Page 9 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

Londyn finished speaking with Detective Rivas the following morning and provided him with the latest details about the phone call and eerie text, before arriving at work.

The phone rang immediately.

“Patient accounts, this is Londyn. Which doctor or provider are you calling about?” She reiterated her memorized spiel.

The woman on the other end set up payment arrangements for the dermatologist, and Londyn returned the phone to its cradle. She rubbed her neck, then stretched it from side to side, hoping to alleviate some of the tension.

Jasmine’s head popped above the cubicle wall. “Want to go out for lunch?”

“Sure.” Lunch at the Italian restaurant Jasmine was fond of was just the remedy to take Londyn’s mind off her stalker.

Dustin joined them, and the three of them walked out of the office building with Dustin in the middle. Thunder sounded, and a steady rain pounded on the sidewalk. This was certainly set to be one of the wettest years on record. Dustin opened his umbrella and shared it with Londyn and Jasmine.

“Surprised you don’t have your own umbrella.” He tilted his head toward Londyn.

“They weren’t really necessary where I’m from.”

“Because you had no rain?”

She peered at his face, teasing in his eyes. She appreciated how Dustin’s chatty and witty sense of humor lightened the mood.

“No, because we usually made a run for our car. It’s a small town, so we didn’t spend a lot of time just walking to places.”

“Ugh,” said Jasmine. “I would hate living in a small town. What’s there to do?”

“Plenty. You just have to be creative.”

They reached the restaurant, and Londyn took a seat in the booth beside Jasmine with Dustin across from them.

“Isn’t the server so gorgeous?” Jasmine swooned at the server, the owner’s son. “He must be filling in for one of his employees today.” She lowered her voice. “Not only is he totally hot, but also incredibly thoughtful with an amazing work ethic.”

The server, who obviously spent time at the gym, returned with drinks a few minutes later. He took their order, and Jasmine engaged him in pleasant conversation while twirling a strand of her naturally curly hair.

Jasmine put her elbows on the table and leaned toward Dustin. “How does a girl let a guy know she’s interested?”

“Well, for one, she makes eye contact.” He sent a probing gaze in Londyn’s direction.

“Then, she takes an interest in him. Compliments him. Makes pleasant conversation and gets to know him. Maybe smiles or offers some flirtatious gestures.” He again made eye contact with Londyn.

“Or rests her hand on his arm for some slight physical touch, things like that.” He briefly rested his hand on Londyn’s.

She waited to feel some sort of zip of electricity up her arm as she had with Brodie. Nothing came. Dustin’s warm hand remained on hers for several seconds before he removed it, his attention remaining on her.

“Thank you. It’s not like I’m new to this game, and this is far from my first rodeo, but this guy is different. I think he might be the one.”

“And you know this how?” asked Londyn.

“When you know, you know,” said Dustin. This time, his expression was one of seriousness. Something crossed his gaze that Londyn couldn’t quite define.

Perhaps she was placing too much emphasis on “feeling” something. Feelings were untrustworthy. Fleeting.

“You can’t do this with the server, but one way I personally let someone know I care about her and would like to get to know her better is to be there for her. Take care of her when she finds herself in frightening situations.”

“I do appreciate how you’ve helped me with dealing with Mr. Nuss’s unwanted texts and visits.”

“That’s because I care about you, Londyn. A lot.”

“Wow, so in case you two forgot, I’m here too.” Jasmine chewed on a complimentary breadstick.

Dustin laughed. “Aw, Jas, we know you’re here.”

The remainder of the lunch resulted in delectable food and pleasant conversation. But something niggled at Londyn about Dustin. He obviously had feelings for her and had walked her to her car each evening and followed her to her apartment a few times to keep an eye out for Mr. Nuss.

Why then could she only see him as a long-term friend? Because she still and always would have feelings for Brodie? Because she was like her mom in that men were easily disposable?

Dustin was good-looking, kind, and from what he said, a Christian. He attended church with Jasmine, earned a decent income, had an apartment on the east side of the city in a serene neighborhood, and was well-liked due to his charming personality.

“Anyone up for watching a movie tonight?” Dustin asked after they’d eaten their meals.

Jasmine raised her hand. “I am. What about you, Londyn?”

She shrugged. “Sure. It would beat being alone tonight if that creep decides to text me or show up again.”

“If he does decide to text you or show up at your door, we’ll be there.”

