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“You okay to drive home? I’ll be right behind you.”
“I am now. Thank you for taking care of my tires. I may have overreacted.”
“Naw, you did the right thing.” Though he hoped she didn’t mistake his intervention for romantic interest.
“Let me text Elizabeth. I asked if she thought I should call the police, and she hasn’t texted back. I want to let her know everything is okay.”
It only took her a few seconds to type a message with both thumbs. John jogged to his truck and pulled out behind Ariana’s car. He needed to talk to Elizabeth too.
ChapterTwenty-Five
FIND OUT WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE – Tracy Lawrence
Elizabeth readthe second text from Ariana again. What didJohn handled itmean? Like her father might have handled it, with violence? This protection plan would totally backfire if John ended up arrested instead of J.R.
She pulled up her contacts. Her phone rang and displayed John’s name before she found his number. “I got a text from Ariana and was just about to call you. Is she okay?”
“A little shook up. Physically, she’s fine.”
“What happened?”
“Someone let the air out of two of her tires.”
“J.R.”
“It wasn’thim. We saw video footage of the guy, but I’m sure he’s behind it. He cruised through the lot about the time she was supposed to get off work and then again an hour later. We had a little chat. He didn’t get to say much.”
“You didn’t do anything, did you?”
“Just instilled a healthy dose of fear. I think he wanted to swoop in and act like a hero. Instead, she’s told him they’re through. I’m going to put my dash cam in her car, just in case we need evidence if someone tries something else. I don’t think they will, but J.R. and his friends don’t seem to be the brightest characters. You should invite me to the Friday night dinner, just to be safe.”
While he sounded completely serious, Elizabeth pictured John’s face with that slow, sexy grin. “We’d love to have you join us at the dinner,” she conceded. “Ariana’s in charge of the menu. Ask her what she wants you to bring.” And if Elizabeth had a lasagna in the freezer, he’d get that for dinner tonight. He’d earned it.
“I’ll ask her. Oh, and Ariana did the right thing calling me, but I don’t want her getting the wrong idea. I’m just doing my job.”
If Ariana was over J.R., Elizabeth could see her crushing on John. While he was at least ten years older, that didn’t rule out anything. Adam had been eighteen years older than Elizabeth. He’d seemed like her hero then too—nice looking, with a stable job and financial security. He’d showered her with attention and gifts. He hadn’t shown his true colors when they were dating, or maybe she had blinders on then. She’d learned her lesson about men putting on a good front to get what they wanted and feeling entitled to continue to take it—even when you said no.
Would she ever shake Adam’s hold on her? Even after all these years, he still had control over her and repressed her joy. Hopefully, Ariana could escape without the same invisible scars.
* * *
John gavehis reflection in the rearview mirror a naughty grin. Getting an invite to the dinner had become a personal challenge. There was something fun about teasing Elizabeth. She wasn’t like any of the women he’d known, much less dated. That was probably a good thing. Her beauty wasn’t the showy, everybody-notice-me kind. From what he’d observed, she shied away from drawing attention to herself. While he liked feeling needed, there was also something about an easy-going, independent, low-maintenance woman like Elizabeth that matched his lifestyle.
He quit daydreaming and kept an eye out, not that he expected J.R. or the sedan from the video to try and tail Ariana home. Her tires seemed to be holding air just fine.
Once they were parked back at The Oasis, he asked for her keys. “I’m going to put my dash camera in your car.”
Ariana dropped the keys into his outstretched hand. “Thank you, again.” Her eyes got a little misty.
“No problem. Looks like Elizabeth is coming to check on you. Why don’t you talk with her, and I’ll show you how it works when you get back.” He let Boss out to do his business while Ariana headed to meet up with Elizabeth.
Boss played while John dismounted the security camera. After he installed it in Ariana’s car, he did a last check on her tires. All good there. He carried the air pump around to check Wren’s tires, which he had noted looked low.
From inside Haven House, Coco started barking the moment he came around the corner. Wren popped out a minute later. “What are you doing?”
“I’m checking the pressure. Your tires are bald. They won’t pass inspection.”
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know. I also need an oil change and to pay insurance and get my meds and buy some groceries and food for Coco.”
