“Why don’t I believe that?”
“I swear. On my life.”
I crossed my arms and waited.
“What?”
“I’m waiting.”
“For what?”
“For you to drop dead. Mr. Rogers’ is the kindest person I know. If he’s not talking to you, you must have done something.”
Dare gasped. Then bit his lip as if trying to choke down a smile.
“You little shit! How dare you? Maybe he didn’t recognize me.”
I nodded with a pinched expression.
“Sure. He is old, after all.”
“Exactly.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head in despair and after a moment, Dare turned the engine on and drove on Main Street, stopping outside Carson’s Grill to drop off the next delivery.
The minutes spent waiting for him to return were agony. My gaze darted all around me, at any reflective surface searching for a sinister face or a creepy starer.
So much for coming into town for an escape. I should have never left Dare’s farm. At least I felt safe there. I didn’t need to constantly look behind my shoulder there and I had everything aperson could need. Ingredients, a working oven, good food, cute animals, fresh air. And a sexy bear to look after.
What the hell am I doing here?
I sat back when I saw him exiting the restaurant and I could breathe a little easier with each step he took to get closer to me.
“You wanted to visit the insurance people?” he asked when he returned to the car and I pointed down the road.
He pulled up at the parking space in front of the insurance brokers’ office, and he followed me inside without me needing to ask. Of course, I didn’t. Why would I when he’d made it perfectly clear he wouldn’t let me go anywhere on my own.
As we took a seat I went back to the last time I had such a towering presence in my life. Only back then I didn’t feel safe or appreciated. I felt trapped and imposed on.
I’d spent such a long time under Victor’s shadow I would believe it if someone told me it had been centuries. How much time had I wasted relying on him? Doing everything in my power to earn his love? Trusting him? Believing him when he promised he could change?
“Mr. Hensley?” someone called my name.
I looked up and followed the young female broker to her desk.
I didn’t need to look behind me this time. I knew Dare was there and it made me smile. We both took a seat in front of the broker, and she updated me on my claim.
“We have received the fire department’s report, and they have confirmed the origins of the fire. Your case adjuster should be in touch this week to go over your documentation?—”
“I thought I’d already taken care of that,” I said.
Teddy had reassured me he had taken all the photos possible and gathered all the other paperwork needed.
“You’ve been through the initial phase. He will need to verify your whereabouts, go through your finances?—”
“You think he did this?” Dare exclaimed, making me jump.
“That’s not…we just need to be sure?—”
