I kiss my son’s forehead and follow Jared to the kitchen.
He gets me a juice, then leans against the sink, his arms folded. “Where’d you meet this guy?”
“It’s not important. He bought me a drink. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but he’s become completely obsessed with me. He won’t take no for an answer.”
“I’m sorry. What’s his name?”
“Robert Carlyle, but everyone calls him Snake.”
Jared rolls his eyes. “Sounds like he’s full of himself. Did he hurt you?”
“Tonight, he told me to pack my stuff; he was taking me and Tucker to Texas. When I said I wasn’t going to Texas or anywhere else with him, he shoved me into the wall and told me to be ready when he got back. All I could think to do was run. I grabbed a single bag of stuff and fled.”
Jared is red with anger when I finish. I tell him about the man at the store helping me and the tracker he found on my car.
Suddenly Jared’s body language shifts, his arms unfolding and his entire frame expanding. “He was tracking your phone and car? This guy is a nutcase.”
“That’s why I can’t put you in danger. Tucker and I will leave first thing in the morning.”
“And go where?”
“I don’t know, but don’t worry. I’ve got some money saved. It should last until I can get a job and get on my feet.”
“This is insane. You shouldn’t have to leave your home just because of this guy.”
“It was the only choice I had. I don’t want to be one of those women who ends up dead because they couldn’t get away from a man like that.”
“But everything that’s been going on with you… Mom and Dad told me about the bridge, Heather. The last thing you need is to be alone. We’re here for you. We all are.”
“I know that. I’m exhausted. Can we talk about it in the morning?”
His shoulders drop. “Of course.” He pulls me to him and kisses my forehead. “Get some sleep.”
“All the doors and windows are locked, right?” I ask, pulling back.
“Yeah, but I’ll walk around the house and double-check. Plus, we’ve got an alarm system. I’m also going to put your car in the garage and move mine to the driveway. Give me the keys.”
I hand them over and head to bed.
All night, I cuddle with Tucker and plot my next move. There’s no way I can stay here, despite what Jared says. I’ve got to leave for their safety, but where should I go? Eventually I drift off, but I wake at every sound, finally falling into an exhausted sleep at almost dawn.
Suddenly, I’m dreaming, standing at Ryan’s grave. I’m alone, but then I turn and see his army friend, Cody, standing next to his motorcycle. At first, I’m afraid, but he motions me to him. I shake my head. Not another biker. No way.
And then Ryan is standing next to me, holding my hand.
“I’ll always be with you, Heather.” He nods toward Cody. “Go to him. He’ll take care of you.”
“I want to stay with you.”
“You can’t. I can’t stay. I have to go now.” Ryan hugs me, and I don’t want to let him go.
I jerk awake, sitting up, every detail of the dream clear and so real, I swear I can smell Ryan’s cologne.
Lying back, I hold my son and think about the strange dream. Cody said he was from San Jose. Maybe that’s as good a place as any to start over. California sounds appealing, but I bet it's expensive.
Maybe my dream is right. Maybe Ryan’s army buddy would help me if I needed it.
I can’t go home, not even to Mom and Dad. And I can’t stay here. I’m too afraid of leading Snake to the ones I love most.
