Mistletoe & Kisses (32 page)

But what I realized next chilled me to the bone.

Chapter Nine

I FELT A cold shiver race through my body as I looked at
Frank Johnson’s
profile.  Yeah, “Frank Johnson.”  I somehow doubted that was this person’s name.  But that wasn’t what had me freaking out.  No, what creeped me out the most was that this guy had two friends—and I was one of them.

Weird.

This guy did nothing on his page either.  He had the profile pic (the fuzzy one) but he didn’t have a cover photo.  He didn’t have any likes or interests…well, except he had liked our Val Hella Facebook page.  Other than that, though, he had no activity.

Nope.  The only thing he
did
do on Facebook, it seemed, was stalk me, but even that had seemed to be harmless. 
Had
.  Now I was beginning to wonder if I’d found exactly what I’d set out to find.  Because this person had only one friend other than myself (and only heaven knew how he’d found this other person or what that person meant to him), it made him even more suspicious and made me believe the profile was completely fake.

It made me think that maybe Gracie was “Frank.”

I considered telling Brad or Chuck, but I thought, first of all, that they might think I’d lost my fucking mind.  Besides that, without evidence—without
proof
—I had nothing.  Again, they’d think I’d gone off the deep end.  But I did plan to tell the cops when we returned home.  If I gave them what I had and then let them do their own digging, they might be able to confirm what I’d only suspected.

I wanted to tell Brad.  I did.  But he had enough to worry about, and I didn’t need him worrying that his wife had lost her marbles.

Instead, the next day we did what we’d planned.  We celebrated Christmas, presents and all, and Brad had even arranged to have a restaurant make us a traditional dinner and serve us in a little backroom.  I had no idea how much money he’d paid for that one, but the pumpkin pie alone was worth it.  We even got to watch some of our favorite Christmas movies that afternoon.  It was a wonderful holiday, one that almost felt like the real deal.

The day after, we packed up according to plan, ready to head over to the western slope of Colorado where we were going to visit Brad’s dad and then his mother.  By that point, Chuck told us couldn’t come along as he had another job to do, but he said that, aside from Gracie’s Starbucks incident and the ominous note on the newspaper I got before he arrived, he thought I was out of danger.  The whacko must have gotten a clue and Chuck’s presence must have scared him off.

Ha.  Nope.  Gracie got wise.  That was all that had happened.

Chuck insisted upon checking out our vehicle before we left, though, just to be sure nothing funky was going on there.  So he had the hotel bring the car up and he examined every last nook and cranny—especially on the outside—before he gave us a go ahead.

He must have seen the look on my face as I held Hayley close, rocking her on my hip outside on the stone walk under the overhang.  “Val, I see that look you’re giving me, but I want you to know I was looking for tracking devices…or even something more sinister.  Guys like the guy stalking you—you just can’t be too safe.”  He shook his head.  “Damn.  I wish I could go with you.”

Brad walked up behind me from the lobby while a bellhop rolled out a large cart full of our stuff.  “No worries, Chuck.  I agree with you completely.  You scared that asshole off.”

No matter what I knew, I had to play along.  After all, Gracie was standing right next to me.  “Or the guy’s just been laying low since Chuck has been here, and he’s planning to make a move once he’s gone.”

Chuck frowned.  “Know what?  Give me a minute.”  He stepped out of our line of hearing, tapping on his phone while he walked away, and then he brought it up to his ear.  I looked at my husband who then raised his eyebrows.

Brad wrapped an arm around my back and asked, “What the hell did I miss?”

I lowered my voice.  “Your guess is as good as mine.”  But I had an idea that maybe Chuck was reconsidering.  Something I’d said rang true with him.

When he came back, he told us that he’d rearranged his schedule with Manny, and Manny would find someone else to do the three-hour job Chuck was scheduled to work the next day.  “I think you’re right, Val, and I want to be sure you’re safe.”  So, while we waited for the hotel to bring his vehicle up as well, Brad told Chuck where we were going and Chuck typed the details into his phone.  He said he’d follow us on the road but wanted directions in case he somehow lost us.  “Have you been followed at all?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Have you noticed anyone following your vehicle, either here or back at home?”

