Claire’s eyes didn’t waver. I fidgeted and started playing with my straw.
“Why did you leave New York?” Jesse asked again. I thankfully tore my gaze away from Claire’s to focus on him.
“It was time for a change,” I said. “I grew up there, and my family is all there, but I wanted something different.”
“Like living in a small town in Wisconsin?” Lou asked playfully.
I half-smiled. “I’m not sure if Redemption is the place, regardless of what the town wants or doesn’t want, but I’m still glad I stopped here.” I could see Jonathan’s eyes watching me, and my cheeks felt warm. I wondered if he was always so quiet, or if something was different, today.
“Where are you thinking about settling down?” Claire asked.
I shrugged. “Not sure. Will probably know it when I see it.”
Claire smiled as Lou nudged her. “You’re right,” Lou said. “Redemption did call her.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked. “I just said I didn’t think this was the place.”
Lou grinned. “Uh huh. Keep telling yourself that.”
I shook my head and picked up my drink. A part of me wanted to keep arguing, to insist they were wrong. I was NOT going to stay here. But I forced myself to keep my mouth closed. Why was I so interested in making a big scene to prove my point? It didn’t matter. Once my car was fixed, I would never see them again. Why should I care what they believed until then?
It wasn’t like I needed to convince anyone.
Unless … I was really trying to convince myself.
Enough of that. I was being ridiculous. I pushed the thought out of my head and focused on the conversation at the table, which had shifted to Lou’s daughter, Jillian, and the latest battle of wills that had ensued. I didn’t have too much to add, so I nursed my drink and avoided looking at Jonathan. My skin prickled as I felt the heat of his gaze. I didn’t want to inadvertently give him any ideas, so I checked out my surroundings instead.
The bar was full of polished wood, dark from smoke and age. Considering it was the middle of the week, it was surprisingly busy. All the tables were full, knots of people stood in various places, and others were lined up by the bar itself. The whole place smelled of beer, perfume, smoke, and sweat.
I half-listened to Lou talk while I studied the crowd, not really seeing any specific person, yet cataloguing each face. It took me a few minutes to realize I wasn’t just looking around. I was searching for someone.
Someone specific.
Which was silly. Alan didn’t know where I was. He may not even have realized I had left New York yet.
It made no sense to look for him here.
Although ... that guy at the edge of the bar. There was something about him that reminded me of Alan. Maybe it was the shape of his face or his dark-blonde hair, cut military short. He appeared to be alone, nursing a drink, and facing away from me.
Of course it couldn’t be him. I’d barely been in Redemption for a day. He couldn’t possibly have tracked me, much less gotten there so quickly.
Nevertheless ... the more I watched him, the more uneasy I felt.
I wished I could see his face clearly. Then I would know for sure, and I could laugh at my paranoia.
But he kept his head down and angled slightly away from me, almost as if he didn’t want to be recognized.
Oh, come on. I really was being paranoid. Maybe he had a bad day at work and just wanted to be left alone. Maybe he had a fight with his girlfriend and was stewing about it. Maybe he was waiting for someone and was lost in thought.
There could be a million reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with me. Why would it?
Everyone at the table burst out laughing, startling me. I smiled, pretending I had heard whatever it was Lou had said. Maybe I should be paying attention to the conversation I was in.
But a moment later, I found myself searching the bar again for the guy. If I could just see his face, even for a second, I could stop this nonsense.
He wasn’t there.
For a moment, my brain couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing. Was I looking in the wrong place? Where would he have gone?
Had he left already? Or maybe he just went to the bathroom.
I glanced wildly around, trying to find him.
“Charlie?” Claire asked. “Are you okay?”
“Oh. Yeah,” I said, forcing myself to focus on her. “I just thought I saw someone I knew.”
“From New York?” Lou asked incredulously. “Or did you meet someone earlier?”
I laughed self-consciously. “It was just a guy who looked like someone I knew.”
“Maybe it was his twin,” Jesse said. “We all have one, you know.”
“Yeah, a doppelgänger,” Claire said darkly.
“There she goes again,” Lou said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly.
“What’s a doppelgänger?” Bill asked.
“Your evil twin or double,” Claire said. “Some mythologies say if you meet your doppelgänger in real life, you might disappear, and your doppelgänger takes over.”
I shivered. Is that what happened to Alan? When I first met him, he was so sweet. Buying me gifts, taking me to my favorite restaurant. He swept me off my feet and made me feel like a princess. The day he asked me to marry him was the happiest day of my life.
But, once the engagement ring was on my finger, something changed. He started calling me all the time and would get upset if I wasn’t there to pick up the phone. Then he would grill me for hours as to where I had been. I stopped leaving the house while he was at work, stopped seeing my friends, and saw my family a lot less. It just made things easier.
Was that what happened? Alan met his doppelgänger, and the sweet man who had proposed to me disappeared, leaving a monster in his place?
“Is there a way to know?” I asked Claire.
