Protection

by Linda Rettstatt

  As they crossed the parking lot, a loud roar and screech was followed by an eruption of screams and shouts as the crowd scattered. A motorcycle roared out of control through the scurrying bodies and directly toward them. Jake wrapped his arms around Shannon and the baby and pulled them out of the way just as the cycle sped past, kicking up gravel and dust. He shielded them with his body, backing them against the cement structure.

  The cyclist gassed the bike and roared away.

  “Are you okay?” Jake looked down at Shannon, his hand cupping the back of the baby’s head.

  Shannon trembled and swallowed. “Thanks to you.”

  A woman rushed over to them. “Jake, are you all okay?”

  “We’re fine Patsy. What was that about?”

  “Don’t know. Not sure if he lost control of the bike or did that on purpose. I called the police.”

  The police. The last thing Jake needed was his face plastered on the news and the police asking questions. “I didn’t really see anything, Patsy. Just got out of the way like everyone else. My friend is pretty shaken up, so we’re going to get the baby back home.”

  He turned Shannon around and moved her toward the truck as a siren sounded a few blocks away.

  Chapter Eight

  Jake was already up and in the kitchen the following morning when Shannon came downstairs. “Morning.”

  “Good morning.”

  “I talked with Mr. Swinson. He’s expecting us around ten to look at the apartment.”

  “Okay, thanks.” She waited until he was seated to approach the coffeemaker. In the last day, the kitchen seemed to have shrunk. Every room they were in together seemed more cramped.

  She sat and wrapped her hands around the mug of steaming coffee. “Do you think that biker was trying to hurt someone last night?”

  Jake stared at her, then glanced away. “I don’t know. Probably just lost control of the bike.”

  She focused on her coffee. “You’ll no doubt be glad to see us leave. We’ve done nothing but disrupt your life these past few days.”

  He almost smiled, the corners of his mouth quirking up just a little. “It hasn’t been dull.”

  Shannon laughed. “That’s a kind way to put it.” She refilled her mug of coffee. “I’ll be ready to leave before ten. Just need to shower and then bathe Bailey.”

  She wasn’t totally convinced last night’s event had been an accident. The driver had aimed straight toward them. If it hadn’t been for Jake…. She shivered at the thought of moving into an apartment in town, alone with the baby. What if the biker came back? The briefcase lay on the floor in the far corner of the bedroom. Inside, her Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38. She shuddered at the thought of having to use it, but she’d do whatever was necessary to protect Bailey.

  *

  Mr. Swinson looked a bit like an arthritic Santa, slightly bent, with gnarled fingers and sporting a long white beard and mustache. “Come on in. Helen’s in the living room.”

  From her wheelchair, Helen Swinson offered a tremulous smile. Her head tilted a bit to one side and her body shook with the tremors of Parkinson’s.

  Jake made the introductions. “Shannon is looking for an apartment here in town and I thought about the one you have Abe.”

  “Sure, sure. But I think it might need a little work. Let me get the key for you. I can’t climb those steps like I used to. Haven’t been up there in about six months.” He removed a key from a hook on the wall in the kitchen and handed it to Jake. “You go ahead and look around, see what you think.”

  The apartment entrance was above the garage at the top of a long, steep set of wooden steps on the side of the building. Jake went first, testing the steps. “These seem to be sturdy.” He gave the railing a shake. “This, too.”

  At the top landing, he opened a screen door and inserted the key into the lock. The wooden door squealed open. He flipped on an overhead light and held the door for Shannon to enter.

  She stepped inside and looked around. The apartment was small but with an open floor plan. A galley kitchen sat off to the right with the living and dining area occupying the rest of the open space.

  Jake motioned her to a narrow hallway. “The bedroom and bathroom are back here. Watch your step on the loose carpet.”

  She looked down to see the strip holding down the carpet between the living room and the hall had lifted, making a tripping hazard.

  “I can fix that easily enough,” Jake said.

  The bedroom was small, probably ten by ten. It held a twin sized bed, small night stand, and a narrow chest of drawers. It might accommodate a crib but not much else. The bathroom consisted of a shower stall, toilet and sink. No linen closet, but there was room for storage under the sink.

  Jake walked around, inspecting the floors, flushing the toilet and turning on water faucets. Then he looked up at the ceiling and so did she. Numerous water spots had discolored the once-white paint.

  “Looks like a new roof is in order, then some painting. I’ll have to check those spots for mold and to see if the plaster needs replacing.” He glanced around. “Other than airing out and a good cleaning, the place is in pretty good shape. Let’s check out the furnishings.”

  She sat on the mattress that had been covered with an old sheet. It sagged a little, but she could make do. In the living room, blankets and sheets covered the few pieces of furniture—an old brocade sofa, a well-worn leather recliner, and a beautifully carved wooden rocker. “Oh, this is nice.”

  Jake ran his fingers over the intricate carving of the rocker’s back. “It sure is. I’d bet Abe made this himself some time ago.”

  Shannon turned to the window, pushing back the curtain. A cloud of dust billowed and she sneezed. “Oh.”

  “Like I said, a good cleaning is in order. But what do you think? You’d be in walking distance of the grocery store and other shops in town.”

