“Yeah, since I’m here he’s going to run some errands. He’ll be back later.” James pulls out a chair and sits at the table. “How are you two getting along?”
I am plating up the soup and grilled cheese, carrying it over to the table. “It would be great if I could turn around without tripping over him.” I put James’ plate in front of him, noticing how worn out he looks. “Eat it while it’s hot. You look exhausted, James. Has Marie seen you for more than ten minutes over the last few days?”
“No, and she’s starting to get irritated with me. She understands why but she doesn’t like it.”
“Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. We haven’t had anything else happen the last few days so I want to make a deal with you.”
James starts to get a worried look on his face. “Now Cassie, I don’t think we want to let our guard down yet.”
I stand up and start to pace. “Just hear me out, James, before you turn me down flat. I will let Logan stay here at night, but I want my freedom during the day.” I sit in the chair closest to him and grab his hand, “You need to let Logan help you. You are working way too many hours with your deputy stuck here with me all the time.” I see James getting that look, the look that says he’s made up his mind already. “I promise to keep my gun handy and to let both of you know when I go out. I really need to be down at the bookstore, Mel has been covering for me long enough. It’s time I started running my business.”
“I just don’t feel that you will be safe. No way, Cassie.”
“How about if I keep Princess with me all day? She is a good detriment being such a big dog and I’m sure she would protect me.”
Logan walks in the back door, having returned from whatever errands he had to run. He catches the last bit of our conversation. “How would we know that you are safe?” he asks.
“As I reminded James earlier, I do have a gun and I do know how to use it. I’m sure I can protect myself and if I have Princess with me, you don’t have anything to worry about.”
“I don’t know. What do you think James?”
“I would like to take an afternoon off, but only if we all feel that it’s safe. How about this Reg, you can be on your own during the day as long as you keep Princess with you and you check in every hour.”
“I can live with that, James. How about you, Logan?”
“Do you promise to check in every hour, Darlin’? If you’re late by five minutes the deal is off.”
I hug James and then Logan. “How can anything bad happen to me with two such big, strong men to look after me?”
James chuckles and says “You can quit sucking up now, Reggie. We have an agreement.”
Yay, sweet freedom! “Sit down, Logan. I’ll make you a grilled cheese, and there is some tomato soup left. James, go let everyone know you have the afternoon off and then go home and take a nap. Marie will be happy to have you there even if all you’re doing is sleeping.”
“I am beat. Logan, I’ll let everyone know you are in charge until tonight. We’ll work out a schedule tomorrow morning.”
James heads out the door after giving me a kiss on the forehead, “Don’t forget to call Logan every hour. I mean it, Reg. We’ll go back to 24/7 protection if you don’t.”
“Yes, mother. I know, every hour. Now get out of here.”
Now it’s just me and Logan. He doesn’t look like he totally agrees with the plan but he’ll do anything for me.
Logan finishes his lunch and gets up to change into his uniform. He stops, pulls me into his arms and just hugs me. “God, this situation scares me, Darlin’. I’m so afraid something will happen and I won’t be here to protect you. I can’t believe I have fallen this hard for you in such a short time.” He hugs me tighter and then pulls back to look me in the eye. “Promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t think I could handle it if anything happened to you.”
I start to clear the table, rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, “I’ll be fine Logan. I am a big girl and I can take care of myself.” I look up and find Logan standing directly in front of me. “I promise to let you know anytime I go anywhere and to take Princess with me, everyone in town knows her. They won’t mind her being with me.”
“Well, I’ve got to get going so James can go get some sleep. I’ll be back tonight. Remember to keep the doors locked.”
“I know, I know. Now get out of here.” I give him a kiss and send him on his way.
I gather up my laptop and phone and see that James forgot to take his files with him. Oh well, I’ll drop them off on my way to the bookstore. I open the top file and start to look through it. Maybe I can do some research on my own. I write down names and dates, and make some notes. The bottom file only contains one photograph, the one I saw earlier in the week, the one that strikes a chord in my memory. I scan it to into my computer and return it to the file.
I finally have everything I need so I head out the door. I drop the files off with Logan and head down to the bookstore. It is so good to be out and about without either Logan or James breathing down my neck. I arrive at the bookstore and set my things behind the counter. I stopped at the pet store on my way here and bought an extra-large dog bed for Princess to use at the bookstore. I set it at the end of the counter and Princess immediately goes over and lays down on it.
Mel comes out from the storeroom with an armful of books. She sets them on the counter and gives me a hug. “How are you doing, honey? How did you get James and Logan to let you out of their sight?”
“I’m doing fine now that I have some freedom. I had to promise to check in every hour and keep Princess with me at all times. It’s better than being a prisoner in my own house. Give me a rundown on everything and then you have the rest of the day off. You have been doing a fabulous job and you need some time off.”
“Are you sure, Cassie?”
“Yes, I called Peggy and she’s coming in at two to help out. Go home and put your feet up. I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll start working on the book club.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she says as she’s gathering up her phone and keys. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Finally, I have my bookstore all to myself. I settle in and begin working up my ideas for the book club. I look up when I hear the bell over the door ring. “Hi Dan, how are you today?”
