Take a Chance on Me(65)

“What are you doing here?” Gracie asked.

“I was cruising down Main Street and saw your car.” He gave Maddie a smile so filled with charm and sin that she felt her cheeks flush. The silver star on his tan work shirt glinted in the sunshine streaming through the large window. “If we’re talking chains and beds, I see stopping was a wise move.”

Before Maddie could think of a thing to say, the pretty teenage waitress, who had long blond hair with hot pink streaks, hurried over. It was the fastest Maddie had seen her move since they’d sat down. Ignoring the women completely, she beamed at Charlie. “Sheriff, what can I get for you?”

“Just a Coke, honey,” Charlie said, grinning at the girl with a wink.

“I’d like a refill.” Gracie waved her cup in the air. “Like I asked you for ten minutes ago.”

The girl’s doe eyes flicked over Gracie like she was a pesky fly. “Yeah, I, like, forgot.”

Gracie snorted, and Maddie covered her smile behind her hand. Charlie managed to be sexy, scary, and downright charming all at the same time, and Maddie couldn’t blame the teenager for being smitten. The girl practically ran in the direction of the soda fountain.

Gracie shook her head. “That was disgusting. This is why I hate going out in public with you.”

“Not my fault, darlin’.’” Charlie swung an arm around her and tugged her close. “I don’t have to do a damn thing.”

“You were encouraging her.”

“I asked for a Coke.” Charlie eyed Gracie with a cop’s suspicion. “Are you jealous?”

“God no, you egomaniac.” Gracie patted his cheek. “This is one more example of why I like to keep you in the bedroom where you belong.”

Charlie laughed and kissed her temple.

Maddie didn’t understand one thing about Gracie’s relationship with Charlie, but she had enough problems without trying to figure them out. She took a sip of coffee, cringing at the weak taste.

What was she going to do? Maddie turned to look through the window, and a surge of panic coursed through her like heroin. The fine hairs at the nape of her neck rose, and she put the cup back in the saucer with a shaking hand.


Oh, Jesus, no. Please no.

She put her hand on the window and sweat beaded her temples. She’d known it. Since she’d read the article about Mitch’s father, she’d known the momentary slice of heaven was over.

Reality was coming to get her. A wave of nausea rolled through her.

“Maddie, what’s wrong?” Gracie said, sounding alarmed.

Steve. How had he found her? Maddie closed her eyes and scrubbed her fists into the sockets, hoping the vision would vanish. She opened her eyes and blinked.

He was gone.

She waited for the rush of relief at finding that the apparition had disappeared, but it didn’t come. In fact, her fear increased. Cold with dread, she leaned closer to the glass, peering up and down Revival’s Main Street.

Nothing. She saw only a lone bike rider and a few families out for a stroll.

“Maddie!” Charlie’s sharp voice snapped her out of her daze.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. Had she imagined Steve? Was she hallucinating? Did she need to go to confession?

“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked, his tone suddenly taking on a hard edge that gave Maddie a chill.

She shook her head. “Nothing. I, um, just thought I saw someone.”

“Who?” he pressed, his strong square jaw firming.

“No one.” Nerves skipped through her.

“You look pale,” Gracie said, sliding a glass of water under Maddie’s nose. “Drink this.”

“I’m fine.” She nibbled on her lower lip.

Across the street, Mary Beth Crowley stepped outside the garage door, followed by a customer. They walked over to a black SUV and started talking. Mary Beth waved her hand over the body like a spokesmodel.

Maddie cleared her throat. “Maybe I should see how my car is doing.” She hadn’t given it one bit of thought since they’d left the shop, and it would give her something to do.

That sense of foreboding slithered over her skin again like an oily snake. She peered up and down Main Street again.

Steve was here. She could feel it. She might be crazy, but she didn’t hallucinate.

He was out there.

She turned away from the window to find Gracie and Charlie watching her as if she were a bug under a microscope. Maddie flashed them a bright, cheery smile, and twin frowns formed on their faces.

Gracie leaned forward. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, fine.” Maddie tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, realizing that Charlie had gotten his Coke and she hadn’t noticed. “I saw Mary Beth across the street, and it reminded me I should go check on my car.”

Gracie flashed Charlie a glance that Maddie couldn’t even begin to decipher.

Charlie shook his head. “No need. Tommy and Mary Beth have everything under control.”

“I don’t see the harm of checking. Maybe they’ll get done earlier than planned.”

Gracie’s blond brows drew together. “I saw Mary Beth at the grocery store, and she said they’ve been real busy.”

Why did these two care if she checked on her car? Maddie shrugged. “Doesn’t hurt to ask.”