I back up towards the bed, this can’t be happening again! Matt is supposed to be in jail in New York City and getting treatment for his drug and alcohol addiction. He moves toward me and I begin to scream. Suddenly, he is behind me, holding the knife to my throat, I plead with him, “Don’t hurt me again! If you leave now, I won’t tell anyone you were here. I swear!”
“Nobody will know I was here, other than finding your body. Don’t forget, I’m a cop so I know how to stage a crime scene.” He pushes me forward toward the rocking chair. “Sit down and shut up, why do you have to scream like that? Trying to wake up the whole town?”
I turn around to sit in the chair and decide that I am not going to just let him kill me. I rush him and he stabs me with the knife. The burning pain causes my legs buckle and I find myself lying on the floor. “No, no, no, please don’t hurt me again. I swear I’ll be quiet,” I whisper, the pain making it hard to breathe.
Matt reaches for my arm to pull me up and somehow I scream again. Suddenly, I am on my bed with my book in my lap, screaming like a banshee. I realize it’s just a nightmare. I haven’t had a nightmare about that night for a couple of weeks. Weird, that it took place here and not back in New York; that’s a new twist. Matt stabbing me is also new, wonder what brought that on? I sit there with my arms wrapped around myself, willing myself to calm down. My hands are shaking as I get up to check all the doors and windows. All locked up, thank goodness. I go to the bathroom and get my sleeping pills out of the medicine cabinet and take two. I notice that there are only six more pills and make a mental note to call my doctor in New York and get a refill. I can’t be having those nightmares again, walking through each day like a zombie from lack of sleep. James will notice and he won’t leave it alone until I tell him everything.
I get back in bed and wait for the sleeping pills to kick in. I have to start going through Gram’s things tomorrow and I want to start to review the accounts for the store. I have some ideas I want to try and I need to see if there is enough cash flow right now to implement them.
My eyelids begin to droop. The sleeping pills are finally working, I think as I settle in and get comfortable. Sure hope I don’t have another nightmare tonight!
Chapter 4
I wake up the next morning to the sun in my face; looks like it’s going to be another beautiful day. Sure hope this warm weather sticks around for a while. September weather can be really volatile in Indiana. I head downstairs and thank God that the “Church Ladies” stocked the kitchen for me. Fresh coffee will sure hit the spot. I shuffle into the kitchen and get the coffee maker going. Soon, the smell of fresh brewed coffee fills the room. As I turn to get a mug out of the cupboard I hear someone knocking on the back door. I look out the window and see James, all decked out in his sheriff uniform. Woohoo, perfect time for some Barney jokes!
As I unlock and open the door, I say, “Morning Barney, did you smell the coffee all the way over at your house? I was just getting ready to make some scrambled eggs for breakfast. Want some?”
“No thanks, I already had breakfast with my wife, smart ass.” James replies. “I will take a cup of coffee though,” as he sits at the kitchen table.
“Such language from an officer of the law. I should report you to Sherriff Taylor,” I say, “Maybe he can teach you how to speak to a lady.” I pour and bring two mugs of coffee to the table and sit across the table from him.
“When you act like a lady I’ll talk to you like one. I remember your Gram washing your mouth out with soap more than once when we were growing up. Pot, kettle, black, works both ways,” he says with a grin.
“Are you here for a reason or did you wake up this morning and decide I needed to be harassed today?”
“Just had to prove to myself that it wasn’t a dream, you’re really back for good.” He gives me a kiss on the cheek and heads out the door, taking the coffee cup with him.
An hour later I am at the bookstore, going over the books with Mel. Mel has been a godsend, keeping the bookstore open while I went back to New York to say goodbye to my life there. “I’m so glad you were willing to keep the bookstore running for me Mel. I’m going to make sure you get some time off soon.”
“I know you will. Let’s give it a couple of weeks until you feel comfortable with the way things are running.”