  She thought of living here behind the Swinson house. They wouldn’t be much help if someone tried to break in, but her bigger worry was putting them in danger. She didn’t plan to be here forever, just until she could get her bearings and find out what was happening in Jefferson City. Then she could move on. “I like it.”

  “Then let’s go downstairs and talk business with Abe.” Jake ushered her out the door with the baby and pulled it closed behind him.

  They sat around the kitchen table. Abe offered them each a glass of lemonade. The drink was sweet as cough syrup and Shannon sipped to be polite. “Mr. Swinson, I’m interested in the apartment. Would I have to sign a lease?”

  “Not if you call me Abe.” His eyes twinkled and he grinned. “Jake, what’s your assessment of the place?”

  “Needs a roof. Otherwise, it looks pretty good. But until I check the areas that have leaked, I won’t know about replacing plaster. The whole place needs to be painted.”

  “Uh-huh. What do you reckon that will cost?”

  “The apartment isn’t that big. The roof alone would probably cost about eight hundred for materials. I can do the work. If the ceilings have to be repaired, that’ll be a little more. Paint, maybe one-fifty. I get a professional discount at Selby’s Hardware.”

  “So were talkin’ about maybe a thousand or so?”

  Jake nodded. “Give or take.”

  Abe looked at Shannon. “Would four hundred a month work for you? That includes the utilities.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “If that’s too much….”

  “No, not at all. I expected much more.”

  “You gonna be working?” Abe asked.

  “I…uh…well, I need to find a job eventually. I just want to get settled in first.”

  Abe glanced into the living room where Helen sat in her chair watching a soap opera. “The thing is, I need to find someone to help out with Helen. We had a nurse coming in after the last hospitalization, but for now she doesn’t need skilled care. Just needs a little help with bathing, that sort of thing.” He held up his gnarled hands. “As you
can see, I can’t be all that helpful. I’m afraid she’ll fall and I won’t be able to catch her. I think she’d rather have a woman providing the care anyway.”

  “Are you offering me a job?”

  “I was thinking along the lines of a barter, at least in part. You help out with Helen’s care, sit with her now and then. In exchange, we provide the apartment.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Yup. And the utilities are included. Only things you’ll have to pay for on your own are phone and internet. The phone’s in my name, but you can change it over. Cable’s already connected up there. There’s a washer and dryer in the garage you can use.”

  She looked from the old man to Jake. “Is he serious?”

  Jake smiled. “Sounds like it to me.”

  Shannon did some quick calculations. If she didn’t have to pay rent or utilities or buy a car, the eleven thousand she had in the briefcase would carry her and Bailey a long way, as long as neither of them had a medical emergency. She couldn’t risk using her health insurance card. And that was only good for another six months anyway.

  “If Helen agrees, then it’s a deal.”

  Abe’s blue eyes sparkled with his smile. “Well, then, let’s go talk to her. She can’t talk back, but I know how to read her face.”

  She didn’t know why, but his last comment went straight to her heart and brought tears to her eyes. Would she ever have someone in her life who knew her well enough to read her face if she couldn’t communicate her thoughts? She hoped so.

  *

  Jake delivered Shannon and Bailey back to the cabin. “I have some things I need to do. I may be later getting back. Don’t wait for me to have dinner.”

  “I’m sorry I’m taking up so much of your time. I’ll be out of your hair soon.”

  “You’re not in the way and my time is pretty much my own. It’ll take three or four days at least to get that apartment ready.”

  “I can help.”

  He shook his head. “A construction site is no place for a baby, and you can’t just leave her here.”

  She sighed. “That’s true. Do you know anyone reliable who might babysit?”

  “I don’t. Look, it won’t take me long to get the place ready for you. You can help by having dinner ready when I come in.”

  Grinning, she said, “Oh, that’s how it is. The big man goes out and does all the hard work and the little lady keeps the home fires burning.”

  “No, that’s not how it is,” he chuckled. “I’d love to have an extra pair of hands to do some of the painting inside, but you can’t have the baby around those paint fumes.”

  “I know. I’ll just have to trust you, then.”

  “We’ll go tomorrow to pick up paint. You can choose your colors.” He headed back out the door. Her scent lingered in the truck and he opened both front windows before heading down the driveway.

  He drove toward Seattle where he could get the best deal on the roofing materials he would need. After a brief stop for a burger and then unloading the truck at the Swinsons, Jake glanced at his watch. It was just past seven. He drove down 202 and pulled in at Rusty’s. It was a favorite spot for most of the construction workers he occasionally worked with and he hoped to convince a few to give him a hand.

  “Hey, Jake. What can I get you?” Angie, the bartender, flashed a big smile.

  “Coors.” He glanced around the dimly lit bar. “Any of the guys from Nickels Construction been in here tonight?”

  The bartender set a beer in front of him. “A couple of guys are in the back room shooting pool.”

  “Thanks.” Jake picked up the beer and slid off the bar stool. He found a small group of men gathered around the pool tables.

  “Hey, Choirboy. Haven’t seen you in a while,” one of them said.

