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“Not really. But I’m not following.”
“I might be able to help you with your problem, Rayna.”
“How so?”
He winked at her. “Once upon a time, I was a darn good attorney. Every now and again, I dust off my diploma and help out a friend. We can talk about that later, though.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone, holding it out for her. “Call your family. Tell them you’re safe. When you’re ready, I’ll take you home.”
She took the phone, hand trembling as she stared at him. “When I’m ready?”
“It’s a big house. Someone could be in my guest rooms a week and I wouldn’t even know it.”
She laughed softly at the thought. “My daughter is in cybersecurity. If I use your phone, it won’t be long before she’ll come knocking on your door.”
“That’s fine, too. Heck, invite your daughters here. I’ll fix us up some food and we can talk about your case.”
“You’re serious,” she said. “Why would you do such a thing for someone you don’t know?”
She watched as he tilted his head to one side and stared at her with those warm blue eyes of his.
“Us widows and widowers have to stick together.” He tapped the arm of the settee where she sat and stood. “Call them,” he said again as he walked away. “Tell ’em I’ve got some good steaks and seafood just begging to be grilled.”
Rayna stared at the phone screen for a long moment before swiping to make a call. The only numbers she knew by heart were her own and the house phone, so she tried the home phone first. It rang once. Twice.
“Hello?”
Rayna squeezed her eyes shut and inhaled. “Mary Elizabeth, is that you?”
“Rayna Jo,” her friend cried, happiness apparent in her tone. “Where are you?”
There was a lot of commotion in the background, and it was all too easy to imagine the Babes and her daughters scrambling toward Mary Elizabeth to listen in. “I’m safe. I’m sorry for scaring everyone.”
“Where?” Mary Elizabeth asked again.
“Mama, it’s Devon. Tell us where you are so we can come get you.”
“Whose phone is this? I don’t recognize the number,” Dara said.
“I’m… I’m on Bald Head Island.”
“What are you doing out there?” Mary Elizabeth asked.
“How did you get there?” Devon asked.
“None of that matters. Just give us an address and we’ll come get you,” Cheryl said.
Feeling pressured by all of the questions even though their concern was evident, Rayna shook her head. “Um, I’m not sure—”
“Mama, who is Connor Sennett?” Dara asked, voice lifted.
Well, that hadn’t taken long. “He’s a friend.”
“A friend? Mama, are you… Is he…” Devon tried to ask.
Realizing how it must have sounded, Rayna sighed. “No, I am not having an affair,” she stated dryly. “I met Connor this morning. He’s letting me use his phone.”
“So where are you now?” Dara asked. “Are you at a hotel?”
“N-no. I’m at his home.”
“Mama, that doesn’t sound like you,” Devon said. “Tell us his address. Let us come get you.”
“He said he could bring me home. Or y-you girls could come here.”
“I’ve got the address,” Dara said.
Her talented daughter never failed to amaze. “Good. While you make your way here, I’m going to go rest.”
“Mama,” Devon said, “are you sure you’re safe?”
Rayna pondered the many implications of that question and nodded. “Yes, sweetheart. I am. I’ll see you soon?”
