by Lynn Cahoon
“Hey, can you have Hope’s car picked up? It’s on River Vista Highway about halfway to Meridian. I’ll pay for the costs.” She waved Hope’s protests from the back seat away. “And have them look at why it broke down.”
“From the tone in your voice, you’re thinking it’s been tampered with?” Ian had picked up on her concern easily.
“Maybe. And we weren’t the only ones who arrived to help.” She glanced at Estebe, who was watching her closely. “There was a black SUV there, but the guy must have realized that we had the problem in hand, as he just took off.”
Ian understood her unsaid message. “You’re thinking it was Evan and he’s going after Hope?”
“Something like that.” She didn’t want to say more. Hope was already upset.
He didn’t answer for a long couple of seconds. “I think I’ll have Allen come out with me to pick up the car. He knows a thing or two about mechanics.”
Relief filled her as she realized he believed her. Or at least believed her enough to get his uncle involved. “We’ll make sure Hope gets safely home tonight, but call me with the name of the repair shop you take the car to. She’ll need transportation to school next week.”
As she hung up the phone, she glanced at Estebe. He’d read between the lines of her conversation. He nodded, then looked up into the rearview mirror to catch Hope’s gaze. “If your car takes too long, I can loan you my backup car. It’s not much, but it will get you back and forth to school.”
“You don’t need to do that. I can walk. The apartment isn’t that far off campus.” Hope curled up on the back seat. She had her phone out. “That’s weird. My phone is dead. I was sure I charged it last night. But maybe not.”
“We were trying to get a hold of you; that must have been why we couldn’t reach you.” Angie turned back around to watch her. “How’d the meeting with your professor go?”
Hope tucked her phone away. “It didn’t. I sat there for over an hour, and finally, one of students who has weekend class said he wasn’t in. I guess I must have gotten my days mixed up when his secretary called me.”
“Oh?” Angie tried to sound casual, but her heart was beating too quickly. “When did she call you?”
“He. His secretary is a guy. He called right as I was going into class on Friday. I thought it was weird to be set up on a Saturday, but with all the changes happening with them trying to replace Professor Monet, I didn’t question it. Maybe I should have.” Hope twirled her hair and watched out the window. “By that time, I was super late, and then the car just up and died. I just had it in the shop for a checkup. Thanks for coming to find me. That walk would have been a doozy.”
“You should just find a phone and call one of us. We will come and get you.” Estebe turned onto the side street, then parked in the lot behind the County Seat. He shut off the engine, then turned around in his seat. “Go inside. Nancy’s worried about you. I need to talk to Angie for a minute about my schedule.”
“Okay.”
Estebe waited until Hope was inside before saying anything. “You do not believe this was random either.”
“No. Ian’s going to go over to the car with Sheriff Brown and have it checked out. I think the Good Samaritan with the ski mask had something to do with her car breaking down. Although why he waited so long to approach, I’m not sure.”
“Maybe he didn’t know her phone was dead. Maybe he waited to see if she’d have help coming.” He glanced at the kitchen door where Hope had disappeared. “What I do know is we need to keep her safe. And I’m not sure how we can do that without scaring her.”
“Let’s see what Sheriff Brown says about the car, then we can decide what she needs to know. She can’t protect herself if she doesn’t know all the facts.” Angie got out of the car and stood, watching the building. “It just makes me so mad that this one guy did this to her. All she did was offer him a ride home.”
Estebe’s chuckle surprised her. And when he saw that, he put his hand on her arm. “You are like the mama bear who’s been watching out for the baby too long. Hope is an adult. She’ll get through this. And she’ll be fine. We will make sure of that. You are not the only one who cares for her.”
True to his word, when the sheriff came to the restaurant that evening, Estebe stood by Hope and filled in the blanks when the girl didn’t know the answer. As Sheriff Brown was leaving, Angie pulled him aside. “Do you think she’s in danger?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. That car of hers was just waiting to break down, so maybe it was just bad timing. But I don’t like the idea of this guy wearing a ski mask. And I’m going to reach out to that professor and see if the appointment was really just a misunderstanding or if this was a setup. Any way you can keep her with one of you for a few days?” Sheriff Brown glanced over at Hope. “I asked if she’d go home to her family, but apparently her folks are in Tucson on holiday and she doesn’t want to bother them.”
“I’m sure we can work out a schedule.” Angie glanced at the kitchen crew, who were right now gathered around Hope.
“I’m sure we’re all just overreacting, but I’d feel better if she wasn’t alone. I guess her roommate went home for a few weeks because her folks were concerned about her safety after this teacher’s death.” He set his hat on his head and nodded to Angie. “I’ll let myself out. I’ve been here enough the last few months, I should know the way.”
Angie wanted to be angry at the implication, but all she felt was weariness. She wanted this to be over. No more playing Nancy Drew, no Cops and Robbers. She just wanted to get back to the innocent life she’d lived before coming home to peaceful, scenic Idaho.
Felicia came to stand by her as servers busied themselves with getting the tables set up for the evening service. “What does Sheriff Brown say?”
