Chapter Fourteen

Around seven the next morning, Sara woke to find Allen stretched out on a small chair, his head rolled all the way back, resting on the wall. When she tried to move, pain shot from the back of her skull down her shoulders and arms.

 

Gripping her head, she moved slowly until finally she sat up. She must have made a lot of noise, because Allen was by her side when she opened her eyes again.

 

“How are you feeling?” He had dark circles under his eyes and his clothes were wrinkled.

 

“My head hurts. Did I slip on the rocks?” He shook his head.

“What do you remember?” He took her hand and held it in his.

 

She closed her eyes and thought about it. “I was walking towards the mudroom door. Beast was whining and scratching at the door to be let out. I remember the stones were slippery.” She tilted her head, the slight motion sending pain shooting through her neck. Closing her eyes on the pain, she said, “That's it.”

 

“The doctor and Robert think that you were attacked.”

 

Sara's eyes flew open. “My stalker?”

 

“They don't know. What time did you get home?”

 

She closed her eyes again. She was finding the darkness soothing. “I left Josie's around ten.”

 

“I drove up at a quarter to eleven. Does the light bother you?” She heard him stand up and walk away, not wanting to chance opening her eyes again until he said. “I've turned the lights off. See if that helps.” When she opened them again, he was standing beside her.

 

“It does. Thank you. Are my mother and sister here?”

 

“I'm not sure. Let me go check.” He walked to the door. Five minutes later, her mother and sister walked in. A few minutes later, the doctor and nurses walked in and pushed everyone out of the room.

 

A concussion hurt a lot more than she would have thought. When she moved too much, her stomach threatened to revolt so she lay as still as she could. Turning her head hurt her neck and back, so she didn't. They ended up keeping her for one more night. Josie showed up later that evening.

 

“Don't worry. Everything went smoothly today. Allen called and kept me up to date on your status. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it through the day.” Josie held her hand. “I should have forced you to stay the night.”

 

“No, it's not your fault. Like you've told me a million times, there was nothing we could have done.”

 

“You're right. I know it.” Her friend pulled out a box. “I brought you some of my rice crispy treats. I know how you love them.”

 

Sara smiled. “The ones with the chocolate chips and caramel in them?”

 

Josie smiled. “Of course.”

 

The next day Sara sat up on Allen's couch, surrounded by a dozen people. It was a tradition in Pride, something she'd always grown up with, that when someone was in need, the whole town gathered behind them.

 

There was more food than people and the noise level was almost causing her head to explode, but she smiled and talked to everyone, enjoying the support.

 

Allen, for the most part, stood in the corner frowning. His buddies were right there with him. She was sure they were all trying to come up with a plan of attack. But how did you attack someone when you had no clue who it was?”

 

“They are probably working out a schedule,” Allison said beside her.

 

“Schedule?” Beast was snuggled on her lap, causing her to be warm.

 

“Sure. Remember what they did for me when Kevin was stalking me? They never left me alone for a moment. It was quite annoying, and also very thoughtful.” Allison smiled.

 

“Oh, yeah.” Sara looked off towards the men and realized her friend was right. They were all looking down at their phones, most likely scheduling their shifts.

 

After everyone left, Sara lay down on the couch while Allen finished cleaning up. She must have fallen asleep, because she woke to him carrying her upstairs.

 

“I guess I'm a little tired.”

 

“Yeah, it's been a busy day. Do you want anything?”

 

“No.” She snuggled into his chest and sighed. “Just you.”

 

When he reached the room, he laid her down on the bed and removed her shoes, then he pulled off his shirt and crawled in next to her. She tried to pull him closer for a kiss, but he looked down at her. “You need your rest. There will be time for us later, after you feel better.”

 

“Hmm,” She snuggled into his arms and fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.

 

Over the course of the next few days, she wasn't left alone. Allen finally let her go back into the bakery on Tuesday. He dropped her off and picked her up. When he worked late, Josie or Allison stayed with her at the house. When they were unavailable, Todd, Iian, or Robert were there.

