“I think he was watching us Friday night at the lake,” he added.
Kitty spun around, her face showing disbelief. “When Winnie barked?”
“Yes. I thought I saw something moving through the trees.” He’d kept that information to himself to not frighten her. But he should have known by now that she’d get mad rather than scared.
“That low-life scum bag. Why is he following and watching me? Why was he shouting at me?” Her face grew stormy and red.
Zach locked gazes with his brother-in-law. “The man was at my place this morning messing with Kitty’s truck and he said some vicious things about her. Things that make me think he would harm her if he got her alone.”
Barry’s brows rose at the mention of Kitty’s truck at Zach’s. But he remained professional and didn’t question why. “It sounds like you have good reason to submit a stalking protection order.”
“How does that work?” Zach asked.
“There are two routes, either go to the police—”
“I don’t want to go to the police,” Kitty said, leaning into him and away from Barry.
“Okay. The other option is I can get you a copy, you fill it out and bring it to me. I’ll file it with the courts, and you’ll have to go in and tell the judge why you want the order.”
She shook her head as he talked.
Zach grasped Kitty’s shoulders, making her look at him. “This is the only way we can legally stop him. Do you want him continually harassing you and possibly hurting you if I’m not around?”
“No. I-I don’t have a lot of confidence in police or the courts.”
He understood her apprehension, knowing she’d been in the system growing up. “Would you rather talk to a judge or a policeman?”
She sighed. “Judge.”
“I’ll go download the form and you can fill it out.” Barry left the room.
Kitty twisted her fingers together in a gnarled mess.
“Hey.” He put his hands over hers. “We’ll get this paperwork filled out and Barry can take it to the courts tomorrow morning. By the end of the week, you’ll have legal protection.”
She peered into his eyes. “I-I.”
Gratitude swirled in her eyes as well as what looked like fear. “What’s wrong?” he asked, pulling her against him into a hug.
Her body trembled.
“You know I’ll be right beside you when you go to the judge.” Her agitation over the police and courts he understood. But the tremors and panic, he didn’t understand. There had to be something else she wasn’t telling him. Something that she feared as much or more than the judicial system.
Barry returned and she shot out of his embrace.
“Here are the forms. Julie says lunch is ready. You can fill them out after we eat.” Barry held the papers out to Kitty.
She took them, not even looking them over.
“Let’s eat,” Zach took the form from her, placing it on an end table and led her into the dining room.
Barry kept on going, entering the kitchen.
Kitty turned, blocking Zach’s forward motion. “I want to take the papers and fill them out later. Not here.”
The panic in her eyes had him agreeing. What was going on with her? Ever since she’d seen Barry, she’d become a different, paranoid person.
The couple entered from the kitchen, carrying a plate of sandwiches and a tureen of soup. After placing the food on the table, Julie took a seat and smiled at Kitty. “I thought comfort food would be good for lunch.”
The way his sister was welcoming Kitty, filled him with pride. She’d become a gracious young woman.
“Thank you,” Kitty said, smiling back.
The conversation during lunch was about the late-night emergency surgery and the upcoming July Fourth festivities. Julie worked for the Chamber of Commerce and had a big hand in all the events the town hosted.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you at the Fourth of July celebrations,” she said to Kitty.
“I stay at the stables and make sure all the fireworks and noise doesn’t upset the horses.”
“I hadn’t thought about what all the booming and fireworks might do to the animals.” Julie appeared full of remorse.
“July fifth is the day the dog pounds have the most animals. Frightened animals take off and become disoriented.” Zach had to side with Kitty on this. As much as he liked watching fireworks, they terrified most animals.
“You can’t have a Fourth of July celebration without them,” Barry said.
“I’ll have to think about this,” Julie added.
As soon as lunch ended, Kitty became fidgety again. Zach picked up the papers on the end table. “We need to head out. I’ll drop these by tomorrow afternoon. We have a surgery in the morning.”
“We?” Julie asked.
Kitty turned to him. “I haven’t agreed to work for you yet.”
“But it makes sense. I’ll pay you more, and you’ll have a more challenging job.” He studied her face. It was turning stormy. “I’ll be by tomorrow,” he said, herding Kitty out of the house before she let loose on him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Kitty stood on the sidewalk beside Zach’s truck. She didn’t know whether to kick him or kiss him. He’d helped her get through the conversation with Barry and had taken the form into his own hands, but his assuming she’d jump at his job offer angered her. She loved working for Marcella and with the horses.
“Get in the truck,” he called from the driver’s side.
She stubbornly stood on the sidewalk. Sitting in the cab with him, she’d forget to be mad. He had a way of penetrating the protective shell she’d built up around herself over the years.
He leaned across the seat and opened the door from the inside. “Come on, Kitty. We can talk on the way back to my place.”
“Maybe I don’t want to go back to your place.”
“That’s where your truck and things are. I think you need to go back to get them if nothing else.” The grin on his face made her feel like an idiot.
