Chapter One
“I had fun,” Mia admitted reluctantly.
Her new friend and co-worker, Reva Kendell, laughed triumphantly. She arched her light brown eyebrow in a challenge. “I won’t say I told you so, but I did tell you so.”
Mia rolled her eyes as they walked through the still full parking lot of Kramer’s Bar on the outskirts of the town of Brook Hollow. It wasn’t near closing time but both women were ready to call it a night. There were light poles scattered around the parking lot, making it bright enough for them to walk to their cars without fear. Every spot was taken by a vehicle. Kramer’s was a popular spot to hang out and unwind on Saturday night. There were bigger, fancier clubs twenty or so miles outside of town, but most people stuck around Brook Hollow.
“I’m surprised you’re ready to call it a night. That cowboy you danced with all night is handsome,” Mia mentioned. Mia was starting to feel settled in Brook Hollow and liked it. It was a lot different from the big city and she had her doubts about adjusting to a small town of only a few thousand people. The last three weeks had been an eye opener but now she was comfortable here. New York and all its headaches seemed so far away. She missed Gwen but they talked once a week over the phone.
The sound of their high heels clicked on the hard pavement of the parking lot. The bass of the loud music of the bar could still be heard, mixed with the sound of the crickets outdoor. It was warm for October but Mia wasn’t going to complain. Soon winter would be here, and along with winter came snow and freezing temperatures, something she dreaded every year.
“He was, but I also know his reputation. He collects notches on his belt and brags about it.” Reva shrugged, flipping her long, straight golden blonde hair over her shoulder and away from her face. Her face was thin and heart shaped. “No thanks. I’m not that desperate.”
“I hear you, girlfriend.” Mia giggled lightly. The night air lifted her own short blonde curls off of her shoulder. Mia had no interest in ever getting entangled in another relationship. Frank had made her life a living hell. She was good with being single. “Who needs all that drama? I like being single.”
“I enjoy it, too, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my eyes on the lookout for Mr. Right.” Reva giggled, reaching her small black sports car. Reva had her keys in hand. She turned to Mia. “I work tomorrow afternoon. How about you?”
Mia shook her head and yawned. “No, and I am glad. Becky gave me tomorrow off. I plan on sleeping the day away. Maybe doing some laundry, but we’ll see if I even do that.”
Becky Wilson, Gwen’s aunt, owned a popular coffee shop right in the middle of the town’s business district. Mia liked her new job now that she had the hang of all the fancy machines being used. Mia had been a bartender and a part-time waitress back in New York City, but never a barista. At first, she burned her fingers too many times, but with patience, she finally got the hang of it.
Becky was so sweet and even let Mia stay in a small cottage behind her bigger house. It had all worked out well and Mia had been able to relax for the first time in months. Becky even allowed Mia to use her last name of Wilson. That took some getting used to.
Mia headed to her own small white car parked a few rows down after waving good-bye to Reva.
Mia yawned again. One good thing about dancing the night away was she would sleep well tonight. She still worried at times about Frank finding her. She checked her windows and doors nightly. Mitch had been keeping an eye on Frank, and assured her he had no clue where Mia was. Still, fear lingered in Mia’s mind.
She had her car keys handy to open her door. She was so focused on putting her key into the lock that she never saw or noticed the dark shadow behind her. Before she could blink a hand was over her mouth, making it hard for her to breathe. Oh God, had Frank found her?
Mia sank her teeth into the hand over her mouth and let out a scream worthy of an Oscar. A feeling of panic overwhelmed her and she was afraid to turn around and face whoever it was. She heard her keys hit the pavement and her purse hit the ground next. Her only hope was that Reva had not pulled away yet and heard Mia’s loud scream.
“Quit struggling. I just want your purse.” Mia didn’t recognize the voice with the country twang. It sure wasn’t Frank. He had a heavy Italian and New York accent. Her knees went weak with relief. She’d seen enough detective movies in her lifetime. What was she supposed to do besides not panic? It was too late for that. She was scared shitless right now.
Mia kicked her foot back and hit the man’s leg with her heel. She heard him yelp in pain and felt a small moment of triumph. “Son of a bitch,” he muttered, letting her go.
Mia took advantage of his moment of complaining and elbowed him in the stomach for good measure. He lost his balance, knocking her to the ground. She felt the concrete scrape her knees and she whimpered with pain. A few seconds later she heard Reva’s voice yell out loud. “I called the police, asshole, and the bouncers are coming.”
Mia stayed on the ground and let out a breath of relief. She looked up but the figure was already halfway across the parking lot in a full run. All she saw was a black blur.
“Oh God, Mia. I was so scared when I heard you scream!” Reva cried, grabbing Mia’s arm and helping her stand up. Reva winced at the sight of Mia’s scraped knees.
“Me, too.” Mia’s voice was shaky and she felt tears overflow from her eyes and streak down her cheeks.
Seconds later, one of th
e bouncers from the bar was standing in front of her. “Mario is chasing the asshole. Hope he gets him.”
“Are you hurt?” he asked, sounding concerned. Mia wiped her eyes so she could see. She recognized him from the bar. Reva was also crying and hanging tightly to Mia’s arm.
“It could have been much worse. I was scared as hell though,” Mia whispered, ignoring the sting in her knees. Her injuries could have been much worse. “He wanted my purse.”
“I was smoking a cigarette when I heard you scream,” he answered, shaking his head at her injured knees. Her dress ended above her knees. He took Mia to the curb and sat her down. Mia willingly sat down since her knees felt like they were going to give out at any moment. How embarrassing that would be if she just keeled over now that it was all over.
“Your knees are bleeding,” he observed. “I can call for an ambulance.”
Mia was still breathing heavily but she shook her head. She’d had worse injuries from Frank. “It’s just a scrape from hitting the pavement. I’ll clean it up at home.”
Sirens and red and blue flashing lights invaded the parking lot. Great, now people from the bar would come out and investigate, asking questions. Here she was in this small town trying to keep a low profile. She did not need the hassle of making a police report. Now she was scared for a different reason. Frank’s uncle could easily get on the internet and find her. She should’ve changed her first name, too. Mia was not a common name. Becky told people Mia was her ex-husband’s niece. Becky’s ex, Donald, was working out of the country and wouldn’t care. He never came back to the States to visit. Becky told Mia he had no contact with his few family members.