by Jill Sanders
When they got there, he dropped his arms from around here and just looked at her.
She stood in the small bathroom, looking back at him. “Go.” She waved him out of the room. He just frowned back at her. “I’ll be fine. Besides, that’s what this if for.” She played with the long emergency pull rope.
“Okay, but if you need…”
“Clothes?” she asked. “Did my mom bring a bag?”
“Yes.” He rushed from the room and came back with one of her bags full of items.
“Thanks, I’m going to shower, so I’ll be a while.”
“Okay, but I’m keeping the door cracked open.”
She waved him out and shut the door, making sure to leave it open a crack.
When the warm water hit her, she groaned with pleasure.
“Are you okay in there?” he called out.
“Yes.” She smiled and rested her head against the tile. “This feels wonderful.” She sighed. There was a large bandage at the base of her head, and she tried really hard not to get it wet, but halfway through washing her hair, she pulled it off and tossed it in the corner of the shower. She felt around the cut and felt some stitches. No one had mentioned those. There were three, from what she could feel. Not bad, she thought and finished scrubbing all the dirt and dried blood from her hair and body.
She stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around herself, and looked in the foggy mirror at her reflection.
She was pale, bruised, but alive. She smiled and rolled her shoulders, testing how she felt. Not bad, she thought as she assessed everything.
There were dark purple rings around each wrist and ankle. Slight cuts in her skin marked where she’d twisted the ties free. She had a huge strawberry bruise on her left hip where she’d landed on the dirt road. Her jeans had saved her from any cuts or scrapes, thankfully.
Pulling on the yoga pants and large T-shirt her mother had packed for her, she took some extra time combing out her hair and applying light makeup. One thing she’d learned long ago about living in Pride was that you should always expect company when you come home from a hospital visit.
* * *
Josh listened to Carrie tell her story again as everyone crowded in their living room listened carefully.
He balanced a plate of homemade food on his lap as she described going into the alley to help a kitten, jumping out of the moving vehicle, and running for her life. Every time she described the ordeal, he felt surer he was engaged to Wonder Woman.
“Wow,” everyone always said when she finished with her story.
“Thank you, everyone, for looking for me yesterday.” She took his hand in hers. “Josh told me how everyone came out and searched.”
“We were all so worried,” Sara said.
Carrie’s friends were all gathered around her, watching her like they were afraid she’d disappear again.
“I know, but, I have to say, that training my father made us all go through in junior high saved me.”
“How to escape a trunk?” Lilly added. “I’ve often remembered the day he locked us all in the trunk of his car and made us practice escaping.” She smiled over at Robert. “Thanks,”
Robert blushed a little and nodded. “That’s my duty as both sheriff and a father.”
“How about some more food?” Riley stood up and took Carrie’s empty plate, making him realize he had barely touched his food.
Someone brought a plate of pie to Carrie just as he finished his own food. He hadn’t left her side and when he saw the pie, his eyes lit up.
“I’ll get you a piece too.” Riley laughed. “Don’t drool on Carrie’s piece.”
For the next hour, there was a procession of people as everyone from town walked by and chatted with Carrie. The kitchen was filled with enough food to last them until Christmas.
Her friends and family stuck around and helped clean up, putting all the extra food out in the freezer in the garage. By the time he walked into the kitchen, everything was back to normal.
Carrie was resting on the sofa, while her friends talked quietly around her.
“They don’t want to leave,” Robert said, smiling into the room as he leaned against the doorjamb, sipping a beer.
He walked over and took one from the full fridge and popped the top. “I don’t blame them. It’s going to be hard taking my eyes off her in the coming days.” His eyes moved to Robert’s. “What are we doing about her security?”
Robert nodded towards the back door.
They stepped outside, and he followed Carrie’s father towards the barn. They didn’t stop until they were standing at the edge of the paddock, where Bert was happily playing with his ball.
“Damn llama. I hated the thing when she got it.” Robert laughed. “Now she’s like a dog. I doubt Carrie will ever get rid of her.”
“She’s one of the best things about this place. I’m thinking of making her the mascot.”
Robert chuckled and shook his head, then took another sip of his beer and turned his back on the llama.
“I didn’t tell anyone else, especially Amelia and Carrie, but there was enough gasoline in the cabin to burn down half the land surrounding it. Whoever kidnapped her hadn’t planned on giving her back.”
Josh’s heart sank, and he actually started shaking with anger or fear; the emotion was too overpowering to distinguish.
“Tell me you have something,” he growled out, taking another sip of his beer to keep himself from throwing the bottle against the side of the barn in anger.
“There is something… The break-in at your shop,” Robert said.
“What about it?”
“Well, in light of all this, I asked around today and someone remembered seeing a dark sedan parked on the street that evening. They got a couple numbers off the license plate. We’re running them now.”
He perked up. “How soon before we know anything?”
“A day.” Robert shook his head. “Two?”
Josh relaxed. “You think this has something to do with my business?”
