Safe In His Arms (Life Unexpected #1)

by Melanie D. Snitker

  A moment later, she reached for another, her eyes on the television. Joel must have had the same thought because her hand bumped his. She started to jerk away and stopped, holding her breath. She barely identified the outline of their hands against the darkness of the couch. They were a breath away from touching. Joel moved a single finger and lightly ran it down the palm of her hand until it lay across the tips of her fingers. Anna’s heart raced in her chest.

  Instinctively, she curled her fingers around his. As soon as she did that, he moved his hand until their fingers were laced and their palms were together. Joel squeezed her hand gently and continued to hold it in his own.

  Ever since their walk in the park and their first — and only — kiss, Anna had missed this. His hand was much larger than hers and yet he held it with such gentleness. Several times, throughout the rest of the movie, he would lightly caress the top of her thumb with his own.

  When the credits rolled, he placed a tiny kiss to her wrist and released her hand. His eyes caught hers briefly and she gave him a shy smile.

  The guys debated the fight scenes while Anna helped Brooke clean up. She’d noticed her new roommate couldn’t stand for there to be any dishes in the sink when they went to bed. Truthfully, Anna preferred the cleanliness as well. So far, they’d gotten along wonderfully.

  “I’d say the evening was a huge success,” she told Brooke as they worked together to wash the last of the dishes.

  “Me, too.” Brooke glanced behind her as the guys continued to talk. “Moving out is going to be good for me. In a lot of ways. And I think it’ll improve my relationship with the others, too. I needed space.” Brooke lowered her voice. “You and Joel — you make a great couple, you know.”

  Anna focused on wiping off the kitchen counters and Brooke only chuckled.

  They finished with the kitchen and Anna let Epic out for the last time of the night. It was a bit cool. She closed the door and watched him through the window. She noticed Joel’s reflection in the glass as he stepped up behind her.

  “Tonight was a lot of fun. Thanks for putting up with us.”

  Anna smiled. “Are you kidding? This was a blast. We may have to do this regularly.”

  “I’d like that.” Joel nodded towards Chess. “I think we’re going to head out. I hope you have a great day off tomorrow.”

  “Thanks. You, too.” She thought he might move to kiss her, but he didn’t. She followed him and told Chess goodbye then watched as the two men left.

  A half hour later, Anna was lying on her pallet of blankets, her eyes on the dresser and the box of muffins on top of it. It was going to seem odd not seeing Joel tomorrow.

  Before she lost her nerve, she picked up her phone and sent Joel a text.

  ~

  Joel hadn’t been able to stop grinning since they left Brooke and Anastasia’s house. Chess had teased him once or twice and he’d shrugged it off. He didn’t care. Anastasia was finally relaxing around him and he enjoyed every minute of it.

  It’d taken about all of his strength to not kiss her goodbye. But it would have been in front of the others and the last thing he wanted to do was make her uncomfortable. That was the reason he hadn’t asked if he could see her tomorrow, too.

  It was going to be a long rest of the weekend until Tuesday morning when she’d come in to work.

  Joel frowned at that thought — the first time his smile had slipped. He’d gone to bed but wasn’t able to fall asleep. The sound of a text message furrowed his brow. He reached over for his phone. When he read Anastasia’s name on the screen, his heart raced.

  I hope it’s okay that I text you. Thanks again for the blueberry muffins. I’m trying to make them last. It’s not working.

  Joel grinned and immediately typed out his response.

  Text me anytime. And you’re welcome. Though don’t feel like you have to make them last. I’ll take you to the coffee shop and buy you more. Just say the word.

  He watched the screen as if that might make a text appear sooner.

  I’ll remember that. A few moments passed. Thanks for the movie. I had a lot of fun. I’m sorry I’m such a mess, though.

  Joel sat up in bed. He’d gone over their conversation multiple times through the day.

  No reason to apologize. You’re not a mess. You’re beautiful.

  He held his breath as he waited for her answer. A smiling emoticon appeared.

  I’d probably better get off the phone. Epic’s already snoring. You all wore him out.

  Joel pictured Epic passed out on his back his snores filling the room. He laughed.

  No worries. Sleep well, Anastasia.

  Good night, Joel.

  Joel turned the screen off and put his phone back on the nightstand.

  “Thank you, Father. Help me to be mindful of what Anastasia needs. Help us both to move forward in your timing only.”

  With that prayer on his lips, he fell asleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Anna woke Tuesday morning with a smile on her face. The sun was shining, there was less of a chill in the air when she let Epic outside, and buds peppered the branches on most of the trees. Spring was her favorite season.

  She and Joel had texted frequently yesterday and had decided to meet at the coffee shop before work today. Anna couldn’t wait.

  Since Brooke had left much earlier, Anna had the house to herself. She readied for work while Epic ate his breakfast. Then she made sure a large container of water was outside before putting him in the backyard for the day.

  She watched him from the sliding glass door for a few moments. What if he realized how big he was and got over the fence? She doubted he’d do it. But she planned to come home at lunch to check on him the first week to make sure he was okay.

