Alone and Afraid (Rocky Mountain Home Series Book 1) (4 page)

It wasn’t long before Brooke hea
rd another knock on her front door.  She glanced at the clock and realized she must have dozed off for a little while because it was daylight out now.

Brooke let the sheriff and his men inside
, and then she slid back down into the cushions on the sofa.  She had a hard time still controlling the crutches she knew she’d have to use for a few more days.

“Ms. Laine, we won’t be long.  We’ll just take a quick look around and see if we can find something that might give us an idea of who is behind your break-in
,” the sheriff said.

While she sat there, she heard Chase’s voice out back
.  But her foot throbbed so much, she didn’t pay attention to what was being said.

As she looked up, she saw Chase come inside and he carried a square of wood.  “I’ll put this up for you until you can get someone out to replace your window
,” Chase told Brooke.

“Thank you, I’ll have to call someone in a little while,” Brooke said as she winced from the pain.

Chase noticed that Brooke was in pain and said, “After I finish is, I’m taking you to the clinic.  That foot needs stitches and you need something for the pain.”

Brooke started to argue that she was capable of going to the clinic on her own,
and then she remembered, she’d need her foot to drive.  So she was at his mercy for a ride.

“I won’t argue, I think you’re right.  Maybe when we’re in town, I can see someone about the back door.  I think I’d like a door with no window,” Brooke told Chase.

“Well, it’s just what I thought, nothing out back to identify who was here last night. I’d get that door fixed, and since Chase here attached a lock to the breaker box already, I think you’ll be all right.  But call me if anything else happens,” the sheriff said, as he and his men left.

Brooke stood up as the sheriff left.  “I guess I’ll put some clothes on so we can leave,”
she said.

Chase walked up to her.  He wanted to tell her things would be
all right, but instead, he reached up to brush her hair out of her eyes.

Brooke flinched and moved back
, and lost her balance.  Chase steadied her by grabbing her arm.  He saw the look of fear in her eyes and couldn’t help wondering who put it there.  He knew then that someone had hurt Brooke in the past, and she still hurt.

“While you get dressed, I’ll make sure the rest of your home is secured.  I hope you don’t mind, but we’ll have to take your
car.  My truck will be too bumpy for that foot of yours,” Chase told her.

“No problem
, since I
really have no choice,” Brooke answered, as she hobbled to her room.

Hop
ping around her room took time, but finally Brooke was dressed and ready to go.  As she washed her face and brushed her teeth, she thought of Chase.  She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but when he reached up toward her face, all she saw was David’s fist coming toward her.  Would she ever get that image out of her mind?  Chase stirred emotions inside her that she refused to feel.  She’d have to be more guarded where her feelings were concerned.

Brooke handed C
hase her keys, and he locked the front door.  He unlocked the passenger side door for her, then, before he took her crutches, he reached inside and took the piece of paper from the passenger seat.  “Is this something important?  Do you want to put it in your purse?” he asked Brooke.

“It was on my windshield while I was in Vail.  I’m sure it’s not important. Probably advertising…
..,” she said.

Before she finished her sentence, Chase opened the paper that was folded in half and frowned.

“What? Isn’t it just tourist advertising?” Brooke asked.

“Uh, no, you might want to read this
. I think when we’re in town we’ll need to stop by the sheriff’s office and hand this over,” he said as he held the paper out for Brooke to read.

Brooke gasped when she read the words.

You made a big mistake and I’m coming for you.

Who is this person? What did he want with her?  These questions went through her mind as Chase took her crutches and helped her into the car.

Chase was wondering about who was behind the note and other strange things that had happened to Brooke, as well. By now, he felt she needed him, and he wasn’t going to let her down.  As he glanced over to the passenger side of the car, he noticed she looked like she was lost and alone.

“Brooke, you aren’t alone.  I’m here and the sheriff is here.  We’ll figure this out.  Before you turn your stubborn charm on me, listen
to me first.  Neither one of us wanted to make friends in our new home, but I think we have.  And as your friend, I will not let you spend your time here being terrified every minute.  I will be here for you,” Chase said as he reached over and covered her hand with his.  This time she didn’t flinch.  She just looked at him with such sadness in her eyes and said, “Thank you, Chase.  I do think you and I could be friends, and I’m not stupid enough to think I can handle all this alone.  So thank you for being here.”

Cha
se pulled up in front of the sheriff’s office and when Brooke opened her door, Chase shook his head, “No, you stay here.  I’ll bring the sheriff out to you.”

Brooke nodded and closed her door.  Chase was true to his word and came out shortly with the
sheriff in tow.

