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A different waitress returned with their meals, and the third plate, consisting of a couple of burger patties, was placed on the floor in front of Freya. The dog wolfed them down in three seconds flat, licking her chops. Immediately after, she shuffled slowly toward her owner, dragging her butt on the ground, as though he wouldn’t notice.
When she nuzzled Wyatt’s hand, he gave her a stern look. “This is my lunch, Miss Freya. What happened to yours?” The dog barked. “Oh, so you ate yours and now you want some of mine?” She whined at him until he slipped her a couple of fries and a slice of bacon, then licked his hand in thanks and went back to her spot, plonking down once more.
Beth smiled. “You were right about her being a mooch.”
Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Never met a bigger one in my life.”
By the time their meals were done, she realized she hadn’t enjoyed a man’s company this much in a very long time. Any warmth she’d felt toward her ex had soon been replaced by fear of what he’d say or do if she didn’t toe the line and behave like the perfect little trophy he paraded her around to be.
Beth wanted more. More of the glimpse of a normal life she’d been shown.
More of Wyatt Kincaid.
ChapterFive
Beth was exhausted by the time she and Wyatt got back to his cabin. He’d been the perfect gentleman, showing her around Silverbell Shore and introducing her to the townsfolk. It was clear from what she’d seen, this little resort town in North Carolina accommodated tourists with cash to splash around, but the citizens who inhabited it were down to earth. All had been incredibly kind toward her, a stranger to their town.
Wyatt led her down the path which ended at the guest cabin, Freya hot on his heels. “We’ll leave you to settle in. I’m going to head to the grocery store around four thirty to pick up some supplies if you’d like to come with.”
She nodded. “Actually, that would be great. Thanks.” Even though she’d picked up a few basics the previous day, she didn’t have enough to survive on for a few more days and didn’t want to take advantage of Wyatt’s kindness.
He gave her a smile and left her alone. Beth took another, more in-depth tour of the guest cabin, then unpacked her meager belongings. Tears flooded her eyes as she gazed at what little in the way of possessions she now owned. There hadn’t been any opportunity for her to arrange to have her stuff stored or shipped anywhere else. She couldn’t have risked tipping Miles off to her plan, and she’d had to get out as quickly as possible.
So, over the weeks it took her to arrange her escape, Beth had agonized over what possessions were precious enough to pack in her suitcase. She did donate or give away items she didn’t think he’d notice were missing. Everything else, including her cherished book collection, had been left behind.
Tears rolled down her face as she thought of what the man who’d abused her for far too long would have done to her possessions. Thrown it all out. Burned the books, most likely, because he was spiteful enough. It didn’t matter though. They were just things. She could replace the books. Her life and sanity had been far more important, and she knew she’d made the right decision to flee.
She thought of the bookstore Wyatt had driven past earlier and wondered if they sold secondhand books. Perhaps she could pick up a few to kick-start a new collection. While romance was her favorite genre, she also enjoyed thrillers and true crime.
About two hours later, Wyatt gently knocked on her door, right on time. Beth had been unable to sleep, even though she was exhausted, so instead she’d just laid on the bed and thought about how lucky she’d been to meet the man whose property she was staying at.
After asking if she’d settled in okay, he led her to his pickup so they could head to the grocery store. Freya had once again plopped herself on Beth’s lap, her head hanging out the window. Beth smiled as she stroked the dog’s soft fur.
She wanted to ask Wyatt about taking her to the bookstore, but he’d already done so much for her that it made her anxious about imposing once again. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, thinking of how to phrase it without sounding like a bigger mooch than Freya.
“Something on your mind, Beth?” Wyatt’s tone was gentle. She craned her head in his direction but he wasn’t looking at her, his gaze firmly on the road down which they drove. He must have noticed her fidgeting.
“I wanted to ask a favor, but you’ve already done so much for me.”
“Ask away.”
“Would it be okay if we stopped at the bookstore? I’d love to pick up a few books.” She bit her lip. “It’s no problem if you can’t though.”
Wyatt slowed down and flicked on his blinker. “Sure, we’ll go now before we hit the grocery store. The bookstore has a great selection and they have a big section in the back of secondhand books.”
Beth exhaled, relieved to know she’d be able to pick up a few books cheaply. “Thank you so much. I love to read and only brought a few books with me.” Books she’d already read countless times, but ones she couldn’t bear to leave behind when she’d fled.
They were there just a few minutes later, Wyatt parking right out in front. Freya jumped out as soon as Beth opened her door and trotted over to the front of the truck, where she sat. Wyatt reached for something in the back seat and then joined Beth and Freya. He handed over the item he was holding.
“A bag for your books. They don’t carry bags in the bookstore.”
“Oh, thank you.” She tucked the recyclable canvas bag into her purse and went into the bookstore, her companions hot on her heels. She raised an eyebrow as Freya trotted in behind Wyatt, a little surprised the large dog was allowed inside.
“Miss Freya!” A brunette woman came out from behind the counter and bent over to give the dog some love before she straightened up. “Hey, Wyatt.”
He touched the rim of his cap. “Leni, this is Beth Adams, who’s in town for a couple of days. Beth, this is Leni Patterson, the owner.”
“Welcome, Beth! So glad you stopped by the store. Feel free to have a look around.”