“He’s looking into it.” She turned to her friend. “Hey, can Hope stay with you this evening? We’ll have to figure out a schedule, but the sheriff doesn’t want her alone.”
Felicia nodded. “Let me get my calendar and I’ll let you know what days she can stay here.”
“Meet me in the kitchen. I think there are some others who will want to pitch in. Besides, the more places we stash her, the harder it will be for the guy to find her.” Angie headed back into the kitchen to call an impromptu meeting. “Everyone gather around. We need to talk.”
Hope came running to her side. “Angie, the sheriff thinks that someone might have done something to my car to make it break down. Tell me the truth, you don’t think he’s right, do you?”
“Honestly, Hope, I don’t know what to believe. But the sheriff has asked for our help in keeping you safe. And mostly, that means not alone. Do you mind staying with Felicia tonight?”
Everyone was talking at once, but Angie held up a hand. “Let’s let Hope talk first.”
“I guess that would be all right. But really, I’m not in danger, am I?”
Angie sent Hope a supportive smile. “Let’s go with the fact we all want to keep you safe. It will be like mini slumber parties.”
They got out a calendar, and for the next two weeks, Hope had a place to stay and someone to get her to school and back.
Hope picked up the piece of paper that had dates and names and phone numbers, and a tear fell down her cheek.
“Don’t cry. This won’t last forever. Soon, the law enforcement types will find this guy and you’ll be back being just another student on campus.” Matt grinned at her. “Besides, you’ll want to save your tears for the nights you stay with me. My place isn’t as nice as everyone else’s.”
“I’m sure it will be adequate.” Estebe glanced at the clock. “However, if we don’t finish prep, we will not have a solid service. That is not acceptable.”
As everyone made their way to their stations, Hope hung back with Angie. “I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate this.”
“Y
ou don’t have to. Whether or not you like it, you’re part of the team. How’s the menu selection going for the recipe you’re presenting at the next family meal?”
“There are just so many choices.” Hope’s eyes twinkled. “I’ll have something amazing soon.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“Hope, please come over and help me with the potatoes,” Estebe called out, looking over at the two women chatting.
“I better go. Thank you again.”
Angie wanted to tell her that there was no need to thank her or any of the group. People came together for family. And that’s what Hope was, like it or not. The group was all family.
Once service started, the unease that had hung around the kitchen lifted. The group worked like a well-oiled machine, and Angie marveled at the way they had come together, not only to feed the waiting diners but to support a coworker who had been a stranger to them less than a year ago.
Angie felt Felicia by her side before she spoke. “So this is weird, but someone wants to talk to you.”
“Don’t tell me they didn’t like the entrée. I’ve been personally expediting all these plates and we haven’t let one die waiting to be served.” Angie wiped the edge of the plate she’d just taken from Estebe and then set it on a waiting tray. “Table six.”
A waiting server picked up the tray and headed out of the kitchen.
Felicia waved Estebe over to the expediting station. “Can you cover for Angie for a minute? We’ve got a situation in the dining room.”
Angie started to speak, but Felicia squeezed her arm, so she followed her out to the dining room. They paused at the edge, but Angie couldn’t see anyone who even looked like they were looking toward them. She turned to Felicia. “Who wants to talk to me now?”
“Over here, by the door. Will you just tell him I’m done? He doesn’t want to hear it from me.” Felicia didn’t let go of her hand and almost dragged Angie to the hostess station. There, sitting in the waiting area, was a clearly distraught Taylor.
He looked up from running his hands through his hair, and when he saw Felicia, he stood. “Look, I know I’m demanding, but you need to give me another chance. I can be more than just the head of the mission.”
“I told you we are done. I’m sorry you felt the need to come out here and plead your case, but as Angie will tell you, once I make a decision, it’s final.” Felicia pushed Angie toward the guy.
Angie sent her friend a what in the world are you getting me into look, then turned toward Taylor. “I’m afraid Felicia’s right. Once she’s made up her mind, I’ve never seen her change it. Look, this isn’t the best place for a scene. We’ve got a business to run here. Maybe you could call her tomorrow.”
“No, no calling tomorrow.” Felicia made swishing motions with her hands. “You need to leave now and go on with your life. I’m done playing whatever role you had in mind for me. For us.”
“But I have tickets for the fund-raiser tomorrow. All the big hedge funds guys will be there, and they expect me to bring a date. You have to come with me. Otherwise, I’ll look foolish. I’ll lose millions in possible donations if they don’t have faith in my ability to attend these social events.” Taylor pressed his hands together. “Just go to this one party with me. You’ll have fun. You can talk to these guys and maybe get some catering gigs for your restaurant.”
“You want me to pretend we’re still together so you can look good in front of your donor buddies?” Felicia’s voice was cool, but Angie could hear the heat behind the words.
She watched Taylor’s face go from devastated to hopeful as he considered the words. Then she hoped he wouldn’t be as stupid as she thought he might just be. She closed her eyes when he opened his mouth.
“That would be perfect. I’ll meet you at the Harrison House at seven. Since we’re not really dating, there’s no need for me to drive all the way out here to get you, right?” He glanced at his watch. “I’m so glad we got this cleared up. I need to get back to the mission and check on the evening shutdown process.”
