Midnight Caller - By Diane Burke Page 0,29

genuinely enjoying himself. Then he’d catch himself. His eyes would darken, like he physically pulled down a curtain, and she could sense a change. A push-pull reaction of wanting to be here with her, with Jack and then not wanting to be. She couldn’t be disappointed or angry about it. She happened to be in the same boat. Wanting to let her guard down. Wanting to trust a man again. But she wouldn’t survive the pain if she dared to trust Tony and he broke her heart.

Erin just couldn’t get past her fear. After her divorce, followed so closely by her father’s death, she had devoted herself to Jack, Tess and her job. She’d pretended an outward facade of self-assurance and strength until, one day, it became the truth. She toughened up and took control of her life. A life with no room for love.

Love makes you vulnerable. Suddenly, you’re accountable to someone else for everything. Even your own personal space is no longer just your own. Erin felt safe in her private little world and Tony, a man she knew she could never control, threatened that comfort zone.

A small voice inside told her change isn’t always bad. Adding Tony to their lives could enrich it. Was enriching it. But if she listened to that voice, she’d be putting everything she held dear at risk and she didn’t think she had that kind of courage.

Erin slipped between the sheets and stared sightlessly at the ceiling. Please help me, Lord. What is Your will for my life? Should I take a chance on Tony? Do I dare dream it could all work out?

A subtle rustling in the darkness drew her attention to her open bedroom door. Was Jack sneaking out of his room? No. The subtle sound was not made by a five-year-old with a walker. Erin held her breath and strained to listen. There it was again. Someone was in her house.

She grabbed the phone to call 911. The line was dead. She’d left an extension off the hook in the kitchen. Now what? Her cell phone. She grimaced the moment the thought popped into her head. She’d left it charging overnight on the kitchen counter. Her choice was made. She slipped on her robe and searched the room for a weapon. Standing in her closet doorway, she frowned at the shoe in her hand. What damage did she think she could do with a stiletto? She couldn’t even walk in the stupid things let alone stop a burglar with one.

Still, it was better than nothing. She’d aim for the eyes. Aim for the eyes? Was she crazy? She’d better not get close enough to see this bad guy’s eyes or she’d probably faint. Tucking the shoe into the pocket of her robe, she tiptoed into the hall, her bare feet soundless against the hardwood floor. She paused. Silence. She waited a few minutes more. Nothing.

The tension in her shoulders eased. I’m letting those phone calls turn me into a basket case. She started to turn back.

There it was again. The sound came from the direction of the living room. She had to get to the kitchen and phone for help. Erin paused while her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Why had she been so stupid and taken the phone off the hook?

She padded down the hallway, carefully avoiding the darker shadows of furniture and plants in her path. Trying not to reveal her presence, she inched toward the kitchen. Every step seemed to take a lifetime. Every creak of the floorboards froze her in place until she felt safe enough to proceed.

The sounds from the living room intensified as she drew closer.

Ten more feet to the kitchen. Fear squeezed her throat. Her breath came in shallow, short puffs. She entered the kitchen and grabbed a butcher knife from the knife block on the counter. Stupid idea. He can use it on you. Still, it gave her a false sense of security and anyone would have had a hard time prying it out of her fingers.

Only a few more steps and she’d be able to reach the phone.

She crept forward. Blood rushed through her veins like a runaway freight train. Her heart pounded with such intensity she expected it to burst at any moment.

Squeak. The sound startled her. Someone had opened the hall closet.

What was going on? Did she dare peek?

She tilted her head an inch, then another to see past the kitchen doorway. What was she doing? She hated