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Noah leaned forward feeling his stomach swirl with tension and fear. “This guy pisses me off. If he has the guts to come back to Red Hook, he will be one sorry asshole. I hate men who prey on women for whatever sick reason that goes through their heads.”
Ray nodded in agreement. “She was doing so well this last week. This new situation has scared us all. She has a good point. If it was random, how did he find out her name and number? This is surprising, and I can admit I’m so scared my gut is clenching. “I’ll find him, and I will protect her, Ray. I wasn’t just spouting words to comfort her.” He wanted Ray to know his doubts were gone. He was one hundred percent sure of what he wanted. Alana.
“I’m still pissed off at what you did, but my mom lectured us all. She told us it was Alana’s decision and she clearly still loves you,” Ray said. “I’m trying to understand. Kari fucked with your head, and she wasn’t worth it. She came on to half of your friends, including me. You were so enchanted we all knew you would never believe us. I understand your trust issues. I should be glad you didn’t sleep with Alana, then dump her like you do with your blonde bimbos.”
“I don’t dump anyone,” Noah said through clenched teeth. Did everyone in town think he was just some brainless Romeo? He couldn’t even remember the last time he had sex. “They all knew the score. I don’t do relationships, and I don’t lie to women.”
Ray chuckled, annoying Noah even further. “Whatever you say. I have to get back to work before the lunch rush starts. You sure you don’t mind spending the day with her?”
“No. I have been wanting to spend time with her,” Noah admitted. “I just figured she would say hell
no. I want to be her friend, and when she will let me, I want more. This time I won’t fuck it all up.”
“I am trusting you with her, Noah. She is very fragile, so make sure you don’t lead her on for no reason,” Ray said seriously, shaking his hand.
Noah shook Ray’s hand and promised him this time he would do things right. He heard her footsteps upstairs as she walked to her room. He wanted to take things slowly with Alana. He wanted to show her he wasn’t a complete asshole. And as scary as it was, he wanted to open up his heart to her and see where that road took them.
* * * *
Alana sat at the picnic table in the Blakes’ backyard. The sun was shining, and she felt so much better. The heat warmed her skin, and she was glad she had worn a short-sleeved yellow T-shirt and black cotton shorts.
Adam was grilling sausages and hot dogs and arguing with Noah over the correct technique.
“You put out fires, dummy, not start them,” Noah argued. “I’m telling you the flames are too high. You’re going to burn our lunch.”
She laughed out loud at their bickering, and they both looked at her. She put her hands up in surrender. “I know nothing about grilling. I leave it to you men.”
Noah left Adam to it and sat down next to her. She had put her hair back in a ponytail. It was another hot day. They had spent the morning talking to Drake and the other three deputies. All the deputies knew to be on the lookout for strangers asking questions about her, or someone with the tattoo on his wrist. Extra patrols would be going by her house and business until this guy was caught. No one could understand why he was doing this. He had basically gotten away with the crime. Now he was calling her family’s house and threatening her. It made no sense. Alana didn’t understand either. She had thought it was over and she could move on.
Although it embarrassed Alana for everyone to know what had happened to her, she knew it was the smartest course of action to warn the occupants of Red Hook. The more people aware, the safer they would be. She would hate to think he hurt someone else because she wanted to hide from what had happened.
“Doing okay?” Noah asked softly. His gentle tone sent a feeling of warmth through her body.
Alana nodded. “Much better. You were right.”
He grinned and patted his own shoulder. He turned to Adam. “Alana just admitted I was right, Adam.”
“About what? The flames?”
Noah looked at Alana for the answer. She laughed. “Being home alone and worried was doing me no good. I am getting better, and I will not let him ruin that for me.”
“Good for you,” he said proudly, patting her leg.
Alana was wearing shorts, and she felt the tingles travel to her leg and in between them. Noah was the only man who affected her physically by just the smallest of touches.
Noah was so handsome, and his smile did funny things to her body. She knew he saw her as just a friend. Ray probably asked him to keep her company so he could work. Part of her wanted things to be different between them, but part of her was still scared. She was still a basket case. Sudden movements made her jump. She remembered the fear of being robbed and the pain. Now it was going to start all over again.
Adam joined them. He had overheard Alana. “Attitude is everything, Alana. Don’t let him win by breaking you. He better not have the nerve to show up here.”
“I won’t,” she promised. “Now hurry up and cook. I’m starving.”
Adam laughed. “Geez, woman.”
The three of them had lunch outside. Liam joined them on his lunch break for an hour. The three of them were such delightful company that she was able to relax and just enjoy the sun and the day.
After Liam left they picked out a comedy to watch. Noah sat next to her and held her hand. Such a simple gesture, yet it made her feel all mushy inside. Halfway through the movie she yawned and let her head relax on his shoulder. She felt so relaxed she wished she could stay here all night, too.
Alana enjoyed her time with Noah. It was bittersweet. She remembered better days from the past and the current nightmare she was stuck in.
