Dark Obsession

by Lynette Eason

  “I say so.”

  “I don’t think Alex gets that, though. He asked me just the other day if I thought you were a diamond or a pearl type. Here’s your problem.” He pointed to a cable. “Your battery’s disconnected. Probably shook loose.”

  Another patrol car pulled in beside them and Alex got out. “Trouble, Holly?”

  Aggravated at his presence, she snapped. “Yes.”

  He lifted a brow but didn’t comment on her surliness. Instead, he looked over Joel’s shoulder.

  Regret filled her. Smoothing her tone, she said, “I just had that battery put in. It didn’t just shake loose.” While she’d been in the church, someone had been busy working on her battery. The man from the restaurant? The one who’d been hanging around her shop before bashing her in the head with the trash can?

  Breathing deeply, she watched Joel hook the cable back up to the battery. “Thanks, Joel, I appreciate you doing this.”

  “Anytime, Holly. Want me to follow you home?”

  “I’ll do it.” Alex motioned her to her truck.

  “No…um…” She looked around. What if the person who’d been here earlier was just waiting for her to leave the church so he could resume his scare tactics? “Well, maybe. If you’re sure it won’t be any trouble.”

  “No trouble at all.” Alex opened the door to the truck and gave her a smile. “It’s never any trouble spending time with you, Holly.”

  Ignoring the intimate undertone, just plain not in the mood to deal with him, she hopped back into her truck. The engine turned over smooth as silk.

  Cable came loose, my eye, she thought.

  She had to admit she was grateful for the escort home. She just hoped no one lurked outside her house tonight. Eli was in Bryson City with his father. It was up to her to take care of things tonight.

  She dialed her mother’s number.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Oh, Holly. I was just going to call you. Elva asked me if I’d like to go up to that little bed-and-breakfast in Valle Crucis. I told her I’d ride with her.”

  “Do you feel up to that?”

  A pause. “Yes. I’m going to try it, anyway. Today was a pretty good day.”

  “And you’re leaving now? But it’s after dark.”

  “Elva’s daughter is going to drive us.”

  “Oh, okay. When will you be back?”

  “Sometime tomorrow evening.”

  After wishing them a safe trip, she hung up. Actually, her mother getting away might be a good idea. Holly didn’t know exactly how much danger she was really in, but she would be able to concentrate on figuring it out a lot better if she didn’t have to worry about her mother for a few hours.

  But she really didn’t want to go home to an empty house.

  Alone.

  In the dark.

  Glancing in the rearview mirror, she could see Alex’s headlights—and wished they belonged to Eli.

  And she was mad at herself for wishing it.

  * * *

  Eli looked up to see Holly walking toward him in the hospital waiting room. He blinked, sure she was a mirage his exhausted brain had dredged up just to play a mean trick on him.

  She was still there.

  He stood. “Holly?”

  “Hi, Eli. I came to keep you company. Do you know anything yet?”

  “Dad’s with the orthopedic surgeon. They had to take more X-rays so I’m just waiting for them to get back. What are you doing here?”

  A tiny lift of her shoulders. “I didn’t feel like going home. I was driving around thinking and thought I’d come see if there was anything I could do.”

  Shrewd eyes studied her. “What happened?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Come on, Holly, I was a cop for a lot of years. I can read body language and smell fear a mile away. You’re scared.” He reached out and grasped one of her hands. Fine tremors still shook it. “See?”

  She slumped into one of the plastic seats. “Like I said, I didn’t want to go home. My mother decided to go on a little trip and I was afraid…”

  “Afraid of what?”

  She looked up at him from the corner of her eye. “My truck wouldn’t start after you left.”

  He frowned. “What? It was running fine just a couple of hours earlier. There was never any indication something was wrong.”

  “That’s because I don’t think anything was.”

  She explained the incidents with the headlights and Joel finally arriving to find the disconnected battery cable.

