“Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He rested his arms on the tabletop, the surface smooth and cold. His mind flew to the falling temperatures outside. “Listen, I know I have no right to push this. But I can’t, in good conscience, leave you sleeping in your van.”
Anastasia leaned forward and raked the fingers of both hands through her hair. “You’re very kind and I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate it. But I’ve got this under control. I don’t need anyone’s pity.”
“There’s a difference between pity and worry.”
“And I’m not yours to worry about.” The awkward phrasing brought heat to her cheeks. “You know what I mean.”
He let out a deep chuckle. “Yes, I do.” He suddenly wondered if her hair was as silky as it appeared.
Wait, what?
He pulled his thoughts back on track. The truth was, he’d react this way if he found any of his employees sleeping in their vehicle. Her soft hair and vulnerable eyes had nothing to do with it.
Brooke would call him a liar right now. But Joel knew his friends wouldn’t want Anastasia in her current circumstance, either.
No matter how much he hated this, there wasn’t much he could do about her situation tonight. Especially if she was unwilling to let him.
Anastasia cleared her throat. As if reading his mind, she said, “I warm the van right before Epic and I go to sleep. Between that, a slew of blankets, and Epic’s furnace-like body, we’re fine overnight.”
They sat silently, watching each other. An invisible thread of electricity traveled between them. Joel had no idea what to do with it, either. Did she feel it as well, or was he imagining the whole thing?
Joel cleared his throat and absently moved his cup from one spot on the table to another. Anything to keep from acting on his instincts to reach over and take Anastasia’s hand in his.
He walked to the back and got a piece of paper and a pen. When he returned, he wrote his cell number down. “If you need anything, please promise to call me.”
She left the paper lying on the table. “We’ll be fine. We’ve got our routine. Showers at the truck stop, this park during the weekdays. Maybe tour other parks on the weekends.” She almost seemed surprised that she’d shared this much. She tipped her head and let it rest against the back of her seat. “I had hoped to get through the next month without anyone finding out.”
Joel let that go without a comment. “Would you like to join me for breakfast tomorrow?”
“Epic and I have it covered. Thank you, though.”
“Oh? What are you planning on eating?” He hiked an eyebrow at her.
“Are you for real?” Anastasia stared at him.
“I’m serious. What do you eat for breakfast?”
“I have a box of cereal with my name on it.” She motioned behind her. “I’ve even got orange juice to go with it.”
Something dawned on him. “No wonder you pushed for having a burger included in the job I gave you.” He should have figured there was more to it than trying to eek something extra from the position. “And dinner?”
“I have sandwich fixings.”
He had to admit it was pretty impressive. She’d thought of everything. Epic seemed well cared for and Joel was certain she had a great watchdog on her hands. She hadn’t been late to work yet and she did a fantastic job. He had nothing to complain about there.
But the fact still remained. He couldn’t force Anastasia to leave her van. He couldn’t make her call him if she needed help.
But he would find an alternative place for her to live.
They finished their sodas and Joel escorted her back out of the diner. “Will you do me a favor?”
Anastasia turned. “What’s that?”
“Will you stay parked here near the diner tonight? It’s lighter.” Yeah, it sounded lame to his ears, too.
Her lips twitched in amusement but she acquiesced with a bob of her head. She opened the van door and Epic immediately stuck his head out, his body moving back and forth from the power of his wagging tail.
Joel reached a hand out to pat the monster dog’s head. His eyes, however, were on Anastasia. “Stay safe, huh? I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow.”
He’d grabbed the paper with his number off the table on the way out. He reached out and took her hand in his, placing the paper against her palm. “Just in case.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a small smile and climbed inside.
Joel made sure the door was locked and shut it behind her. With a final wave, he turned and made his way back to his car, going against every instinct screaming to do the opposite.
What had happened in her past that she’d be living in her vehicle right now? He’d like to think she was going overboard to save money like she said, but something told him it was more than that.
Anastasia was one mystery after another.
Chapter Seven
After Joel drove away, Anna smoothed out the paper containing his contact information. She had no intention of using it, though. She put his name and phone number in the contacts list on her phone.
She ought to be annoyed that he not only stuck his nose in her business, but thought he had a right to suggest she change her situation. It shouldn’t matter to him where she sleeps as long as she gets to work on time.
Then why wasn’t she angry with him? Wasn’t that exactly what Liam did — try to dictate her life?
No. This was different.
Liam wanted to know where she went and what she was doing when he wasn’t with her. He wanted to make sure that she waited for him or, in the case of work, fetched something for him.
Joel… He was concerned for her. She couldn’t think of a thing he’d gotten out of trying to help her. Before this, when was the last time someone had shown a genuine concern for her?
Not since Grandma and Grandpa passed.
The thought brought moisture to her eyes.
It’d been long enough that she forgot people actually did that for each other.
