Search Me(15)

Oh yeah, that was totally not happening. “No, no, I’ll help you,” I blurted.

Maudie raised her brows. “Still a little gun-shy around Maddox?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s just…” Shit, how was I going to get out of this one?

Pursing her lips, Maudie eased down in her chair. “You know, I’ve been worried about Maddox getting acclimated back home. I was hoping with having you here—a reminder of his past—it might help him. But so far you both have been avoiding each other like the plague. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Ducking my head, I refused to meet her burning gaze. Instead, I scuffed my flip-flop into the Indian print rug in front of her desk. “It’s just been a long time since we’ve been together, that’s all. People change when they’ve been apart for so long. Maddox and I are just two very different people now.”

“Hmm, I think you’re a lot more alike than you realize, but you’re both too damn stubborn to admit it.”

I sighed. “Can we please just get back to the part where I help you tonight rather than going out with Maddox?”

“Honey, you work hard enough during the day.”

“But I want to. I’ll even go pick us up some dinner.”

Maudie’s resolve seemed to fade when she realized she wasn’t going to talk me into taking Maddox out on the town. “Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind….”

“Nope, I don’t.”

“Okay then. I’ll be happy to have some help and some company.”

After letting out a relieved breath, I grinned. “Great.”

Chapter Six

At six, I clocked out and headed up the interstate to Zaxby’s, which happened to be Maudie’s and my favorite fast-food restaurant. After resisting the urge for a plate of chicken tenders and wings, I ordered us both grilled chicken salads. It took forever to get through the line, and I almost called Maudie to say I hadn’t flaked out on her. When I finally got back, the employee parking lot was deserted, and I eased into the spot next to Maudie’s Cadillac. I was glad to see Maddox’s Jeep was nowhere in sight. I’d had a sneaking suspicion when I left, that she might try to orchestrate some reunion for us by asking him to stay late as well. Of course knowing him, he probably had some hot date with a blonde bimbo.

When I reached to knock, the back door creaked open. Huh, that was strange. Maudie usually kept everything locked up tight, especially after hours. Even though it was only supposed to be the two of us working, I glanced around to see if one of the other workers might’ve left it ajar. Shifting our salads in my arm, I stepped inside. “Maudie?”

From across the store, I could hear raised voices and the sound of boxes crashing and falling. I fumbled in my purse for my phone to call 911. After I jerked it out, I started slowly making my way towards Maudie’s office. I’d gotten half-way down an aisle when I heard a man’s voice. It only took a second for me to register it as the ‘Creep’ aka Mr. Jensen from earlier in the day. “I know you’re lying. The damn frame is busted on the painting, so don’t try to tell me you don’t know anything about the map!”

“I’ll tell you one more time, Mr. Jensen. The frame arrived with damages when the painting was shipped to me. I can assure you I have no idea about this silly map you speak of.”

The sound of breaking glass caused me to jump. “Stop lying! If I have to tear apart every single item in this store, I will. I’m not leaving here without the map.”

While my heart rattled in fear, my entire body started trembling all over. I tried to stop my hand from shaking as I dialed 911. In a hushed voice, I said, “There’s been a break-in at 259 Mountain Laurel Blvd—or Miss Maudie’s Brewery. Send someone as soon as you can. The man is still here.”

“Okay, ma’am, I need your name and for you to stay on the line while—”

I tuned out the dispatcher as Maudie’s raised voice floated back to me. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you’re not going to come in here and destroy my business. You better leave right this minute, or I’ll call the police.”

The sound of a gun blast caused me to jolt back. The salads and my phone went flying through the air as I tipped to the side and knocked over a display before grabbing hold of some metal shelving to keep my balance. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as an ice-cold panic washed over me. Staggering back to my feet, my eyes, which were already blurring with tears, focused back on Maudie’s office.

My mind raced in thought, but the main one screamed, “No, no, NO!” This couldn’t be happening. It had to be just a dream. If I just closed my eyes, I’d wake up back at the cabin to find this whole day had been just a weird dream.

Through my emotionally overloaded fog, I heard the dispatcher’s far-away voice calling, “Hello? Was that a gunshot?”

I groped along the floor to find my phone. “Yes! Maudie’s been shot. Send an ambulance.”

A hand cupped over my mouth and jerked me up off the floor and back against a body of solid rock. I immediately began kicking and thrashing against the person.

“Shh, it’s just me,” Maddox whispered, his breath warming my ear.

I relaxed in his arms, and he took his hand away. Tears streamed over my cheeks. “Maudie…that guy Jensen…shot her,” I gasped incoherently through my sobs.