Page 43 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

When I peek out the window, I gasp.

Wes is walking toward the door. But there’s no sign of my mom.

I lock my door, then grab my phone and shoot off a text to Archer.

Me:Mom’s boyfriend is here.

Archer:Hide in my place. And bolt that door. I’m on my way.

Trying not to panic, I gather my blanket and slip through the adjoining door. I pull my side closed, hoping that if Wes manages to get inside, he won’t notice that it’s unlocked. Then I bolt Archer’s side, run to his bedroom, and huddle in the back of his closet.

Maybe Wes will go away when I don’t answer the door. Lilith might notice a stranger on my porch and send help. Maybe a screech owl will swoop down and scare the man away.

I’m focusing on all the ways this won’t turn into a bad situation.

But I still haven’t figured out what he wants with me.

CHAPTER16

ARCHER

My thoughtlessness now has me in the horse barn and my truck at the main house. I run out to the corral and shout, “I need your keys. Lettie’s in trouble.”

Anderson drops the hose, shuts off the water, and marches toward me. “Let’s go. I’ll drive.”

I want to believe that Lettie’s mom wouldn’t hurt her daughter, but that might not be true for Wes. I don’t know the man, but Lettie said he was bad news.

Dust billows behind us as Anderson tears down the dirt road. “Did you let Lilith know? Have you called the sheriff?”

“I’ll do it now.” I dial Lilith’s number.

She answers, sounding chipper. “The Stargazer. This is Lilith. How may I help you?” She clearly has no idea that Lettie’s in trouble.

I grip the door handle as Anderson rounds a curve at high speed. “Someone was at Lettie’s door. And I’m worried he may try to hurt her or take her. Anderson and I are headed that way.”

The friendly chipper voice is replaced with a determined one. “Lettie isn’t leaving this place unless she wants to. I’ll make sure of that.” She says something I can’t make out to someone else in the room. “See you soon.”

I end that call and dial the sheriff. Handling this on my own wouldn’t be wise. Besides, if this Wes guy does break into Lettie’s place, I want him arrested.

The dispatcher takes my information and assures me that a deputy is en route and not far away.

Trying to ease my panic, I close my eyes. “I should never have left her. If anything happens...”

“This isn’t your fault, and blaming yourself does nothing to help the situation. Hang on. This is a sharp turn.”

“Where did you learn to drive like this?”

“Raced a bit in high school. And after, but that all stopped when my parents died and I got custody of my sister.” He takes another corner.

Lights flash up ahead, and I breathe a little easier. The dispatcher was right. There was a deputy close.

A crowd is gathered near our porch, and I’m scanning for Lettie. She isn’t there. But there is a man on the ground, and Miss Tandy is sitting on his back.

She stands as the deputy gets out of his car.

Anderson laughs as he skids to a stop. “Did you see how she had him pinned? This is a loveable bunch out here, isn’t it?”

“The best.” I launch out of the truck. “Where’s Lettie?”

---