  With each word she uttered, Eli felt his blood pressure rise. And the guilt for leaving her behind. He should have made sure she was on her way before taking off. But he’d been so worried about his dad that he’d messed up.

  And possibly put Holly in danger because of it. “I’m so sorry, Holly.”

  She waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault.”

  Eli placed his hands on her shoulder and when she didn’t resist, pulled her close for a gentle hug. His heart thudded at her familiar scent, the coming-home feel of her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head and asked, “Did you see anything at all?”

  Without looking up, she said, “I saw somebody. An outline behind the wheel of a car. He positioned himself in a way that kept me from identifying him.” She looped her arms around his waist and sighed.

  As right and wonderful as it felt to hold her again, his detective instincts kicked into high gear. “What about the car? Did you recognize it?”

  Pulling away, she looked up at him and shook her head. “No, but I didn’t get a good look at it, either. The lights were too bright and when he left, he was in the dark, so I still couldn’t see anything.”

  “Sir?”

  They looked up. Eli squeezed Holly’s fingers before letting go and reaching to shake the doctor’s hand. Her name tag read Dr. Mary Beth Hill. “Your father’s doing fine. We’ve got him on some pretty strong painkillers so he’s out of it right now, but the X-rays show he didn’t do any more damage to the broken bone. He’s very lucky.”

  Relief swept over Eli. “Thank you. When can I take him home?”

  “I would say tomorrow. We’re just going to keep him for observation tonight to make sure we haven’t missed anything. If he’s still doing well by lunchtime tomorrow, we’ll discharge him.”

  “Great. Thank you so much.”

  “No problem.”

  Dr. Hill left and Eli turned to Holly. “Guess I’ll be spending the night here tonight.”

  She nodded and rose. “Then I’ll see you later.”

  “Go on home, boy.” Eli turned to see Buckeye standing in the doorway. “We got those people coming to look at the horses in the morning. Since your daddy is laid up here, it’s going to be up to you to make the sale. My sister lives just up the road a piece. I’ll stay with her tonight and get your dad home tomorrow whenever they spring him.”

  “But, Buckeye…” Torn, Eli offered a halfhearted protest. He didn’t want to leave his dad, but he knew they needed the sale. Buckeye didn’t like to handle that end of things and Eli didn’t want to ask him to. “All right. Thanks.” He looked at Holly. “Want me to follow you home?”

  Relief at his offer coated her pretty, fragile face. “Sure, if you don’t mind.”

  “It’s kind of on the way.” He smiled at her and she reciprocated. His stomach did that funny swooping thing it always did when she looked at him like that. When she let the past go and forgot he’d once acted like a jerk. He really was home to stay this time, no matter what she thought. The promotion he’d applied for last month tickled the back of his mind.

  Although, if he hadn’t heard anything by now, it was probably a sure bet he wasn’t going to be offered the job.

  But what if you are? What will you do then?

  He didn’t have an answer for himself.

  Pushing those thoughts aside, he motioned for her to go ahead of him, waving goodbye to Buckeye on the way out.

&nbs
p; Eli walked her to her car. “I’m parked around the other side. Give me a ride to the other parking lot and I’ll follow you home.”

  “Okay. I’m glad your dad didn’t hurt himself any worse.”

  “I know.” He shook his head. “He’s so stubborn. Won’t listen to a word I tell him.”

  “Hmm. Sounds like someone else I know.”

  He shot her a look, guilt pinging him once again. She was right. Ten years ago, even six years ago, he’d known everything. “I’m not like that anymore.”

  She cocked an eyebrow at him. “If you say so.”

  He got out when she parked next to his car then turned to peer back in at her. “I’m going to prove it to you.”

  “How?”

  He just looked at her. “I have no idea, but I hope you’ll give me the chance to work on it.”

  Eli climbed into his car, mind and heart churning. More than ever he wanted to be back in Holly’s good graces. He couldn’t bear the thought of her pushing him away forever. Even if she decided she couldn’t ever trust him with her heart again and he had to settle for just friendship, he’d start there.