“Ms. Laine, I see you had another piece of information you didn’t share with me.  We can’t get to the bottom of your problems if you keep withholding information,” the sheriff sternly said.

“Sheriff, I didn’t withhold anything.   I found that paper on my windshield when I finished shopping in Vail.  I thought it was advertising for one of the businesses, so I just took it off and threw it in the car.  I forgot all about it till Chase picked it up from the passenger seat of my car,” Brooke said as she turned sideways in her seat and faced the sheriff who held her car door open.

“Have you already forgotten the incident in your last town?  You know the incident at the bank and your boyfriend’s arrest?  It would’ve been nice if you would’ve shared that with us.  I hear he’s out on bond and I understand he’s not too happy with you.  He thinks you’re the person who turned him in, although I did find out it wasn’t you
, which makes me wonder why you didn’t turn him in,” The sheriff said and then took a much needed deep breath.

Brooke was stunned
.  She saw the look on Chase’s face after the sheriff stopped for breath.  She felt defeated, but she stood her ground.

“Sheriff, since you found out all that, I’m sure you also found out the police cleared me.  I’m innocent of any crime.  I went through hell in Utah and all I wanted was peace and quiet. I didn’t ask to be tormented by you or anyone else, so I suggest you do your job and find the person behind this,” Brooke said and then slammed her door shut.

Her face turned a bright shade of red.  She rarely got that angry, but she had reached the end of her rope with the sheriff.  Surely if he talked to the police in Utah, he knew of her innocence and all about David.  As for Chase, he could think whatever he liked.  She no longer had to prove herself to anyone.

She sat
in silence as Chase drove to the hardware store.  He got out and went to make arrangements for a new back door.  There was so such she wanted to say to him, but she kept quiet.  But when they pulled up in front of the clinic, Chase turned to her, “Brooke, I don’t know the story and unless you trust me someday to share it, it’s none of my business.  It changes nothing.  I am still here for you, so please try to smile a little because you are about to get some stitches, and I doubt you’ll feel much like smiling afterward,” he said, as he smiled and reached over to wipe the lone tear that ran down her face.

Brooke did smile even though she felt betrayed by the sheriff
, and her foot hurt like hell.

With her crutches
, it was a slow walk to the door of the clinic, but she was in luck when she reached the front desk.  They sent her back to the doctor immediately since there was no one else there.

The doctor told her she did a great job when she cleaned out the wound, but she did need a few stitches.  He numbed the area and after he
applied six stitches, he rewrapped Brooke’s foot with fresh bandages.  He told her to stay off the foot for at least a week to let the foot heal.  He also gave her a prescription for the pain.  She thanked the good doctor and after she stopped at the cashier to pay for their services, she and Chase left and made one more stop to fill her prescription.

“It’s almost dinner time. How would you feel if we stopped at that Mexican restaurant down the road and ha
ve dinner, my treat?  That way you won’t have to be hobbling around trying to fix yourself something.

As if on cue, her stomach rumbled.  “I think that would be wonderful.  I am hungry, and the doctor said I should take the pain meds after eating,” Brooke said with a smile.

During dinner, Chase asked Brooke, “Do you feel like talking about Utah?  If not, just tell me to mind my own business.  But I am now your friend, and it might help to understand what is going on.”

Brooke looked a bit uncomfortable but said, “I don’t mind now, especially since
the sheriff brought it all up.”

Brooke told
Chase about her job at the bank and about David.  She left out the part about the physical abuse she suffered that one night.  It was still too raw to her and too personal, so she kept that part to herself.

“I’m glad the police cleared you, but didn’t I hear the sheriff mention that your
ex-boyfriend is out on bond?  Does he know where you are?”  Chase asked.  He knew Brooke hadn’t told him the whole story, and he believed he knew what she left out.  He felt that she’d share more when she knew him better.  In the meantime, he’d settle for what she shared with him tonight.

“Yes, I read online that he’s out, but I don’t think he knows where I am or could find out.  At least I hope not,” Brooke answered.

Chase saw Brooke wince and knew the injections the doctor shot into her foot were wearing off.  “I think it’s about time you took one of those pain pills.  I also think it’s time I got you home.  I want to check your cottage out before I leave you there alone.  I also want to install the deadbolts I picked up at the hardware store.  It will only take a few minutes, after I collect my tools from home.”

“I keep thanking you, but that seems so little compared to what you’ve done to help me.  Please let me pay for dinner.  It’s the least I can do,” Brooke said
before she swallowed her pill.