Dustin’s words comforted her. “My apartment is fine. How about right after work? We can order a pizza.”

“Now you’re talking,” said Dustin, wadding his napkin and setting it on his empty plate.

After work, Jasmine ran to the store on the way for pop and snacks, and Dustin escorted Londyn to her door. It would be comforting to have company if anything nefarious happened.

Jasmine had been to Londyn’s apartment several times to watch chick flicks. It would be an interesting dynamic to include Dustin, although he mentioned he was agreeable to watching whatever Londyn and Jasmine chose.

The crisp air smelled like rain, and peeps of sunshine emerged from behind the clouds. True spring might finally be around the corner.

She punched in the code to the door.

“This is a nice place,” said Dustin, looking around.

Once inside, he stopped at the window and peered out.

“I’ve always appreciated being able to see out the front.

When I was a kid, we had a big tree blocking our view.

Good for climbing out of the second-floor window and sneaking out.

Seeing if someone was at the door, not so much. ”

“Can I get you a glass of water, milk, orange juice, or coffee? Sorry, but that’s about the extent of the offerings. Hopefully, Jasmine will remember the pop.” Jasmine could be absent-minded at times.

“Coffee would be great.”

Londyn brewed a cup of fresh coffee while Dustin wandered around her living room. He stopped to look at her few knick-knacks, treasured porcelain dolls, and the photos on the shelf.

“Your family?”

“Yes. They adopted me.”

“Who’s the guy with you hiking?”

“Brodie. He’s a good friend of mine.”

Dustin faced her and arced a brow. “Only a friend?”

She didn’t have to look in the mirror to know the heat traveling up her face. Dustin regarded her, his eyes remaining steadfast on her while he awaited an answer.

“He is a good friend and was also something more.”

“Was?”

Why did she feel like she was being interrogated? “Unfortunately, I broke his heart.”

“What does he do for a living?”

“He’s in law enforcement—a sheriff.”

“Jas told me about that guy.”

Londyn sucked in a deep breath. What she’d told Jasmine had been in confidence.

“Are you ever going to get over him?”

“I—” How could she answer that? She handed him his coffee before calling to order a pizza.

Jasmine arrived, and they settled into their movie with Dustin sitting between them on the couch.

Halfway through the movie, they reached into the snack bowl full of chips at the same time, his fingers brushing hers.

He glanced her way before squeezing her hand gently in his.

“You two are so cute,” said Jasmine.

Londyn tugged her hand away, but not before noticing a flicker of irritation in Dustin’s eyes.

After the movie, her guests left, and Londyn prepared for bed. Thankfully, it had been a quiet night. She turned on the faucet for a glass of water when she noticed something odd.

The three-picture frame collection on the living room shelf had been flopped over facedown.

She righted it, then checked the front door to ensure it was locked, before changing into a comfortable t-shirt. Exhaustion tugged at her. It had been a long day, but a good day.

Although…Dustin revealing his feelings for her and holding her hand on the couch caused a bit of consternation. Yes, she liked him, but only as a friend.

There would never be anyone for her except Brodie.

She flipped open her Bible, read a chapter, then turned off the light and fell fast asleep, forgetting to close the bedroom door.

Sometime in the night, she was awakened by a text notification. She rubbed her eyes and reached for her phone on the nightstand. The words peered up at her.

DID YOU ENJOY THE TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS?

The characteristic all-caps gave no mystery as to who had sent her the text.

He was obviously watching her to know that she’d had friends over.

But from where? Fear gnawed at her insides.

Just how close was he? Londyn immediately blocked the number.

How many burner phones had the stalker purchased?

Her hands shook as she again set the phone on the nightstand.

She’d log it into her records tomorrow and call Detective Rivas.

She was curious if there were any updates, anyway.

From somewhere in the apartment, she heard the sound of footsteps. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Londyn was about to bolt from the bed and shut and lock the door when something caught her attention, and she froze.

There, standing near the bedroom door, was a figure.

She screamed.

A hand waved at her, and she froze. Would whoever it was attempt to shoot her? Or worse?

“Who are you?” Her high-pitched voice sounded foreign in her own ears.

There was no answer, just a swift fleeing from the room.

Londyn’s body shook as she stumbled to the door and slammed it shut and locked it. She fumbled for her gun, then the phone, her fingers accidentally entering 611.

A thump sounded somewhere in the apartment.