Janette, honey, where are you? Nana asked. Did you get off before this storm?
No, Im still in Cotter Creek.
At the motel? Nana asked.
The motel was already full by the time I found out the bus wasnt coming. The snow was coming down and I didnt know what to do, but then I saw a light on in the West Protective Services office. Janette twisted the phone cord around her little finger. I hired Dalton West to be my bodyguard and he brought me to his apartment for the night.
Are you safe there? Nana asked, her voice filled with concern.
Janette considered the question. Yes, I think Im safe, she finally replied. It was odd, but having survived the night she did feel safe.
Ive heard about those Wests, Nana said. Supposed to be good solid men. Im just grateful that you and that precious little boy are away from here and not out in this storm someplace.
Janette glanced toward the window and frowned. It looks like Im going to be stuck here for a while. She twisted the phone cord more tightly around her finger. Has anyone been by to ask about me?
Nobody, honey. The storm moved in and nobody is going anywhere at the moment. Dont you worry none. Hell never know from me where you went and by the time he makes his way here to ask questions youll be far out of his reach.
Let me give you the phone number here, just in case you need to reach me. Janette read the number off the piece of paper Dalton had given her the night before. Ill call you when Im about to board the bus. Maybe theyll get the streets cleared by tomorrow.
You just take care of yourself and Sammy. Dont worry about things here. I got my friends at the trailer park to take care of me and Ill be fine as long as I know youre fine.
Janette unraveled the cord from her finger. How she wished she could crawl through the phone line and feel her grandmothers loving arms around her, to go back to a time when she didnt know about fear, about evil.
Afraid that she might cry if she remained on the phone much longer, she quickly said goodbye then hung up. Checking to make sure that Sammy was still sleeping soundly, she arranged the bed pillows on either side of him then walked to the bedroom door.
She hesitated before turning the knob to step out of the room. Shed told Nana she was safe, and at the moment she felt fairly safe, but shed also been unaware of any danger on the night Sheriff Sinclair had pulled her over on the side of the road.
As much as shed love to stay holed up in the bedroom until the bus pulled in, that was impossible. She hadnt eaten since lunch the day before and her stomach was protesting its neglect in loud angry growls.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee greeted her as she opened the bedroom door, letting her know she was no longer alone in the apartment.
Energy surged through her as all her senses went on high alert. Her feet whispered against the living-room rug as she moved toward the kitchen.
She hesitated in the doorway. Dalton stood at the stove with his back to her. A white, long-sleeved jersey clung across his broad shoulders and worn jeans hugged the length of his legs. He was barefoot and his hair was rumpled like hed just crawled out of bed.
A sizzling noise was quickly followed by a whiff of bacon and Janette felt the nerves in her stomach calm. It was hard to be frightened of a barefoot man frying bacon.
She must have made some sort of sound for he whirled around to look at her. Good morning, he said. Theres coffee in the pot if youre interested.
Im interested, she replied.
He gestured to the coffeemaker on the counter. Cups are in the cabinet above.
She walked over to the cabinet, retrieved a cup, then poured herself some coffee. She carried it to the table and sat, unsure what else to do.
Dalton turned back around to flip the bacon. Janette was aware of a tension in the air, the tension of two strangers sharing space.
It looks like youre going to be stuck here for at least another day or two, he said.
Maybe I could find another place to go to, she offered.
Once again he turned around to face her. It would take me half the day to shovel enough snow just to open the outside door. Trust me, nobody is going anywhere today. A muscle in his jaw tensed, letting her know that he wasnt particularly happy about the unforeseen circumstances.
Im sorry about all this, she said. Hed never know just how sorry she was that she was stuck here in Cotter Creek.
Well just
As she offered the baby to him, Sammy seemed to vibrate with excitement and offered Dalton a wide, drooling grin. As soon as Dalton had him in his arms, Sammy reached up and grabbed hold of his nose, then laughed as if finding the West nose vastly amusing.
He likes you, Jane observed as she measured out the rice cereal and added warm formula.
You sound surprised, Dalton replied.
I am. Hes usually not good with strangers, especially men.
What about his father? Dalton asked as she stirred the cereal, then set the bowl on the table.
Her eyes darkened. His father isnt in our life. To his relief she took the baby back and sat at the table.