“Hey, Cassie. I just dropped by to measure for those shelves you want.” He stops and pets Princess, who is very content but watchful.
“Great! I have a picture of the type of shelves I want.” I shuffle the papers I have on the table in front of me but I don’t see the picture I am looking for. “Oh wait, I think that’s lying on the desk in the office. I’ll be right back.” I get up and head for the office.
As Dan turns to watch me leave his eyes start to glow green and Princess growls softly as a warning. I find the picture on the desk and turn around to go back out into the store. Dan is standing over near Princess and I hear her growling, “Princess, stop that! What’s wrong with you? You know Dan, you goofy dog.” I give her the hand signal to stop.
“I’m sorry, Dan. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. You know how she usually is, so friendly and easygoing. Maybe she’s hungry. I’ll feed her when we’re done.”
“That’s OK. Maybe she’s just in a bad mood. No harm done.”
We go over to the wall where I want the new shelves. I hold the end of the tape measure for Dan. He marks the measurements on the wall so I can get a sense of how big they are going to be. I take a couple of steps back to get a broader view. I have my back to Princess and hear her growl again. Dan has moved closer to me but he seems to be looking at the wall the same as I am.
“Princess! That’s enough!”
“That’s OK, I’ve got everything I need, Cassie. I’ll get the quote worked up and email it to you in the next couple of days.”
“Works for me. Thanks Dan.”
Dan makes his way out of the store and out onto the street.
>
“What is with you today, Princess? Taking the protecting me thing a little far. Dan would never do anything to hurt me.”
Chapter 30
The dog can sense me, I will have to work on that. I need to gather my strength so I can control him for longer periods of time. Trying to control someone who doesn’t want to be controlled takes a lot of effort. I must conserve my energy, my ultimate task is coming soon. It must happen before Halloween. Time is short, it’s almost time!
Chapter 31
At five I close up the store and Princess and I head for home. My cell phone rings. Naturally, it’s James, I must be two seconds late checking in. “Hey James, what’s up? I was going to call you as soon as I got home, it’s hard to dial my phone when I have Princess’ leash in my hand.”
“Marie wants you and Logan to come to dinner tonight. She’s still really worried about you.”
“Sure, anything for Marie. I’ll be there in about a half hour. I need to get cleaned up; I was straightening up the storeroom and I am filthy.”
“That’s fine, Marie says dinner will be ready about 6:30 or so. I’ll see you then.”
“See ya, Barney.”
I unlock the front door and make my way into the house. At least the front door seems to be staying closed as long as I remember to lock it. I wonder if Gram has anything to do with that. I make my way upstairs after making sure Princess has food and water in her dishes. I notice the bedroom door is closed, I thought I left it open this morning when I left. I go into the bedroom but nothing seems out of place so I push it to the back of my mind. I have much more important things to think about while I take my shower. I’ve been doing some online research into Reverend Jake and his cult. I may have a lead on someone who was a member when my parents left the cult. Maybe they can explain why Reverend Jake wanted to kill me and how he can still be threatening me after his death. I finish up and get ready to go next door to James and Marie’s for dinner. If I leave now, I’ll have some time to spend with Olivia, it’s nice to live so close.
Princess and I go out the door and head next door. The sky has become overcast and the wind has picked up. Gotta love Indiana weather.
I walk up onto the porch and reach for the doorknob, giving a little screech when the door flies open before I can touch it. “Hi Aunt Gigi. I’ve been waiting forever for you to get here. Oh goody, you brought Princess with you!”
Marie walks up behind Olivia. “Now, Olivia, let your aunt come in and sit down before you attack her.” she warns. “Why don’t you show Princess where the water dish is that we filled for her.”
“OK! Come on, Princess. Mama wants to talk with Aunt Gigi.”
“Wow, she is such a ball of energy. I don’t know how you keep up with her, Marie.”
“She does wear me out, but I wouldn’t trade her for the world. So, how was your first day back at the store?”
“It went very well. I was only interrupted about every ten minutes instead of every five minutes like I thought. Everyone wanted to hear all the sordid details of the last week. I felt like I should have posted it on the door.”
“I for one am very glad that things have settled down. James came home after lunch and took a nap. He still looks tired, but not as bad as he did a couple of days ago.” We head back to the kitchen where it looks like dinner is almost done. “He’s still worried, but trying not to show it.”
James and Logan walk in. Wow! How did I rate two great guys like these in my life? I am still on the fence about a long-term relationship with Logan. I still don’t think it’s fair to him since I probably can’t have children. I grab the wine out of the fridge and grab the corkscrew, turning my back to the room so they don’t see the tears that I can’t seem to control. Logan would be such a great dad, he is so good with Olivia. Oh well, no crying over spilt milk as Gram used to say.
“So, how did it go today, Cassie? Did you get any research done?” James asks.
“Yes, I did. I found a former cult member living in Indianapolis. We’ll talk about it after Olivia goes to bed.”
Olivia and Princess come back into the living room, both making a beeline for Logan. He manages to pay attention to both at the same time, I knew he’d be a great dad. I have to turn away and get my emotions under control.
“Finally, I didn’t think you and Daddy would ever get home. I’m starving!”
