Deadly Chase (4 page)

Piper sighed. “Kevin has already stolen too much from you. You’ve already lost your job and had to leave town. You’ve got to be low on cash. Should I send you a little from your account?”

“No, I’m afraid Kevin would find out. He’s got so many connections through the attorney’s office, he could probably trace anything.”

“I won’t let you starve. I’ll drive it to you myself if I have to.”

“You can’t drive that far.”

“Oh. So you are a long distance away?”

Sierra let out an aggravated sigh. “I’m not telling you where I am.”

“Can’t blame me for trying can you?”

“No. I’d do the same if the situation were reversed.”

“Will you at least keep your cell phone longer than a week this time? I don’t like not being able to reach you.”

“It’s safer to replace them often.”

“Then at least promise to call and give me your new number as soon as you have one.”

“I’ll try.” Sierra nipped at her lower lip, wishing they could talk freely as they used to. “I miss you.”

“Promise me you’ll call.”

“I will,” Sierra assured her sister and then disconnected.

Regardless of Piper’s wishes, Sierra knew better than to keep a cell phone too long. She had chosen a random North Dakota area code for this phone, but didn’t believe Kevin was scouring that state looking for her. He was too cunning.

If she stayed much longer, she risked Kevin finding her. If she left, she risked running out of money. “Lord, guide me. I’m stuck, and I don’t know what to do.”

Determined to put her worries aside, Sierra re-entered the bakery, inhaling the familiar scents of fresh dough and sweet treats.

“If I have to glaze one more donut…” Allie’s voice drifted from the kitchen.

Sierra stuck her head inside. “I can do that for you if you’d like,” she offered, but hoped Allie would decline. She had already spent several hours in the kitchen and looked forward to interacting with customers, which tended to keep her mind off of Kevin and their ill-fated relationship.

“Thanks for the offer.” Allie peeked up. “But, I’ve already started. Would you mind opening and covering the counter? I’ll be out when I’m finished.”

“All right.” Sierra walked to the front and plugged in the neon ‘open’ sign. She unlocked and propped open the door allowing the fresh, early morning breeze inside. Within minutes, she’d sold two cranberry muffins, six cups of coffee, and a generous sized piece of strawberry shortcake.

After talking with one long-winded customer, Sierra turned to make a fresh pot of coffee, but stilled when Chase sauntered through the door, his long black overcoat swishing around his legs. He wore the same tattered sweatpants, T-shirt and worn shoes as he’d had on the day before. But, she paid particular attention to his tired smile and weary eyes.

“Didn’t get much sleep last night?” Sierra’s throat constricted at the inane question. Of course he hadn’t slept well. He’d probably crashed on cold cement in a wet alley. She offered an apologetic smile.

Chase approached the counter. “Some nights are better than others.”

Sierra’s heart fluttered, its rhythm offset by Chase’s smooth baritone voice. She hadn’t noted his rich, soothing tone the night before, and the sensation took her off guard. She busied herself wiping up crumbs, taking no mind as to where the morsels fell.

Allie glided behind the counter, her blonde hair flowing in her wake. “Donuts are done.” She turned kind eyes toward Chase. “Mr. Price. It’s good to see you. I wanted to thank you again for fixing the back security light. Are you sure I can’t pay you?”

“You two know each other?” Sierra looked between the two.

Allie opened the register and sorted through bills, not counting, but aligning the various faces upright. “Mr. Price noticed the light was out behind the building. Said it was dangerous to park out there without proper lighting. I hadn’t been able to get the thing working since I bought the place five years ago and had never gotten around to hiring someone.” Finished sorting the money, Allie selected a bill and shoved the register closed. “He repaired it for me.” She held the twenty out toward Chase. “At least take this. You more than earned it.”

Chase hid his hands and dipped his head. “No payment is necessary. It was my pleasure.”

Allie sighed, stuffed the bill in her pocket and picked up a long-handled broom. “You’re a blessing to have around, Mr. Price.”

Sierra stepped aside as Allie swept. “Chase saved my life last night. He pushed me clear of a speeding car.” She neglected to mention she’d carelessly stepped in front of it.

“Really?” Allie stilled.

