Page 30 of Unexpected Danger
“So, you were thinking of this before that episode?”
“I have been contemplating it for a while.” Londyn scooped up some spare change from one of the compartments in her desk drawer.
Irritation edged Jasmine’s voice. “What precipitated this?”
“I just think it's time, especially with all that’s been happening with this crazed weirdo.”
“He’s been pestering you for a while now. Why don’t the police just arrest Mr. Nuss?”
“I don’t think it’s him. There are too many inconsistencies.”
Jasmine pasted on a hard smile. “But you love this job.” She raised her voice. “I truly do not understand you, Londyn.”
“I do love this job.” Jasmine was a good friend, but she wouldn’t understand. Not fully. Londyn stuffed her coffee mug into the box.
“Does Sonja know?”
“She does.”
“And you gave her two weeks' notice?”
Jasmine had suddenly become adept at interrogation. “I am unable to give a two-week notice, and yes, Sonja does know, and as I mentioned before, I do enjoy this job, but it's time for me to move on.”
“But where will you go? And can we at least throw you a going-away party?” Her narrowed eyes bored into Londyn before she scanned the office. “Dustin is out sick today, but maybe we can take you out tomorrow, and we can invite Sonja and a few of the others.”
“That's sweet, but honestly, I'm going to be on the road tomorrow.”
“To the road where?”
“I'm heading back to Pronghorn Falls.”
Jasmine scowled at her. “Is this some kind of a joke to you?”
“Some kind of joke?” Londyn had seen Jasmine become irritated a time or two if she had to be put on hold or was behind someone slow in traffic, but never as frustrated as she was now.
“Yes, some kind of joke.” Jasmine released an exaggerated sigh, and her brow pinched. “Didn't you just leave Pronghorn Falls? Or did you and Brodie get back together?”
A ton of packing awaited her, but Londyn didn't want to be unkind to the woman who had become her friend. It was obvious she’d hurt Jasmine. “I know this is sudden, and I am sorry.” Londyn swallowed hard. How could she explain this? “It's just a decision that I needed to make.”
“So, you just stay at places for a matter of months and then move on? What about the workload here? It will take Sonja forever to replace you. We’re already shorthanded.” She took a step closer and tapped her long fingernails on the desk. “And what about Dustin? He really likes you.”
She’d told Jasmine more than once that she was not interested in Dustin for more than a friend, but her admonition had fallen on deaf ears. “You have been an awesome friend, Jasmine, and I hope we can maintain our friendship.”
Jasmine planted her hands on her hips. “Well, I would hope so too, but if I'm such a good friend, then why didn't you tell me this sooner? You can't just spring it on people like this.”
Her friend was correct, and under normal circumstances, Londyn would have informed her sooner. If she’d arrived at her decision sooner. “After much prayer and with what happened with BJ Nuss yesterday…it cemented my decision of whether ornot to return to Pronghorn Falls. I’m sorry I hurt you by telling you at the last minute.”
Several other coworkers moseyed by. Likely, they were interested to see what all of the fuss was about. Jasmine lowered her voice to an almost seething tone. “I'm not a psychiatrist or anything, but you have a problem with running away from things and people.”
A retort lingered on Londyn’s lips, but she refrained from uttering it. Maybe she really did have an issue with running when things became unmanageable. But in her defense, this time it could prove life-threatening. “I need to go chat with Sonja and pick up my last paycheck.”
“And that's it, you're just gone? Now I see how Brodie could be so upset with you. And I'm not even as close to you as he was.”
At the insertion of Brodie's name, Londyn's heart fell to her stomach. That was something she hoped she could work out when she returned to Pronghorn Falls. “It's just with the stalker and everything, I need to go.”
“There hasn’t been anything else, has there? I mean, Mr. Nuss’s confrontation in the parking lot didn’t end badly. Maybe the guy is done with bothering you.”
“Or maybe he’s not, and the entire thing escalates.” Even as she said the words, fear coiled in her belly.
