My cell buzzed in my pocket.
Surprised, I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Beth. Though I’d sent her nearly daily e-mails as to how things were going, we hadn’t talked much on the phone. Pleased, I clicked the answer button.
“Beth,” I exclaimed. “Hi, how are you?”
I listened to her choked off sob. “Beth? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“No.” Her tiny voice shuddered as she tried to withhold her weeping. “Jacy, I’m scared. I’msoscared.”
I clutched my phone hard. My heart thudded in my chest. “What happened?”
“Just a sec.”
Forced to wait, frantic with worry, my own fear grew, climbing, until my head swam while Beth collected herself. I licked my dry lips, forcing my questions to the back of my mind.Maybe it’s not so bad. Let her tell you in her own time.
“A guy,” Beth finally went on, her voice low. “A guy came to the restaurant. Looking for you.”
I thought I’d faint then and there. “What did he look like?”
“I dunno. Tall, dark hair. Can’t remember his eyes. Except they were so cold. Inhuman.”
“Oh, God.”
I slid to my ass on the kitchen floor, hiding behind my hair. “Oh, God.”
“I told him you’d quit,” Beth continued after a sniff. “Jim ranted and raved right there about you. How you’d left him in the lurch, gone away. Every customer heard him.”
“Then what?” I whispered.
“The guy told me.” Beth swallowed hard. “He – he said he’d cut me up if I lied to him. He’d find me and cut me.”
“Beth.” I sobbed, crying hard. “Beth, I’m so sorry.”
We wept together, both of us sobbing as we each tried to comfort the other. Occupied with his cats, Declan must not have heard me, for he didn’t come into the kitchen to investigate. Glad of it, I wiped my face with my hands, trying to calm myself down.
“You have to leave, Beth.”
“I know.” She sniffled loudly and blew her nose. “I’ve already talked with my sister in Montana. I’m going there right now.”
“Good.”
I sucked in deep breaths, relieved that my best and only friend would be out of Carter’s reach. “You didn’t tell him where I was?”
“No. Jim started in with his yelling before the guy even asked me. He said you’d left town, gone with some cowboy yo-yo. I don’t know if the guy believed him.”
“He must not have if he threatened you.”
“Jacy.” Beth’s voice quavered. “Come with me. Whoever this guy is, he’ll hurt you. He’ll hurt you bad.”
“I can’t.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’ve an obligation.”
“Damn it,” she snapped. “Get out of there. Come with me. He’s your employer, he’ll find another kid watcher.”
“Avery said he’d protect me.”
Beth said nothing for a long time. I began to think she’d hung up, except I heard no disconnecting click. “Beth?”
“What does this guy want, Jacy? Why is he after you?”
