Both men patrolled at night while Ryan and Logan took the day shift. Gossip ran like wildfire in this town, so everyone knew what was going on already, and they all promised to keep a lookout for any strangers. Ally had a stack of Chico’s mug shots by the cash register and encouraged everyone to pass them around. Lacy was touched by the strong support this town showed her. Instead of being mad that she brought trouble into their midst, they vowed to help protect her. Everyone she encountered around town told her that the people of Appledale stick together, and she was so touched she almost broke down and cried. Everyone already called her Ryan’s girl, and she felt a secret pleasure run through her when she heard that.
Her biggest fear was someone getting hurt because of her. She’d never be able to live with herself if that happened. She was alert at all times but it was taking a toll on her nerves. She wished Chico would just come out and confront her instead of playing games and hiding in the woods. He had to know everyone knew he was here, so why didn’t he just come out and face her? Waiting for him to show his face was what bothered her the most.
Lacy was clearing off a table when she felt the hair on the back of her neck sticking up and she got the shivers and was cold all of a sudden. She looked around and saw nothing unusual so she went back to picking up the dishes. Ally had sent Stella home early since she was feeling nauseous and most of the customers were drifting out slowly.
“Is something wrong, Lacy? Your face got pale,” Gabe asked, showing how observant he was.
“I don’t know. I felt like someone was watching me but there is nobody out there. Maybe it’s my nerves,” she answered, shivering and rubbing her arms for warmth. “I felt it yesterday, too. Maybe it’s just me being nervous.”
“Have you told Ryan?” Ethan asked, looking out the window, searching the street.
She shook her head and said with a deep sigh, “I figured it was just me and I didn’t want to sound paranoid or crazy. Ryan is so tense right now he’d probably lock me in a cell for my own protection.”
Ethan looked at her and smiled gently “You’re probably right about Ryan, but never underestimate your instincts, Lacy. They can keep you alive.” Gabe patted her shoulder with sympathy. “Ryan worries a lot but we’re all on alert. We’ll get this guy.”
Lacy tried to smile but she couldn’t, she was scared and tired of feeling that way. She should have been more firm in having Ryan or one of the Wilson brothers teach her self-defense. “I know and I appreciate all the hard work you guys are doing. This town is filled with the best men I’ve ever known.” She hugged them each to thank them.
Ethan smiled at her, hugging her back. Lacy was such a sweetheart. He was determined to find Chico before he hurt Lacy. He hated men who thought they could go around abusing women and bullying people. He had read Chico’s file and it had not been pretty. Chico was used to getting away with every crime he committed and he would terrorize anyone whether it was an elderly man or a woman. Well, no more!
Once the diner was closed Lacy sighed tiredly and said good-bye to Ally. The day had felt so long and it was getting colder. She couldn’t wait to shower and take a nap before Ryan came home later. She climbed the stairs and was about to put her key in the lock when she stepped on something. She looked down and saw a single red rose lying by her doorstep with an envelope. How odd. She didn’t think Ryan would do that. She had just seen him for lunch a few hours ago. Suddenly she got that feeling again and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She hurriedly went inside and locked the door. She set the rose down and opened the envelope. Inside was a note with one single word written on it—soon. It sent shivers up her spine. It had to be Chico. She picked up the phone immediately and called Ryan.
Lacy and Ryan were sitting on the couch. He and Logan had come by immediately, and Logan took the rose and went to the florist to see if anyone had bought roses today, even though they already knew it was Chico. He was letting them know he was coming for Lacy. Maybe Ryan should move her out to his house with his mom. It was farther out of town and Chico would have a harder time finding it.
Ethan and Gabe were out by Reynolds Farm, trying to track Chico down. Ryan had a lot of faith in their abilities. If anyone could find Chico, it would be those to two. Ryan knew they had done secret spy stuff in the army.
“I want this to be over once and for all. Why doesn’t he just come out in the open instead of playing stupid games?” Lacy grumbled, trying not to yawn.
“I don’t know, darlin’, but we’re all on alert and Detective Garcia is on his way now that we know for sure he is here. He can’t hide forever, baby,” he said, putting his arms around her as if to shield her from all harm. He wished he could make it all go away, but all he could do was protect her.
She laid her head on his chest, feeling comforted by his warmth and strength. She could stay here all day.
He tilted her face toward him and kissed her forehead gently. He pulled her close and kissed her, loving the way she melted in his arms so submissively and softly, as if she trusted him to take care of her. He took her to the bedroom. “Come on. I’ll take a nap with you, baby.”
He undressed them and covered them up and they both slept soundly. Ryan woke up first and saw it was evening. He yawned and looked over at Lacy sleeping. It was time to wake her up and take her to his house. He had a bad feeling in his gut that something would happen soon. He put his hands under her tank top and stroked her nipple, feeling it get hard. He kissed her cheek then her lips and she moaned softly. He kissed her neck and shoulder, working his way to her breast. Lacy smiled and sleepily opened her eyes.
“What a way to wake up, Sheriff,” she whispered, leaning up to kiss him. She tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him close. “A
girl can get spoiled this way.”
His phone started buzzing. “No,” he groaned dramatically, getting out of bed reluctantly. “Not now when things were getting good.”
Lacy giggled, looking at his hard-on under his jeans. She got out of bed to get dressed, too. “Good luck out there, Sheriff.”
“Oh, you’ll pay when I get back,” he promised and slapped her on the ass as he went to answer his phone.
He spoke a few minutes then hung up. “I gotta go check something out with Logan at the bank. I’d feel better if we moved to my house. I have better security over there, so will you pack some clothes and be ready by the time I get back?”
She nodded. She’d feel better knowing he’d be able to look out for Ally, too. Her worry for the woman had been on her mind even though Ryan assured her Ally was safe being so far from town. She locked the door after him. She went to the bedroom and grabbed her work uniforms and her personal items and put them in a bag. Ryan had a few of his clothes lying around, so she grabbed those, too. She loved seeing his clothes lying around. It seemed so domestic. She was going to be brave and tell him she loved him when he got back. He had to care for her. Maybe he didn’t say the words out loud, but he showed her in a million different ways. She was confident of that and it was time to stop being scared. How could she expect Ryan to see her as strong unless she stood up and said how she felt?
She was almost done packing when she heard a noise at the door. Ryan couldn’t be done that quickly, could he? He hadn’t been gone very long.
She tensed up, feeling scared. No, Ryan would have called out her name, knowing how nervous she was. She looked around for anything that could be used as a weapon, but she couldn’t find anything. She was just about to head for the kitchen to grab a knife when the door was suddenly kicked opened. She screamed when saw Chico standing there. She turned and made a run for the bathroom. She turned the lock just before he reached her. If only she had thought to grab the phone. She looked around and grabbed the scissors. They would have to do as a weapon. She looked up at the window above the toilet but it was too small. She’d never be able to crawl out of there. She was trapped. Think, Lacy, she told herself.
Chico yelled and banged on the door. “You can’t get away from me, Lacy, so why try? You’re making it harder on yourself, chica.” He kicked the door several times till finally it flung open with a bang and he stood there smiling. It sent chills up her spine.
He came at her and she had the scissors open and ready. She swung at him and he turned so the scissors went in his arm, but he still screamed with pain.
“Oh, you’ve made me mad now!” He grabbed her by her hair and slapped her hard across the face. “Finally it’s just me and you, Lacy. Did you get my note? We’re gonna have some fun together then you’re gonna pay for snitching on me and my boys. You ruined my business, bitch,” he told her angrily, shaking her hard. “Because of you I have no money and I had to leave my hometown.”