I smile at her as I glance at the clock on the wall. “Wow, look at the time, I’m meeting James for lunch today. Have Peggy come in some more hours so you can spend some time with Dan. I’ll be in early tomorrow, so sleep in and come in at 10 instead of 8.”
“Thanks Cassie, I’ll do that. See you tomorrow.”
I walk down to the sheriff’s office, noticing only one cruiser parked out front. Good, Deputy Miller must be out on patrol. I need to talk to James about him; I still can’t believe he gave me a speeding ticket.
I pull open the door and walk towards the receptionist, letting the familiar sights and sounds wash over me. “Hey Maureen, is James in his office?”
“Hi Cassie! I heard you were back.” Maureen gets up and walks around the counter and gives me a hug, “Are you doing OK?”
At my nod she pats my arm and goes back to her chair and sits down. “The sheriff just got off a conference call with the mayor. Go on in.”
I walk into James’ office and plop myself in his lap and give him a great big kiss just to drive him nuts. I love it that James is turning bright red. “Hey baby, have you told your wife about me yet?” I say as a finishing touch.
I hear someone clear their throat. I look over and see it’s the pain-in-my-ass deputy, looking at me like I’m pond scum. His hat is gone and the aviator sunglasses are hanging from the pocket of his shirt. I notice his blond hair, just long enough that the ends are starting to curl as my eyes are drawn to his eyes, they are an intense blue and it feels like they are looking all the way through me; seeing all my most private thoughts.
“I have that report you wanted. I’ll bring it back later,” he says, his disapproval of me evident on his face.
“Now is fine Logan.” James clears his throat and murmurs in my ear, “Cassie, get off my lap!” before continuing, “Logan, this is an old friend of mine, Cassie Holt.”
“We’ve met. I’ve got to get back out on patrol.” He puts the file he was holding in James’ inbox and turns and walks out of the office.
James looks at me, puzzled, “You’ve met? You just got into town yesterday. Why didn’t you mention it?”
“I was going to talk to you about that. He gave me a speeding ticket yesterday on my way into town.” I start pacing, glaring at the door. “And he looked at me like I was a piece of gum on his shoe!” I plop down in a chair across the desk from James, “Where did you find this guy? I think he needs a personality transplant!”
“Now Reggie, give him a break. How do you expect him to act when he walks in on what looks like a tryst between the two of us? I really wish you would quit doing that, some people just don’t understand.”
“Oh, loosen up James. Can’t he take a joke?”
“He’s by the book, no wiggle room. But he’s a great deputy. Please try not to alienate him, Reggie, I really don’t want to have to look for another deputy. It took me four months to convince the county board to hire him.”
Not wanting James to feel like he won, I change the subject. “Enough about him, let’s go to lunch. Where do you want to go?”
“Let’s just go to the diner across the street, I think they have chicken and noodles on special today.”
“Sounds good, as long as that deputy isn’t there. What crawled up his butt?”
Chapter 5
Outside the sheriff’s office, Logan gets back into his cruiser after grabbing his hat off the desk. What a piece of work, he thinks, pulling on his sunglasses. As he pulls out onto Main Street he is thinking about Cassie sitting on James’ lap, wondering why it bothers him so much. He grins, thinking that James will have his hands full keeping that one in line. All afternoon the memory of
her deep brown eyes haunts him, making him wonder what secret she is hiding.
Chapter 6
It’s been three days and I have managed to avoid the deputy so far, maybe some time will mellow him out a little. It’s Saturday and tonight is the Harvest Festival Dance, the social event of the year here in our little town. The town goes all out, decorating the town square and even having the refreshments catered. Everyone loves the opportunity to get dressed up and have a night out on the town. All the businesses in town close early, even the only bar in town. The town even springs for a semi-famous band, no cheesy DJ for this shindig! I take special care to do my hair and makeup, this is a special event. Tonight, the town council is going to honor Gram with a posthumous award for all her work for the town through the years. Luckily, I have a great dress that I bought for a wedding in New York that I ended up not going to. It’s deep green and seems to make my eyes sparkle, the plunging neckline just deep enough to see a hint of cleavage. I’m glad the autumn weather is still warm, it’s just not the same when we have to have the dance inside the town hall.