Brad shrugged and I shook my head.  I was more convinced than ever that my kids’ nanny was the culprit, for whatever sick reason she had in her head, and so I didn’t think I’d ever been followed in a vehicle, not to mention I’d never seen it happen.

A thought invaded my brain, frightening me to the core.  What if…what if Gracie had fallen in love with Brad…and that was why she was playing this sick game?

I kept my suspicions to myself but suddenly felt very grateful that Chuck was going to be with us for the duration.

* * *

The day we spent with Brad’s dad was uneventful, much as I had expected.  He lived alone in a small apartment and seemed to like it that way, but it left little room for his sons or their families.  It was a pleasant visit but it was nice to relax in a hotel where we had a little breathing room.

The next day we headed to Brad’s mother’s home in another town.  She had a big house and Brad had already called her to make sure she could accommodate one more.  She’d been planning on us and the kids and even Gracie, but not a bodyguard. 
No problem
, she told her son. 
The more, the merrier.

Yes, well, she might say that now, but once she heard about all the stalker BS that had been going on, she might change her mind.

She didn’t, though.  She loved having us all there and having a huge crew to cook for.  Brad’s brother rarely visited her and even we were lucky to make it over the slope once a season, but we made the effort.  She came to see us a couple of times a year as well, but she had to work around her job as a nurse.

The biggest part of the problem was Brad’s touring schedule—and now mine as well.  Being on the road for months at a time, all we wanted to do with chunks of time off was to go home and take it easy.  But I’d always loved Barbara Payne…and her cooking was phenomenal.  It reminded me of my own mother’s, except Barbara tended to do some unusual things that made her food even better.  She added a lot of fruits and nuts to dishes I wouldn’t even think of adding them to, but it made those foods even better.  Ever eat green chili apple pie or cinnamon chili?  Yeah, that’s the kind of strange I’m talking about—but
good
strange.

Chris already loved the woman he called
Gramma Barb
.  He’d been looking forward to seeing her since we left Beaver Creek.  He was happy to see Brad’s father too, but my son didn’t feel as close to him.

After our first night where we exchanged presents and had another traditional Christmas meal, the next evening—our last before we headed home—Barbara said that her biggest present to us was a night alone.  She wanted us to enjoy a romantic evening at a steak and seafood place downtown.  She also wanted to have the grandkids all to herself.  If she hadn’t said she wanted to have the kids with her, I would have said no and found an excuse.  I didn’t want to leave my kids alone with Gracie anymore.

Barbara, though?  I knew she loved those kids as much as—if not more than—her own sons.  And I would have trusted her with my own life.  So we told Gracie she had the night off and could do whatever she liked.

The girl couldn’t decide if she wanted to go out or not, so Barbara convinced her to stay and hang with her and the kids.  Brad’s mom tended to take people under her wing, and Gracie had that look of innocence sometimes.

But now I knew better.

I put on a pair of slacks but Brad asked me to wear a dress instead.  I tried to play stupid, but he knew I’d brought along one dress…
just in case
.  Just in case what, I hadn’t known at the time, but I liked being prepared.  And Brad knew that about me, so when I tilted my head and tried to feign ignorance, he grinned and squinted his eyes.  “I want to see those sexy legs of yours, babe.”

I laughed.  I didn’t want those legs of mine getting cold, and I knew they would be.  It was just as cold here as it had been in Beaver Creek, and I complained about it.  Brad countered.  “What if I make sure the car is warm before you get in?”

I closed my eyes, slowly shook my head, and let out a sigh.  Then I nodded.  It was hard telling my husband no when it was something that obviously meant so much to him.

As I was doing my hair in the bathroom upstairs, I heard Brad and Chuck talking.  A few minutes later, Brad walked in.  “Hey, Chuck was going to come with us to keep an eye on you, but I asked him to stay here with mom and the kids.”

