Page 12 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

“Is it because of the guy you still carry a torch for? Jasmine told me how he proposed to you, and you rejected his offer of marriage. Bummer for him.”

A ripple of anger rose through Londyn. Jasmine was supposed to have kept that confidential. “I do regret the way things ended between us.” She thought of how she’d found the three-frame picture collection facedown after Dustin and Jasmine had come over for a movie. Had that been him or Jasmine?

“His loss, my gain.”

Londyn wasn’t sure it was Dustin’s gain. She hadn’t given him the affirmative answer he sought, and she wasn’t even sure Brodie would feel like it was his loss. “I need some time to pray and think about it.”

Dustin released her hands and raised his eyebrows.

“Pray about and think about whether or not you want to date?” His expression of disbelief reminded Londyn that Dustin was still very new in his faith.

He didn’t understand the need to pray before everything and every decision, whether small or big.

The decision to pray constantly, and not just once in a while or before meals.

He couldn’t possibly understand how she tried to pray about every choice, whether big or small.

That she had turned over every area of her life to the one who gave His life for her.

But she hadn’t prayed the day she left Pronghorn Falls. That decision had no basis on the Lord’s will. She inwardly winced.

“If you like someone and you want to date them, what does God have to do with it?”

“Because I want to be in His will. I need to pray about it, Dustin.” She hoped that would keep him from continuing to question it. Something indiscernible flashed in his eyes, and he narrowed them so faintly, she thought she may have imagined it.

Just as quickly, Dustin’s smile returned. “Thank you again for the great evening.”

“You're welcome.”

Dustin again clasped one of her hands and walked with her to the front door of her apartment.

A neighbor turned her way, and Londyn waved, though the greeting was not returned. Unfortunately, it was a sour neighborhood, and she had not had the opportunity to become acquainted with any of her neighbors except the elderly man on the ground floor next to her apartment.

“Good night, Londyn.”

“Good night, Dustin.”

He brushed a kiss across her lips, veered back, and stared at her expectantly as if waiting for more.

“Good night.” She repeated, pivoting and unlocking the door before stepping inside. She watched as Dustin retreated in the direction of his truck.

She locked the door and mentally listed off the pros and cons when it came to a relationship with Dustin. The cons won.

Londyn finished her work for the day. She had a decent success rate with chatting with clients and was able to work out several reasonable payment plans.

She glanced at the clock and dreaded this time of day.

Who knew where her stalker would be? Outside waiting for her?

Would he call her or send her more texts?

Show up again at her apartment? It seemed like his nefarious actions always occurred after work hours.

There had been no breaks in the case, and when pressed by the detective, Mr. Nuss continued to deny any involvement. They had nothing to pin on him.

There was no one else she could think of who would seek revenge due to an outstanding bill. But just because someone didn't express their thoughts didn't mean they weren't resentful.

“Hey, there.” Dustin propped himself against her cubicle wall. “Need me to walk you out?”

Londyn would forever be grateful that he cared about her and always appreciated his offers.

It did make her feel safer, and she knew he’d come to her defense if her stalker tried anything.

But after their date the other night, his unwelcome kiss, and her declining his offer to take their friendship to the next level, Dustin had been standoffish.

Now, as he stood beside her desk, a broad grin on his face, she was grateful he wasn’t holding a grudge.

“Sure, thank you. I just need to grab my things, and I'll be ready to go.”

Dustin accompanied her out of the office building, and they walked to the parking garage.

It didn't matter how many lights there were; something about the place always gave her the creeps.

That was another thing she missed about Pronghorn Falls.

The town was so small that it would probably never have a parking garage.

If you wanted to park somewhere, you could park in front of the business or park around the block and walk.

They arrived at her car. “Well, here we are. Thank you, Dustin.”

He regarded her for a moment. “Are you doing anything tonight?”

“I have plans to catch up on some household chores.”

“All right, well, I was just going to see if you wanted to go to a movie.”

“Thank you, but I do need to get some things done.” She didn't want to get his hopes up that she had changed her mind about dating him, even if it was something as innocent as going to a movie.

Londyn’s back was against her SUV, and she was about to turn around and climb inside when Dustin leaned toward her.

In an attempt to put space between them, she reared her head back, nearly smacking it on the window.

Dustin inched even closer, bridging the meager distance now between them and entering into her personal space.

She flinched, but he continued toward her, leaving her no option but to be face-to-face with him.

Before she could say anything or do what she could to avoid him, Dustin brushed his lips against hers.

Her arms involuntarily rose, and she pressed hard and firmly on his shoulders and turned her head away from any further contact. “Dustin.”

“Sorry, I couldn't resist. You’re just so pretty.” He smiled at her with what appeared to be a genuine smile.

Anger stirred within her, and Londyn dropped her hands to her sides and clenched her fists. She didn't appreciate him violating her in that way. “I need to go.”

He reached for her hand, and she pulled it away. “Whoa. Look, Londyn, I’m sorry. I just—I really like you.”

“And I like you too, Dustin, but not in that way.”

