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The vet’s office attached to the shelter usually opened at nine, so someone was probably there even though it wasn’t busy. She couldn’t see the parking lot from her current vantage point, so shestarted walking while the stillness surrounded her, making her feel small and exposed.
The breeze seemed to whisper,Cheers, love, and it sent shudders rippling up her spine.
The memory of the note in her pocket and the shot of fear it had ignited was fresh and unwelcome. “Stop it. It’s not possible.”
But the uneasiness wouldn’t leave her alone. She’d never felt this way before on the property. So, what did it mean? Was someone really watching her or was she just being paranoid?
She stood still, breathing in and listening.
The hair rose on the back of her neck.
Adam wasn’t back, but someone was.
And he was watching her. From somewhere close by.
She knew it like she knew her own name, although there was nothing that should have set off her internal alarms.
So where was he? He’d had to have followed her to the place. The fact that she hadn’t noticed although she’d been watching didn’t sit well.
With a bad feeling pulsing through her, Lainie rounded the building with the intention of climbing into her car and locking the doors until Candace got there.
Her car was only thirty feet away—and someone was standing not far beyond it.
Him. With a baseball cap and dark sunglasses, wearing a black button-down shirt with the first two buttons undone, revealing the base of his throat.
And the puckered white scar there.
She lurched to a stop, a scream building, spots dancing before her eyes. Passing out was a real possibility and she fought to hold on to consciousness—and her sanity. “Who are you?” Her voice came out breathless and terrified. “Answer me. Who are you?”
“Who do you think I am, Lainie?”
Her weapon was in the glove compartment, and there was no way she’d be able to get to it should he decide to come after her.
But he didn’t.
“Now’s not the time, but it’s coming. Cheers, love.” He smiled and walked to the black SUV idling behind him, climbed in, and drove down the drive, leaving her gaping at red taillights.
The plate! Get the plate number!
But he was already rounding the curve and too far away to see the digits.
Instead of wilting into a puddle on the asphalt, Lainie forced her shaky legs to close the distance to her car, climb in, and slam the door. She hit the locks and drew in a ragged breath. “God, what’s going on? Who is he? It can’t be. I know it’s not, but...”
But the scar...
A white truck pulled around the side of the building, spiking Lainie’s pulse once more. Then she huffed a relieved sigh. Candace was here. Lainie leaned her head against the wheel and sucked in several more deep breaths to get herself together.
Less than a minute later, the front door opened, and Candace looked at her, head tilted, questions in her eyes.
Lainie stepped out of her car once more and shut the door. “Hey.”
“Hey, I didn’t think you were coming in today. Figured you got a call or something.”
“No, sorry I didn’t let you know. Things have been kind of crazy lately, but I needed some furry hugs.” She was relieved her voice didn’t betray the turmoil swirling inside her.
“Well, I’m so sorry I’m late. There was a wreck on Highway 9. You been waiting long?”
“No, just a few minutes.” A few minutes that had lasted a lifetime. Lainie walked up the steps and into the building, still seeing the man in her mind’s eye. “I’m going to take Rex and Tex for some playtime in the back and let them run off some of that morning energy.” They were her favorites and she never tired of their antics.