Once she and Liam had become a couple, it’d taken a while for her to understand how controlling he truly was. They’d been together for six months when Anna knew she had to get out before things got worse.
Anna was walking to her car after working late. She was about to slide into the driver’s seat when Liam called her name. His face red, he pointed a thick finger at Anna and roared. “You did it!”
Anna had no idea what he was talking about. She shrank from his glare and waited for him to explain himself.
“We were short three hundred dollars after closing yesterday. Someone took that money before it was placed in the safe. You’re not going to get away with it.”
Shaking her head, Anna tried to form the words to defend herself. She hadn’t taken the money – never would have thought of it.
She considered the idea that he was making it up. He was furious. When he got like this, she tried to lie low. Become invisible. But this time, his anger was directed towards her. Panic made her heart pound. “I didn’t take it, Liam. Not a cent.”
“Someone did. And if you don’t come up with the missing money, I’m going to find a way to prove you took it.”
Anna had no idea what to do. She’d been saving what money she could. Most of what he paid her went towards her tiny apartment. Ever since he’d hurt her arm in the supply room, she’d been planning a way to move and start over. But she’d need her money to do that — she couldn’t afford to give him any of it.
She took a step towards her car, but Liam blocked her path. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home, Liam. I didn’t take your money and I don’t have any to give you, either. Please, let me go.”
He sneered and latched onto her wrist. “You’re not going anywhere.” His eyes narrowed. “You come back inside with me or you can kiss your job goodbye.”
Anna jerked her arm away, her wrist throbbing. Courage bubbled up from inside. “Then
consider this my resignation. I’m done. We’re done.”
He cursed and sputtered. “You can’t walk away from me. I made you. You’re never going to make it on your own, Anna. Not without me. You’re nothing without me.”
She managed to get into her car and lock the door before he stopped her. He kicked her car with enough force to create vibrations that traveled up Anna’s spine.
“This isn’t the end. I’ll make life difficult for you.”
Anna flexed her wrist. The pain had disappeared, but the memories remained vivid as ever.
She readied for bed and lay on the bench seat, blankets piled high.
How had she trusted him in the first place? She wanted to blame herself. But the truth was, he was a con man. And a good one at that. He’d duped her from the beginning.
And there was a very real possibility that he was searching for her right now. She shivered.
If Joel noticed her van and wondered why she was there in the parking lot, staying in one place would make it easier for Liam to spot her, too. Maybe she needed to rotate between parks. Try to stay on the move until she rented an apartment. Once she did, she’d ditch the van and take the bus to and from work if she had to. Whatever it took to stay off Liam’s radar.
Her hand brushed against the container on Epic’s collar that held the thumb drive. She didn’t work on Monday. She would find someone to help her open those files. There had to be evidence showing exactly what Liam had been up to.
Because he wasn’t going to give up searching for her if she didn’t find a way to get him behind bars.
Her thoughts shifted to Joel. Even in the beginning with Liam, he’d never shown her the kindness or respect that Joel had in the few days she’d known him.
She focused on Joel as she closed her eyes, falling asleep faster than she had in days.
~
Anna woke the next morning and drove to the truck stop for a shower. Later, she claimed a spot near the park and gave Epic the chance to exercise for a bit. It was chilly, but he didn’t seem to care.
There was still an hour before work began. She settled on the picnic table bench.
Moments later, Epic barked and stared behind her.
Anna jumped to her feet and whirled around, heart pounding in her chest. It was Joel, but still. That he’d gotten as close as her van before she noticed him showed she wasn’t paying enough attention.
Epic bounded towards Joel but she snapped her fingers. “No, Epic. Sit.”
Joel set a drink holder down with four insulated cups in it on the picnic table. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” Her eyes went from the drinks to him again. “What’s going on?”
“I thought you could use something warm to drink this morning, but I didn’t know what you liked.” His expression was open and his dark eyes hopeful. “I brought coffee, hot green tea, and hot chocolate.”
“What’s in the fourth cup?”
“Another coffee.” Joel put a hand in his coat pocket and pulled out a sizable collection of packets containing sugar and creamer. “I don’t do mornings without it. Take your pick.”
Anna watched as he withdrew a cup and added two sugars, gave the coffee a stir, and replaced the lid. He sat down at the table without a thought.
Her eyebrows rose. That was incredibly presumptuous.
But it was cold. She chose the hot chocolate. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
When Epic wagged his tail, his entire body wriggled in response. Anna shook her head. “He wants to come say hello to you. He sure likes you.”
Joel held a hand out and that’s all the invitation Epic needed. After that, Joel was hard pressed to keep the giant from climbing into his lap. “I’m glad. I don’t think his owner has made up her mind yet, though.”
Heat flooded to Anna’s cheeks. He must have noticed because she caught a grin on his face before he turned back to the dog.
Not for the first time, Anna considered the idea that Joel was one of those genuinely nice guys she’d heard so much about. A gentleman like her grandfather had been. She studied his profile, admiring his strong chin and long eyelashes. Most women would kill for those gorgeous lashes.