“It would make sense. They came after you first. When they couldn’t get into your systems, they destroyed them and came after you from a different angle.”
“Through Carrie.” He sighed and turned back to the house.
“Until we know more, I’ve put twenty-four-seven surveillance on your place.” He glanced around. “Starting with me, tonight.”
“If you’re up to it, Mason delivered the security system I ordered for this place. I could use your help installing it.”
Robert smiled and nodded. “I’ll go get the tools.”
Chapter 18
Over the next few days, Carrie wasn’t allowed to wash her own dishes, let alone be outside without someone next to her. If Josh was busy, her dad or brother was there.
She thought about fighting it, but to be honest, she felt safer with someone around. Even being locked in her own bathroom alone caused slight anxiety to arise deep in her chest.
So, she sat back and enjoyed the company and the security instead of arguing.
Her friends made a point to always be around as well. They ate lunch or dinner with them almost every mealtime.
By the end of the first week after her kidnapping, she was beginning to wonder if this was going to be the new norm for them.
Since Josh needed to work, she either had someone at the house with her during the days or went into his office with him.
It was the Friday after her kidnapping and she was sitting in his office, bored. A game of solitaire was up on the computer screen as she swiveled the chair back and forth while she gazed out the large windows that overlooked the front of the store.
“How about pizza for lunch?” she asked, when her stomach growled.
“Sounds good,” Mason jumped in.
“I’ll go…” Josh started to get up.
“No.” She jumped up. “You can literally see me from the front window. It’s two doors down and the way the road curves…” She moti
oned to the front windows where the new pizzeria was clearly visible on the street curve. “I can walk there and be back and you’ll never take your eyes off me.” She grabbed her purse and kissed Josh quickly.
“Cheese?” she asked Mason.
“You know it.” Mason smiled at her.
“Veggie?” She looked over at Josh.
“Extra olives,” he said. She’d known his favorite pizza since they were in grade school.
“I’ll be back.” She waved as she stepped outside.
The warm salty air hit her. God, she loved living near the ocean. If she could see over the buildings in front of them, they’d have a front row view of Pride’s beautiful harbor.
She waved across the street to the old men who had been sitting outside the barber shop since she was young. Even during snowstorms, they could be seen huddled under the awning, watching the people of Pride go about their daily lives.
When she walked through the front door of Baked, she glanced back and waved at Josh, who was standing in the window of his place, watching her. He waved back and smiled at her, then blew a kiss in her direction.
She laughed and caught it, then turned and waited in line to order their pizzas.
“You’re Corey, right?” she asked when she stepped up to the counter.
“Yes.” He smiled. “You’re Carrie. I heard you had quite the scare the other day. My brother and I helped look for you. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks.” She smiled and leaned on the counter. “So, I have a few friends who are dying to know more about the two of you.” Since there wasn’t anyone behind her in the line, she figured she had some time to get some answers.
“Oh?” Corey leaned against the countertop much like she was doing, as if he had plenty of time to chat with her.
“Here are the top ten questions everyone in town wants to know about you two.”
“Shoot.” He smiled, then held up his hand. “But, I’m only answering them because I hear you kicked some serious kidnapping butt and jumped from a moving car and lived to talk about it.”
She chuckled and nodded. “Okay, one, where are you from?”
“Seattle,” he answered with a smile.
“Are you single? Both of you?” His eyebrows shot up. “I’m engaged, so rest assured, this isn’t for me,” she added.
He nodded. “Yes, both unattached.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “And looking.”
She laughed. “Okay, parents?”
“Yes, we have them.”
She sighed. “Still living?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, moving on. Why Pride?”
Here, his smile fell slightly. “We visited here several times and loved it.”
“Visited? Who?”
“Grandparents.” She knew he was sticking to one-word answers when he could.
“Okay, are they still around?”
“No.” He frowned.
Her eyes narrowed, “I’m sorry.” He nodded. “Did they own this building?”
He smiled. “You win the Kewpie doll.”
“Miller?” She frowned. “I thought the Owenses owned this building.” He nodded again. “Okay, so mother’s parents?” Once again, he nodded.
She glanced over at his brother, who was busy working the ovens. “Does your brother talk?”
Corey chuckled. “Some.”
“Shy?”
“You’re out of questions.” He smiled. “Can I ask you one?” He stood up straight.
“Sure. Everyone in Pride knows everything about everyone.”
“Where can I find someone just like you who isn’t engaged?” He winked at her.
“Unlike you”—she glanced over at his brother— “I’m one of a kind.” They laughed.
* * *
Josh watched Carrie talk to the new owner of the pizza place. She was right, the main street curved around towards the city building. His eyes scanned the streets, unworried about her conversation with the good-looking newcomer.
The owners of Baked weren’t on the radar for her kidnapping, since they had both been there to look for her. So, he kept his eyes open for anyone in town who would be.
“Bummer,” Mason said, getting Josh’ attention.
“What?” He glanced over at Mason.