Of course, she had to go back to his place. Everything she owned was there. Not everything. Winnie stood in the back of this vehicle looking as happy as she’d ever seen the animal.
She relented and slid into the passenger seat. The paperwork lay on the seat between them. How am I going to get that filled out without him knowing I can’t read?
“I’m sorry you and Barry have a past. I’m not making any excuses for him, but if his wife can forgive him…”
She glared at him. “I thought you were different.”
He braked at a stop sign and turned to her. “What does that mean?”
“You’re condoning the way he treated me.”
“No, I’m not. I’m saying he is free legal counsel, and you need to put your grudge aside so he’ll help.” He scanned the street and moved through the intersection. “And I think he does regret the way he treated you.”
“I’m surprised he helped with the angry look he had on his face when he entered the room.” She’d feared he would kick her out when she felt the anger shooting from his eyes.
“I could tell during lunch his attitude was changing.” Zach headed the vehicle out of town. He grasped her hand. “You’re sweet and smart. Hard for anyone to dislike.”
His words warmed her as much as his hand holding hers. If only she was as smart as he believed. Her thoughts went to the paper on the seat. “There’s one person who dislikes me.”
He glanced at the paper and up at her. “We’ll take care of him with this document.”
“It’s just a paper. I don’t think Paul lets things like this keep him from what he wants.” She shuddered, thinking of the last time he’d cornered her. That was the first time she’d realized a carefully placed knee could render a male defenseless. She’d only used it two other times after that. At first, she’d been horrified as he’d gone down on his knees and turned as white as a sheet. But when he’d cursed and said he’d make her pay, she’d ran
to her room and packed the few clothes she’d owned and snuck out the window, running all the way to the travel center outside of town. There she’d caught a ride with a nice older couple, telling them she was going to surprise her grandmother with a visit.
“If he violates the paper by coming near you or harassing you, he can be put in jail.” Zach squeezed her hand. “I promise, he’ll be punished.”
He turned down his lane. The first thing she spotted was her pickup sitting at an odd list.
“Shit!” Zach slammed the truck into park beside her vehicle and jumped out.
She was out and standing beside him as they stared at her tires. Long slashes had been made in the wall of the passenger side tires. Tears slid down her cheeks. This was the viciousness she remembered.
“Did he do any other damage?” Zach asked, walking up to the cab of the pickup.
Kitty didn’t want to look. She only had insurance for if she ran into someone. She couldn’t ignore the situation. One glance proved he’d broken the driver’s side window. The seat was slashed, and the stuffing pulled out like the entrails of a roadkill animal. The word BITCH was carved in the dash.
She turned from the sight and wrapped her arms around her middle to keep from screaming. She’d saved for three years to get this truck. Marcella had known the man selling it and had managed to get a deal where she paid half down and payments for two years. Getting her driver’s license had been an ordeal, but she knew she had to be able to drive.
“Yes, I’d like to report vandalism at thirty-ninety, county road fifteen.”
“No!” She lunged at Zach, trying to grab the phone.
He wrapped an arm around her, holding her tight to his chest. “Yes. A vehicle was broken into and vandalized.” His voice rumbled under her ear.
His calm and the security of his arm, helped to ease the panic welling inside. She’d never been this scared. She clung to Zach. At least she wasn’t alone.
Hands grasped her head, making her look into his face.
“This will give you an even stronger case when you go to the judge. His actions also tell me you are not leaving here. You’ll stay in the guest room and work with me until Paul is behind bars.” He shook his head as she started to protest. “He will go to jail. This shows he isn’t going to stop because of a paper. And when he does try something, we’ll have him arrested.”
He wrapped his arms around her again, holding her tight.
Her head told her not to get attached, but her heart soaked up the feeling of security and caring.
Whining broke through her cocoon of security. Winnie.
Zach released her and walked to the back of his truck, releasing the whining animal.
She jumped down and headed to Kitty, putting her front paws on her shoulders.
“I’m fine, girl.”
“Come on, let’s go in the house.” Zach put a hand on her lower back, ushering her up the walk to the house.
He unlocked the door and they entered, both deep in their own thoughts.
She didn’t know what to do. At the stables, she always had work to keep her busy and not dwell on things. She stared out the window at her poor pickup.
“I’ll see what we can do about getting it fixed.”
“There goes my startup money.” She huffed. Startup for what?
“Were you saving to start a business?” Zach set a cup of water in her hand.
“Yes. No. I wanted to start my own stable someday.” It was a dream she knew would never come true, but it had been something to work toward rather than think she’d be a stable hand her whole life.
“How much had you saved up?” He put his hand on her back again, moving her to the stools at the counter.
“Not nearly enough. It took me three years to save up for that pickup. And Marcella negotiated a two-year payment plan with the guy for me.” She peered into his face. “I paid fifty dollars a month for the two years. Paying that, buying food, and clothing, that was all I had left over to pay. And all I’ve saved every month over the last eight years.”