 

She didn't mind it, really. But a week later, she was starting to wonder how much longer everyone could continue living like this.

 

Allen was on his hundredth lap when he looked up through the water and saw Robert standing at the edge of the pool. Pulling himself out, he took his towel and started drying off.

 

“We might have a break.” Robert handed him a folder.

 

Opening the file, Allen read the report as Robert talked to him.

 

“It appears that Stephan and Bethany Mathis, Sara's old bosses at Seattle's West Bakery, are getting a divorce. Mrs. Mathis has accused her husband of being unfaithful with one of their employees. No names were listed, but when I started checking into things, I called and asked Mr. Mathis his whereabouts at the time of Sara's attack. He gave me an alibi that didn't check out. Looking into it further, I found a car he’d rented with his credit card. The mileage and return date check out with a trip down here. I told the detectives in Seattle, and they brought him in for further questioning.”

 

“Do you think Sara and…” He couldn't say it.

 

Robert shook his head. “No, in her file she stated she hadn't been in any relationships with him.”

 

He felt his breath leave his chest in relief. He should have never thought that she would get involved with a married man, let alone her boss.

 

“In questioning, he claims he was home alone that night. Said it was the day his wife served him with divorce papers. Apparently the business is in her name and he stands to lose quite a bit if she can prove he's been cheating on her.”

 

“If Sara and he…” He couldn't bring himself to say it. “If Sara had nothing to do with him, why would he be after her?”

 

“Why does any man stalk a women? Sick in the head, if you ask me.” Robert shook his head. “Anyway, I thought I ought to let you know before I go to Sara with this information.”

 

“Let me,” Allen piped in. “She might take it better.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yeah, I'm picking her up”—he looked at his watch—“in half an hour anyway.”

 

“Okay. If there's anything else you need.”

 

“Do they have enough to keep him?”

 

Robert shook his head. “Not at this time. I'll let you know if they find anything else.”

 

“Thanks.” Allen shook his hand and went to get dressed so he could pick Sara up at the bakery.

 

When he got to the bakery, he was shocked at the transformation. Red and pink hearts were everywhere. Most of the cookies in the front refrigerators were now covered in pink, red, and white frosting. Even the cakes and cupcakes were decorated as such.

 

At first his mind refused to connect, then he saw a sign with Valentine Specials written on it. Valentine's? It was only…He looked at his watch for the date. February first.

 

He supposed people started thinking that far ahead for events like this, but he wasn't one of them.

 

The bakery was packed with people. Checking his watch again, he noticed he was five minutes early. When he walked into the back room, she was rushing around.

“Hey,” he called out and sat on a stool and nibbled on the cookie Becca had given him as he walked by the front.

 

“Hey.” She turned and looked at him, pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. “You're early.” She looked at the clock. “Where did the time go?” She said this with a smile. He couldn't image why she liked working in a hot kitchen all day. He'd rather have his nails pulled out one at a time. Slowly. But he did enjoy the perks. The hot cookie melted in his mouth and sent something close to a shiver up his spine.

 

“What are these called?” Sara looked over at him as he waved the chocolate cookie around.

 

“Chocolate melts. Do you like them?”

 

“Best cookie…ever.” He smiled when she laughed.

 

“I'm almost done here.”

 

“That's okay. I thought we'd head to the Golden Oar for dinner.”

 

“Sounds wonderful. I'm ready for someone else to cook for me.” She dusted off her hands.

 

“Larry's taking me there tomorrow night,” Josie said, smiling from across the room.

 

“How's that going?” Allen leaned on the wall and crossed his arms. He didn't know Larry all that well, but he knew he and Sara had been lifelong friends.

 

“Great.” Josie beamed. “Just wonderful.”

 

“You can't tell, because she's so short,” Sara laughed, “but she's been floating around here all day. I say it's love.”