“Well then, let’s go see if your mom has dinner ready yet.” He grabs her hand and leads her out to the kitchen.
James comes up beside me and grabs the bottle of wine and finishes pulling the cork, “So, how are things between you and Logan?”
“Better now that we aren’t joined at the hip. It was nice to have some space today. You two did a good job of not hovering. You do need to quit calling me if I’m two seconds late checking in.”
“We’re just worried. If I had my way, you’d be down at the office in a cell where I could be sure you’d be safe.” He grabs a wine glass off the rack and pours a glass and puts it in my hand, “But I know that’s not going to happen so you’re just going to have to put up with me. I love you Reggie, and I won’t let anyone ever hurt you again.”
“I love you, too, James,” and I give him a hug. “You, Marie, and Olivia are the only family I have now that Gram is gone.”
“OK everyone. Dinner’s on the table,” Marie says. “Get in here and sit down while it’s hot.”
Forty-five minutes later, Olivia is watching a movie in the living room so it’s just the adults at the table. James asks, “What did you find today Cassie? You said you found a former cult member in Indy?”
“Yes, I did. I sent an email and I hope to hear back within the next couple of days. Hopefully, she can help us figure out why Reverend Jake was so intent on killing me that he is coming after me after death. I also did some research on ghosts. There are so many differing opinions; I don’t know how we are going to make sense of it. I’ll keep at it. I also want to delve into Reverend Jake and his life before the cult. Maybe there are some clues there.”
“Just be careful, we don’t want the whole town to think we’re all nuts. Any leads on Matt’s whereabouts, Logan?”
“No, not yet. Don and I have every law enforcement agency between here and New York on the lookout for him. I’m sure someone will spot him soon.”
“Until that happens, make sure you have your gun at all times Cassie.”
“Nag, nag, nag. On that note, I’m going to head home. I want to hit the bookstore early to move some stock before we open. I’ll talk to you tomorrow James.” I get up and walk towards the door. “How about lunch tomorrow, Marie? I’ll call you in the morning and we can discuss it.”
“Sounds good, Cassie. Maybe we can try the new pizza place; they’re supposed to be pretty good.”
Logan and I walk out the door and we head next door to my house. We get to the house and I head for the stairs, “Well, goodnight Logan. I’m sorry you’re still stuck babysitting me at night.”
“It’s no problem, Darlin’. I don’t mind being close to you. Doesn’t bother me one bit!”
Well, it sure bothers me. I still feel like I’m a prisoner in my own house. Hopefully, they’ll find Matt soon, maybe I can get rid of my houseguest then.
Logan grabs my hand and pulls me towards him. His lips find mine and I am lost. I don’t know how he does it, I can feel his kisses all the way to my toes. He ends the kiss and looks down at me and brushes my hair behind my ear. “Night, Darlin’. Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” and he heads up the stairs to the guest room.
“It’s not the bedbugs I’m worried about!”
Chapter 32
I wake up the next morning and smell coffee and bacon. Gotta admit, the man can cook. I get up and pull on my robe over my usual sleepwear, an old Styx t-shirt I stole from James and a pair of boxers. I head downstairs and prepare myself to resist Logan’s advances. He sure is persistent. Logan is at the stove with his back to me, turning bacon. He’s wearing flannel sleep pants and n
othing else. I lean against the stair railing and just look at him for a couple of minutes. Denying the sexual attraction between us gets harder every day.
“Morning, Logan. Got the morning off?”
He turns his head and looks at me with his lopsided grin. “Yep, what was your first clue?”
“Bacon. You only make bacon on your morning off. What time does your shift start today?”
“I’m on at two. James needs the evening off to go to Olivia’s parent-teacher conference. I get Saturday night off this week. How about we go out?”
“The Komet’s home opener is that night; how about dinner and a hockey game?”
He looks at me quizzically, “Hockey? I wouldn’t have thought you were into hockey. I thought Indiana was a basketball state.”
“Indiana may be all about college hoops but Fort Wayne is a big hockey town; has been for the last 60 years.”
“I’m game, never been to a hockey game before.”
“Oh, a rookie! This is gonna be fun! The game starts at eight, so how about dinner in Fort Wayne at 6 pm?”
“Sounds good,” Logan says as he turns back to the stove and starts turning the bacon. “How do you want your eggs today, Darlin’?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine,” I say as I move towards the coffee pot. This brings me closer to Logan. I bump him slightly as I move past him. Just being this close to him shoots ribbons of desire through me, so I move faster to the coffee pot, my face burning as I try to control my emotions. I pour a cup of coffee and turn to move back around Logan. He is right behind me and it startles me, I let out a squeak and slosh hot coffee over my hand.
“Dammit!” I say as I set the coffee cup on the counter and head to the sink to run cold water over my hand. Logan beats me there and has the water on and grabs my hand and puts it under the running water.
“God, I’m sorry, Darlin’. I thought you knew I was there. Let me see your hand. How bad is it?”
“It’s just a little red. I’m OK,” I say as I try to pull my hand back. “You can let go of my hand now, Logan.”
Saving Cassie (Fairfield Corners) Page 10