His eyes found hers and she blushed to the roots of her hair. She jumped up and went to the van to check her phone as an excuse to hide her face.
“What brings you out here so early this morning?” He was silent and when she turned around, he looked uncertain. Epic had gone back to wandering in the grass nearby. Joel took a drink of his coffee. Anna sat down again, this time across the table from him.
Joel focused on her. “You don’t have any family, do you, Anastasia?”
“Why do you always call me Anastasia? Most people I’ve known are relieved I go by Anna because my full name is too unusual.”
“That surprises me. I’d like to continue calling you Anastasia if you’d let me. It’s an elegant name. It suits you.”
The breeze shifted, and she caught a whiff of his cologne. Anna dipped her head slightly, giving him permission. She’d never thought her name pretty, but now… It seemed special. Which was insane.
“You never did answer my question about whether or not you have any family.”
Anna rested her arms on the picnic table. She didn’t want to talk about it. But there was something in Joel’s expression that told her he understood.
He took a deep breath. “I live in a house with two other people. I don’t have any biological family, but Chess and Brooke might as well be.” He fiddled with the drink holder. “We all spent a fair amount of time in the foster care system. I guess we decided to create our own family. Chess says we reinvented family — made it better.”
Anna turned her head to peek at him from beneath her eyelashes. “It sounds like a real blessing you all ended up together.” Her voice sounded wistful even to her own ears. “I don’t have family, either. Not since I lost my grandparents. How did you know?”
Joel seemed to mull over his response. “Maybe those of us who have had to grow up alone are able to recognize each other.”
~
Joel watched Anastasia as she absorbed what he’d just said. Her head bobbed slightly, her eyes fixed on the ground.
It was interesting how she seemed tough — self-assured — one minute, and then vulnerable the next. The thought of her sleeping in her van still made him uneasy. “You’re welcome to park up by the diner at night from now on.”
She shot him a sideways glance. “Actually, I may start rotating parks. Change up the routine. If you noticed us, others might as well. I don’t want to get in trouble. It’s not legal to camp out in most public places like I’ve been.”
He hadn’t considered the fact that she might not stay in the store’s parking lot. Of all the parks in town, this was probably one of the safer ones. And it made him feel better knowing she wasn’t far from the diner, too.
Without thinking it through, he blurted out, “You’re welcome to come and stay at my house. Our house. Brooke’s there. It’s not like you’re coming to live with a bunch of guys. We have plenty of room for you.”
Nope, that was not one of the more intelligent things he’d ever said.
Anastasia bristled, her spine straightening. She stood and brushed off the back of her pants. “I’m not a charity case. I’m not your responsibility. And I thank you for not dragging your family into my business, too.”
Joel jumped to his feet and reached for her arm to stop her from rushing away. “Anastasia, wait. I’m sorry.”
She moved away from him, his hand dropping back to his side. “You should go on to work. I have a few things to tie up here and then I’ll be there shortly. It’s almost nine.” With that, she called Epic and marched towards her van.
Joel groaned. Stupid! Whatever ground he’d gained yesterday and today had been lost in a matter of minutes.
If the way her pretty lips were pinched together were any indication, he’d be lucky if she spoke to him ag
ain today.
Chapter Eight
Who did Joel think he was, anyway? Anna had fumed about his annoying offer all day. He’d tossed an apologetic glance her way several times at work and she’d taken her leave immediately after her shift ended.
The last thing she needed was for Joel to insist she change the way she was managing her life. She’d had more than enough of that with Liam.
What was it with her and bosses?
Except there was a difference between trying to control her life, and being overly concerned.
It was still none of his business. And she certainly wasn’t going to go and sleep on a couch in some stranger’s house.
She half expected him to come by the van and check on her after he closed the diner. He hadn’t though. Anna was mostly relieved. It was the tiny twinge of disappointment that bothered her the most.
Anna decided to stay in this park, although she did move the large van closer to the diner after Joel left.
She’d considered rotating locations. But assuming Liam was willing to chase her this far, locating her would be a matter of luck. It was probably best to stay put. She had to hope he’d either given up, or she’d made it hard enough to track her and she could get into an apartment before he ever reached Quintin.
~
Liam reached for his cell phone the moment it rang. When he saw Rick’s name on the caller ID, he punched the screen to answer. “Did you find her, yet?”
He pictured the tiny man’s face turning red. Rick never did like being pushed. But it paid to have a contact who was a private detective — especially when the man owed him a favor.
After getting the license plate number of the green van Anna had purchased, he called Rick up and fed him the information.
It’d been several days. He needed answers.
The sound of Rick clearing his throat came over the line. “I finally got a hit on that license plate number. It turned up in Dallas, Texas. She drove on a highway that charges a toll and her plate was photographed.”
Safe In His Arms (Life Unexpected Book 1) Page 5