“I’m glad I was able to get there in time.” Chase’s smooth tone lowered. “It would’ve been a tragedy to lose her.”

Sierra had thought his emerald eyes striking last night, but now, in broad daylight, they glowed like sparkling jewels. When they locked onto her, attraction lit inside. She swallowed, trying to shove away the sensation. But, as he looked at her in a way that stated he would have cared had she been hurt last night, she couldn’t easily dismiss her sudden attraction.

Self-conscious in her old jeans and plain Allie’s Bakery T-shirt, she ran a hand over the clothes, unsuccessfully trying to remove splotches of flour and sticky glaze. A silent moment stretched as he smiled, and Sierra struggled to remember what she was supposed to do next.

Flustered, she walked to the register and stepped into Allie’s dirt pile. “Oh, sorry.” She attempted to avoid creating a mess but caused more disorder as her shoes spread soil and loose crumbs across the area.

“Stay still, will ya?” Allie poked the broom at Sierra’s feet, grinning. “You’re worse than my kids.”

“I made the mess, let me clean it up.”

“No need. You just help Mr. Price.”

Sierra dodged Allie’s quick broom strokes and had second thoughts about her offer. “A simple pastry seems inadequate for saving someone’s life.”

Chase chuckled and leaned an elbow on the counter, moving in closer and bringing his earthy, masculine scent with him. “I tell you what. Throw in a cup of coffee with that and a few minutes of your time, and we’ll call it even.”

4

Sierra suspected Chase wanted more than a quick chat. What could be going on behind those intense green eyes? “The coffee won’t be a problem, but I’m still helping out here so I can’t—”

“I’ve got the counter,” Allie interjected. “Go ahead and enjoy yourselves. You’ve helped me out so much already, I could never repay you.”

“You’re allowing me to stay in your rental apartment. I owe you more than a few hours’ work.”

“Nonsense. Go on now.” Allie turned toward a customer entering the store. “Good morning.”

Left with no polite way to decline Chase’s invitation, Sierra shoved aside her misgivings. After all, if Luanne and Allie both thought highly of Chase, he wasn’t likely to be a threat, and she was just plain tired of being on guard all the time. “What would you like?”

“Whatever you’re having is fine.” Chase smiled, straightened and walked toward one of the bakery’s five empty tables.

Sierra gathered plates, two huge blueberry muffins and two cups of coffee. She set them on a serving tray and followed. Chase helped her situate the coffee and food on the table and then slid out two wrought iron chairs.

“Thanks.” She settled into the wiry, yet comfortable seat.

“No problem.” Chase extended his long, muscular legs under the table as he sat. He bit into his muffin, a few crumbs fell and he brushed the loose particles aside. His fingernails looked clean, and his fingers held no traces of built up dirt or grime.

“You haven’t been on the streets long, have you?” Sierra asked.

“It’s been about a decade, but not in the way you think.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s complicated. I wouldn’t want to bore you with details.” He grasped his cup and took a swig. “I’d rather talk about you.”

His evasive answer sparked her curiosity. “Come on, you can’t dangle a carrot and leave me hanging.”

Last night, she sensed this was no ordinary man, and today, she felt no different. Aside from his unkempt hair, scruffy beard, and less than standard clothes, he appeared to take good care of himself. Men didn’t get such broad shoulders, muscled arms, and hard abs without earning them. And, aside from the tiny chip on his upper right incisor, his teeth appeared near perfect.

“Nothing about you is ordinary.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He took another bite while keeping his focus on her.

“I would like you to answer one question.”

“What’s that?” He didn’t move, but something about him shifted, as if he drew a shield around himself.

Sierra recognized the subtle change, maybe because she’d felt the same about strangers asking her questions. Still, she wanted to know. “How did you react so fast last night? You were still some distance behind when I ran into the street. It’s almost as if you’re used to doing that sort of thing.”

He nodded, but his shield remained intact. “I saw the fear on your face when you looked back and saw me. I guess”—he lifted a shoulder—”I anticipated your reaction before you ran.”

“Well, thank you. Again. I’m glad to be alive.”

“I’m glad you’re alive, too.” After finishing his breakfast, Chase wadded the up the trash and drank more coffee. “Thanks for the meal.”

