shivered.
She was very glad she wasn’t alone tonight.