I watch the color leave her face. Her hand grips the desk. Knuckles white.
I put my hand on the back of her neck. Firm, warm. An anchor.
“Is that the ex?” June’s voice is a whisper dripped with concern.
“He’s not coming in here.” Jocelyn folds her arms across her chest.
But my attention is laser-focused on Evelyn. "Hey, I've got you. Breathe."
She breathes and it’s shaky.
"Hank's at the office. Ryan's on Main Street. I'm here. One road in, one road out, and there are people watching both ends."
Her hand wraps around my wrist. She holds on.
"I'm not running," she says. There’s a quiet fire in her words. "I didn't drive to the bottom of a canyon to run again."
“You’re damn straight,” Jocelyn adds.
I spend the afternoon in the reading chairs. Evelyn works on shelving. She processes holds, and even helps patrons with a tight lipped smile. But I don’t miss the way she looks at the door every time it opens.
Hank texts at 3 p.m.
Hank:Plate belongs to someone out of Lumberjack Lagoon. No warrants yet, but I’m digging into a criminal record.
I show Evelyn and she goes still.
“It’s him. Laken. My God, it’s never going to stop. Maybe he somehow got the info from my mom. She’s always going to that church group and nothing stays secret. Or maybe he’s been having me followed all along…” She spirals.
The day is nearly over when a man steps inside. He’s average height and looks like a real jackass. Something in me knows it’s him before he says a single word. Every muscle in my body clenches. A part of me wishes he would try something because I’m looking for a reason.
Laken steps up to the desk. “I’m looking for Evelyn Porter.”
"I don't know anyone by that name," June says pleasantly. "Can I help you find a book?"
The man looks past her and his eyes stop when he sees Evelyn standing in the children’s section. “Evelyn. I just want to know you’re okay.”
I'm on my feet. I don't remember standing.
"I think you should leave," Evelyn says. Her voice is quiet. Thin. But it comes out.
I stop two feet behind the man.
"Can I help you?" My voice is calm and level, but my heart thunders underneath the surface.
He turns and looks up at me. “Holy shit dude, you’re huge. It’s fine, I’m just looking for a book.”
"We don’t have books here. The door's behind you,” I growl.
“Evelyn, I just want to talk. Briefly. Come on, you leave in the middle of the night? Do you know how hard it’s been to find you? Just come home. This is how you treat me after everything I’ve done for you? Are you embarrassed, because you should be…” Laken takes a step toward her and I lurch into action.
“We’re done here,” I snap. “You’re done. You can leave or I can make you leave. Your choice asshole.”
“Oh, calm down.”
“Thisiscalm.” My adrenaline spikes and I ball my fist. “You don’t want to see me lose it, I promise you that.” But I’m already enraged.
I reach for Laken's shoulder, but Evelyn’s hand on mine stops me in an instant.