For me, that was a no brainer, and having dinner alone with Brad would be my chance to lay it all out to him.  I’d debated telling him the last few evenings in bed before we’d drifted to sleep (except for the night before when the kids were with us), ever since I’d had my suspicions, but if he’d gotten all fired up, he would have made a scene in the middle of the night and who knew what else?  Alone, though, just the two of us, he’d be able to get over his vehemence and help me come up with a plan of action to watch Gracie and find some evidence so the cops could arrest her.  Right now, all I had was my gut feeling.  I needed proof.

So having Chuck stay with my kids was an easy decision.  If Gracie had gone out like she’d debated, I wouldn’t have been as concerned (and, in fact, might have been in need of Chuck’s skills), but if she was staying behind with my kids and I still didn’t know her MO, my kids were in more need of a bodyguard than I.

Besides, I had my knight in leather armor.

He also happened to be the man of my dreams, and we were going to enjoy a wonderful evening alone together.  I could hardly wait.

Chapter Ten

IT WAS BEFORE seven when we arrived at the restaurant, but because it was winter, it was dark out.  The sky was lighter than usual, though, and I knew that was signaling more snow.  It made me wonder if we’d be able to head home the next day according to schedule or if the weather would delay our trip.

My legs weren’t as cold as I’d thought they would have been, but that was because Brad had kept his promise.  I only felt the cool air on them for a few minutes passing from building to car and car to building.  We walked inside the toasty restaurant and it didn’t take me long to see that this was probably the most popular place in the whole town.  It was packed, and there were even a few people waiting for a table in front of us.

We stood patiently as the hostess helped the folks before us.  Brad squeezed my hand and whispered in my ear.  “Thanks for wearing the skirt.”

I grinned.  “You better make it worth my while later.”

“Oh, I will.”  The kids had slept in the same bed with us the night before.  I’d made a big deal of us sleeping on Barb’s hideaway couch in the living room next to the Christmas tree.  We kept the tree lights on all night and the kids loved watching them while Brad and I took turns telling stories.

Tonight, though, the kids were going to sleep with Gramma.  I hoped we weren’t spoiling them too much on this vacation.  I’d find out for certain if they were demanding hellions when we got home.  I smiled, thinking about how much those babies meant to me.  I was a lucky woman, and I squeezed Brad’s hand back.

I was going to have to tell him my Gracie theory once we sat down.

The hostess was ready for us, and we approached her.  Brad told her we needed a table for two and she looked down at her chart.  I started looking around again, and I could feel the cool breeze coming from the door as more people walked in.  I glanced back that way and saw eight or nine people behind us.  I hoped that meant that the restaurant served food quickly.

As I began turning back to the hostess, I thought my gaze passed a pair of eyes I recognized.  But before I could register who it was, I realized Brad was asking me a question and I looked at him.  “What?”

“Do you want to wait in the bar or over here?”

I took a deep breath.  “Um, how long will the wait be?”

“About ten minutes.”

Longer than that and I might have contemplated another restaurant, but ten minutes was no big deal.  I shrugged and then said, “How about the bar?”  I didn’t want my teeth chattering thanks to the cool air constantly rushing through the door.

“Right this way.”

We started following her, but first I glanced back.  I wanted to see the face again.  I knew my eyes had spied a friend…or at least someone who reminded me of a friend, and I wanted to put a name to the face.

Too late, though.  The guy was gone—either he went back outside or was a figment of my imagination to begin with.

Brad and I sat at the bar where the hostess left us, along with a black box that would buzz us when our table was ready.  Brad ordered two glasses of red wine and I took a sip before I broached the subject I really needed to address with him.  I cleared my throat and leaned in closer.  It wasn’t quiet in there and someone would have had to try hard to overhear me, but I still didn’t want to broadcast my conversation.  “Honey, have you ever considered that we might actually know the stalker?

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.  What if it’s someone we already know…and trust?”

“Yeah, I got that.  But do you realize what you’re saying?”

“I do.”  I took a sip of wine.  “Unfortunately, that idea didn’t just occur to me out of the blue.”  He raised his eyebrows but said nothing.  I took another deep breath and then just blurted it out.  “I’m pretty sure Gracie’s my stalker.”

Brad had a look of shock for a few seconds, and then he started laughing.  “You think
Gracie
is your stalker?”

