Stalker In the Shadows Read online

  “That was nice of him.”

  “He seems like a real nice guy.”

  “Are you going to give me the full tour of the house?” She was interested in seeing all the rooms, especially his bedroom.

  “Sure,” he replied. “Just follow me.” He led her down the hallway and gestured into the first door on the left, which was a bathroom done in navy blue.

  “Nice,” she said.

  He grinned. “I’m not much of a decorator, so everything is pretty basic.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with basic.”

  He smiled at her. “That’s one more thing I like about you. No judgment.” He opened a door on his right. “This bedroom I’m using as a home office.” There was a desk with a computer and a small bookcase with stacked paperwork.

  He gestured to the closed door on the right. “That’s just an empty room.”

  She thought she detected some sudden emotion in his voice, but before she could really process it, he opened the door to the master bedroom.

  A king-size bed was covered with a spread in light and dark grays. Two nightstands flanked the bed, each holding attractive lamps. Several black-and-white pictures of landscapes hung on the wall. There was a doorway that led to an adjoining bath.

  He gestured toward the bed. “This is where I dream about you.”

  “Don’t you know it’s against the law to try to seduce a woman before you feed her?”

  He laughed. “I have to confess, that’s a law I’m unfamiliar with, but I hope you let me off with just a warning. Maybe it’s time I take you to the kitchen before I break that law again.”

  She followed him back through the living room and into a large airy kitchen with gold-speckled black granite countertops and a center island. The dining table was smoked glass, giving the whole room a sleek, contemporary look. “Please, sit down.” He gestured her toward the table.

  There were glass sliding doors that led onto a deck. He opened the door, and Zeus ran outside.

  “This is really nice, Hunter.”

  He grinned. “You say that like you thought I might live in a cave.”

  She laughed in protest. “I definitely didn’t mean it that way.”

  He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of red wine. “How about a glass?”

  “I’d love it.”

  “Or, if you prefer, I have beer.”

  “A glass of wine is good.”

  He pulled a bottle of beer from the fridge. “I’m more of a beer kind of guy.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help with dinner?”

  “No. Just sit tight and relax.” He poured the wine and set the long-stem glass in front of her. “I’ve got the potatoes baking and the salad chilling. All I have to do is put the steaks on the grill.”

  He joined her at the table. “Did I mention how lovely you look tonight?”

  “No, you didn’t, and thank you.” She’d worn jeans with a lightweight lavender sweater that she knew somehow accentuated the blue of her eyes.

  “I didn’t really get much of a chance to talk to you when you came into the café yesterday. So, how was your day? Anything exciting happen?” she asked.

  “The most exciting thing today was trying to tell Madge Renfro that it wasn’t an emergency calling for excessive speeding to get her dog Pookie to her grooming appointment. She was going fifty-eight in a thirty-mile-an-hour speed zone. She then proceeded to tell me that Pookie had poopie on her bottom and needed the groomer to clean her up, because it was stinky and Madge doesn’t do stinky.” He grinned and shook his head ruefully. “The life of a small-town cop...”

  Ainsley laughed. “Did you give her a speeding ticket?”

  “No, I wound up giving her a stern warning.”

  “Ah, so at heart you’re just a softie,” she replied teasingly.

  “Don’t mistake my compassion as weakness.” His eyes glittered with a look of determination and strength. “If anyone comes after me or the people I care about, they will be met with a force they’ve never seen before. And now I think it’s time I get the steaks on.”

  He was the kind of man she’d once dreamed of being with...strong and confident. He made her feel safe and protected, but nobody could protect her from her ex-husband. She could only hope she was truly safe in this small town and that the two men would never, ever meet.

  SHE WAS EVERYTHING he’d hoped to find. Hunter was definitely crazy about Ainsley. As they ate dinner, he told her about some of the funny things he’d encountered in his work.

  He loved the sound of her laughter and the way her eyes sparkled with mirth. He found himself reaching for stories that would make her laugh again and again.

  She, in turn, shared with him funny things that happened in the café. He was thrilled that their humor was very similar. It was important in a relationship to be able to laugh together.

  Their conversation grew more serious as they spoke about their parents. “Mine moved to a senior living place in Kansas City two years ago,” he said. “I try to drive out and see them about once a month or so.”

  “That’s nice. Unfortunately my parents passed away in a car accident five years ago.”

  “Do you have siblings?” he asked.

  She shook her head and stared down at her plate. “No, I’m an only child.” She gazed back up at him. “What about you? Do you have brothers or sisters?”

  “Nope, like you I’m an only child.”

  “When I was younger I made up a sister. Her name was Lily, and she was a year older than me. She played with me, and as I got a little older she gave me fashion advice and we would talk and giggle long into the night.”

  He smiled. “You definitely talk about her like she was real.”

  Once again she looked down at her plate. “She was definitely real to me for a little while.” She looked back up at him, and there was a touch of embarrassment in her eyes. “You probably think I’m crazy.”

  “Not at all,” he assured her. “You sound like you must have been a lonely child.”

