UNINVITED

Chapter 6

    
I sat frozen on the couch. Who could that be? Assuming Tom got home and discovered I wasn’t there, he’d come to the conclusion I had fled, especially when I hadn’t left a note. But he wouldn’t know I was here. He’d reach out for my whereabouts. If he had, Grace would have let me know when I texted her. But then I remembered she hadn’t replied to my text.

     Tom couldn’t be the person behind my door. He couldn’t have tracked me down here so soon. I ruled the possibility out. My mind raced to the couple across the street. Maybe one of them needed help. I had an issue with the water system earlier, but that had already been resolved. What could they need help with? They seemed too perfect to have a problem even with their farmhouse.

     Two raps sounded in the house. I stood slowly and slid my legs into the pair of slippers. Instinctively, I skittered toward the window and held back a stiff curtain, then peered out. I sighed when I saw the person. The muscles in my hands and legs relaxed. Adrenaline rush waned. No cause for alarm. It was a harmless knock, after all.

     I backed from the window, crossing the room to the foyer. I flicked on the overhead light and went for the door.

     She looked at me with a small smile. “Hi.”

     It was difficult not to smile when someone smiled at you. Even if you didn’t want to, you had no choice. I now understood why smiling was inflictive. I managed a smile and made sure it didn’t drop when I responded. “Hi.”

     “I thought I should say hello. My husband suggested we do it tomorrow when you had rested, but I insisted.”

     Her husband. I already guessed that when I saw them on the porch, but I was glad she confirmed it.

     “It’s nice of you,” I cooed.

     “I hope it’s not much of a bother. I take it you’re tired after a long ride on the road.”

     “My feet ache and my fingers feel numb.” I placed my hand on the knob. “That’s what you get from gripping the wheel so hard and sitting for long hours.” I giggled. “But other than that, I’m fit as a fiddle.”

     She chuckled and I thought it was cute. “That’s exactly what Alec said when we arrived two days ago.”

     Alec. Two days ago. The name of her husband and the time they arrived. Good. I was learning something about them little by little without so much as being inquisitive. Act nice around people, and they’ll open up to you.

     “I brought you something.”

     Before I glanced down, she was already stretching a bowl toward me. I saw through the plastic, and the aroma of cinnamon hit my nostrils so hard I began wondering where it was coming from.

     I collected it. “Thanks.”

     “Some bakeries I made in the afternoon. Cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and pies. I thought you might want some.”

     I was allergic to cinnamon, but she didn’t need to know that. I widened my smile. “I’m sure I’m going to love them.”

     She made no attempt to leave, and I knew right away she wanted to come in. Who wouldn’t? Two days at a farmhouse in a seemingly idyllic town with no female company. I was certain she was yearning to have a chat with me.

     I opened the door wider. “Do you want to come in?”

     She nodded meekly like a little girl to her mother. “I could benefit from the company.”