Shaking her head, Pixie said, “I can’t leave you here alone. What if she comes back?”
“I’ll handle her if she does,but,” she stressed, when Pixie started to insist, “I already called in reinforcements. My husband and kids are coming.”
Pixie groaned. “I’m so sorry for all the trouble.”
“The kids are psyched. They like coming into Lankton. New things to see and do. Martin will get them ice cream after they stop by here; then when they’re done with that, they’ll visit a few shops.”
“But he’ll be close?”
“With his phone handy. He said he plans to stroll by inconspicuously a few times.”
A smile came despite her worries. “He really is a great guy, Renee.”
“Right? ’Course I wouldn’t keep him otherwise.” She grinned. “So come on. Let me help you get things in your car before more customers come in.”
“I guess I should.” Chewing her lip in indecision, Pixie looked down at Andy. His hair stood up in an adorable way, his little mouth open in slumber, cheeks flushed.
“He’s precious,” Renee said, attempting to smooth down one wayward lock. It popped right back up again.
Pixie kissed his nose, then smiled when he wrinkled it. If he slept on the way home, he’d be ready to visit with Brogan and Shayna. “You haven’t asked,” she said quietly.
“I don’t think I need to. She said she’s Brogan’s stepmom, and if so, I pity him, but it’s his business. When she called him names, she just made herself look … well, worse, because she already looked bad. Disgustingly so. Like the epitome of the evil stepmom, you know? The stuff they stick in movies.”
“She wanted to makehimlook bad.”
“Yeah, right. I met the man, remember? I’ve seen him with that little angel. He loves Shayna. Old Ruthie might’ve tried to get things started, but you didn’t let her.” Renee rolled a shoulder. “You know, though, she could be out there right now, spreading her venom.”
“I know.” Her stomach twisted at the thought. “I need to tell Brogan.”
“Sooner rather than later.” Renee picked up the diaper bag and led the way out to Pixie’s car, which was fortunately parked near enough that they could keep an eye on the shop’s front door.
Despite the mild spring weather, the minivan felt like an oven when Renee slid the side door open. A belch of heat rolled out.
“Keys,” Renee said.
“In my purse. Front zippered pocket.”
It was another minute before the van was cooling down and Andy was safely buckled in his car seat. She gave Renee a hug, then cautioned, “Be careful, okay?”
“You betcha. Drive safely and give that big guy a kiss from me.”
“Renee,” Pixie said on a laugh, but her friend was already darting back to the shop. Yup, Pixie knew she was putting off the inevitable. She’d have to tell Brogan about Ruthie, and delaying wouldn’t make it any easier.
Dread made the trip shorter than usual. She was so preoccupied trying to come up with the right words that she was nearly home before she realized another car was following her. Fresh anger washed over her.
Ruthie.
How dare the woman do this?
Panic and indecision tried to take over, until she heard Andytalking to his stuffed dog. He was awake. That made it easier. Never would she risk her son in a confrontation.
Right before she was about to pull down the main road to her home—and the lake house where Brogan was staying—Pixie took a side street. From there, she backtracked, returning to the more congested area of town that was mostly commercial. The grocery store, the bank, the only hotel—and then she saw the Dry Frog Tavern. Marlow worked there, and Herman, the proprietor, was a friend.
With more haste than necessary, Pixie pulled into the lot. She stayed behind the wheel, watching in the rearview mirror until the unfamiliar car approached, then drove past slowly. Yes, that was Ruthie’s frowning face staring through the window, checking out the tavern and Pixie’s car. When the car drove on past and went around the bend, Pixie inhaled a bracing breath, backed out, and headed home yet again.
At this point, she had no idea how dangerous the woman might be. Certainly, she was ruthless, crass, and out to start trouble. But was she an actual threat? There was no way for Pixie to know.
Her hope was to get Andy inside before Ruthie had time to turn around and follow again. Heart hammering with dread, she continually glanced in the rearview mirror, but all she saw behind her was an empty stretch of road.