I am putting the final touches on my makeup when I feel a breeze swirl my skirt around my legs. That’s crazy, I closed all the windows about ten minutes ago to get ready to head to the square, I’ve been locking all the doors and windows. It’s going to take me awhile to get used to leaving doors unlocked. I must have missed a window somewhere.
I hear the front door open and James yell, “Hey Reggie, get a move on! The dance is about to start!”
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m almost ready!” I yell back, putting on my shoes.
I walk down the stairs and get a wolf-whistle from James. “Wow, Reggie, that’s some dress!” he exclaims, thinking that he can’t wait to see Logan’s reaction to it.
James takes my arm and we head out the door, heading for the town square. Luckily, it’s only a couple of blocks otherwise I would never have made it in my five-inch stilettos. Marie is already in the square, she is the decoration committee chairperson. I find her making some final adjustments on the refreshment table. “Everything looks great Marie, luckily the warm weather stuck around long enough to have the dance outside. I love dancing under the stars!”
“Yes, we have been really fortunate this year.” James walks over and grabs Marie and dips her and gives her a big kiss.
“Wow, how do I rate such a handsome husband? I am the luckiest woman in Fairfield Corners!” James turns bright red, completely embarrassed.
I see Dan and Mel across the square and make my way over to them. James and Marie watch me go. “I can’t wait until Logan sees that dress,” James snickers. “Maybe that will loosen him up. I don’t know why he’s been in such a sour mood lately.”
“It must have something to do with Cassie, he was fine until she got to town,” Marie replies.
James turns and scans the square, “Speak of the devil, here he comes now.”
Logan walks over towards James and Marie. When he catches sight of Cassie he comes to a complete stop. James walks over towards him, “Hey Logan, what do you think of our little party?” He waits about 30 seconds and asks, “What do you think of Cassie’s dress?”
“What?” he asks, as he drags his attention back to James.
“I asked you what you thought of Cassie’s dress.”
“Oh, I hadn’t noticed.” He heads towards the refreshment table, watching Cassie the whole time.
“Well, I guess we know why he’s been in such a mood the last few days,” Marie remarks as he walks away. “He couldn’t take his eyes off her. How long do you think it will be before he admits to himself that he’s attracted to her?”
“It could be awhile. He was treated very badly by his ex.”
“He’s not going to know what hit him. Ever since I met him I’ve thought that he and Cassie would hit it off.”
Oblivious to Logan’s stare, I drag Dan on to the dance floor when the band starts to play. Flirting with him brings back old times when I dated him in high school. He is as sweet as ever, I’m so glad he is with Mel. He tells me stories about everyone in town, making me laugh. I don’t notice Logan getting more tense by the minute, his piercing blue eyes following my every move.
The band finishes their first song and starts their second, a romantic ballad. I grab James and pull him close for a slow dance. Good thing Marie knows how I feel about him, otherwise she would be jealous. She knows I love him like a brother. We dance for a while until Marie cuts in, “can I have my husband back now Cassie?” she jokes.
“Sure Marie,” I say, bowing out gracefully. I make my way over to the refreshments, stopping to talk at almost every table, flirting with the guys I grew up with. It’s so great to be able to catch up like this, where everyone is having a good time. I finally pick up a glass of punch. I find a table and sit down to just enjoy the night and the music.
