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He was just a normal reader at first. Then he’d upped his game to rabid super fan, leaving obsessive comments on my social media, followed by letters sent to my publisher, then finally following me home after a book signing to stand on the sidewalk outside my house later that night with handwritten signs, á la theLove, Actuallycards-in-the-doorway scene. But, too bad for his wacko ass, he lacked the charm of Andrew Lincoln, and instead of opening the door I’d called the cops. He hadn’t tried to hurt me physically or break into my house (yet?) but he scared me all the same and I was sick of it.
It wasn’t even me he was fixated on; it was the character I’d created for my books. I wrote a series of big city murder mysteries calledThe Adaline Paige Files.He was obsessed with Detective Adaline Paige, my heroine—not me. Apparently, he thought she was real. His letters were addressed to her, and when he showed up on my porch, he had called me by her name. Clearly, he was a delusional wackadoodle.
Time was passing too fast. I wanted to hear from Trent; he had to be okay. I wanted the peace I had rediscovered to continue. I didn’t want to tell Cade or Matt or any of the other police officers in town about my stalker. And I really didn’t want to tell my family. I probably should have been honest this morning, but the tiny chance that it could have been some random driver with a horrible case of road rage held me back. I was enjoying my freedom here and I didn’t want it to end.
Shaking off the fear for the moment—because screw being scared—I got up and headed to the fridge for a glass of milk to go along with the cookies.
“I have a bone to pick with you.” I spun as Brody, big brother number four, entered the kitchen. He sat at the table and slid my take-out coffee toward the empty seat across from him.
Nervous laughter escaped before I could stop it. “I didn’t do it, I swear,” I joked as I joined him at the table.
He didn’t laugh. “I ran into my buddy, Matt, at Violet’s while I was getting your coffee. Did you leave out something about your accident when you were on the phone with Dad this morning?” An eyebrow ticked up as he waited for my answer.
“Uhhh...” Yes, I did, and I clearly should have known better. This entire damn town had a big mouth. It was like a great gaping maw of information, constantly spewing people’s personal facts at anyone who would listen. It was impossible to have any privacy in a small town like Sweetbriar.
“Someone was following you, Charlotte. Didn’t you think we should know about that?”
“Probably.” I avoided his eyes and slunk down in my chair. “I mean, I guess so.”
“You guess so,” he scoffed. “Well, luckily, they caught her. Matt arrested her about an hour ago.”
“Her?”I exhaled ten different sighs of relief all rolled into one big ass puff of air as I deflated further in my chair and took a huge swig of my iced mocha. “They caughther?” A massive smile split my face as I slapped a palm on the table. “Who was it? Tell me.” Maybe I was okay. Maybe he hadn’t tracked me down here in Sweetbriar and I could be normal for a little while longer. Either that, or I had acquired another stalker. I wrinkled my nose at that unpleasant thought.
He shook his head, grinning at my odd reaction but didn’t question me about it since I was, indeed, an odd duck, and by now he was used to it. “It was a woman named Bethany Rhodes and I’m not even getting into the gossip surrounding her—you can ask around town if you want to know. She thought your Range Rover was Violet’s.”
“As in Cade’s big sister? Coffee shop Violet? Who would ever want to hurt her? She’s awesome.” I held my drink aloft as evidence. “This coffee is a freakin’ masterpiece of caffeination. Jeez.”
He shot me a look. “Her husband’s ex-mistress-slash-ex-fiancé, for one.”
“Ohhhh, snap.” I guess when you avoided people, you also avoided the gossip about them. I had no idea Violet had been through something like that.
“Yeah. Well, she says she didn’t want to hurt anyone...” He rolled his eyes and sipped his coffee.
I was indignant. “She tailgated me right into a freakin’ tree. She forced me get up close and personal with my ex-husband before I was emotionally ready.” I stood and waved an angry finger in the air. “I’ll sue her ass off. Plus, that car was new, Brody. And let’s not even get into the fact that she scared the ever-loving shit out of me. And, god, I hope the tree is okay. I have always loved that big ol’ tree.”
He chuckled. “Hunter is on his way to tow your Range Rover back to the shop. You can ask him how the tree is doing when he gets here.”
“Ugh.” I slunk back into my chair. “Junk the car or donate it to someone who needs a free car. I never want to see it again.”
“Do you want a loaner? Or you could take your old Jeep. It’s in the garage. I brought the keys just in case.”
“Thank you, Brody. This is fantastic. I’m going home.” I grabbed my coffee and stood, holding my hand out and wriggling my fingers for the keys. “Tell Dad bye for me.”
He huffed a laugh. “No way. You tell him. Better yet, go park your butt back on the couch. Let’s not get the argument started.”
“Fine, but only because I don’t want to fight. And Deacon is bringing my stuff anyway. Plus, that soup smells delicious and Dad told me to put you all to work. Now what else can I make you do for me?” I teased.
His eyes softened. “Baby sister, you know we’d all do anything for you. I’m glad you’re okay. And I’m even more glad you’re here for a while. Who knows? Maybe we can convince you to stay this time. And what about Trent? Is he coming out for a visit too? I miss that dude.”
“Maybe sometime next month. If he can take time off from work.”
“Awesome. Speaking of work, I have to get a move on and go help Dad.” He ruffled my hair and kissed the top of my head as he passed, heading to the back door. “Love you. Now get back to that couch.”
Gosh, I had the best brothers ever. “I love you too, Brody, and I’m glad I’m here. I missed you guys.”
My pocket vibrated and I quickly snatched my cell.
Trent: I’m okay. What’s happening? Are you okay? Bonehead Douglas is having lunch at Mickey D’s right now. You’re still good.