  “Been working in Seattle on a job there.” He greeted the other two men he recognized. “How’s it been going? Keeping busy?”

  “Nah. It’s slow. Not much new construction.”

  “I’m looking for a couple of guys to help me with a job this week, maybe into the weekend. Putting a new roof on a garage apartment, about nine hundred square feet. There may be some interior ceiling repair.”

  “I could be interested. Let me get my brother-in-law. Hey, Don,” the man called.

  Another man walked over. “What’s up, Rico?”

  “This is a friend, Jake Garber. He needs a little help with a roof this week. Jake, this is my brother-in-law, Don. He just moved up here last week.”

  Don shook Jake’s hand firmly. “Is this a paying job or one of those brotherhood things where we help each other out?”

  Jake laughed. “It’s a paying job, just not the best pay. It’s coming out of my pocket.”

  “This out at your place?” Rico asked.

  “No. I’m doing the job for friends. You know the Swinsons, older couple? Abe used to work in construction.”

  Rico nodded. “Yeah, I know him. Sounds like a job that might take two days, three at most, depending on the weather. I’m surprised you’re hiring help.”

  “I need to get it done as soon as possible. It would take me at least five days alone. So, how much would it take?” He held his breath, knowing these guys could easily get twenty dollars an hour.

  “Give us a minute,” Rico said, ushering Don to the other side of the room.

  They spoke briefly, then returned. “Okay, so we took into consideration that the Swinsons are a nice, old couple, that you’re a good guy, and we have no other prospects the next few days. A hundred a piece per day worked,” Rico said.

  Jake did the calculations. “How about I hire you to help with the roof for that rate. I think I can handle the painting once the roof is done.”

  Rico extended a hand. “Deal. When do we start?”

  “Tomorrow morning at seven a.m. You know where their place is?”

  Nodding, Rico said, “I know it. We’ll be there.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You up for a game?” Don asked, motioning toward the pool table.

  “Not tonight. It’s been a long day. I need to get home. See you tomorrow.”

  If the weather cooperated, the three of them could finish the roof in two days. He’d do the painting himself. If he could find a babysitter, Shannon could help and they’d finish in a day. He stopped by the bar. “Angie, you know of a reliable babysitter?”

  Her eyebrows lifted almost to her hairline. “Something I need to know?”

  “For a friend. I’m helping her get her place ready and we can’t have the baby around the paint fumes.”

  “My mom keeps my sister’s kids days when my sister works. I could ask her. How old?”

  “Three months.”

  “Oh, she’ll say yes. A little one like that’s no trouble. They can’t go anywhere. I’ll ask her.”

  “Got a pen?” he asked. Then he scrawled his phone number on a napkin and handed it to her. “Give me a call. It’ll probably be later in the week.”

  On the drive home, Jake found himself whistling. In three or four days, Shannon and Bailey would be settled into their own apartment and he’d have his privacy restored. He stopped mid-whistle and his heart sank. This was a good thing, right? Then why did he suddenly feel as if he’d planned a funeral?

  Chapter Nine

  Shannon paced nervously from the front door to the kitchen window. She kept hearing sounds outside she couldn’t quite identify. Probably just the wind that had picked up a little, causing the trees to sway in an eerie moonlit dance behind the cabin. Once she was sure she’d heard someone crunching up the gravel drive, but saw no one when she looked outside. Later, when she went upstairs to check on Bailey, she looked down over the garage and could have sworn the shadowed form of a man slipped along the wall to disappear into the darkness.

  There was no mistaking the crunch of gravel and the sweep of headlights now. She breathed in relief when she recognized Jake’s truck. Her earlier check of email had produced nothing from Brooke. She’d
sent another cryptic message and now awaited a reply.

  Jake opened the back door and called out, “It’s just me.”

  She fought the urge to run to him, wrap her arms around him and let him make her feel safe. Instead she locked her fingers together behind her back and smiled. “There’s leftover tuna casserole if you didn’t eat.”

  “I had a burger early, so I might just do that. How was the rest of your day?”

  She hesitated, then said, “Fine.” No point in worrying him or having him think she was paranoid. Which she was. She watched as he filled a plate with the tuna casserole and popped it into the microwave.

  He leaned back against the counter. “Your apartment should be ready by the end of the week. I got a couple of local guys who are going to help me with the roof. And, if you were serious about painting, I may have found a babysitter.”

  “Someone you know? Well?” she added.

  “The mother of a friend. She keeps her grandkids during the day. She’s supposed to call me.” He must have read her face because he added, “You can meet her first and see what you think.”

  The microwave dinged and he removed the plate, retrieved a fork from the drawer and sat at the table.

  “You want something to drink?” she asked. “I made iced tea. I’ll get it for you.” She filled a glass with ice and poured the tea, then set it beside him.

  “Thanks. This is delicious.”

  She laughed. “Not much you can do to tuna noodle casserole.” She sat opposite him. “Does anyone live nearby this place?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Just wondering.”

  He studied her for a moment. “Did something happen?”

  She shook her head. “No. Just me imagining things. You know how it is, you’re not used to the quiet so you hear every little sound and then you start to see things.”

  “What little sounds did you hear and what did you see?”