  He wondered if Alex felt the same way. Part of Eli sympathized with the man if that was the case, but the other part of him vowed to keep Holly away from him.

  No matter what the cost.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The Transcross Realty vehicle parked in her driveway made Holly gape in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered as she yanked on her clothes.

  A glance at the clock made her blink again. Seven-twelve. The sun had barely put in an appearance this morning when she’d heard someone crunching the gravel on her driveway. Thinking about how wonderful it had been to be held by Eli once again had kept her awake into the wee hours of the morning. Now this.

  Bolting down the steps, she stopped at the front door and gathered her composure—and her temper. As an afterthought she snatched her cell phone from the table beside the door.

  With an outward calm that hid the boiling anger inside her, she stepped outside to find two men, their backs facing her, taking pictures of her property. “Excuse me, may I help you gentlemen with something?”

  They whirled. “Um, good morning, miss.” The one with the thick glasses held out a hand then dropped it when she crossed her arms. “I’m Preston Hancock and this is my associate, James Miller. We’re from Transcross Realty.”

  “I got that much.” She gestured to the car. “What I don’t understand is why you’re in my front yard.”

  “Our boss, Mr. Zimmerman, sent us out here to take pictures. Said you were selling.”

  A frustrated yell wanted to rupture from her throat. She swallowed, stepped forward and planted her hands on her hips. He backpedaled two steps. James Miller’s face remained impassive. “Let’s get one thing straight right now,” she insisted. “I’m not selling. And I’m just about past the point of being nice about it.”

  He blinked owlishly behind his thick glasses. “Excuse me? But…but…”

  Patience, Holly. “I’ve also sent that statement in writing to Mr. Zimmerman. Now get off my property before I call the cops and have you charged with trespassing.”

  Mr. Miller’s jaw went hard. “Lady, Mr. Zimmerman wants this property.” Menace dripped from him and for the first time, she noticed his eyes. Hard eyes. Mean eyes.

  Fear darted through her as she thought about the man who’d accosted her outside the sheriff’s office, but she ignored it. “Please leave and don’t come back.”

  His lip curled. “Better take the man’s very generous offer. You never know when you might need the extra money.”

  “Just what are you threatening me with?” Was this really happening? First the man outside the sheriff’s office, then this? And what about last night? What if it was someone from Transcross sent to scare her?

  “This is a dangerous area.” His hand swept out. “Isolated. Never know when you might end up with a few more medical bills.” With that, he gave her one last threatening look then jerked his head toward his partner. “Come on.”

  Once they were gone, Holly let out a frustrated “Oh!”

  Then the uneasy feeling that she was still being watched kicked in. Spinning around, she scanned the surrounding property. Nothing moved or seemed out of place.

  Then again, why hadn’t the dogs barked when the Transcross guys drove up?

  “Duster? Sassy?” She’d let them in the house when she’d gotten home last night, wanting the company. Without her mother there, the house felt empty, lonely.

  And somehow threatening.

  “Duster? Here boy! Sassy?”

  No dogs.

  Now her stomach clenched. Oh, Lord, please don’t let anything have happened to them.

  She went back inside and checked the kitchen. They had a doggie door and could come and go as they pleased from the sunporch side of the house.

  Holly checked the area but there wasn’t any way to tell if the dogs had used the door or not. Since they weren’t in the house, she’d have to assume they had.

  But where would they go? They never wandered very far. And they’d both greeted her when she’d arrived home last night.

  “Duster?” She whistled. “Sassy?”

  The faint sound of barking reached her ears.

  “Duster?” She closed her eyes, listening.

  The shed?

  She raced across the back lawn to the utility shed. Pushing the sliding door open, Holly gasped as the two furry animals bolted from the interior. Both immediately went to take care of business, which told her they’d been locked in there for several hours.

  But why? Who would do this? Mr. Ryan? But he hadn’t even been around for the last few days. And he wouldn’t have put the dogs in there anyway.

