The Keeping(126)
Kidnap her; carry her off... And hold her captive for the rest of her life? Eventually she would come to accept her fate... But what if she ever escaped? She’d have to be under around the clock supervision. And then there was Aldrich…
The door suddenly opened and he was forced to abandon his conflicted thoughts. Jumping to his feet, he turned to face an obviously surprised Lucy.
“Ryne, what are you doing here?”
“Hi, Lucy. I...um...”
She walked up to him and kissed his cheek, before moving to take her coat off. “Never mind. I know the truth.”
“You do?” He stiffened, assuming the worst.
“Of course. You’re sorry for your fight with Mel and came here to make up.”
“Uh... Right. That’s it.” He latched onto the lifeline she’d unknowingly handed him. “I’m here to make things right.”
Lucy nodded, glancing at Melody lying on the sofa, her face quickly changing from a happy to grin to real concern. “Oh, is she sick again?”
“Yeah. She fainted coming into the building and I carried her up here. She has a fever. I was just going to give her an aspirin.”
“I’ll get some from the medicine cabinet.” Lucy turned to go.
“No. I already checked. There isn’t any. Um...why don’t you sit with her and I’ll go to the store.” Ryne felt the need to get away for a few minutes and think things through. Lucy’s arrival had just thrown another curve into this mess.
“Sure. I’ll take care of her while you’re gone. Don’t worry.”
Ryne nodded, gave Melody a lingering look, and took his leave.
*****
Lucy bustled about the small apartment, caring for her patient. She eased Mel’s jacket off and hung it up, then got cold cloths to bathe her face, all the while thinking about Ryne’s unexpected appearance. It was so sweet that he’d come all this way to see Mel. Whatever argument they’d had couldn’t have been all that important; they’d be able to work out their differences. Grinning, Lucy tried to picture Ryne down on his knees apologizing, but then shook her head—no, it wouldn’t happen. The man was too arrogant for that, but his heart was in the right place. He and Mel would work things out and make a fine couple when all was said and done.
Noises were coming from next door and Lucy grimaced, recognizing the sounds. Well, someone was getting lucky. It made her think of Armand and how she’d yet to share a bed with him. Was there a future for her in Stump River with the bartender? She furrowed her brow and wandered to the window considering her own future. Should she finally make the move she’d always talked about and live in a big city like this?
Staring down at the street, she watched the traffic going past, people hurrying along the sidewalks never even acknowledging the other pedestrians. A train rattled by and the whole apartment shook. If she left Stump River, would her new home be this impersonal? Yet wasn’t that what she wanted? To make a new start where no one knew her or her reputation? It might be exciting...
A long black vehicle pulling up at the curb caught her attention. It screamed wealth and power from its shiny chrome to its tinted black windows. It reminded her of something a crime boss might drive, and she wondered who the occupants were here to visit.
The phone rang beside her and she answered, still idly watching the vehicle below.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Greene?”
“No, this is her friend, Lucy Chalmers. Can I help you? ”
“Kindly put Ms. Greene on the phone.”
“I’m sorry; she’s not well right now. Can I take a message?” Lucy glanced over at her friend who was moving about restlessly and muttering in her sleep.
“Tell her to quit playing games with me, Ms. Chalmers, if that’s really your name.”
“What do you mean, if that’s really my name? Why would I make up a name just to answer the phone?” Geez but this town was filled with weirdos.
“Never mind. I know what Greene is up to. If she thinks holding out will get her even more money, she’s sadly mistaken. Either she hands over whatever information she has in the next two minutes, or I’m coming up to get it.”
“Coming up? Where are you?” Lucy had a sinking feeling that she already knew the answer.
“I’m parked right in front of the building. As a matter of fact, I can even see you standing at the window.”
Lucy gave a squeak of surprise and jumped towards the middle of the room. How dare this person act like a Peeping Tom! She prepared to give the man a piece of her mind, but then thought better of it, having heard all about gangsters and crime lords on her tour that morning.