Chase was not brought up to let a woman pay for his meals, but he knew how independent Brooke was and how she lost some of that when she cut her foot and with
everything happening.  So after a little arguing, he gave in and let her pay.

Chase drove to his
house and grabbed his tools before he took Brooke home.  Once they got back to her home, he helped her get out of the car and locked it.  He unlocked her front door as he told her to stay on the porch while he looked around inside. 

He returned shortly
, and after he got Brooke settled on the sofa, he went to work on the deadbolt locks on the front and back doors.  About forty-five minutes later, he packed up all his tools and asked Brooke if he could leave them in her shed until morning, instead of carrying them all home tonight.  He had a cordless drill, a screwdriver set, and a jig saw, for cutting the circle hole.

Brooke looked at al
l the tools Chase had on the floor and knew he’d have to make two trips to get it all home.

“That’s not a problem.  The keys are on the table and I know you’ll lock the shed back up, right?”
she said.

“Sure will, and then I’ll return your keys and be on my way.  Is there anything you might need before I go?”
he asked her.

“No, I’m going to change and crawl into bed as soon as I lock the door behind you, but thanks again, Chase,” Brooke said.

Chase took his tools to the shed and locked the back door after he came back.  Brook stood up to let him out the front door and was surprised when Chase stood so close to her.  If she wasn’t on crutches she would’ve moved back, but she remembered when she tried that earlier and almost landed on her rear end, so she stood still.

Chase tucked some loose strands of Brooke’s hair behind her ear and said, “Good night, Brooke.  If you need anything during the night
, call me.  I took the liberty of entering my number in your cell phone, so don’t hesitate if you need me.”

“Good night Chase,” Brooke said absently.  She was reeling from the electricity she felt when Chase touched her check
, and was bewildered that he thought to add his phone number to her phone.  She actually smiled, as she turned to go get in her pajamas for the night.  She felt the pain medication working and knew she needed a good night sleep. After changing for bed, she crawled under the heavy quilt and was soon fast asleep.

Brooke woke up feeling refreshed
.  Her foot even felt much better this morning, but that would probably change once she got up and moved around some.  She still wasn’t allowed to get her foot wet, so that left out taking a shower or a long bath, but she could freshen up some, which she did before she headed to the kitchen and the coffee maker.

She was on her second up of coffee when she heard a familiar knock on her door.  Looking through the
peephole, she saw Chase on the other side and opened the door.

“Good morning, what brings you out this early?”  Brooke asked.

Chase smiled as he held out a large paper bag.  “I figured you’d be up since they will soon be arriving to install your new back door, so I brought breakfast.  I couldn’t see you stumbling around in the kitchen trying to fix breakfast and hold your crutches too.  It’s muffins, bacon, and scrambled eggs.  Hope it fits with your approval,” he said.

Brooke actually laughed and said, “
Breakfast smells wonderful, thank you.  You can take it to the kitchen.  I made coffee.  Would you like some?”

Chase was thrown by Brooke’s laugh.  He didn’t think he would ever hear that sound
, and it was such a beautiful laugh.  It took him a moment to register the words Brooke said, but soon he did and carried the bag to the kitchen.  “Yes, I’d love some coffee, but I’ll get it while you sit,” he told her.

“Cups are in the cabinet above the coffee pot,” Brooke said.

After he grabbed a cup and poured some coffee for himself, he asked, “And the plates and forks are where?”

“The cabinet to your left,” she replied.

Brooke sat at the small kitchen table watching Chase as he prepared both plates of food and thought, how thoughtful Chase was.  Not everyone would be so considerate.  This was actually nice.

“There you go, and I expect you to eat every crumb,” Chase said as he placed her plate in front of her.

She did just that.  She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she took her first bite.  They refrained from conversation until they both finished all that was in front of them. 

“
You stay right where you are, while I clean up.  Would you like more coffee?” Chase asked Brooke.

“
I’m not used to someone waiting on me, Chase.  I can get my own coffee, you know,” she said, but with none of the sternness of the past two days.

“I am well aware of your independence
, but it doesn’t hurt to let me do this.  I am here and feel the need to pamper you some.  I have a strong feeling you haven’t been pampered much in your life.  If you’re honest, you’d admit it feels good once in a while, doesn’t it?”  Chase said.

He was surprised that she didn’t kick him out after he said so much, but she just smiled that beautiful smile of hers and said
, “You’re right, it does feel nice. Just don’t think you can make a habit of this.”

Another knock came at the front door
and Chase said, “I’ll get it, you stay put.”