  Between the time she’d gotten home last night to the time she awakened, someone had locked her dogs in the shed.

  They bounded up to her, tails pumping ninety miles an hour. She scratched ears while she thought. Then Duster darted into the house via the doggie door while Sassy chased a bird.

  Pacing, wondering what this meant and what she should do about it, she eyed the shed. The phone vibrated in her hand and she jumped. She’d forgotten she even had it.

  Who would be calling this early? Did she want to answer it? Not recognizing the number, she paused. Finally, on the last ring, she snapped it to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Good morning, Holly.”

  “Eli? How did you get my number?”

  “I’m sorry, is this a bad time? I figured you’d be getting ready for work and wanted to catch you before you left.”

  Deep breath. “No, no, sorry. Actually, it’s been a rather strange morning.” She glanced at the clock. An hour had passed since she’d been awakened by the Transcross Vehicle.

  “Want to tell me about it at the church? Dad couldn’t sleep in spite of his pain meds and kept calling me from the hospital. He decided he had some stuff to get rid of and had me up all night going through it.”

  “All night?”

  “Well, maybe not all night, but I’ve got quite a load here I need to dump. Want me to pick you up? I’ve got Miz Hannah’s homemade doughnuts.”

  Ooh, now that was tempting. Her heart hesitated, still not ready to take the risk of spending more time with him, and yet…“Sure, Mom’s on a mini vacation so I just need to get ready. Let me meet you there, though, because I’ll need my car when we’re finished. I’ve got to run go to the store to open up. Jessica can take care of the store while we’re at the church. I also need to finish…um…taking care of some things around here.”

  His voice sharpened. “What kinds of things?” He must have picked up on the lingering fear in her voice.

  She paused then said, “I’ll tell you when I see you. Give me a few minutes or so to get everything together and I’ll meet you.”

  He let her get away with the delay. “All right. My buyer called this morning to say he’d be running late so I’ve got some
time to take this stuff to the church before I have to get back here and meet him.”

  “And you thought I’d help, huh?”

  “I knew I could count on you.”

  She couldn’t help the warmth that danced through her, but listened to the word of caution her brain sent to her heart. His next words made her grimace. “Besides, you’re the closest person with a key to the church.”

  She snorted. “Thanks, Brodie.”

  Laughter greeted her, then his husky voice lowered. “You know I want to see you, Holly.”

  She shivered and said, “I’ll see you in about an hour.”

  Hanging up the phone, she groaned. What was she doing? Why was she spending time with the man who’d dumped her, not once, but twice? Was she out of her mind?

  But he’d changed.

  Right, she argued with herself. Did she really want to take a chance on that? Risk having him splatter her heart all over the ground once more?

  Part of her did. Part of her desperately wanted to believe it. The more cynical side of her flashed warning signs shouting that she needed more proof than the apology he’d offered the other day. And the fact that he’d put his personal life aside to come take care of his father and run the horse ranch.

  As she thought about Eli, she knew for certain why she and Alex didn’t work. No one pulled at her like Eli Brodie. She couldn’t get the man out of her head—or her heart.

  Even though an examination of the shed showed nothing amiss, she was still bothered. If the doors hadn’t been the sliding kind that had to have human help to close, she might be tempted to think the dogs had gotten trapped on their own.

  But it just wasn’t possible.

  Someone had shut them in there.

  Still pondering, she headed back inside to finish her morning routine.

  And then she’d meet Eli at the church. The one man she should probably avoid if she wanted to keep her heart from splintering in two again.

  * * *

  Eli slapped the aftershave on his cheeks and stared at himself in the mirror. Excitement over the upcoming meeting with Holly made him smile. Nervousness made his insides jumpy.

  Lord, I know I don’t deserve her. In fact if I were her, I’d probably take off running in the opposite direction and not stop until I was covered in her dust. But I’d really like one more chance. You and I both know I’m a different man than I was before. Holly and I had something special and I messed it up. But this time, with You in the mix, I think we could get it right.