Page 7 of Montana Delta Rescue
“Yes, I will,” she said. “Enjoy the brownies.”
“You know it, sugar.” He gave her a wink.
She stepped out and before he closed the door, he said, “If you have any trouble over there, you call me.”
She knew he was referring to trouble with Tony and though she wondered what the ninety-nine-year-old man thought he would do to stop Tony from doing anything he wanted, she answered, “Yes, I will.”
It was nice to know Mr. Avery cared.
Already she was getting her life back, reconnecting with her friends. The next thing she needed to do was call Sadie and reconnect with her. But she wouldn’t use her cell phone. There was a land line in the office she could use.
When she went back down to the office, Della was back from the post office, but leaving early for the day, for an appointment.
“Can I use the phone?” Marilyn asked.
“Of course,” Della said. “Lock up when you’re done.”
Once Della was out the door, Marilyn made her call.
Sadie answered her cell phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Sadie, it’s Marilyn Mae Teals. I’m in trouble,” she said. “I saw something Tony Santoro and his bodyguard did, and it was bad, Sadie. Really bad. I need to leave town.”
“Oh no! Marilyn, let us help you,” Sadie said. “I’m so glad you called me. You know Hank and the Brotherhood Protectors will protect you. Come out to Eagle Rock and stay with us on the ranch until it’s safe for you again. Nothing will happen to you on our ranch.”
“Thank you, Sadie,” Marilyn said. “I really appreciate this.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you and showing you the ranch,” Sadie said. “Hank will send one of the guys to escort you here.”
“No, that’s too risky, waiting that long,” Marilyn said. “I’ll drive out tomorrow after my audition.”
“What are you auditioning for?” Sadie asked.
Marilyn told her about the film, and they talked a few more minutes before they hung up. Then she headed back to her apartment, for brownies and a glass of milk. It had been good to talk to Sadie. She was looking forward to seeing her again.
Marilyn hadn’t seen Sadie since Sadie and Hank’s wedding, so Tony would never guess where she was going. Because she’d never mentioned Sadie to Tony, keeping part of her life to herself. She and Sadie had met working on a movie set five years ago. Sadie had the bigger part and Marilyn a smaller one, but Sadie wasn’t a snob like some Hollywood actresses and was kind to everyone. They’d struck up a friendship and kept in touch after Sadie moved to Montana.
The Patterson ranch would be a perfect place to hide from Tony for a while. Sadie’s husband Hank even owned a bodyguard service, Brotherhood Protectors. Not that Marilyn needed a bodyguard. She just needed to lay low until Tony forgot about her. Another woman would catch his eye soon and hopefully he’d forget.
I just have to make sure no one follows me out to the Patterson ranch.
She finished her brownies and milk and then took a shower. She had just put on her pajamas and was slipping into her robe, when she heard pounding on her door.
“Marilyn, open up!” It was Tony and he sounded to be in a mood.
“Oh no,” she whispered to herself. The warmth from her shower drained out of her leaving her feeling chilled with sudden goosebumps.
He pounded again and hollered her name. “Marilyn!”
She would have to answer the door. Dread filling her, she hurried toward it as he pounded on it again.
Chapter 3
She hurriedto the door and placed her hand on the deadbolt as Tony pounded on the door again.
“Hey now, what’s all the racket?” Mr. Avery called. “I can’t hear my show.”
Oh no. Mr. Avery. He shouldn’t get involved. He might get hurt.
