I think I drifted off not long after she did.
I turn on my side to look at her; she’s turned during her sleep and is now facing me.
Pushing her hair away from her face, she starts to wake up.
“Hi honey, you stayed with me,” she states, rather sleepily.
“Always. How are you feeling?”
“The headache has gone. I just feel as though my head is full of cotton wool.”
“Do you think you could eat something?”
“Not right now, but a glass of cold water would be good.”
I climb off the bed, “Coming right up love, give me a couple of minutes.”
She turns over, shutting her eyes.
Downstairs, I find a note from Jake saying they’re out and will be back later. Just as I’m about to head back to Rona the phone starts to ring.
I pick up the phone, “Hello, Matthew residence.”
“Dad its Anna, can you or Jake call up to the house and help Justin pin down the tarpaulin that’s over the back porch? There’s a leak in the roof and its making a lot of mess. Justin was trying to sort it out on his own and nearly fell off the roof. I’m not strong enough to hold the ladder for him.”
“Hell! Jake’s out. Can it wait until he gets back? Tom’s still loose and he may come to the house. Rona’s in bed sick; she can’t exactly come with me.”
“Dad please, it won’t take long – maybe twenty minutes. Justin is going up there, otherwise.”
I realize I need to go and help, “Give me fifteen minutes then I’ll be there.”
Shit, what the hell am I going to do with Rona?
I don’t think she’s up to travelling and I feel very uncomfortable leaving her here alone.
Damn it!
I walk back in to the bedroom. Rona is just getting back into bed. “Rona. I have to go out. Hopefully only for thirty minutes. There’s a leak in the roof over at Anna’s. Justin is about to go on the roof on his own and I can’t let him do that.” I sit on the bed and hold her hands, not wanting to let go.
“Of course you have to go. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” She lifts my hand and places a kiss on my palm.
“Tom is still out there. I really don’t want to leave you alone.”
“Cade, I’ll be fine, and you said you won’t be gone long, plus there’s a key in the door. I’ll lock this when you leave and you lock up downstairs. I also have my phone, which is fully charged.”
“Hell.” I can’t seem to leave her.
“Cade go. The sooner you go, the sooner you’re back.”
“I better get changed first.”
After changing into old jeans, I take hold of Rona’s head and bring her in close to me. “I’m going now; you need to lock this behind me.” I place a gentle kiss to her lips.
Rona climbs out of bed and follows me to the door, “I love you.” She kisses me all too briefly, “Don’t worry.”
Shutting the door, I hear the lock engage.
Hell, I hope she’ll be okay.
Chapter 13
~~ Rona ~~
Climbing back into bed after Cade leaves, I feel a bit better. I decide to prop myself up and grab my phone just in case. I wasn’t too concerned about Tom coming after me, until Cade got all stressed out about it. His concern has kind of rubbed off on me.
Hearing a car outside, I wonder if its Jake and Elise. I decide to stay put in case it’s Cade, coming back to make sure I’m following orders.
Five minutes pass when I hear what sounds like breaking glass. Listening again, I can’t hear anything. My heart is pounding. I don’t know whether or not to ring Cade; it might just be my imagination.
Then I hear footsteps on the stairs, “Elise!”
Shit. I grab my phone and ring Cade.
“Elise, I know you’re here, you little bitch.”
Cade answers, “Rona is....” I don’t let him finish.
“Tom’s here. Upstairs.” I panic. I’m really frightened now.
“Fuck! I’m on my way. Stay on the phone.”
I can hear him in the background shouting for someone to call the Sheriff.... that Tom is in the house with me.
“Cade,” I whisper.
“I’m here, we’re on our way,” he says, in a strange voice.
“He’s trying the doors up here.... who’s with you?”
“Justin and Anna. She’s called the Sheriff, he’s on his way.”
Oh god, he’s outside the room. Please go past; please go past – no such luck.
“Cade, he’s trying to get into the room,” I whisper.
“I’m less than ten minutes