Felicia grabbed his jacket and he looked up at her in surprise. She waited until he was looking right at her. “Listen to me. There is no way I’m ever going to be your arm candy just because you’ve asked. I would rather spend my night fishing for crawdads out at the river than drive to Boise to this fancy shindig. Or maybe I’ll just Daisy Duke it up in my fishing outfit and show up and embarrass you before I decide I’m done.”
“You wouldn’t do that.” His voice trembled at the idea.
The horrified look on Taylor’s face made Angie’s lips twitch, but she didn’t think laughing would be appropriate. “I think she would.”
“You two are both crazy. I don’t know what I ever saw in you.” He stepped back away from Felicia’s grip and moved toward the door. He paused before pushing it open. “I want you to know I did enjoy spending time with you, at least before you lost your freaking mind.”
Angie stood by Felicia as they watched him get into his Mercedes and drive off. “I didn’t realize you had decided you and Taylor were over.”
“I gave him twenty-four hours. When he didn’t even notice I didn’t call, I called and left him a voice mail. I guess he got the message and came flying out here to save his fund-raiser.” Felicia sighed. “It’s hard being just another piece of arm candy.”
“You were never just arm candy.” Angie turned her friend away from the door. “You walked away from a ticking time bomb there. I think that guy is bat guano crazy.”
“He had a great car, though.” Felicia nodded to the dining room. “How many people do you think heard the final breakup?”
“Nobody. The wall here breaks up all that sound. Besides, we have that mood music going through the speakers.” She put a gentle hand on Felicia’s back. “Let’s go back to work. I’ll stay over tonight and we can have a slumber party with Hope and tell stories about the men who didn’t deserve us.”
As they walked into the dining room, a wave of applause started and then diners stood and clapped. One woman put a hand on Felicia’s arm as she walked through. “That man didn’t deserve you.” Then she put a card in Felicia’s hand. “But my nephew is single. Give him a call.”
Angie pressed her lips together and tried not to laugh as they made their way through a room of diners and servers who were all telling Felicia the same thing. She’d stood up for herself and done good. As they entered the kitchen, Felicia leaned against the wall.
“You realize this is going to be all over town by morning? I don’t think Taylor’s going to be able to spin this to his favor anytime soon.”
Angie handed her a bottle of water. “Especially not since a few of those hedge fund managers are here tonight for dinner and caught the entire show. You just sit down a minute and drink that water. You’ve had an exciting evening.”
Estebe finished expediting a table, then stepped back around to the stove. He leaned over as Angie came back to her station. “The servers filled us in. I hear Felicia was very brave.”
Angie looked over at her friend, who now looked more like she was in shock. “Brave and confident. I’ve never been so proud of her.”
“Then I am proud as well.” Estebe smiled over to Felicia, who had just looked up at them.
Then something passed between Estebe and Felicia that Angie couldn’t quite believe. Was that a spark? As she looked back at Estebe, she thought she must have misinterpreted the look as he was back talking to Matt and finishing the last few entrees. Curious, Angie thought, but when she looked back at Felicia, she had already returned to the dining room.
Chapter 20
Angie left the apartment over the County Seat about midnight. Hope and Felicia were still talking and making a dent in the supply of beers they’d brought up from the restaurant after they’d closed the place down. But Angie had been drinking coffee, something she might regret when she fi
nally climbed into bed, but she figured as tired as she felt, the caffeine wouldn’t stop her from sleeping. She turned the music up and rolled her windows down as she drove home, thinking about her friend and her love life.
Felicia didn’t fall easy, and Angie wondered if she’d really fallen in love with Taylor or if, more likely, she’d fallen for the ideal of Taylor. The mask the guy seemed to wear that changed depending on where he was and who he was with. Felicia had a soft heart, and meeting what she thought was a kind soul had probably blinded her to the fact that they were less dating than she was just another volunteer in the Taylor Mission show.
And maybe she’d imagined the spark that had flown between Felicia and Estebe. Because after that moment, the two hadn’t been any different with each other than they’d ever been. Friendly, but not close. Even when they were closing up, Estebe was his normal self. He’d waited for Angie in the kitchen until she’d told him she was going upstairs with Felicia and Hope for a while.
Tomorrow, she’d have a talk with Felicia about Estebe and see if there was anything to this smoke she felt. Wait—tomorrow was Sunday, and she couldn’t go into town and talk to Felicia. No, she was having dinner with Ian and his aunt and uncle. Her stomach clenched and she took a sip from the water bottle she’d tucked in the cup holder.
Now she really wouldn’t get any sleep. What if Maggie didn’t like her? She knew that Sheriff Brown was on the fence about her and Ian dating. Would a bad showing from her make it hard for Ian to keep seeing her? No, that even sounded stupid. They were just people. And besides, she and Ian were just dating.
But the gnawing pit in her stomach didn’t go away all the way home. After opening the door to let Dom out, she grabbed her flashlight so she could head out to the barn to check on Precious and Mabel. It was silly. She’d fed them well before she’d left, but you never knew. It was responsible pet ownership, although any farmer in the area would laugh if they heard her calling her hen and goat pets.
