Page 34 of Soldier Cowboy
It had only been a few days since she left her apartment complex, but knowing Dan’s history, he’d have already tried to contact her.
She found nearly two hundred unread messages. He had her exclusive email address for the podcast, another mistake. A few fans were wondering how long of a hiatus the show would be taking. More sponsors had pulled out, unwilling to wait it out. She composed a few quick replies, careful to be as vague as possible.
Fear swirled through her to find that nearly all of the emails were from Dan. She opened the oldest one, taken the day she’d left town.
I’d love to take you to dinner tonight, to apologize for the misunderstanding. I can see now how I must have scared you. My intensity can be difficult to take at times.
The next one, same day, asked for a reply soon so he’d have time to make reservations.
Time to make reservations. It was as if he hadn’t heard her at all. He lived in his own delusional world. What had she done to encourage him? Had she simply been too kind? She hit reply on one email to ask him to please stop this madness. Then she changed her mind. Do not engage. She continued to read so she could report back to Colton as he’d asked.
It appears you’re gone. There’s no one living in your apartment. Now I’m worried. Your neighbors haven’t seen you in days. You’ve left me no choice but to come after you. Wherever you are, you’re not safe. The podcast has stopped, and I can’t even listen to your voice each night. How can you be so cruel? I’m the only one who cares about you, can’t you see this? No matter where you go, I’ll find you. I have resources.
As each day passed, the emails grew more hostile and threatening until Jennifer couldn’t read another word.
She’d show these to Colton and ask him what to do next. Admittedly, though she resented being taken from her home and all that she knew and loved, she felt safer here, more than she’d imagined. She felt grounded in a good way. And, on the chance that Dan found her somehow, Colton would be here. Fake fiancé or not, he inspired security. Safety. She’d never had to rely on anyone else for that sense of security, not since she was a small child. But there was good reason now to allow someone to protect her. She’d resisted that for so long, from both her father and an older brother who’d been over-the-top protective from the beginning.
But there had never been a reason to be overprotective until now.
Now, she could finally admit the situation was out of her hands and control. She could admit that she’d stopped living before she’d been pulled from her environment.
A knock on the door made Jennifer jump and she had to shake her head and remind herself of where she was. She was no longer in LA where the knock on the door could be from Dan. She was safe for now.
It was Bonnie Lee on the other side of the door.
“Hey,” Jennifer said, holding the door wide open for her to walk inside.
“Ihaveto see the dress.”
“My dress?”
She wasn’t aware the dress had to meet inspection. A little trust, perhaps?
“Well, the men were talkin’ and I got bored even before they left for a ride. Colton told me you found a dress and sent me to come look. Can I see?”
For a moment, Jennifer panicked, wondering if the screen saver would turn on before Bonnie could accidentally see one of the angry emails. The last one was in big, bold letters in caps and in an extra-large font size. This whole situation had spiraled so far out of control. If Colton’s family heard of her stalker, she’d put a pall on the entire happy-wedding proceedings. And besides, she didn’t want any more judgement from people who didn’t understand. Who couldn’t possibly understand. Who thought maybe Jennifer should have managed to stop him earlier. Sooner. Should have been firmer in her refusals.
Maybe she should have realized Dan had become dangerous, but if she were to give herself the benefit of the doubt like she would for any other victim, she refused to blame herself. Not anymore.
“I’ll get it and be right back.”
She considered leading Bonnie to the dress, but then she might see Jennifer and Colton were sleeping in separate rooms.
On the way to the closet where she’d hung the dress, she realized Colton must have made an excuse to send Bonnie over. So, Jennifer wouldn’t be alone for long. He was definitely taking this favor he was doing for her father very seriously. Then again, Colton didn’t look like the kind of man who took anything lightly.
Jennifer came out and held up the royal-blue gown up to her neck.
“You look good in blue.” Bonnie Lee folded her hands in front of her. “I’m going to be honest. I didn’t come over just to see your dress. Unlike Colton, I trusted whatever you chose would be fine. With the men, we had to put them in a tux lest they come in slacks and a nice flannel shirt, wearing their yellow work gloves. Cowboys are cute but kind of hopeless when it comes to fashion.”
“Why are you here then?”
“First, let me just say that I think you’re lovely.”
Uh-oh. This sounded like the start of a dressing down, pun intended.
Jennifer would bet Bonnie Lee had already realized something was not quite right in paradise.
“Thanks…but…”