“A way to know what?”
“If you’re talking to the actual person or a doppelgänger?”
“Why, do you think you’ve met a doppelgänger?” Lou asked.
“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking,” I said. “Haven’t you ever had a relationship with someone and then one day, everything just changes? Like he becomes someone else?”
Lou opened her mouth to respond, but shut it instead, looking thoughtful.
“I don’t know if there is a way,” Claire said seriously. “Other than what you just said about recognizing a dramatic change in behavior. I mean, they look exactly alike.”
I mulled her words over as I glanced across the room again, searching for the Alan lookalike.
And my blood ran cold.
There he was.
Alan.
It was just a glimpse. His face was tight with anger, before it faded into the crowd.
I gasped, nearly spilling my drink. Then, I was out of the booth, ignoring the calls from Claire and Lou asking where I was going.
I had to see. Was it really him?
I pushed my way through the crowd, accidentally spilling one guy’s beer all over him. “Hey, watch it,” he snapped.
“Sorry,” I said without a second glance.
Where did he go?
And then I saw him. He was back in his place at the bar, except this time, he was talking to a woman. He was turned sideways toward me, so I could clearly see his profile.
It wasn’t Alan.
I stood there, frozen, staring. He looked nothing like Alan. His nose was too big, and now that I was closer, I could see a jagged scar across his cheek.
How could I have ever mistaken him for Alan?
I felt a strange mixture of relief, embarrassment, and confusion. Was there something wrong with me? I had been diagnosed with a mild concussion, and the doctor had warned me of side effects.
Was that what
this was? The effects of a concussion?
Or was it more serious?
No, I wasn’t going there. I was fine. There wasn’t anything wrong with me. This was just a combination of stress and exhaustion. It wasn’t a sign of anything else. Just like my dreams weren’t a sign of anything more serious. I was completely fine.
My real problem was what I was going to do about Claire and my other new acquaintances. I couldn’t go back to the booth like nothing happened. How could I ever explain what I just did?
Maybe I should just leave, I thought. Right then. Just walk out the door. But my purse was back in the booth. I would at least have to go retrieve it.
The entire table was watching me as I slowly made my way back, only stopping to apologize to the guy whose beer I spilled again, and to offer to buy him another one.
“Only if you stay and talk with me awhile,” he said suggestively. He was a big guy with longish black hair and a beard. He leered at me, his eyes glassy and bloodshot from too much alcohol.
“My friends are waiting for me,” I said, backing away. Great. Just what I needed.
“Oh, don’t leave me yet,” he called out as I kept walking. Hopefully, I’d be able to duck out without him noticing.
Everyone stared as I approached the booth. “Are you okay?” Claire asked, her eyes round.
“Yeah, like I said, I just thought I recognized him,” I said, reaching for my purse.
“That was quite a reaction, even if you did,” Bill said.
“I’m pretty tired. It’s been a long couple of days of driving,” I said. “Thanks for inviting me, but I think I’m going to head back to the hotel.” All I wanted to do was curl up under the covers and try and forget the day.
“Oh, we should walk you back,” Claire said as Lou chimed in. “Jesse, Bill, one of you should walk her back.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I protested. “It’s not that far.”
“Nonsense,” Claire said. “We want to make sure you’re safe.”
“No, really,” I started to say as Jonathan slid out of the booth.
“I can walk her,” he said. “I need to get going anyway.”
“Are you sure?” Jesse asked. “I don’t mind.”
“Honestly, I’m fine.” I was having trouble breathing. He’s married. With kids! He shouldn’t be walking me home.
Jonathan waved him back. “Truly, it’s no problem.” He turned to me, giving me a crooked smile. “Let’s go.”
I bit my lip and started walking toward the exit. Maybe if I moved fast enough, he would get the hint.
But no. I could sense him behind me, so close I could practically feel his warm breath against my neck.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said to him out of the corner of my mouth.
“Why wouldn’t I want to?”
“You should go home. Be with your wife and kids.”
“I can do that after walking you home.”
I reached the door. “Honestly,” I said in exasperation. “I’m a big girl. I can find my way to the hotel.”
“I’m just looking out for you,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “You’re the one with a lousy sense of a direction.”
I gritted my teeth and pushed open the door. The cool night breeze washed over me, bringing me to my senses. What was I thinking, allowing this flirtation with a married man to continue? I’d be gone in a week. What was my problem?
I took a few steps into the parking lot before turning to face him. “I’m fine,” I said. “I don’t need you babysitting me. Thank you for offering. Actually, thank you for everything, including bringing me my leftovers. I appreciate it.”
He didn’t immediately answer, but instead stood there studying me. His eyes were like hooded shadows under the light of the parking lot.
“If that’s what you want,” he finally said.
“I do,” I said firmly. “It’s like a ten-minute walk. I’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “I’ll keep you posted about your car.”
“Thanks,” I said.