“It’s not much of a meal for a guy like you.” Sierra sampled her muffin, wondering if she should offer him another.

“A guy like me?”

“Yeah.”
Tall. Good-looking, and those broad shoulders…
Sierra realized she was staring and cleared her throat. “You’re obviously in good shape.”

He looked somewhat pleased at her assessment, as if what she thought mattered. Warmth radiated up Sierra’s cheeks, and she guessed they’d blossomed into a ripe cherry color. She shifted her plate, arranged her napkin and twirled her coffee cup. “I mean, I can’t imagine how much food it takes to keep up your energy level. You must be over six feet tall.” She shrugged. “I have to use a stepladder to reach my bookcase’s top shelf back home.”

His brows perked up. “Back home?”

Sierra’s insides twisted and she fidgeted. She hadn’t intended to discuss where she came from. But the casual curiosity in Chase’s eyes lowered her guard. She figured it couldn’t hurt to tell him a little. “I have a condo in Seattle.”

He leaned back, eyeing her thoughtfully. “You’re a long way from home. How did you end up here?” He glanced over at Allie, who busied herself behind the counter.

Sierra shrugged. “Allie and I were college roommates, and I needed a place to stay for a while. One decision led to another and now here I am.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and took another bite of muffin, ignoring how Chase’s sharp gaze roamed her features as if he could read her every thought. “Last month, I had no idea I would be here.”

“A couple of months ago, I would’ve never thought I’d be here either.” Chase glanced at his rag-tag clothes.

“What did you do? Drift into town?” She didn’t try to smother her curiosity. He had started the conversation, after all.

“You know how it is. One decision led to another and now here I am.” He grinned as he mimicked her elusive answer. “Seriously, I miss home, too. I took ordinary life for granted, until I didn’t have it anymore.” Chase finished his coffee. “I started wishing for the mundane routine I was tired of before.”

“I never thought I’d miss my normal life so much either. I used to dread doing dishes and laundry. Now I wish I had my own dishes to wash.” Sierra added four packets of sugar to her coffee, stirred and tasted it. Satisfied with the sweetness she looked up into Chase’s quizzical eyes. “What? I like sugar.”

“Why did you leave home?”

“It doesn’t matter. Trust me. You don’t want to get involved in my problems.”

“It’s just a simple question.”
He leaned forward, his broad shoulders shadowing the small table. The look in his eyes dared her to confess.

But should she?

Lord, what do I do?
She took in a deep, calming breath as she slid damp palms over her jeans. God had always looked out for her. If He hadn’t, she’d already have been dead. Twice.

As Chase kept his unwavering gaze on her, a Scripture came to mind; two are better than one…if one falls down, his friend can help him up
.

Drawing encouragement from the gentle reminder, Sierra let down her guard and offered, “A man I thought loved me took everything from me. My confidence and sense of security. My job. My hope.”

“How did one man manage to do all that?” Chase urged her to continue with compassionate eyes.

“It wasn’t overnight. It took time.”

“Tell me about him. How did you two meet?”

“Why all the questions?”

He shrugged. “Why not?”

Sierra sensed it was more than curiosity that instigated his inquiries, but having someone to confide in might release some of the mounting pressure. She’d only told Allie the essentials, not wanting to endanger her friend, but Chase was a different matter. He wouldn’t be in her life long enough to matter. “You sure you want to know?”

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have asked.”

She laced her fingers around her cup, taking comfort in the warmth as she gathered her thoughts. “About a year ago, I accepted an administrative position for a prestigious law firm. I thought it was a good idea at the time. The pay was excellent. I planned to put away some extra cash hoping I could eventually open my own business. I’ve always loved books, and I want my own bookstore. I dream of selling all kinds of books ranging from children’s literature and classics, to romance and adventure novels.”

Sierra shook away her sudden wistfulness. No use thinking about it now. “Anyway, after a while, one of the partners took an interest in me. It had been a while since I’d dated and I was…lonely. I fell for Kevin’s easy charm and flowery words. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. He always had the perfect answer. Thinking back, he seemed almost too perfect. It was like he had a listening device set up in my living room.” Her mouth dried and throat constricted. “Considering what I know about him now, that is a real possibility.”