Jared picked up. “Can I call you back?” He practically shouted, the sound of the tractor loud in the background.
I hurried to the back of the store. “Jared, I think I’m being followed.”
“What?”
“Jared—”
“Hang on.” The noise of the tractor cut off. “What did you say?”
“I think I’m being followed,” I hissed impatiently in my freak-out.
“How? What? Where are you?” I heard the panic in his voice and hated it.
“I’m still in Inverness. I noticed this guy watching me and then I turned around and he was following me. Now I’ve walkedinto a store, and he’s stopped outside the store opposite. It could be paranoia, but my Spidey senses are tingling like crazy.”
“Is there a back way out of the store you’re in?” His words were calm, but I could hear the sharpness edging them.
“I don’t know,” I whispered shakily.
“Ask whoever is running the store. Stay on the phone.”
Nodding, I ignored the quizzical look another customer threw me and hurried over to the blond behind the counter. Another glance out the window told me the guy hadn’t moved and hewaswatching me.
Double fuck.
Smoothing my expression, I asked the woman, “Is there a back door out of here?”
She frowned. “Um … it’s staff only.”
“Explain to her who you are and what’s happening,” Jared commanded sharply in my ear.
I nodded again, even though he couldn’t see me. Shifting my sunglasses off my face, I was relieved to see recognition flicker across the blond’s expression. That would make things a lot easier. “My name is Allegra Howard McCulloch?—”
“I know who you are.” She beamed excitedly. “I am such a fan of your father’s work. And your sister’s husband, oh my God! Congrats on your marriage! Do you?—”
“A man is following me,” I cut her off, keeping a smile on my face and probably looking deranged.
The woman stiffened.
“Don’t react. Don’t look. But he’s outside and he’s following me.”
To her credit, she smiled in return, even though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Okay. What do you need?”
“Is there a back way out that will let me get to my car on Charles Street?”
She kept smiling as she nodded. “Why don’t I show you, madam?”
Relief filled me. “Thank you.”
“Thank fuck,” Jared murmured in my ear.
I followed her through the store, past changing rooms and into a staff-only area. Out of sight of the man, I dropped the crazy smile. “Thank you for this. What is your name?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Annie.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Annie.”
“Do you need me to call the police?”
