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“It’s okay.” I squeeze his muscled arm. “I actually like riding in the twilight. It’s magical.”
“Hold up. I thought you stopped believing in magic.” He’s teasing, and I almost laugh.
He really has made me feel better. He’s given me hope.
“Maybe there’s no magic, but there might be a little pixie dust.”
“That’s the spirit. Ride safe, and text me when you get home.”
“I will.” Leaving the bar, I realize I forgot to ask about the secret he’s been keeping, specifically with regard to my bestie Piper.
“Next time,” I say to myself, unlocking the cruiser from the bike rack.
A gorgeous full moon is just rising as I take off down the narrow road leading from the distillery back to town. It’s a little farther out than the neighborhoods, but it’s still only a few miles from my apartment.
My mind is full from our conversation, and I’m actually smiling again. Of all the people who’ve tried to encourage me, Adam is the one who actually helps me believe I could end up with Aiden again.
Exhaling a sigh, I long so much for his strong arms around me. If I ever get the chance to be there again, I swear I’ll never mess it up. Lifting my eyes to the starry sky, I say a little prayer that it might happen. It can’t hurt, right?
The sound of tires approaching from behind makes me stop pedaling so I can coast to the shoulder, out of the way. I expect it to be Adam finished early, since we’re both heading in the same direction, and I’m surprised when it’s a light blue Ford I don’t recognize. We’re pretty far off the beaten path.
It slows to match my speed, and I see the passenger side window is lowered. Inside, an older man looks over at me and smiles. His face is wrinkled, but his hair is dyed dark brown. He even has a thin mustache on his upper lip.
“Nice night for a ride.” He smiles in a way that makes my heart beat faster.
A touch of evil is in his tone, and I don’t answer. I focus on the road and pedal faster, pulling out ahead of him.
He gives his truck a little gas, and he’s easily keeping time with me. “Not very friendly, are you?”
My chest tightens, and my stomach quivers as I strain to get closer to town. Out here on this lonely road, no one is around to help me, but we’re so close to Eureka. I pump my legs harder, standing on the pedals.
“Why are you running?” His voice is too calm, like he has a plan, and he’s just waiting for the right moment to execute it. “I need directions.”
Roaring is in my ears and little gasping noises come from my chest as I push harder. The truck gets ahead of me and suddenly whips over in front of my bike, causing me to veer onto the shoulder and lose my balance.
With a little scream, I fall to the side, but the bike doesn’t go all the way down. The truck door opens and slams shut, and I walk the bike backwards as fast as I can to get away from him and get out of here.
I’m not fast enough, and he straddles the front wheel, grabbing the handlebars. “You’re Lars Bailey’s daughter, aren’t you?”
Realization washes over me, and I’m ready to scream and kick and fight and run.
“I haven’t seen you since you were a little girl.” Stan lowers his chin, leveling his eyes on me from under his brow. It’s a sinister look, and it triggers a memory from deep in my past. “I’m going to need you to get in the truck and come with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I push off the bike and turn to run in the direction of the distillery.
My hope is Adam is on his way, and I’ll meet him on the road. I only make it a few steps before he’s on top of me.
Jerking my elbow back, I land a hard blow to his torso. He lets out anOof, but it’s not enough. He’s surprisingly strong, and he grips my arms, jerking my back to his chest. Then he loops one arm across my shoulders, holding me tight. I try to scream, but it’s lost in the cloth he presses over my nose and mouth.
Three panicked breaths, and everything goes dark.
CHAPTER27
AIDEN
“Do you think Miss Britt might need someone to walk Edward?” Owen is buckled in the back seat, wearing his little navy blazer on the way to Sunday school.
I’ve been restless ever since our meeting in the park, and the way I left her. I had to get away from her presence, but her presence won’t leave me.