 

Josie smiled at her. “I'd say I'm not the only one feeling those effects, either.” Josie pointed to her and Allen almost choked on his bite of cookie.

 

Sara looked over at him with concern in her eyes. She'd probably gotten the wrong idea and had thought that it had freaked him out, the thought of her falling for him, but it had actually been the opposite. Ever since the attack, he'd been trying to work up the nerve to tell her how he felt about her. He'd never fallen before, so it had come as a shock to him that it had happened so quickly.

 

He'd been planning on making it a special event, but he just didn't know how yet.

 

When they drove to the restaurant in silence, she stopped him before he could get out of the truck.

 

“Josie was just joking.”

 

“Hmm?” He turned to look at her. Her curly hair was tied up in a loose braid, tiny wisps hung around her face. He leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips. “I know. I think I'm finally getting her humor.” He smiled as he pulled away. “Besides, you should be the one to tell me you love me.” He gave her his wickedest smile. “After all, it's hard to resist this.” He waved his hand up and down in front of himself.

 

She laughed, getting his joke. “Yes, what woman could resist your charms?”

 

“Certainly not you.” He leaned over and kissed her again. “I know I have a hard time resisting your…baking.” He quickly ducked her light punch and got out of the truck to walk around and open the door for her. Helping her down, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her until they were both breathless. “Maybe we should grab dinner to go?” He ran his mouth down the column of her neck, enjoying the smell and taste of her. “Sugar. How is it you taste like sugar?”

 

She laughed. “Josie throws it at me.” She giggled when he ran his tongue over her neck.

 

“Mmmm, better than those melted cookies.” She laughed.

 

“Chocolate Melts.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Just then they heard a cough and looked over to see Iian and Allison standing there smiling at them. Conner was tugging on Allison's hand until she finally let him go. He ran right into Sara's arms. She picked him up effortlessly and twirled him around as the little boy squealed with delight.

 

“We were just coming in for some dinner,” Allen said.

 

Allison signed as she spoke. “So were we. Conner and I were, at least. Iian was just meeting us outside.”

 

“What do you say to grabbing a big table together?” Sara looked at him. How could he deny her? He'd wanted to tell her the news he'd learned from Robert, but he knew they had plenty of time that night.

 

“Sounds like a plan.”

 

It was nice having friends to laugh and joke with over dinner. It was normally hard to communicate with Iian, since he rarely liked to speak, but with Allison there as an interpreter, the night went smoothly.

 

“You know, we were wondering if you'd be interested in offering some desserts here,” Allison said once everyone's plates were empty. “We have our standard desserts, but they just don't compare.” Allison smiled.

 

“Sure, I bet we can work something out.” He could see the spark in Sara's eyes with the possibilities.

 

“Wonderful,” Iian said. “I tried your white chocolate cheesecake the other day.” Iian rolled his eyes. “Best I've ever had.”

 

“Thank you.” Allen watched Sara blush a little.

 

“Have you heard anything about the attack?” Allison asked, holding her sleeping son against her growing belly.

 

Sara shook her head and looked down at her hands.

 

Allen grabbed her hand. “Actually, Robert came to see me right before I drove over.” He spent the next few minutes relaying what Robert had told him.

 

“I just can't believe Mr. Mathis is behind all this.” She chewed her bottom lip. “Sure, he was a pain and always hitting on his employees, but to do everything…” He watched her shiver. “I just don't see it.” Her face dropped a little. “Poor Bethany. What is she going through? She was a tough boss, but she didn't deserve this.”

 

“People can be sick,” Allison said. “When Kevin Williams burned down my house with my mother inside, no one in town would have thought he could have done something like that. But he'd changed. Maybe your Mr. Mathis is going through some rough times.”

 

Sara looked out the large windows towards the choppy waters, deep in thought. “I suppose.”

 

“I'm just thankful they finally have a lead. The rental car, his lack of alibi,” Allen said. “Maybe now we can all get back to our normal lives and Sara can be safe.”