“I didn’t say it made sense, and I don’t know
why
, Brad, but
yes
.  All the signs point to her.”  He stifled his guffaws, because he knew I was serious.  I only called him by his first name instead of a term of endearment when I wanted him to pay attention or when I was getting irritated, and so he knew I was serious.  Once his smile faded, I started first by telling him about the day in Beaver Creek when I’d taken a walk with Chuck and how Gracie had called just when I happened to get a supposed text from my stalker.  I explained to Brad that that was what made me suspicious but then, after that, all the pieces just fell into place—
and they fit
.

When I was done explaining my case, Brad said, “I dunno, honey.  It’s circumstantial.  It’d never hold up in court.”

“No, not yet.  I know.  We need hard evidence.  And that’s why I’m telling you.  I need you to help me find it.”  He frowned, still not feeling convinced.  Our black box buzzed and a red LED light on it blinked, alerting us to the fact that our table was ready.  I took the last sip of my wine and slid off the stool, grabbing my coat and purse.  Brad took my hand and we walked back toward the hostess area.

She smiled, recognizing us.  “Let me show you to your table.”

“Actually, could you point out the ladies’ room to me?”  I looked at Brad.  “I’ll be there in just a sec.”

The hostess nodded and pointed me toward the left-hand side of the cavernous restaurant, way past the bar area, and I saw the sign above the doorway.  The hostess gave me a general idea of where she’d be seating Brad but also mentioned that she’d be happy to show me there when I returned from the restroom.  I handed my coat to Brad and headed over to the restrooms.

After using the facilities, I washed my hands and then walked into the hallway from the ladies’ room.  I looked to the left and saw that it led to other rooms in the restaurant—likely supply rooms, or even an office, and another entrance to the kitchen, so, reoriented, I turned to the right so I could walk back into the restaurant.

As I took a step, though, I noticed a large body in front of me suddenly in my way.  I looked up and saw those eyes again—those steely blue eyes of a friend.  My mind registered who he was and I got ready to say something—a surprised greeting—when he slapped his hand over my mouth and shoved me through a door.

It all happened way too fast.  Before I could even figure out what was going on, my brain focused on the pain I felt in my arm.  His thick fingers were twisting into the delicate flesh next to my underarm, and I knew it was going to bruise.  I wanted to shout, but his other hand was still clamped over my mouth.  I wasn’t struggling—yet.  I was still too disoriented.

I began focusing past the pain.  Okay, we were in the men’s restroom now and it didn’t take long for a chill to settle in my muscles.  This guy, a man we’d always affectionately called
Rockstar Balboa
, was my stalker.  I don’t know how I knew at that moment—I just did.

Rockstar
, a guy whose real name was Kenny, had been a roadie for Fully Automatic for the past several years.  He’d been one of their most trusted guys, had been hired on when Ethan and I were still married.  So what the hell was he doing this for?

I wanted to ask, but my mouth was still forced shut by his big hand.  Did he see the question in my eyes?  “Yeah, Val.  You’ve flirted with me for years, but I’m not the big bad rock star.  I’m not the guy you sing about.  And why?  Don’t you remember all those times I got you coffee when you were on the road?  When I kept you company when the guys had meet and greets and shit like that?  Jesus.  I thought when you dumped Ethan—
finally
, ‘cause the cheating bastard didn’t deserve you—I thought you’d see the light.  But you just completely ignore me.”

Wait. 
What?
  Had I managed to completely miss the fact that this guy had had a thing for me all these years?  My mind reached back.  Sure, I remembered him being a little over-attentive on occasion.  One time I was sitting backstage with the guys hours before a show started.  The initial sound check was done and everyone was just kicking back.  It was right before I got pregnant with Chris, the last tour I went on when Ethan and I were still together.  It had hurt too much to be with them, because I missed the stage, but I felt like I was being a shitty wife, not going along and supporting him.  Well, on that particular day, Ethan was fucking around with his guitar when Kenny had just walked up behind me and started massaging my shoulders.  I’d been nervous, because all those feelings had welled up inside me—the gnawing ache of not being able to take my rightful place behind the mike, the coldness from Ethan (although our nights had been particularly hot that summer), and I could sense some tension amongst the guys, although I wasn’t sure where it was coming from.  Kenny, though, was the only one who’d paid me any attention, had noticed that inside I was suffering, and he’d given me a killer backrub.  If he hadn’t done it right in front of everyone else, I might have asked him not to, because it felt partly inappropriate, but he’d just barely started when Ethan appeared and said, “Don’t expect me to start payin’ ya as a masseuse too, Rockstar.”  Kenny had chuckled and then cupped the back of my neck in his large hand and helped me relax.