We stared at each other for a moment longer, and I found myself wishing I could figure out the expression in his eyes. Instead, I deliberately turned my back and started walking toward the hotel.
What I needed was sleep. A good night’s sleep, and everything would look much better in the morning. In fact, maybe being stuck in Redemption for a few days while my car was being repaired was a good thing. Maybe I needed a break to just rest, relax, and heal before getting back on the road.
The street was quiet and peaceful—such a difference from what I was used to in New York where there was always someone around. Here, there was a calmness, a quiet. A cool breeze blew across my face, and I caught a whiff of roses and geraniums. There was a freshness in the air, a hint of spring and rebirth. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the perfumed air.
And then I smelled it. The faint, yeasty smell of beer.
I heard footsteps behind me. My mouth went dry. I spun around, a part of me terrified I would see Alan there, another part of me angry I would see Jonathan.
It was neither. It was the bearded man from the bar.
He grinned at me, revealing stained and yellow teeth. “I thought you might like some company.”
“You thought wrong,” I snapped, taking a couple steps backward. The quiet peacefulness suddenly felt very dangerous. I quickly glanced around to see if anyone was around, but we appeared to be alone. Very alone. The shops and restaurants lining the streets were closed down for the night. I started to regret sending Jonathan away.
“Oh, don’t be like that,” he said, moving toward me. “Don’t you want to be with a real man?”
“I think you should go back to the Tipsy Cow,” I said. I tried to calculate in my head how far away I was from the hotel. If I ran, could I make it there before he caught me?
“But you still owe me,” he said. “Remember? For my spilled beer?”
“I told you I’d buy you another beer. If you want, I’ll meet you back at the bar and buy you one.”
“I’d rather have something else,” he said. He was still advancing, and I was still retreating. It was awkward backing up in the dark, and I kept stumbling.
“Oops, be careful,” he laughed.
My blood turned to ice. If I fell, that would be it. He’d be on me. Maybe I should take my chances and run like hell.
“The lady isn’t interested,” said another voice behind the bearded man, who whirled around.
It was Jonathan.
“What are you doing here?” the bearded man asked. “She’s surely not interested in you.”
Jonathan stood there, hands in his pockets. “Sounds to me like she’s made it clear she’s not interested in you, either.”
The bearded man narrowed his eyes as his hands balled into fists. “Stay out of this,” he warned. “It doesn’t concern you.”
“Let me buy you a beer,” Jonathan invited in a friendly tone. “Here, let’s walk back together.”
“I told you,” the bearded man hissed, advancing toward Jonathan. “This doesn’t concern you. Walk away.”
“Sorry,” Jonathan said. He sounded almost regretful. “Can’t do that.”
With a roar, the bearded man charged, his steps unsteady. Jonathan calmly stepped to the side and punched him in the gut. The bearded man dropped, his body hitting the sidewalk with a thud. He let out a groan.
Jonathan glanced over at me. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Thanks,” I said awkwardly.
The bearded man groaned again, tried to push himself up, and vomited on the sidewalk. Jonathan made a face, stepping around him.
“Should we call someone?” I asked. I was torn between leaving him to rot and getting him some help.
“He’ll be fine,” Jonathan said.
“I didn’t hit him that hard. He just needs to sober up.” He glanced back as the bearded man collapsed back onto the sidewalk, breathing hard. “I probably did him a favor, getting him to throw up.”
I watched Jonathan come toward me, my feelings tangling inside. “If that offer is still open to walk me to the hotel, I think I’ll take it,” I said.
He gave me a crooked smile as an answer.
I took one last look at the bearded man. He was lying on his side, his chest moving up and down deeply as he snored.
Jonathan followed my gaze. “See, he’s fine.”
I nodded and began walking toward the hotel. “I thought I’d be safe here,” I said. “Aren’t you supposed to be safe in small towns like this?”
He shrugged. “There are assholes everywhere. If you hadn’t caught his attention in the bar, you would have been fine.”
“How did you know?”
“I saw him follow you. I had a feeling he was up to no good, so I decided to keep an eye on things, just to be safe.”
“Well, I’m glad you did.”
We were both quiet as we walked, our footsteps loud on the sidewalk as the heels of my low boots clicked on the cement. I was acutely aware of him next to me, even though he wasn’t touching me. My skin prickled at his closeness.
“Do you want to talk about it?” His voice was soft, but it still startled me.
“Talk about what?” I asked. “You saw what happened, how he followed me.”
“I meant, do you want to talk about who you thought you saw at the bar?”
My chest tightened. “It was nobody.”
He nodded, but didn’t look at me. Instead, he kept his eyes on the ground. “You probably didn’t know this, but your face went completely white,” he said, his voice almost conversational.
My lungs felt like they were in a vice. I was having trouble breathing. “Did it?” I managed.
He nodded again. “I know it’s not any of my business, but in case you ever do want to talk, I’m a pretty good listener.”
The Summoning: A gripping psychological thriller (Secrets of Redemption Book 4) Page 5
