so I know you made it.”
I let out a ragged breath and nodded as he stepped back. Turning, I walked quickly to my truck, knowing if I turned around to look at him, my resolve would break, and I’d be back in his arms once again. As I drove back to my building, my mind raced, pulling into the lot on a cloud of happiness. It quickly dissipated when I saw Neil’s car still parked across from me. It was too dark to make out his features, but I felt his gaze follow me as I quickly unlocked the door and slipped inside.
As I locked the door behind me, I heard the telltale sound of a car door opening and closing again. There hadn’t been anyone else in the parking lot. Neil must have been right behind me before I shut the door. My heart dropped. He was becoming a problem. With Matty there alone, I was sure she could defend herself, but what about when Harrison was home with her?
My stomach rolled when I realized what I had to do. Walker had a right to know that someone was watching my house. The risk it posed not only to myself but his son was a problem. I no longer felt like Neil was a harmless man, just looking for a date. By the time I made it up to the apartment and unlocked the second door, my heart was racing.
“Hey!” Matty jumped. “Did you have a good time?”
I nodded. “Until now, yes. Neil is still parked out there, and I think he tried to follow me in.”
“Holy shit, what are you going to do?” She asked.
“I’m going to tell Walker about it. If Neil wants to make me feel uncomfortable in my own home, then I think the Wheeler family should know. I’m not going to stick around in a town where someone is stalking me.”
“Good. I think Walker would want to know. It sounds like you two are starting to get along.”
I smiled. “We are, and it’s wonderful. I’ll tell you all about that tomorrow, though. Right now, I just want a hot shower and to keep an eye on that creep.”
Matty nodded, and I slipped into my bathroom, ready to wash away the fear Neil had incited and get back to the pleasure Walker brought me.
19
Chapter Eighteen (Walker)
I woke with no complaints. Stacy’s reply to my request for a date later in the evening was just the morning boost I needed to start the day. Knowing that I would get to see her later seemed to brighten everything around me. She was quickly becoming a staple in my life that I didn’t want to lose. As a matter of fact, I found myself wanting to spend every minute with her.
Like somehow, she’d sensed the good nature of my mood, my mother's truck pulled into the driveway. She refused to use the roads we’d created, only traveling them when my father drove. From the passenger seat, I could see my father sitting with crossed arms. Nothing about his demeanor told me he was happy about the visit. My stomach lurched. I hadn’t had a chance to talk with Stacy about my parents.
“Mother, what an unexpected surprise,” I said. “I wish I could say I was thrilled to see you, but I was just heading out for the morning. We’ve got a dozen heifers about to calve.
She hugged me before sitting on the porch as my father shook my hand. He took the seat next to her as I sat across from them.
“Well, it seems like the only way to get answers anymore is if I show up unannounced. I’m glad to see the ranch is still standing in this corner.”
“Of course it is, I’ve always taken great care of this place. Don’t tell me you came all this way just to check in on me, I’m flattered.”
“Don’t play coy with us, boy,” My father grumbled. “You know as well as we do that something is going on, and I’m plum tired of hearing your mother complain about it. So start talking.”
“I wish you would have called first; I could have saved you the trouble of coming all this way. I’m still working on getting the answers that you need. There is more than just my feelings to take into consideration right now.”
“You can stop pretending, I’ve heard the rumors. Are you really dating a single mother? Have you thought this through at all?” She asked.
I groaned. “You understand