His shoulders slumped, and he fisted a hand to his chest. “That hurts me here, you know?”

“I’m sorry.” What else could she say?

“If we spent more time together, your feelings for me would change. We’re meant to be together.”

His words caused an involuntary shiver.

“Now more than ever, I’m seeing how much you mean to me. How much I care about you. How much I want to protect you from this crazy guy who shows up at your apartment and texts you. I’m ready to take our friendship to the next level. Won’t you reconsider?”

“Sorry, but no. I’m not ready for a relationship at this time.”

His eyes narrowed, and his lip curled before his expression immediately changed. Dustin smiled with a nod. “All right, but you can’t blame a guy for trying, right? And please don't hold the kisses against me. I promise I won't try anything like that again without your permission.”

“All right,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. Dustin had been a good friend, and maybe this was just an innocent error on his part.

After parting ways with Dustin, Londyn climbed quickly into her car and, out of habit, clicked the lock button. Dustin slowly walked away from her SUV before shoving his hands into his pockets and meandering toward his own truck.

Her heart pounded, and she exhaled a few short breaths, collecting her thoughts before starting her car and exiting the parking garage. A red flag emerged, one that reminded her that Dustin may not take no for an answer in the future. The thought discouraged her. She could always use more friends.

The twenty-minute drive home gave her time to think about things.

That was the only good thing about not living close to your place of employment.

In Pronghorn Falls, it took her exactly six minutes to get from her apartment to the clinic where she worked.

Gray skies overhead promised more rain, and she stopped at the stoplight and waited behind the expansive line of cars.

Last night, instead of sleeping, she'd weighed the pros and cons of returning to Pronghorn Falls.

Pros would be that she wouldn't have to deal with whoever this stalker was.

She could return to the town she loved and to her friends.

She might even be able to get her old job back.

And she could see Brodie again and apologize for what she had done.

That was one mess that needed to be corrected.

On the other hand, if she stayed in Rowland, she would continue to work at a job that paid well, she liked her apartment, and she did have friends here, although with the way things were going with Dustin, she wasn't sure how long she could maintain the friendship with him when he wanted something more.

She spent a lot of time in prayer seeking God's wisdom, the verse in James never far from her mind: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

Oh, how she lacked wisdom and needed the generous wisdom the Lord provided to those who asked.

Londyn wasn't sure what decision she should make regarding returning to Pronghorn Falls, even though she had surrendered that choice to God. She had learned the importance once again of prayer before action. Especially since she’d failed to pray before leaving Pronghorn Falls.

She debated sending a text to Aileen and seeking her advice.

Of course, Aileen would tell her she was welcome back anytime.

While Londyn hadn’t texted Brodie often, just a few generic texts that he sometimes returned while they exchanged pleasantries, her communication with Aileen had been more frequent and meaningful, although Londyn hadn’t shared with the woman about her stalker.

She had shared about her job, her new apartment, and an apology for leaving like she had.

Apologizing to Aileen in person would be much more beneficial than over text.

A car behind her honked, and Londyn realized she'd been sitting at the stoplight for longer than necessary. She pressed on the gas and proceeded. The sign of a pizza place on the corner captured her attention, and her stomach growled. At the last minute, she swerved into the parking lot. Checking her surroundings before exiting her car, she locked the door and hurried inside. There were two other people in front of her—a woman right in front of her, and a man she didn’t recognize from the back of his head in front of the woman.

Her phone pinged, signaling a text, and Londyn averted her attention from the people in line to the text that had come through from Jasmine.

Hey, girl! Wanna do something this evening?

She enjoyed spending time with Jasmine, but she was already planning to have a quiet evening at home.

Especially since she had a lot to think about if she was going to go through with her plans to leave Rowland.

Yet, she didn’t want to discourage her friend.

Londyn bit her lip. She would have to tell Jasmine about her plans. In person.

Could I get back to you on that? I’m in line at the pizza place.

Sure! I thought maybe we could invite Dustin, too.

Londyn was so not going there. Not right now. Not after Dustin’s most recent overtures.

By the time Londyn typed in her response, the woman in front of her was leaving the counter, and it was Londyn's turn to order.

She peered up at the menu on the wall, then at the glass cabinet that held the most recently prepared pizzas.

Fortunately, they already had thick-crust cheese pizza made, so she was able to take it immediately and not have to wait.

“Can I help you?” the teenage boy at the counter asked. He had such a multitude of fluffy, brown bangs that Londyn was surprised he could see her at all. He reminded her of a sheepdog.

“Yes, I’d like a small thick-crust cheese pizza.”

He flipped his head back, causing the pile of hair to temporarily lift from his face. “Yeah, okay. We have one of those right here.” He reached inside the glass cabinet and removed the pizza.

As she scurried back to her car, juggling the pizza box, she regretted being forced to park a lengthy distance away instead of close by.

Just as she was unlocking the door, a firm hand gripped her shoulder.

She startled, then froze, her pulse ticking up at least a thousand notches.

In the car window, she saw the reflection of a red-haired man in his late thirties.

BJ Nuss.