Her husband owned Ahab’s and, although thetwo worked essentially opposite shifts, the pair was obviously asin love today as the day they met. Maybe more. Asher had made hispreference for no-commitment very clear to Irene from day one,which she had preferred as well.
Which was probably why they still got alongwell. She’d been on the lookout for true love, and he’d had no ideawhat he wanted. So, they had just messed around with no stringsattached.
Asher hated the secret more than he couldsay. Even if he and Sophie werejust friendsfor now.Despite their efforts to cool down, they wouldn’t bejustfriendsif he didn’t believe it and neither did Sophie. “Iknow. Trust me, it wasn’t my idea, and I won’t have to keep mum forlong. No choice in this case.”
One hand on her hip, the other waggled at himlike the second mother she designated herself as. “She’d better beworth it.”
“She is.” He couldn’t contain the smile as heimagined when he could bring Sophie in here and show her off. Witha wave, he strolled out the door and caught the friendly air kissLarissa blew in his direction. A friendly jingling announced hisdeparture as he opened the diner door, warm air wafting across hisskin as he entered the balmy street.
As morning had passed into afternoon, townwas now bustling with locals and tourists alike, more than heremembered from his childhood, but somehow still pleasantlypeaceful. Having another hour to kill, he tried to find somethingto keep him occupied. Sutherland’s Hardware was a block and a halfaway.
Nope, not going there. Not today. Today wastoo nice of a day to stress himself out that way.
Not that he was practicing avoidancebehaviors, as he now could identify this tendency in himself thanksto therapy. Cringing, he pictured himself selling plywood and lightfixtures for the rest of his life. It was great work, and hewouldn’t hate it. His dad sure liked it. It just wasn’t forhim.
He could picture himself still working forSutherlands thirty years from now, simply because he hadn’t foundsomething better. It would be fine. He just wasn’t eager to getstuck in a long-term career that didn’t interest him in theleast.
Instead, he headed into the next shop down.Sporty’s was having a sale. He could always use new running shoes,maybe stock up on camping gear. His tent should be fine, but hissleeping bag hadn’t been used in ages and was likely dust laden andmoth eaten from storage in the garage.
The sale was pretty fantastic. Two-for-onesleeping bags. A nice, extra-long navy blue one with a green zipperin Seahawks colors had his name written on it. As luck would haveit, right next to it was a lighter blue one with a black zipperthat could zip right up to it to make a big sleeping bag fortwo.
Getting ahead of yourself?Yeah,probably. For a city girl, Sophie seemed to love the outdoors. Hadshe ever been camping? Not wanting to miss the sale, he picked upthe pair of sleeping bags. Camping gear was a thoughtful birthdaypresent, wasn’t it?
On his way to the checkout, he accidentlypicked up a pink flashlight and gunmetal gray multipurpose tool forher. And that was it. And a gift card. She’d want some decenthiking boots. By the time he left, he had a nice amount of rewardspoints accumulated. Good investment, really.
Tossing the massive load of gear into thebackseat of the pickup, he tossed his jacket over the top to coverthe pile of booty. Pleased with his purchases, hoping Sophie wouldbe as thrilled with the gifts as he was, he checked his watch. Nicetiming. Sophie should be finishing up at the bank soon.
***
Sophie’s knee rattled at high speed as thebanker finalized the last of the documents. Each click of hisfingers on the keyboard hammered into her skull, a thunderingdoomsday countdown. Outside the cubicle walls, she could hear thechipper greeting of a teller to a customer depositing her paycheck.At the self-service counter, two other customers were clearly goodfriends, ragging each other about last week’s bingo tournament. Allwere happy and enjoying the marvelous afternoon. None were countingdown the seconds until they were struck with a full-scale blackmailattack.
When would Yvette start the harassment? Wouldshe wait until morning? She’d never remembered Sophie’s birthdaybefore, but something told Sophie she wouldn’t miss this one.
“Miss Jones, your funds will be depositeddirectly into your savings account at 0800 tomorrow morning. If youchoose to transfer any of it into a CD or mutual fund, I’ll be morethan happy to help.” Around her age, maybe a year or two older, KaiHiggins, banker extraordinaire, extended his hand and shook hers inan easy handshake. He was incredibly handsome, with his rich oliveskin, thick ebony hair, and dashing smile. Obviously feeling herout for a transition to a social conversation once their businesswas concluded.
“Thanks, Kai. I’ll see you around.” Shegrinned back at him, hiding her anxiety about the whole fundstransfer. Maybe if she automatically put a large chunk into a CD,she couldn’t get to it when Yvette asked, and she wouldn’t be ableto give her anything, even if she wanted to.
Smoothing his sapphire blue tie, he warmlyadded, “I’m sure we’ll have more than a few mutual customers. Don’thesitate to call me if you need anything.”
Sliding back in the chair, Sophie just roseto stand, her butt barely off the chair, when a deafening cracksliced through the air. The subsequent crash of debris from theceiling left little doubt as to the cause of the noise.
Instinctively ducking down, she and Kai bothhit the ground in an instant.
“Alright everybody, faces on the floor andhands behind your heads.” A hoarse voice bellowed over the whimpersand screams from the four other bank customers and the handful ofemployees.
Subtly watching through the open cubicledoorway, Sophie did as she was told and stilled as four armed,masked figures spread out swiftly across the room. Each with apistol in hand and another at the hip, they didn’t seem to belocals looking for drug money.
Asher would be here any minute. Keeping herhead low to the ground, not wanting to attract attention, she wasonly able to make out the bright sun shining into the tops of thewindows. The cubicle wall blocked her from being able to seeoutside, and certainly there was no way to warn Asher to stayaway.
From his spot on the floor a few feet away,Kai inched toward her. Subtly, sternly, Sophie shook her head, notwanting to attract attention. He stilled and responded with aglimmer of a nod, recognizing she was right. With a subtle eyebrowraise, he angled his head and silently asked if she was okay.
Nodding, she indicated that she was fine,appreciating the concern, even though he could clearly see she wasunharmed and exhibiting no more panic than the others. Offering hima small, reassuring smile, she turned her head back to watch thechaos unfold.
Two of the bandits walked behind the tellercounter, demanding to be taken to the vault. A third announced ashe watched the few customers and bank employees on the floor,“We’re thirty seconds behind already. Let’s move it along. I won’thesitate to shoot anyone who slows us down.”
The fourth watched the door, standing overthe downed security guard. His gun drawn, eyes constantly on themove, the sentinel didn’t miss anything.
Studying the guard through the wide cubicledoorway, Sophie searched for signs of blood or awkward positioningof his body. He looked to be okay. Yeah, he was okay. His chest wasrising and falling slowly under the bandit’s foot.
