“I’m staying a month. I just need to... get out of Arizona.”
“What aren’t you telling me?” Ryan tilted her head.
“Um, maybe another time.”
“Okay. I know we just met, but if you need to talk, I’m here. I won’t tell anyone.” Ryan smiled. “Who would I tell anyway?”
“True. I’ll think about it. I’m afraid if I talk about it, I’ll jinx it.”
“Well, I am here whenever you want to talk. What did you do in Arizona?”
“I owned a pottery shop.”
“Owned?”
“Yes. I loved it, but I sold it. I really miss working with the clay. I would also sell other vendor’s pottery.”
“So, what are you going to do when you go home?”
“I’ll go back to Arizona to pack up some things. I’d love to buy another shop but I’m not sure where yet. I loved it there. My parents are there, but...” Alyssa shook her head. “I just have to be careful with my savings since I don’t have a job. I’m probablygoing to have to ask my parents’ for a loan,” Alyssa said as she made a face, making Ryan laugh.
“I can see how much that appeals to you.”
Alyssa laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, I love them, and I know they wouldn’t hesitate, but I hate doing that. For now, I have enough money to get me through a few months.”
“Maybe you should just stay in Clifton.”
“I might. I’m not sure about buying another place. If I have to leave…”
“Is someone after you?”
“My ex.” Alyssa sighed. “I did the unthinkable and divorced him while he was in jail for a DUI. He wasn’t happy, so I have no doubt, he’s looking for me.”
“Was he abusive?”
“Verbally.”
“Any type of abuse is wrong. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s alright. If I can stay one step ahead of him, I’ll be fine. He has no idea about this place. I never mentioned it, so I’m not sure how he’d find me. My parents would never tell him. They hate him. My father wants to punch him.” Alyssa smiled.
“I want to punch him too,” Ryan said. “Well, let’s order and get some food in us. We’ll continue this conversation.”
After deciding what to get, Ryan called the main house, placed the order, then she and Alyssa talked and got to know each other.
After Alyssa left, Ryan sat on the sofa and watched TV. She hoped everything worked out for Alyssa. She seemed like a good person.
Monday morning, Ryan pulled up to the ranch, parked, then stepped from the vehicle. She wasn’t sure where she was supposed to meet up with Mr. Harrison. As she closed the door of the vehicle, she looked toward the barn, then headed that way.She was happy she wore a flannel shirt. It was cold enough that she could see her breath.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the back door, removed her camera, then peered into the dark barn. She saw a silhouette of a man walking toward her, then he stopped in front of her.
“Good morning, could you tell me where I can find Mr. Harrison?”
She noticed the man was very attractive, early-to-mid forties, as he walked toward her and stepped into the sunlight.
“Ms. Carroll?”
“Yes, that’s me,” she said with a smile.