“I take it you don’t have insurance?” He sipped his water.
“Only for collision, nothing else.” She sighed. “I’m never going to be anything other than a stable hand.”
“If you work for me, you’ll be a veterinarian assistant.” He waggled his eyebrows, making her laugh.
She sobered quickly. Once he realized she couldn’t read, he’d be backing out of his job offer.
Winnie barked and ran to the door.
Zach rose. “The deputy is here. Why don’t you stay in here? I’ll bring him in when he needs to talk to you.”
“I’m not fragile. And it’s my pickup.” She stood, walking to the door.
Zach opened the door and followed her out to the deputy taking photos of the tires. She was tough. Yet, she panicked at the mention of officials. She strode out quick and determined, her gait slowed as she neared the county vehicle.
He held his hand out to the deputy. “Zach MacDonald. This is Kitty Baxter.” He motioned to Kitty with his other hand.
“Deputy James.” The officer shook hands. “This is definitely vandalism. When did it happen?”
“This morning. We left for town about nine and came home half an hour ago and found this.” Zach opened the passenger door.
The deputy took more photos. He turned his attention on Kitty. “I take it this is your vehicle?”
She nodded her head.
“Any idea who would do this?”
“Paul Doore.” She spat the name out as if it tainted her tongue.
“How do you know this person?” The deputy pulled out a notepad.
“We were in the same foster home thirteen years ago.” She stared defiantly at the officer.
Zach didn’t like the look the man was giving Kitty. It was exactly the way she’d expected to be treated. “This man threatened her yesterday at the church thrift store and was here this morning threatening to harm her. We were in town getting a stalking protection order when this happened.”
“Have you had problems with this man before?” The deputy directed his question to Kitty.
“Thirteen years ago, and he was at the Sidewinder Thursday night, harassing me.” She glared back at the man.
“What happened thirteen years ago?” The deputy had his pen poised to write.
“He tried to rape me, and I kneed him in the balls.” She kept her gaze leveled on the deputy.
He cleared his throat. “Did you press charges?”
“No. I left town and moved here.”
“Why didn’t you go to the authorities?” The skepticism in his voice irked Zach.
“Because the foster mother I lived with didn’t believe me, so why would the police.”
“How old were you?” He scribbled on his pad.
“Fourteen.”
His gaze landed on her. “I see. You said his name was Paul Doore. Where does he live?”
“How would we know?” Zach was done letting this man ask Kitty questions that she was reluctant to reveal. “She said the first time she’d seen him in thirteen years was Thursday night. We have no reason to know where he is living.”
“Where did he live when you knew him?” The deputy directed the question to Kitty.
“Monroe County, Sherman.” She wrapped her arms around her middle as if keeping herself in control.
Zach stepped next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders, showing his solidarity with her.
“I suggest you get that protection order filled out and filed with the courts. Then we can do more about this. I’m going to take prints off the inside of the cab and see if we can’t nail him with those.”
“Thank you, Deputy.” Zach turned Kitty to the house. They walked with his arm around her shoulders. It pleased him she didn’t pull away. She had to be emotionally exhausted.
Inside, he released her, easing her onto the couch. He walked over to the counter where he’d placed the form and returned to sit beside her o
n the couch.
“Want me to fill this out for you?”
Her eyes lit up. “Please,” she whispered on a soft breath.
He had visions of her saying that same breathy word while he made love to her. Shaking his head, he focused on the information.
“What’s your full name?”
“Kitty Elizabeth Baxter.”
He asked for the address of the stables and then filled out the incidents that had happened the last few days.
“You need to sign at the bottom.” He tapped the pen to the signature line.
She grasped the pen in a childlike grasp and scrawled a name befitting a doctor. He could only make out the K, E, and B of the names.
“We’ll take this to Barry’s office tomorrow. Now we need to go check on Rosebud.”
Her face brightened. “I forgot about her. I can’t wait to see the calf all dried off and walking around.”
This was the happiest he’d seen her all day.
With Winnie sitting between them in his work truck, they headed to the Mintos.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kitty smiled at Mrs. Minto as she suggested they come in the house for cookies. The calf and mother were doing well. Seeing the pair together, she had a sense of pride that she’d been a part of keeping them both alive. Working on animals with Zach would be one of the most fulfilling things she’d ever done.
When he’d started filling out the stalking form, she couldn’t believe her good luck. Over the years, she’d learned to sign her name and could fake her way through things like the driver’s test. She’d pretended she needed reading glasses and the woman at the DMV office had read the questions and answers to her.
Walking into the old farmhouse, Kitty felt as if she’d stepped back in time. Many of the items she saw were ones found in an antique shop. One of her pleasures when she had time off was browsing the thrift and antique stores in the area. She had no place to put any of the items that intrigued her, but she enjoyed seeing them.
“Take a seat at the table,” Mrs. Minto said, placing a plate with a variety of cookies on the table between she and Zach. “Coffee, tea, milk?” the older woman asked.
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