  She shrugged. “That was then and this is now.”

  They finished the meal, and he insisted she remain seated as he cleaned up the dishes. Then he poured her a fresh glass of wine and he grabbed another beer. He let Zeus back inside, and they went into the living room.

  Zeus jumped up on the recliner and looked at Hunter expectantly. However, for tonight Zeus was out of luck. Hunter would much rather sit on the sofa next to Ainsley.

  He sat close to her, smelling the heady scent of her and feeling her body heat warming him. For the last three weeks, a tremendous desire for her had been building inside him.

  He desperately wanted to pull her into his arms and feel her body against his. He wanted to kiss her lush lips until they were both breathless. But he didn’t do any of that.

  Their conversation was light and easy. Zeus finally gave up, jumped down from the recliner and curled up in his bed next to the fireplace.

  “Tell me about your daughter,” he said when the conversation between them momentarily stalled.

  Her face lit up with a beautiful smile. “She’s the absolute best thing that ever happened to me. She’s smart and funny and has the sweetest heart in the whole wide world. Of course I might be just a wee bit prejudiced.”

  “Mothers are supposed to believe their children are all that and a bag of chips,” he replied with a smile. “Because she’s your daughter, I believe she’s smart and funny and has a sweet heart. I would also believe that she’s beautiful like you.”

  Her cheeks dusted with color. “Why, Deputy Churchill, you sweet-talk me like that and I’ll think you’re trying to seduce me again.”

  “Maybe that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” His heart suddenly raced as he held her gaze. There was a stillness about her. Her tongue slid out as if to dampen
overdry lips, and then those moist lips opened slightly and she raised her face to his.

  Even though he saw open invitation in her mouth, in her eyes, he still wanted to make sure. “May I kiss you, Ainsley?”

  “Please,” she replied.

  He leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. Heat swept through him and his heart raced faster, especially as she raised her arms and wound them around his neck.

  He pulled her even closer to him and deepened the kiss by swirling his tongue with hers. This kiss was everything and more than he’d imagined it would be.

  It was a confirmation that this was a woman he wanted more from, not only physically but also emotionally. He was all in to see where this relationship would go, and he was hoping it would go the distance.

  The kiss continued for several long moments, and then he softly kissed across her jawline and down her throat. She clutched at his shoulders as if afraid he’d stop, and that only shot his desire for her even higher.

  She was close enough to him now that he could feel the press of her full breasts against his chest. He wanted her...he wanted to pick her up and carry her into his bedroom. He wanted to feel her naked body next to his.

  He captured her lips once again with his, and when the kiss ended she unwound her arms from around his neck and leaned back from him.

  “You’re a dangerous man, Deputy Churchill,” she said half breathlessly.

  “And you’re a dangerous woman,” he replied. He reached out and touched a length of her long, black hair. “I have to confess, Ainsley, I have a lot of desire for you.”

  “And I have a lot for you.” Her eyes glistened as she held his gaze. “But I...we need to take things slowly.”

  “I can do that. Whatever you need from me, Ainsley. You’re in charge of our physical relationship. You tell me if and when you’re ready.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate you understanding.”

  “Is it too soon to ask to meet your daughter?” he asked. “Or am I rushing things?”

  A small frown danced across her forehead. It smoothed out and she smiled. “How about next Thursday you come to my place for dinner and then you two can meet.”

  “That sounds great.” He knew her agreement was a deepening of their relationship. He felt as if finally fate was casting down a light of positivity on his life, and he was excited about what the future would bring.

  “Unfortunately, it’s time for me to get home,” she said and stood from the sofa.

  Reluctantly Hunter stood as well. “Just let me grab my keys and gun, and I’ll get you home.”

  Minutes later they walked out of the house together. “It’s a beautiful night,” she said.

  He was about to answer her when movement next to his porch snagged his attention. Immediately he saw a man hiding in his bushes. He grabbed his gun and pushed Ainsley behind him. “Who’s there? Step out where I can see you with your hands up.”

  Adrenaline pumped through him as he held his gun steady, ready for anything that might happen next. While he knew many of the townspeople liked and respected him, he also knew there were some who took offense when they or their loved ones were arrested.

  “I said, come out of those bushes with your hands up,” he commanded again.

  The shadowed figure moved out of the bushes, and Hunter swore and lowered his gun. “Jeez, George, you were just about to get yourself shot. What are you doing skulking around out here?”

  “I didn’t mean no harm,” George replied. He held out a package of cookies. “I just wanted to give these to you to thank you for taking care of me when Marybeth was gone. Then you stepped out here with your lady friend and I thought maybe the time wasn’t right.”

  “Next time make yourself known and don’t hide in the bushes.” Hunter holstered his gun. He then took the package of cookies from him and introduced him to Ainsley.

  “You didn’t have to bring me cookies, George,” he said.

  “I just wanted you to know that I’m mighty thankful for your friendship.” He offered a shy smile to Ainsley. “He’s a mighty good man, Miss Ainsley, and now I’ll just leave you two to carry on.”

