Don't Look Back: sequel to He Loves Me Not (Lily's Story, Book 2) by Christine Kersey

it, but he made no comment.
    “Where would you like it?”
    “I’ll show you.” I walked to the front door, fished the key out of my pocket and turned the lock. I held the door open for him as he easily carried the box into the living room. I closed the door and pointed to the stairs. “This way.” He followed me up the stairs and into the baby’s room. “You can just set it over there,” I said, pointing to a wall.
    He set it down, careful to not damage the wall. “Smells like you painted recently.”
    “Yes.” I had never been very good at small talk and this was no exception.
    “Do you need help with anything else?”
    I really wanted to ask him to put the crib together, but I knew I wouldn’t need it for months and I wasn’t ready to explain my situation. Maybe I could have Trish’s husband Bill do it when he got back from his business trip. “No, I think that will do it. Thanks for your help.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He headed out the bedroom door and down the stairs.
    When he opened the front door, he paused and turned toward me. I noticed his eyes flicker to my stomach, but I knew it was impossible to tell I was pregnant just by looking. I looked at him, waiting for him to say what was on his mind.
    “Never mind.” He shook his head. “Take care,” he said instead.
    “You too.” I locked the door behind him, then went to the front window and watched him walk toward the street that ran in front of our houses.
    I pulled out my laptop and brought up my email account. I had been checking my emails daily. Trevor had sent a few more emails, each getting progressively angrier, but I had resisted the urge to respond. I’d also been checking the Reno newspaper every day to watch for any information about Trevor’s arrest. So far there had been no mention of anything and I wondered if the charges had been dropped or a plea deal made.
    Alyssa, my friend from Reno, had emailed me back, but she was still at her parents’ house. Though I really wanted to give her all the details of my new life, I hadn’t told her where I’d moved, only that I had left. It saddened me that I couldn’t tell my friend more. Alyssa was the only person I really had a connection with who knew the truth about my life.
    As I thought about my safety, I wondered if it might be best if I were to just reinvent myself and put my past behind me. I knew I couldn’t cut Alyssa out completely, but I had to minimize my contact. I had to think of my safety and the safety of my baby.
    The first thing I wanted to do was sell Dad’s house. The idea had been hovering in the back of my mind for the last couple of weeks, but now it had pushed itself forward and I knew it was best. That night was Greta’s second dog obedience class and the next night I had my second self-defense class. I would leave early in the morning the day after my class.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    I went to Greta’s obedience class that night and learned some techniques to use with her. Billi was there with Chloe. We were both busy with our dogs and didn’t have a chance to do more than say hello. The next night I went to my second self-defense lesson. This time when Steve had me practice what I’d been taught, I responded with confidence. Throughout the previous week I’d practiced some of the movements and also visualized myself using them, which seemed to help.
    Early the following morning I loaded a suitcase with the items I thought I’d need, filled a container of dog food, grabbed Greta’s pet bed, then strapped Greta into the passenger seat with the special doggie seatbelt I’d bought. She didn’t seem to mind being restrained and this way she wouldn’t get in my way while I drove or get hurt if I had to stop suddenly.
    It took half the day to reach Reno, mostly because I had to stop a few times to give Greta breaks. As we passed through Reno I thought about Trevor and wondered what he was doing. Though I knew it was unlikely Trevor would see me, I couldn’t