But I could see now how that had been the first of a long line of mistakes with this guy.  Oh, don’t get me wrong.  His vibes were a little
too
friendly and touchy after that, and I had to draw a line.  I just figured the guy needed to get laid.  I didn’t stop to think that maybe the guy figured that, hey, Ethan fucked around on Val, so why couldn’t Val do the same?  I just knew that he felt creepy on occasion but he seemed like a genuinely nice guy, so I just tried to firmly ask him to back off.

Looking back, though, I could see that he’d never quite gotten the message…and now I was paying for that.

In light of recent events, when thinking that there might be someone watching my every move, I’d never considered him.  Nope, I hadn’t considered anyone really, not till recently, and then I’d thought it was Gracie.  Oh, how stupid had I been!

Having convinced myself it was my children’s caretaker, I’d blinded myself to the possibility that someone else was behind it, and now I was in a situation that I feared would have a very unpleasant outcome.

Had he maybe stepped up his game because he was
not
part of my road crew?

Could that be the way I could save myself?

Somehow I knew that doing what I wanted to wouldn’t be the best course of action.  I wanted to fight, to scream, to run, but deep down I knew that would be a bad idea.  I raised my eyebrows, and somehow he got the message that I wanted to talk.  His voice was low as he pressed his forehead to mine.  “You scream once, it’s all over.  You got it?”

Did I look as scared as I felt?  Was it a bad idea to show that fear?  Like I could help it.  I simply nodded, waiting for him to remove his hand.  Then I took a deep breath before trying to plead my case.  “Kenny, what is it you want from me?  Do you want to go on the road with me?”  I got the feeling he wanted to tie me up to his bed permanently, eventually performing some sort of taxidermy experiment on me, but I wasn’t going to offer anything remotely sexual or loving.  I just needed something to distract him, help him drop his guard enough that I could get the fuck out of there.

He blinked twice.  “You think I’m stupid, Val?  Why didn’t you make me that offer six months ago?”

As much as I wanted to tell him what he wanted to hear in hopes of getting out of there alive, I also wanted to be honest.  “Look, Kenny, I had nothing to do with the hiring of my road crew.  You know that, don’t you?”

He voice grew colder.  “Okay, sure, but you couldn’t put in a good word for me?  You didn’t care about me enough to make sure I was part of your crew to begin with?  Oh, yeah, I can be your willing slave when you’re chasing your husbands all over the country, but when it’s your own thing, you didn’t give me a second thought.”

Fear gripped my throat and constricted it.  I felt like I couldn’t even talk but I managed to get out a few words anyway.  “I guess I didn’t think about it.”

As though the way my throat felt wasn’t enough, he wrapped a hand around my neck.  It was almost as if he could sense my vulnerabilities.  “You should have thought about it sooner.”  He brought his face close to mine, so close that my eyes could only focus on close-up details.  I tried to swallow but my throat muscles couldn’t work against his steely fingers.

I had to do
something
or I was going to wind up dead—that much I knew.  I could feel it coming off him.  Maybe I could flatter him, make him feel better somehow.  His fingers began to tighten their grip when I said, “You look different, Kenny.”

His eyes narrowed and when he spoke, I could feel the heat of his breath on my cheek.  “What do you mean?”

“I haven’t seen you in a while.  You—you look like you’ve been working out.”  I was exaggerating, but he didn’t need to know that.  He
did
look like he’d toned up some, maybe lost a few pounds, but I knew flattery might throw him off guard.

He actually smiled and his eyes relaxed.  “You can tell?”

I didn’t want to seem overly eager and fake, so I just said, “Yeah.”