In her bedroom, Annie chucked the ruined camisole into the wastebasket. One of her favorite blouses. Damn Dallas McCray anyway. It wasn’t enough that he broke her heart. He had to take her clothing as well? She stripped off her skirt and went into the bathroom to clean up and splash some cold water on her face. Then she stepped into some comfortable running shorts and a tank top. Barefoot, she padded back out to her living area where her mother waited.
“Now what is going on, Annalisa?”
“I met a man, is all. I like him a lot. I mean a lot.” She sniffed back a sob. “I thought the feeling was mutual, but it turns out he was just after sex. Just like all the other men in the world.”
“I’m sorry, hon.”
“I’ve lived through worse.”
Sylvia cleared her throat. “I know you have. More than you should ever have had to.”
“Yeah.” Annie didn’t want to rehash old news. “How’s Pop?”
“He’s good. Misses you.”
“I miss both of you too.”
“I knew it’d be hard to have you gone, but in a way, I’m glad you’re out here.” Sylvia lowered her gaze. “I came here to tell you something.”
“Tell me something? There’s such a thing as a phone you know.”
“I didn’t want to tell you this over the phone, Annie.”
“All right.” Annie sat down on the couch next to her mother. “What is it?”
“It’s Riggs. He was granted parole yesterday.”
“Parole? This soon?”
“Apparently he’s been a model prisoner.”
Annie breathed deeply, willing herself to relax. It didn’t work. “So he finally learned how to behave.”
“Evidently. But Annie, there’s no need for you to worry. He can’t leave the state of New Jersey. If he does, he violates his parole and they send him back to the slammer. There’s also the restraining order.”
“Ma, you know as well as I do that a crummy piece of paper will never stop Logan Riggs.”
“I know. But hopefully the threat of being sent back to prison will.”
“I can’t let him run my life. He doesn’t know where I am. Who would think to look in this Podunk place anyway?”
“I can’t help but worry a little, Annie.”
“I know. But don’t. Everything’ll be fine. Now, it’s still early and I haven’t eaten. Can I fix you something?”
“Let’s go out. My treat. What’s good around here?”
“I haven’t the foggiest. The only place I’ve been is the coffee shop and the mechanic. You wouldn’t believe how busy it is for a vet here.”
“Of course it is. This is a ranching town.” Sylvia stood. “You want to change into something more dressy?”
“Heck no. Bakersville’s not that kind of town.” She stood up and grabbed her pocketbook. “Let’s walk down Main Street and see what we can find.”
* * *
The next day, Annie and her mother sat at the Blue Bird Inn perusing the menu for lunch. The Blue Bird was the only business open on Sundays in Bakersville, and Annie had decided to treat her mother to lunch and then drive her to the airport for her five p.m. flight.
Surprisingly, she had enjoyed the short visit with Sylvia. “What looks good, Ma?”