Page 30 of A Secret Escape

Joel turned off the water.

She expected him to leave but he didn’t. He dried his hands carefully and then looked directly at her.

“I’m not much good at subterfuge and games, so I’m not going to pretend I don’t know who you are. I scared you, and I’m sorry for that because I’m guessing in your position you have to be pretty careful around people you don’t know.”

And equally careful around the people she did know, which was worse in some ways. In her experience the people who could hurt you the most were the ones who were closest to you because they knew all your vulnerabilities.

She held his gaze. “People aren’t always what they seem.”

He nodded. “I’m sure that’s true, particularly for someone in your position. I’m guessing that you don’t want anyone to know you’re here, otherwise Milly would have mentioned it. So I just want to say that you don’t have to worry about me. I shouldn’t have just walked in, but I did, and I can’t change that. But no one is going to hear about you from me.”

She was sure he believed that, and she wanted to believe him too, but she also knew from experience that all it would take was a few pints in the local pub for him to start trying to impress his friends.You’ll never guess who I met.

He was still watching her, his gaze steady. “You don’t believe me, so I’ll say it again. No one is going to hear about you from me.”

She was startled by how easily he’d read her, and now she was wondering what he was thinking, really.

Had he seen the latest stories about her? Of course he had. And he probably believed every word, because far too many people thought that what they read in the press and online was fact. It shamed her to think what he might have seen. The assumptions he would have made about her.

He gave her a brief nod and walked to the door, but instead of leaving he paused.

“This place is quiet on the whole. Just guests and a few extras who come here to walk and take advantage of the café. It’s pretty easy to spot someone who doesn’t fit.If you notice anyone you don’t like the look of, call me and I’ll come right away. I live close by. And if you need to be smuggled out, I have a van.”

She froze. Maybe not a Sexy Carpenter, she thought. Maybe someone less wholesome who gave his victims a sense of security before he finished them off. A man you would never suspect.

Joel muttered something under his breath and gave her a mortified look. “I can’t believe I just said that. I sounded like a serial killer, didn’t I? Just to clarify, the van is for my climbing gear. In my spare time, I climb.”

“Right.”

“It’s true. It’s the reason I chose to live here. Well, not the only reason, but one of them. The van’s a mess. Full of ropes, and— ropes for climbing, obviously.” He broke off and shook his head. “I’m going to stop talking now because every time I open my mouth, I’m making it worse.” His apologetic smile was so attractive that she found herself smiling back. Or maybe she was smiling because he was so adorably flustered.

“Don’t worry. Most serial killers don’t announce themselves before they invite you to step into their van.”

“I’ll remember that.” He pulled a card from the pocket of his jeans and put it on the side table. “That’s my number. If I can help, use it.”

Another person would have been touched by the offer, and it made Nicole sad that she couldn’t be like that. Unfortunately she’d learned to be wary of everyone. “Thank you.”

There were times when she wished her brain didn’t work the way it did. Times when she wished she could meet someone and not question their agenda.

But this was who she was now, and there was no changing it. Which was why she waited until he left before carefully locking the door behind him.

Chapter7Milly

Milly headed along the path to Beech Lodge, rehearsing her script in her head, partly because that way she didn’t have to think about Nicole and partly because she was very bad at difficult conversations and the only way for her to get through them was to practice until she was word-perfect. If she didn’t do that, she stuttered and said things she didn’t mean likeIt doesn’t matter, don’t worry about it.

Thanks to her newfound assertiveness skills, she was confident (more or less) that she could handle the situation with Brendan Scott.

She’d be polite but firm. Professional. She’d assure him that the whole team was keen to accommodate his wishes. All they required was that he express those wishes in a calm, civilized manner and not scare the staff.

Good morning, Mr. Scott. I’m the owner and manager, and I wanted to have a quick word—

No, that was too much waffle. She needed to keep it brief and direct. A man like him would appreciate that.

Mr. Scott, I’m Milly, the owner and manager. We’d be grateful if you could tell us when you’d like us to service the cabin so that we do so without intruding on your personal space.

She reached the steps that led to his cabin. Her heart was hammering, and she felt a little sick.

Honestly, what was wrong with her? The worst thing that could happen was that he’d be defensive and angry and then check out immediately in protest. But that would be pretty bad because Brendan Scott was a long-stay guest making a significant contribution to her bottom line.

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