Brooke heard Chase greet the sheriff and wondered what the sheriff wanted this morning.

“Good morning, Ms. Laine.  I’m glad to see you are recovering from your ordeal,” the sheriff said as he entered the kitchen.

“Hello sheriff, what can we help you with this morning?   Did you find the person who broke into my home?”  Brooke asked.

“Oh, that’s still being investigated.  I’m here to see if you met your other neighbor yet, Mrs. Drake.  She’s an older woman who owns the home to the right of you,” the sheriff replied.

“No, I haven’t seen her yet.  Why do you ask?”  Brooke asked the sheriff
.  She had a feeling that she wasn’t going to like his answer.

“That surprises me.  Mrs. Drake would’ve been over here the day you arrived.  That’s the kind
of woman she is.  She would’ve welcomed you and probably brought you some of her delicious coconut cookies,” he said, and then scratched his head before he continued, “Mrs. Drake’s best friend from town, Mrs. Olson, is worried.  Seems no one has seen Mrs. Drake or heard from her in four days.  And she isn’t answering her phone or her doorbell.”

“Maybe she went out of town for a few days.  Does she have family?” Chase interjected.

“She only has a brother who she had a falling out with recently over some real estate deal. I hear she’s had no contact with him lately.  Well, if she does come around, please let me know, so we don’t put out a missing person report on her,” the sheriff said, before he left.

When Chase opened the front door to let the sheriff out
, he saw the hardware van pull into the drive and hollered to Brooke, “Your new door is here.”

It took the men almost one hour to take the old door off and replace it with the new one
.  When they finished, Brooke said, “Chase, you did a great job picking out the new door.  It blends right in with the rest of the cottage, thank you.”

Brook slowly made her way to her purse and paid the men before they went on their way.

“Seems this is going to be a busy morning around here,” Chase said, as another vehicle pulled into Brooke’s driveway.

Brooke was still standing, so she worked her way to the front door, “Can I help you?” she said to the man in the suit who just got out of the
car.

“Yes you can, I hope.  My name is Brian Jackson and I’m from the Mou
ntain High Development Company,” he said, as he handed Brooke his business card.  “We’re hoping to develop vacation cabins in the area soon, and would like to discuss the possibility of you selling your cottage.  Before you say anything, we will give you fair market value plus extra for a quick sale.”

“I’m sorry you wasted your time, but I’m not interested.  This cottage is my home and I’m staying,” Brooke said firmly.

“Did you approach Mrs. Drake about her selling her cottage?” Chase asked the man.

“Why, yes we did
.  Almost three weeks ago.  She seemed interested, but said she might have to ask her brother.  Apparently he has a small interest in her home,” the man answered.

“Thank you anyway, but I am not interested,” Brooke said.

“Can you tell me who owns the home to the left of you?”

Chase laughed and said, “I do, and I’m not interested either.  Goodbye,” Chase said, then closed the door.

Brooke had a huge smile on her lips as Chase turned around after practically slamming the front door in the man’s face, “Guess they will have to develop somewhere else,” she said.

“Yes, I guess so.  Colorado has lots of open land they can buy
. I don’t want tourists trampling through my property all year long,” Chase said.

Broke looked thoughtful so Chase asked, “Is there something wrong?

She laughed, again and answered, “No, I was just thinking how much you have already helped me
,
and I was leery of asking you for more help.”

Now it was Chase’s turn to laugh.  “What help?  I have no plans for the day.  What do you have in mind?”

“
Well, I was thinking this place needs some indoor plants, but it can wait till I’m off these crutches,” she said.

“I can shop for plants.  Just can’t do the clothes shopping thing,”
he said with a laugh.

“Wonderful, can we go now before the foot
starts throbbing again?”  Brooke asked.

“Your carriage
awaits, just give me the keys and we’re on our way,” Chase said happily. Brooke seemed much friendlier today and he wanted to enjoy every minute of this Brooke’s company.

Chase parked on the street in front of the nursery and helped Brooke out of the car.  Brooke stood on one foot while Chase got her crutches out of the car
.  Glancing across the street, she gasped.

“Did I hit your foot?” Chase asked after he heard Brooke’s low sound.  When he stood up and handed her the crutches, he noticed how pale she looked suddenly.

“Brooke, are you ok?  I’m sorry if I accidently hit your sore foot,” he said apologetically.

“You didn’t hurt me.  I just saw David across the street, but now he’s gone.  He found me,”
she said as her voice broke.  She wanted to hide and not be found, but it looked like that didn’t work.  She wondered how long he had been in town and if he was behind all her problems.