Page 75 of David's Love

I shove the money into the box and head to the bedroom, where I hide it under the bed before checking the back door. It’s locked. The back porch is empty, except for the chair that is now slowly rocking.

Oh, my God.

I run back, grab my phone, and head to the window, feverishly checking the front. I spot nothing out of the ordinary. No people. No moving cars. And yet, I have a feeling something’s off.

Shaking, I go to the back of the house and unlock the door before peering outside. The cold wind swirls around my ankles, making me hug my robe closer.

Nothing.

The chair no longer moves.

Maybe it was the wind. Why isn’t it moving now?

And then I think I hear a knock on the door in the front, and my heart stops.

I close the door, lock it as quietly as I can, and tip toe across the bedroom and living room.

Through one of the bedroom windows, I notice a dark shadow peeling off the wall and cutting its way across the lawn.

I dash to the front door, not having an actual plan, only dying to know who that person is.

He is pulling away, so I muster enough courage to yank the door open to confront him and find out who the hell he is, not realizing that someone else must’ve knocked on the door.

In one swift move, I meet that someone with full force while the shadow keeps gliding away from my house.

The broad chest of a man blocks my view while a shrieking scream leaves my lungs, and strong arms loop around to catch me.

“Elizabeth??”

David’s voice beams with surprise as I instantly realize his arms are draped around me.

My knees give in, and a quivering voice rolls off my lips.

“There’s a man,” I say, shaken to my core. “Look.” I point to the dark silhouette moving quickly––faster now––down the street.

I don’t need to say anything else, and his hands clutch my forearms, his fierce eyes locking mine that are barely seeing anything through a veil of tears.

“Go inside, Elizabeth. Lock the door and wait for me. Don’t do anything. All right?”

I nod a few times before he pulls away from me, already barking at that man.

As soon as his thundering voice pierces the air, the man starts running. And David starts running too.

They quickly vanish around the corner, David closing the distance between them fast.

I push back and lock the door before moving to the kitchen.

14

ELIZABETH

I’m not verygood at this.

Waiting for him under these circumstances makes me even more nervous than I’d be if none of that happened.

That was his surprise?

Tears prick my eyes.

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