  As they got into Hunter’s vehicle, George meandered down the sidewalk back to his house. “That was sweet of him,” Ainsley said.

  “He’s a nice guy. He’s just got some issues,” Hunter replied.

  “Must be kind of strange to work law enforcement in a town where everyone knows where you live,” she said.

  “It has its moments. I occasionally get my vehicle egged, but most of the time people respect my privacy, and I haven’t had any real trouble.”

  “That’s good.”

  They small-talked on the rest of the way to her apartment, and then it was time to tell her good-night. “Thank you, Hunter, for another wonderful night.”

  “I really look forward to Thursday nights when I get to spend time with you.”

  She smiled up at him. “Me too.” She leaned toward him, and he gathered her into his arms.

  “Is it too soon to tell you that I see a bright future ahead of us?” he asked.

  Her eyes darkened and seemed to shutter closed against him. It lasted only a moment, and then she gave him one of her beautiful smiles. “I feel the same way. And now it’s time for a good-night kiss.”

  “With pleasure.” This time he kissed her softly and then stepped back from her. “I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Minutes later as Hunter drove back home, he thought about that moment when her eyes had darkened as if hiding secrets. Had he only imagined it? Had it somehow been a trick of the night shadows?

  He hoped so, because the last woman he’d been involved with had had a ton of devastating secrets, and he never wanted to engage with a woman like that again.

  Chapter Four

  Ainsley sank down on the edge of Melinda’s bed. “Did you have fun tonight with Bonnie?” She swept a strand of her daughter’s honey-colored hair away from Melinda’s beautiful blue eyes.

  “We had lots of fun. We played pretend and I was the queen and Bonnie was a princess. We decided to make Henry the king and we colored him a crown, but he tried to eat it.”

  Ainsley laughed. Henry was eighteen months old, the youngest of Juanita’s children. She leaned forward and kissed Melinda on her cheek. “Have sweet dreams, my little angel.”

  “I will,” Melinda replied. Ainsley started to get up. “Mom, last night Daddy talked to me.”

  Ainsley’s breath caught in her chest. “Melinda, honey, you know Daddy can’t talk to you. I told you, Daddy went away and he’s never coming back.”

  “But he told me last night that he was coming back for me because he loved me more than anything else in the whole wide world.” Melinda looked at her earnestly.

  “You must have had a dream,” Ainsley said.

  “It wasn’t a dream. I wasn’t even asleep when he talked to me,” she replied.

  “You tell me if he talks to you again, okay?” Ainsley stood. “Now you need to go to sleep. It’s getting late and you have school tomorrow.”

  “Okay, good night.” Melinda turned over and closed her eyes, and Ainsley left the small bedroom.

  It was only when Ainsley was in her own bed that she allowed herself to think of what Melinda had said. It had been at least a year since Melinda had even mentioned her father.

  At that time Ainsley had seriously considered telling the little girl that her father was dead, but ultimately she hadn’t done that. Instead she’d told Melinda that her father had been sent far, far away and would never be able to see them again.

  There was no question in her mind that either Melinda had dreamed of her father talking to her or it had been the fantasy of a little girl who didn’t have her father around.

  Still, the mention of her ex-husband stirred
all kinds of memories in Ainsley, horrible memories that transferred into nightmares that plagued her for what felt like the entire night.

  She awakened late the next morning. She threw herself together, checked on Melinda and then raced into the café to get things going for the day.

  By the time Lana came in so that Ainsley could go back and get Melinda up and ready for school, Ainsley was still flustered and off-kilter because of the nightmares that had chased her through the night.

  “Girl, sit down and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee. You need to calm down before the breakfast rush really starts,” Lana said. “You’re as shaky as my third husband wearing a pair of my high heels.”

  Ainsley laughed. “I’m not sure I want to hear that whole story.”

  Lana pointed to the end stool at the counter. “Sit.” The gray-haired woman poured Ainsley a cup of coffee. “What’s going on with you this morning?”

  “Nothing really. I had nightmares all night and then overslept this morning, and I’ve just been off since then.”

  “I hate nightmares. One of my worst nightmares involves my second husband, a plucked pink chicken and a horse wearing a big straw hat.”

  Ainsley couldn’t help but laugh, which she knew was exactly what Lana had wanted. “You’re the best, Lana.”

  Lana grinned and then her smile faded. “So, what were your nightmares about?”

  “The boogeyman chasing me through the shadows.”

  “Ah, boogeyman dreams are the worst. Sit and drink your coffee. I’ve got the diners in here right now.”

  Lana got up as Big Ed yelled, “Order up!”

  Ainsley sat for only a minute or two and then she slid off the stool. The breakfast rush would begin in earnest in the next fifteen minutes or so.

  She released a deep sigh when Richard Adams walked in and sat at one of her tables. Ainsley guessed Richard to be in his midsixties. He was a big, burly man and more than a bit of a curmudgeon. He was also a crummy tipper—if he tipped at all, it was usually a single dollar.