Page 15 of Betrayal & New Beginnings

“There she is,” she said calmly sitting in front of me. “Welcomeback.”

“Why amIin the office?”Myvoice was still barely above a whisper.

“I’m no expert, hon, butIthink you had a panic attack,” she said reassuringly, though concern was etched across her face. “Youwere shakin’ and breathin’ real fast, and then you just passed out.IhadChuckcome and help me carry you back here.”

I’d never had a panic attack before, andIwas so embarrassed thatI’dhad one at work.Evenworse,I’dpassed out andChuckhad to leave the kitchen to carry me to the office.

“I’m sorry,Tammy,”Itold her. “That’snever happened before.I’mbetter now.Letme just splash some water on my face, andI’llbe ready to come back out.”

“Uh-uh, you’re done for the night,” she said sternly like a mother hen. “Samjust got here, and he’s takin over the bar.Chuckis back in the kitchen.We’reall set, so nowI’mgonna walk you upstairs to your apartment.”

“Sam is here to relieve you.Myshift just started.Hecan’t be by himself,”Iargued, but she held up her hand and cut me off.

“Wade’s orders,” she said, allowing for no counterargument. “Grabyour bag,I’mgonna take you upstairs and get you settled.IfSamneeds help,I’llcome back down and help him out for a bit and then check on you later.”

I was already embarrassed as it was, but now knowing thatWademust have heard and was pulling me off my shift,Iwas mortified.ButTammywas a take-charge kind of person, soIknew there was no wayIwould win this battle.Inodded, grabbed my purse and followed her.

She led me out the back door, giving me a little privacy from the customers seated at the bar.Wewalked around the side of the building to the entrance of the security and apartment lobby.Tammyfollowed me into my apartment and told me to sit on the couch while she got me some water.Iset my purse on the kitchen counter and walked into the living room.

Tammy brought a glass of water to me and put it on the coffee table as she sat next to me on the couch.

“I don’t wanna press you too much right now because you’ve had a rough night, but tomorrow, we’re gonna talk about who was on that phone that spooked you so much,”Tammysaid.

I nodded and took a sip of the water. “Thanks,Tammy.Foreverything tonight.”

“Honey,IknowImay be old enough to be your mom, but us gals gotta stick together,” she said, making me feel better. “Youjust take it easy tonight, do something that relaxes you, andI’llcheck in on you later.”

“Okay,”Isaid asItried to muster up a smile.

“I know only you and the boys can get up here but lock the door after me anyway…. it’ll make me feel better,” she said as she gave me a small smile.

I followed her to the door; she gave me a small hug with a tight smile and left.

AsIwalked back to the couch,Ithought aboutTammy’swords and decided to get out my crochet needles and yarn and keep working on the blanketIwas making.Mygran taught me how to crochet, and it always calmed me down.

It was still light out.Istood by the window, staring out, my thoughts scattered.Itried to collect them, to steady myself, but the memory of the phone call sent a fresh wave of nerves through me.Hehad found me.Hewas angry.Hiswords echoed, over and over, refusing to fade.

He would never let me go.

7

ELLIE

I woke to a light knocking on the door.Disoriented, it took me a moment to remember whereIwas.Imust have fallen asleep on the couch.Itwas now dark both outside and inside my apartment.Theknocking came again.Whoin the world would be at my door?Theonly peopleIknew here were downstairs at work.Ah—Tammy.Shemust be checking on me.Istarted to rise from the couch to let her in, but then—scratching.Mybreath caught.Someonewasn’t knocking anymore.Someonewas trying to break in.

I didn’t have time to think…Ireached for my phone and realized it must still be on the kitchen counter whereI’dset it whenIcame home.Myheart was racing now asIfelt around for anything to use as a weapon and my hand touched my crochet needles.JustasIgrabbed the needles, my door opened.Myfight-or-flight instinct kicked into gear asIrealizedRandallhad obviously found me.Iknew he wouldn’t go easy on me, soIjumped from the couch toward the tall, dark figure by the door with all my strength.

“Ellie?” a voice murmured just asIlunged, crochet needle in-hand.

Oh no.No, no, no.Irecognized that voice.

“Wade?”Isaid, my right arm still in the air.

“Yeah, it’s me.Whatare you doing?Whydon’t you have any lights on?”Wadeasked as he flipped the switch on with one arm and grabbed my wrist with the other.

“I, umm…didn’t know it was you.Uh…sorry.”Itried to get the words out, but my brain wasn’t working with him touching me and being so close.Hesmelled woodsy with a hint of spice, andIreally wanted to bury my face in his shirt and continue to smell his unique scent.

“I, uh, must have fallen asleep on the couch while it was still light out,”Isaid, struggling with his close proximity.

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