perused the remaining choices.
The bell sounded behind her, and Sierra’s first instinct was to turn and look. Had she been found? Customers frequented stores like this all day long, she rationalized. Just because someone came in behind her didn’t mean—
Sensing something wasn’t right, she stilled. A wispy breeze drifted inside and a hint of peppermint brushed past her. Fear tightened Sierra’s chest. She dared glance over her shoulder, but the person had moved out of sight. She drew in a deep breath but didn’t detect the scent this time. The hairs on the back of her neck crawled with uncertainty. Had she imagined Kevin’s scent? Or, had the instincts she’d come to rely on warned her of true danger? Doubting herself, she inhaled again. Nothing.
The peppermint aroma was probably her overactive imagination at work, fed by exhaustion and anxiety. Yet, even as she rationalized her fears, sweat coated her palms and her heart raced. A large security mirror hung above the refrigerated section. She searched the reflection but found no one within range.
She swiped her palms against her jeans, unsure what to do. Even if Chase had alerted Kevin, neither would know where Luanne had taken her and the chances were slim they could locate her so quickly.
Although her mind told her not to worry, blood rushed through her veins. The sounds of someone stepping along the back aisle set her into action. She spun, picked up a bottle of water and grabbed the nearest package of processed food. She hoped the six white powdered donuts would suffice.
She hurried to the counter, peeking down aisles as she passed. She caught a glimpse of someone’s back as they rounded a corner, but she couldn’t make out any distinctive traits.
Sierra attempted to smile as she paid the clerk, but only managed a weak nod. “Keep the change,” she offered before scrambling outside and across the lot. Instead of heading to her room, she circled the motel, peering around corners and perusing the streets for anyone who might be following. Aside from a woman pumping gas at the convenience store, no pedestrians were in sight. Traffic eased by and no cars pulled in or out of the motel’s parking lot.
The sun cast bright rays on the earth, warming pavement and highlighting the surrounding forest. A red-tailed hawk circled above, and maple, birch and mountain laurel trees swayed in the breeze. The peaceful, natural environment made Sierra feel ridiculous slinking around with a package of mini donuts and a bottle of water dangling from her fingertips.
She slipped inside her room and twisted the deadbolt into place. The dim room held shadows and blinding panic seized her breath. What if someone had managed to get inside while she was out? She would’ve just sealed her own fate. She jerked around, looking for danger.
The air conditioner unit continued to rattle and spit out air. The lights remained on. The curtains were still closed, and her satchel lay on the bed, undisturbed. After a quick check of the bathroom, she released a pent up breath and chastised herself. It was bad enough she had two flesh-and-blood men to worry about, she didn’t need to create imaginary complications.
Exhausted, she perched on the bed’s edge, and removed her shoes and socks. She forced the sugary donuts down her dry throat and drank the entire bottled water before curling up on her side and allowing her mind to wander.
How had her life spiraled so far out of control? A few precious months ago she’d thought she had finally found a great job and the perfect man to stand by her side. Kevin had showered her with cozy words and fantastic promises making her believe she’d begun to live a real life fairytale. Now, she lay in a lonely room on the opposite side of the country, fearing the very man she’d considered taking as her husband would succeed in his desire to kill her.
9
A handsome face smiled down from above. A blanket, damp and smelling of
The bell sounded behind her, and Sierra’s first instinct was to turn and look. Had she been found? Customers frequented stores like this all day long, she rationalized. Just because someone came in behind her didn’t mean—
Sensing something wasn’t right, she stilled. A wispy breeze drifted inside and a hint of peppermint brushed past her. Fear tightened Sierra’s chest. She dared glance over her shoulder, but the person had moved out of sight. She drew in a deep breath but didn’t detect the scent this time. The hairs on the back of her neck crawled with uncertainty. Had she imagined Kevin’s scent? Or, had the instincts she’d come to rely on warned her of true danger? Doubting herself, she inhaled again. Nothing.
The peppermint aroma was probably her overactive imagination at work, fed by exhaustion and anxiety. Yet, even as she rationalized her fears, sweat coated her palms and her heart raced. A large security mirror hung above the refrigerated section. She searched the reflection but found no one within range.
She swiped her palms against her jeans, unsure what to do. Even if Chase had alerted Kevin, neither would know where Luanne had taken her and the chances were slim they could locate her so quickly.
Although her mind told her not to worry, blood rushed through her veins. The sounds of someone stepping along the back aisle set her into action. She spun, picked up a bottle of water and grabbed the nearest package of processed food. She hoped the six white powdered donuts would suffice.
She hurried to the counter, peeking down aisles as she passed. She caught a glimpse of someone’s back as they rounded a corner, but she couldn’t make out any distinctive traits.
Sierra attempted to smile as she paid the clerk, but only managed a weak nod. “Keep the change,” she offered before scrambling outside and across the lot. Instead of heading to her room, she circled the motel, peering around corners and perusing the streets for anyone who might be following. Aside from a woman pumping gas at the convenience store, no pedestrians were in sight. Traffic eased by and no cars pulled in or out of the motel’s parking lot.
The sun cast bright rays on the earth, warming pavement and highlighting the surrounding forest. A red-tailed hawk circled above, and maple, birch and mountain laurel trees swayed in the breeze. The peaceful, natural environment made Sierra feel ridiculous slinking around with a package of mini donuts and a bottle of water dangling from her fingertips.
She slipped inside her room and twisted the deadbolt into place. The dim room held shadows and blinding panic seized her breath. What if someone had managed to get inside while she was out? She would’ve just sealed her own fate. She jerked around, looking for danger.
The air conditioner unit continued to rattle and spit out air. The lights remained on. The curtains were still closed, and her satchel lay on the bed, undisturbed. After a quick check of the bathroom, she released a pent up breath and chastised herself. It was bad enough she had two flesh-and-blood men to worry about, she didn’t need to create imaginary complications.
Exhausted, she perched on the bed’s edge, and removed her shoes and socks. She forced the sugary donuts down her dry throat and drank the entire bottled water before curling up on her side and allowing her mind to wander.
How had her life spiraled so far out of control? A few precious months ago she’d thought she had finally found a great job and the perfect man to stand by her side. Kevin had showered her with cozy words and fantastic promises making her believe she’d begun to live a real life fairytale. Now, she lay in a lonely room on the opposite side of the country, fearing the very man she’d considered taking as her husband would succeed in his desire to kill her.
9
A handsome face smiled down from above. A blanket, damp and smelling of
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