“Is something wrong upstairs?” I look toward the back again where no one wants me to go.
“They did more damage up there,” he finally tells me after a beat. I stand to go look but he snags me around the waist, stopping me. “I don’t think it was Missy.”
“Then who else could it be?”
Clarence stands with me. “If I had to guess, an angry boyfriend, but Shaw doesn't look angry at you.”
“I told you I don’t have any exes here.” That was one of the many questions Clarence asked me.
“Anyone that could have followed you here?” Shaw’s hold on me tightens.
“No. There isn't anyone else.”
“No exes?” Clarence asks again like he doesn't believe me. “You’re a pretty girl, Barbie.”
“Watch it,” Shaw cuts in on him, and Clarence lifts his hands, backing down.
“All right. I’m just checking.” He looks to Shaw. “Someone might have a thing for her and she doesn't know it. I’m just trying to figure out who did this.”
“There was a guy who was pushy with her a few days ago.” Shaw tells Clarence what happened.
Has it only been a few days since I met Shaw?
“This is the second time that lock has been busted. Someone is leaving a message,” Clarence says, making all of this really sink in.
“Kayla said he stopped by the other day when I was out getting lunch.”
Shaw’s whole body goes rigid.
“Sounds like someone doesn't like being turned down.” Clarence writes on his pad. “What did he look like?”
I give a description the best I can remember. Shaw fills in more clearly, remembering a whole lot more about the guy than I do. “Benton has got a temporary lock for your door for tonight. I can’t tell you what to do, Barbie, but I don’t think you should stay here alone.”
“She won’t be staying here at all,” Shaw informs him. Clarence looks down at the bag Shaw went and got for me.
“Good.” Clarence holds his hand out for both of us to shake. Romeo comes strolling out from behind one of the bookcases, yawning, and I bend down to pet him. “I’ll wait for you guys to leave and then we’re going to secure the door.”
“I just need to feed him and then we’ll go.” I let out a long sign. At least I’m closed tomorrow. It will give me time to get this place cleaned back up. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. It’s unsettling that within days my back door has been busted open twice. I’m not going to feel safe sleeping here. What if I’d been alone?
I go into the back area where I keep Romeo’s bowl and top it off. Shaw follows me like a shadow and I almost trip over him. Romeo is already asleep when I walk back and I give him a kiss on the head. I’m not worried about Romeo staying the night. He’s got a cat door if he needs to go out and he likes to hunt for most of the night anyway.
Shaw holds my bag, waiting for me.
“Are you sure it’s okay I stay with you?” I ask because I know he’s staying with his mom.
“Yeah, I’m going to apologize now for my mom’s reaction to you.”
“Okayyyy.” I’m not sure what to say to that.
“She’s going to be excited,” he reassures me.
He gives Romeo a scratch on the head before wrapping his arm around me and we walk out. Clarence and a few others secure my door as Shaw puts me into his truck. He shuts the door, leaving me for a moment to go back and talk to the police. I wonder what he’s saying. He keeps flicking his gaze over to me as he talks. He and Clarence shake hands again before Shaw heads back to the truck and hops in.
“You going to tell me what that was about?”
He pulls out of the spot and turns onto the main road. “I gave him my number in case something comes up.”
I reach over, touching Shaw’s arm. Some of the tension leaves his body, but he’s more worked up over this than I am. I know I should be more worried, but somehow I know Shaw isn't going to let anything happen to me. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around that strange guy possibly doing this. I don’t have much of a past, so I have no clue who else could be doing this.
“I’m fine,” I say to try and reassure him.
He flicks his gaze over to me. “And I’m going to keep it that way.”
“I know.” I lean back in my seat as he makes the drive to his mother's place.
I suddenly realize I’m about to meet his mom and this is all happening fast. What if she doesn't like me? Insecurity takes hold as we pull up to his house and there’s a woman leaning against the open front door.
“Like I said, I’m sorry.” The smile he gives me doesn't look sorry.
When the truck stops, I open the door and hop out. Shaw is around my side in a second, taking my hand, and I feel shy as his mom watches us move towards the house.
“I’ve got hot food on the table,” she announces as we walk up the porch stairs. “I’m Cora.” She holds her hand out for me to take.
“Barbie,” I tell her. She’s on the taller side and has Shaw’s eyes. They have the same hair color except Cora has a little gray in hers.
“You are so beautiful.” She beams at me. “Come in, come in. You’ve been a busy girl what with getting yourself arrested and then having your place broken into. I hope all the dirty books are okay.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me. Before I can respond, she’s pulling me into the house.
“Slow down, Mom.”
“She has to be hungry,” Cora throws back at Shaw. “Breaking the law can work up an appetite.”
“How would you know?” Shaw chuckles from behind us as Cora motions for me to take a seat at the table.
“I’m innocent until proven guilty,” I defend myself, making her laugh as she takes a seat with me. Shaw must have told her everything in a text or something. She could also be in on the town’s hotline of gossip. Facebook groups don’t let anything stay secret long.
“You okay?” Shaw puts his hand on his mom’s shoulder.
“I’m good. Get us something to drink,” she orders him while winking at me, and Shaw doesn't have to be asked twice. “Just so you know, I sleep with headphones in and listen to my audiobooks so you don’t have to worry about me hearing anything.”
My mouth falls open. Is she implying what I think she is?
“Mom!” Shaw shouts with a loud groan that makes both Cora and me burst into laughter. I think I love her already. As for Shaw, well, I already know I love him.
Chapter Fourteen
Shaw
“I can’t believe you were just going to leave him!” Mom says as Romeo snuggles in her lap.
As soon as Barbara told her about leaving him overnight, she had a conniption fit and demanded I go back and get him. The cat definitely didn’t come easy, but now that he’s here he looks like he’s just fine.
“He just showed up after I bought the bookstore and made himself at home. I don’t know if he was there before or just liked what I did with the place. But once I put out some food, he never left.” Barbara laughs as she looks over at them. “He likes to hunt at night and there’s a little door for him to go out of, so I thought he’d be okay.”