aunt issue. I’m not sure how tonight is going to go over. I might be locked in the castle tower for the next month.”
“Then I’l come rescue you.” And he would. Anywhere.
Anytime.
“Sweet.”
Peter drove past the entry to the preserve.
“Where are you going? You need to drop me off.”
“I’m not dropping you off in the woods late at night. I assume your aunt’s place is up ahead.”
“Yeah, but don’t go there. Drop me off at the corner, I don’t want her to see you.”
“No.” He turned on to the side road that led to the old farm house and slowly puled into the gravel driveway, then faced Libby.
“This was the best night of my life you know,” she said.
“Me too.” He grinned. Their date far outshined any concert he ever played. They leaned together, he put his hand behind her neck, held her gently and kissed her goodnight.
Libby’s door whipped open, light flooded the Jeep. A crazed woman, who must be her aunt, glared at them. The whites of her eyes stood out next to her yelowing teeth. Libby cringed and leaned away.
“Where’ve you been?” She shrieked.
Chapter 11
Libby looked from her aunt to Peter and back, her eyes as big as CDs. “Out with a friend.”
“You thought I wouldn’t know you snuck out, did you? You lied to me, just like I knew you would. First time I let down my guard and you’re off fornicating with some boy.” Shock didn’t begin to describe how Peter felt. This woman was an unbalanced lunatic.
Libby looked to Peter, horror on her face. “I gotta go.”
“Are you sure?” He grabbed her hand and held on tight.
She nodded. Her eyes filed with conflict, she puled away.
“I’l cal you,” he whispered, as Libby hurried out of the Jeep.
“What did he say?” her aunt badgered.
Libby closed the door, and looked back at him. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed.
Her aunt stalked behind her yeling colorful phrases as Peter watched. He could tel Libby wanted the scene over with.
Aunt Marge paused her screaming long enough to glance back and see he hadn’t left the driveway. She spun toward him.
“What the hel are you waiting for? Get the fuck off my property!”
Peter threw the Jeep in reverse, puled out and returned the way he came. It took al the strength he had not to turn around and go get her. Dammit. How could he leave Libby here? He needed to find a way to get her out and soon.
Once out of sight, he turned the headlights off and turned the car around so he could watch the house from a distance. A few minutes later he saw an upstairs light go on. He continued to watch the house, including the front door, to make sure Libby’s aunt didn’t notice the Jeep and come back with a gun to shoot him.
He pressed Redial on his phone. A moment later, Libby’s sweet voice filed his ears. “Oh, God, Peter, I’m so sorry.”
“Are you okay?” Her safety was al he cared about.
“I’m okay, don’t worry,” Libby whispered.
But he did worry. “Are you sure it’s safe? Do you want me to come back and get you? I hate that you have to stay with her.”
“I don’t think that would be the best way to go. Let’s plan it out, otherwise we might have the police on our tail.”
“Libby, she’s scary.” He wanted to say she was a psycho freak who shouldn’t be alowed out in public, let alone near kids, but he didn’t want to upset Libby more. She wasn’t given a choice when her dad dumped her with the woman.
“I know. Usualy she’s ultra melow and semi-passed out.
She must have been drinking al night. That’s when she gets mean.”
“God Libby, you can’t stay there. I don’t trust her.” He pushed a hand through his hair in frustration.
“It’l be okay. Where are you?”
“I’m puled over about 100 yards down the road. I can see the light of your bedroom window.”
“I’d ask you to flash your lights, but Lady Paranoia might blow a gasket.”
“Can you stay on the phone for a while?” It was the next best thing to being with her.
“Al night if you want, but you better get started back.
Birthday or not, you don’t need to get in trouble too.”
# # #
A couple days after discovering Libby out with a boy, the sound of tires crunching on gravel again alerted Marge.
Who the hel could that be?
There were no pick-ups scheduled until later. Dammed intruders. She wiped her dusty hands on her faded smock and