Patricia’s fingers flew over the keyboard on her phone as if she’d been expecting Harper’s request. She’d probably seen it coming. She was gifted too.
“What’s in the package?”
She shrugged. “Not sure. A courier dropped it off about fifteen minutes ago. There’s no return address, just your name.”
Harper lifted the package to her ear and closed her eyes. No ticking. “Thanks.”
Patricia rose and headed for the door.
“Hey, Patricia. Is Grace still in the office?”
Patricia turned, walking backward.
“No, Grace was meeting your mother and your Aunt Betty.”
Better Grace than Harper. Their mom was a handful all by herself. Throw crazy Aunt Betty, who owned the Thin Blue Line police bar, into the mix, and there was no telling what Grace was having to deal with, or how much she would have to spend on bail.
Harper nodded and returned her attention to the brown package in the non-descript wrapping. Her name was scribbled on the top in a masculine handwriting. She closed her eyes and sensed the package. It was the same energy that cocooned her when she spoke to Ryker, all consuming. Interesting.
She ripped into the brown packing and tossed it into her garbage. A blue box sat inside. It was the kind that women fantasize about from a store where everything is overpriced and shiny.
A card was attached to the delicate white bow.
Harper sat back in the chair and stared at it as if it was a new species yet to be discovered.He’s lost his ever-lovin’ mind.
She could read the card and make sure. Yeah, she could at least read the card.
She ran her finger under the flap and slid the card out.
I have your direct line. I thought it was time that you had mine.
~R
Ryker.His name popped instantly into her mind. How had he known she would ask his name, even if he’d planned to play the game? Maybe he hadn’t.
Screw it.Harper eased the lid on the box open, gently pulled back the white tissue paper, and grinned. A can of mace sat next to a phone identical to the one nestled inside her purse. The screen was turned on. The screen saver had the word “Princess.”
She picked it out of the box and pressed a button to make the phone come to life. A notification said there was an unread text message. She should have put the phone back. She should have walked away. She should have done a million things. What she shouldn’t have done was actually open the message to see what it said.
Princess,
It’s time we meet.
Ryker
“Oh,I don’t think so, buddy.” Who does that?
The phone in her hands rang, making her jump. The caller ID read Ryker. Her finger hovered over the decline button. At the last minute, she answered the call and pressed the phone to her ear.
“This is borderline stalking,” she blurted out before he could speak.
“I knew you’d be cautious, but I also know you’re curious, so I’ll make this easy for you. Regardless if you agree to meet me or not, I’ve programmed my number into this phone. If you ever need me, just call or text.”
“Why would I—”
“If you’d like to meet, LeRochelle at seven. It’s public and has security. You can bring the mace. Nothing will happento you there. Not that I’d ever do anything to harm you.”
“You’re crazy.” And so was she for even considering it. She should have hung up and tossed the phone, but there was something about Ryker that made her keep listening.