“Sophia just messaged me that she won’t be back this weekend.” Mason frowned.
“You’re really serious about this one?” He walked over and sat back down beside Mason. He could see Carrie from his desk, he just liked to watch her more closely from the window as she walked down the street.
“Yeah,” Mason said, picking up his phone. “I mean, just look at her. Wouldn’t you be?” He turned his phone around.
Josh hadn’t met the woman yet. It seemed every time she came into the office to hang out with Mason, he was away on business or at home with Carrie.
Josh vaguely glanced up at a picture of Mason and a blonde woman. He was about to give his friend a quick answer, but then his heart jumped in his chest and he reached for the phone.
“This?” He narrowed his eyes at the woman, who was looking, unsmiling, into the camera. “This is Sophia?”
“Yeah,” Mason answered, prideful. “Beautiful, huh?”
He set the phone down and clicked a few buttons on his computer until an image popped up on his screen. Holding the phone next to the image on the monitor, he frowned.
“Why do you have a picture of Sophia?” Mason moved over and was silent as he read the caption under the image.
“Who is Camilla Kincaid?” he asked.
Josh picked up Mason’s phone and showed him the screen. “This is.”
Setting down the phone, he glanced up as Carrie walked in holding two large pizzas. He stood up to help her with the pizzas. Taking them from her, he set them down on the table.
“Call your dad,” he said to her. “I think I know who’s been messing with us.”
Carrie frowned up at him. “Who?” Just as she asked, Josh heard tires squealing outside. He glanced up in time to see a dark sedan slowing down in front of the building. The passenger windows were rolled down all the way.
He saw a flash of blonde hair and a glint of silver. He had time to shield Carrie behind him before the first shots rang out.
The computer screen next to them exploded in a million pieces. Before he could pull Carrie to the ground, a bullet ripped through his side, throwing him off balance. He took Carrie down with him, then rolled until she was underneath him.
Carrie screamed as glass and plastic shards flew around them.
It seemed like hours before silence filled the room again.
“Mason?” he called out.
“Yo,” his employee said, “I’m alive. I think. You?”
“Yes,” he answered. “Stay down until we know it’s safe.”
“I’m not moving,” Mason called back. “Carrie?”
He looked down at her. “Are you okay?” he asked, worried.
“I’m fine.” She was blinking fast and looking up at him.
He glanced down and checked her out. When he noticed blood on her shirt, he panicked.
“You’re hit.” He knelt beside her.
“Shit, Carrie’s hit?” Mason asked.
“No, I’m not.” She shook her head. Then her eyes grew wide. “You’ve been shot,” she cried and covered his side. “Mason, call my dad. Josh has been hit.”
“The hell I have.” He frowned down at the blood flowing from his side. Her hands were covered in the red stuff now and his mind still refused to acknowledge the pain or the fact that the blood was his.
She pushed him until he was laying on his back on the floor, looking up at the ceiling. “Hell.” He sighed.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, tears flowing from her eyes.
“No, I can’t feel a thing.” His eyes moved to her and he smiled. “God, I’m one lucky son-of-a-bitch.”
“Shh,” she said, holding him still. “Don’t move. Mason?” she called out.
> “Your dad was already on his way. Several other people called it in.”
“We need an ambulance,” she said.
“Yes, one’s on the way.”
Robert rushed into the room and saw his daughter covered in blood. Josh felt guilty and started to explain.
“I tried… I tried to keep her safe,” he tried to say but felt a lump in his throat.
“Daddy, he’s hit,” Carrie cried.
“Aaron’s on his way,” Robert said, moving over to cover Josh’s side. The town doctor was only a few doors down at the clinic he ran.
As Robert pushed on the wound, Josh felt the first licks of pain and winced.
“Okay, I guess I am shot,” he said, before passing out.
Chapter 19
It was Carrie’s turn to sit and worry in the hospital waiting room. Her knee kept bouncing and she was biting her fingernails. Her mother reached over and placed a hand on her knee to keep it from shaking the entire building.
“Sorry,” she mumbled for the tenth time.
“Sweetie, he’s going to be okay. Aaron assured us of that on the trip up here.”
“I know, but… he’s been shot.”
“And a week ago, you jumped from a moving car.” She smiled over at her. “He’s going to be fine. Dr. Steven’s assured us that it hit Josh in the fleshy part of his side.”
She nodded, still biting her fingernails. “I’ll feel better when I can see him.”
“I know, but they have to pull the bullet out of him and close him up.”
“I know.” She glanced around at all the people in the waiting area. All her friends were there, waiting with her, looking just as worried.
“Why don’t you and Riley grab us some coffee?” her mother suggested.
Riley took her hint and stood up, then pulled Carrie with her. “Come on.”
Carrie followed her friend to the cafeteria and helped her grab a few cups of overly priced, lukewarm coffee.
When they returned to the waiting area, the doctor was talking to Josh’s mother. Carrie rushed over to hear the last part.
“… doing fine. He’ll be resting. He can have one visitor at a time.”