  Ready to go, she shouldered her bag and stepped outside. Right before she unlocked the van door, she noticed the tire nearest her was flat.

  Anna groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” A sprint around the van revealed that the other tires had suffered the same fate. It couldn’t be a coincidence.

  Caution collided with fear. She ran to the front door, went back inside, and locked it behind her. All four tires — there’s no way she’d driven over a field of nails. Someone did this.

  Her mind immediately went to Liam. Surely not.

  Suddenly, their rental home felt like a mansion. Goosebumps peppered her arms as she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Joel’s number.

  “Good morning, Anastasia. Everything okay?”

  “Not really. Someone slashed my tires.” She sank onto the futon. Her eyes flitted from one doorway into the room to another.

  “I barely left my house. I’ll come by and take a look. I’ll give you a lift to work.”

  Anna leaned forward and rested one elbow on her knee. “Are you sure?”

  “It’s not a problem. I’ll be right there.”

  He must have hung up then because the line went quiet. Anna didn’t want him to go out of his way, but she sure felt better knowing he would be there soon. She watched for him through the window. When he pulled up in front of the house, she hastened to meet him.

  Joel checked each of the tires and clenched his jaw. “It looks like someone used a knife. Probably bored kids or someone who gets a thrill out of causing trouble.”

  Anna only half heard what he said. All she could focus on was how someone had a knife and specifically chose to use it on her vehicle.

  It’s not Liam. It can’t be.

  It was probably like Joel said and her van wasn’t the only one targeted on the street.

  She scanned the area behind her and shivered.

  ~

  Liam leaned back in the seat of his car and watched as Anna and the man who came to her rescue drove away. The shock on her face when she’d seen the tires was priceless. That flash of fear was exactly what he wanted. He wanted her to be afraid of him. She should be very afraid.

  He was torn between trying to get into the house and following
them. He chose the latter and stayed some distance back to ensure Anna wouldn’t spot him or his car.

  Liam observed as they purchased four new tires and had them loaded into the back of the man’s car. Then he followed them to J’s Parkview Diner. Both of them disappeared inside.

  Using his binoculars, he discovered that both appeared to work there. Interesting.

  ~

  Joel was used to Anastasia walking Epic on her breaks. Her first one today was halfway through before he realized she was sitting outside on the curb. She’d been withdrawn and almost sad since he picked her up at the house that morning. He didn’t blame her for being upset about her tires. She’d finally agreed to let him pay for them with the promise that she’d pay him back.

  The first opportunity Joel had, he went to join her outside. “Is this spot taken?” When she shook her head, he sank down beside her. “You seem lost in thought. Are you worried about Epic?”

  “Some. I don’t think he knows he could get over that six-foot fence if he wanted to. But I’d feel better knowing he’s still in the backyard where he’s supposed to be.” Anastasia hesitated. “The tire thing bothers me.”

  “I’m sorry this happened to you. I’ll arrange to take my lunch at the same time that you do and we’ll go check on Epic. Chess said he was coming by your house tonight to install the motion light. We’ll put the new tires on then. How does that sound?”

  She agreed and smiled at him. “That’ll be great. You guys are awesome.”

  Her smile was short-lived, though.

  Joel put a hand on her arm. “What else is bothering you?”

  She shrugged. He didn’t think she was going to say anything until she tilted her head to see him. She massaged her temples before twirling a section of hair around one finger. “Back in Utah, I was involved with someone. He was my boss and that worked for a long time before we started going out.”

  Anastasia hesitated and Joel waited patiently for her to continue.

  “He was obsessive and controlling. Scary. When I broke it off, he wasn’t happy. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to relax if I stayed there.”

  “You thought he was going to hurt you.”

  Anastasia nodded.

  Joel’s blood boiled. He clenched a fist to keep from saying more than he ought to right now. “You did the right thing by leaving.”

  “I didn’t have much of a choice given the circumstance.”

  Joel was convinced she wasn’t telling him everything. He wanted to know more, but had to be content with this for now. That she was opening up to him at all was a big thing.

  She released a slow breath. “When I saw those tires this morning, I freaked out. What if he followed me all the way here?”

  “Do you think he’d track you halfway across the country?” Something flashed in Anastasia’s eyes. She did. What on earth happened back in Utah? “More than likely, it was a couple of punk kids who had nothing else to do but slash a bunch of tires. I’m sure I’d be worried, too, in your position. But hopefully it was something random and has nothing to do with that guy.”

  “Sure.” She didn’t look convinced. She leaned over and let her head rest against his arm.

  Joel breathed in her scent and they sat in silence for a few minutes. His mind kept replaying what she told him. No wonder she’d been hesitant about opening up to him. “I need you to know I’d never try to control you. My biggest wish for you is that you feel safe and happy.”

  She put her arm around his and squeezed. “I know. You’re nothing like him.”

  He placed a kiss against her hair. He may not know much about the guy from her past, but he couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to cause her pain.

  The door opened and Adam stuck his head out. “You’ve got a call, boss.”

  Joel stood and reached a hand down to help Anastasia to her feet.