An hour later, after dancing with most of the guys I went to school with and accepting Gram’s posthumous award I go to one of the benches on the edge of the square away from the dance and commotion. The stars are shining brightly, I forgot how beautiful the sky is away from the lights of New York City. Memories of Gram start to bring tears to my eyes again, time to get back into the center of things. Must keep the memories away tonight, the dance is not the time for sadness. The band starts to play a faster song and the teenagers take over the dance floor. I watch them, remembering how it felt to be so young and carefree; thinking that nothing or no one could hurt me. I remember my first kiss, at this dance so many years ago when I was 14… Dan was 15 and a year ahead of me in school, I felt so grown up! Oh, to be that young and innocent again. I watch as Marie makes her way out on the dance floor with someone I don’t recognize. I watch Marie dancing with this tall stranger. They’re doing some really awesome moves. They turn and I can’t believe my eyes! It’s Deputy Miller, and he looks very good out there on the dance floor.
Marie is laughing as the band finishes the song and starts a slow song. Logan and Marie start to slow dance until James cuts in, “Thanks for holding my place with my wife Logan. Why don’t you dance this one with Cassie?”
Logan bows out, handing Marie over to James. He turns and looks at me, those piercing blue eyes find mine. He sighs and makes his way over to me, his expression unchanging.
“Miss Holt, may I have this dance?” he asks, holding his hand out to me. How come Marie rates a smile and all I get is this sour look?
I put my hand in his, thinking it’s just a dance, what can it hurt. “Why yes, you may, Deputy Miller.” We move out on to the dance floor, where Logan pulls me close and starts to dance. Wow, being in his arms makes me start to rethink my decision on relationships.
“Figured I’d take my turn, looks like you’ve danced with almost every other man here. You sure seem to be having a good time.”
“Yes, I am. It’s been way too long since I was here for the Harvest Festival Dance. I have many wonderful memories of these dances while I was in high school.”
“I just bet you do. I’ve been watching you holding court with all your past conquests, even rubbing yourself all over James. No wonder you’re no longer engaged!”
I stop dancing and just stand there staring at him. I move to slap him but his reflexes are too fast, he catches my wrist and stops my hand. “Let go of me, you horse’s ass! How dare you insinuate that I’m trying to break up James’ marriage!” I turn and stomp off the dance floor, heading for the bar and a good stiff drink. I stomp past James and Marie. “Your deputy needs a lesson in manners! What an ass!” I finally make it to the bar, ordering a rum and coke. I drink it quickly, and order another.
James comes up behind me, “Slow down Reg, what did Logan say to get you so pissed off?”
“Go ask him, I don’t want to talk about it!”
“Come on Reg, talk to me. How can I fix it if you don’t tell me what he said?”
Knowing that James won’t leave it alone until I tell him, I yell, “He had the nerve t
o suggest that I was trying to take you away from Marie!”
“Well, what is he supposed to think? I told you that someday your obsessive flirting was going to get you in trouble.”
I cannot believe he just said that! “What? You’re taking his side? Just go away and leave me alone James. I don’t need a man in my life, not even you!”
“Now Reggie, you don’t mean that. You know you love me and you can’t live without me,” he grins, thinking I won’t be able to resist it.
“Men!” I stomp off, taking my drink to find a quiet corner to lick my wounds. First the good deputy insinuates that I’m a potential home wrecker and then my best friend agrees with him! I don’t know why Marie stays married to him, he’s almost as bad as that deputy of his!
A couple of drinks later, I decide it’s time to stumble home. I never made it to the refreshment table so the alcohol hits me when I stand up to head home, making the world tilt slightly. I make my way across the square, hiding my anger behind my trademark flirting. I flirt to keep the men off-balance, don’t want anyone to get too close. I see that the deputy is watching me so I turn quickly to go the other way, don’t want him to see the effect he has on me. I catch my heel on the edge of the sidewalk, twisting my ankle painfully. I hobble over to the nearest chair and take off my shoes, rubbing my ankle.
“Are you OK, Miss Holt?” The Pain-In-My-Ass deputy asks. Great. Now he wants to be a white knight and swoop in and rescue the damsel in distress. “Yes, I’m fine. Now go away, I don’t need your help!” I tell him, loud enough that most of the people seated on this side of the square can hear me.
“I saw you twist your ankle. Do you need a ride home?”
Saving Cassie (Fairfield Corners) Page 2