  ~

  That evening, Anna and Brooke sat on the small front porch and watched as Joel changed the tires on Anna’s van. Meanwhile, Chess was working to install a motion light on the side of the house facing the driveway.

  The temperature had warmed considerably since last week and a gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly-mowed grass.

  Anna expected to regret telling Joel as much as she had about Liam. Instead, there was relief.

  For a long time, she’d had no one she could rely on.

  And now… Now she had three friends who went out of their way to help. And Joel. What exactly was Joel? Her boss? Friend? No, he was more than that.

  He made her heart race like no one else ever had. When she wasn’t around him, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. And when he smiled at her…

  Anna swore the temperature rose ten degrees.

  Joel picked the last tire up off the pavement and carried it to the van. By the time he had it on and the jack put away, Chess had finished his work as well.

  Joel rolled the flat tire near the others. “These things are practically vintage.” He turned to Anna. “You’re probably lucky they didn’t split on you before this happened. Whoever slashed those tires may have done you a favor.”

  Yeah, Anna didn’t know about that. But she probably was fortunate to have made it all the way from Utah without having a blowout.

  Chess brushed his hands off on his pants. “Well, hopefully the motion sensor will pick up anyone who comes sneaking around at night again.” He turned his gaze to Brooke. “If you guys have any trouble tonight, call us.”

  “Yes, sir.” Brooke’s voice was sarcastic, but her eyes said otherwise. She smiled at Chess, stood, and gave him a hug. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime.”

  When Brooke stepped back again, she ambled to the corner of the porch. She reached out to touch a leaf from the rose bush Chess had planted for her.

  Anna stood, too. “Yes, thank you.” Joel joined them on the porch. “And a big thank you for changing the tires. I appreciate your help.”

  “All in a day’s work.” Joel gave her a smile. He moved to stand next to Anna. “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?”

  “It sure has.” Anna yawned and covered her mouth with a hand. “Sorry.”

  Joel checked the time on his phone. “Don’t worry about it. We should probably get going and let you girls get some rest.”

  Chess went to toss an old tire into the back of his truck. “I’ll get rid of these for you tomorrow.”

  Joel helped Chess load the rest. When finished, Joel pulled Anna aside.

  “You mentioned you wanted to get some things after getting your paycheck today. I thought maybe we could go together tomorrow. What do you think?”

  “I’d like that. What about the mall? I heard there was a container store there I’d like to check out.” Anna was already looking forward to spending the evening with him.

  “Sounds great. How about I meet you here at your house tomorrow at six-thirty?”

  “That’ll be perfect.” Anna smiled up at him.

  Chess was waiting for him. He stepped forward and placed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning. Breakfast?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  He flashed her a grin before reaching for her hand and holding it as they joined the others. They received a happy smile from Brooke and Joel got an elbow jab from Chess.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Anastasia sat on the front porch the next evening waiting for Joel when he arrived at her house. She hopped up and jogged to the passenger seat. She wore a pair of dark jeans and a blouse that flowed down past her hips. He was used to seeing her in t-shirts. The more feminine choice was noticeable. He opened the door for her. “You look beautiful.”

  She smiled shyly and got into the car. He closed her door and went around to his own seat. “Ready to go?”

  Anastasia nodded and he directed the car towards the mall. Fifteen minutes later, they stepped through the main entrance as other shoppers wandered in and out of stores.

  “What are you shopping for today?” This particular
mall was filled with outlet stores — everything from clothing to luggage.

  “I want to check out that store here that has a lot of things for storage and organization. But we can hit that one last in case what I decide to get is bulky.” She shrugged. “Otherwise, I thought we could mostly wander a little. I need shorts. The weather’s warming up now and I don’t have any.”

  “None?”

  Anastasia’s eyes widened as if she realized something. “I…I didn’t bother bringing them with me when I moved here.”

  The last thing Joel wanted was for her to be uncomfortable. He reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Shopping for shorts it is. I’m mostly looking forward to spending time with you.”

  “I am, too. With you.” She rolled her eyes. “Let’s go before I bury myself any deeper.”

  Joel laughed loudly.

  A half hour later, they decided to split up so that Anastasia could try on shorts. After agreeing to meet back at the small fountain a few stores down from the clothing store, they went their separate ways.

  Joel spent his time browsing an Army surplus store. When he approached the fountain, he spotted Anastasia already there, her eyes on the moving water. She hadn’t seen him yet and he enjoyed having a moment to admire the way her hair flowed down her back, catching the light from the large skylight in the ceiling above.

  He sat down next to her. “Hello, stranger.”

  She smiled. “Hello.”

  He pointed to the bag at her feet. “Found some?”

  “I did. Thank goodness. I’m not big on shopping, especially when I need to find something that’ll fit. But yeah, I’m good to go.”

  Joel peeked at his phone. He wanted to take her out for dinner, but it was already getting late. He knew she wanted to go in at least one or two more stores. Hopefully mall food would be okay. “Do you want to check out the food court? You can get anything you want — I’m buying.”