Christy Barritt - Desperate Measures

Nate rushed toward her, his eyebrows furrowed together in worry. “Samantha? Are you okay?”

The woman nodded and touched her forehead.

That’s right, John realized. It was Samantha, the woman who was renting the room above the restaurant. He’d hardly recognized her in her disheveled state.

John had seen her around a few times. She was hard not to notice with her trim build, soft blond hair that fell to her shoulders and the mysterious air about her. She kept to herself, but her gaze was always searching her surroundings, as if she was on guard or looking for someone.

She’d spiked John’s curiosity, but that was as far as it had gone. Ever since Alyssa, John knew he didn’t deserve the chance to even consider a relationship. Besides, Samantha seemed like a closed book, someone whose body language screamed, “Keep your distance.”

John joined his friend, scanning for trouble out the backdoor window. Before he even reached Samantha, he could see her trembling.

“I’m fine,” Samantha muttered. Her gaze fluttered to Nate and then John. “Just a little...an—an accident.”

John was sure those injuries were from anything but an accident. Had someone done that to her? Anger surged in him at the thought.

He’d seen firsthand the devastation that happened when people didn’t treat others as humans. Alyssa had been a prime example, and his heart still broke at the memory.

“That must have been some accident,” John muttered, soaking in her injuries.

Samantha shrugged. Her gaze fluttered wildly about the room, and she gripped her purse. “I’m sorry. I can’t talk now.”

“Can we help you get cleaned up, at least?” Nate asked. “I can grab my first-aid kit, put some ointment on that cut.”

She shoved a hair behind her ear. “I’ll be fine.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper. Her tremble was more noticeable when she extended her arm. “Here’s the rest of my rent for the month. I’m afraid I’m going to have to take off. Family emergency.”

“Anything I can do to help?” John asked, even though it wasn’t his business to ask.

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m just going to grab my things and pick up Connor. We’re going to hit the road tonight.”

Nate shifted, worry wrinkling the corners of his eyes. “You can’t wait until morning?”

Samantha shook her head. “I’m sorry. But I’ve got to go now. This can’t wait.” She paused and sucked on her lip for a minute. “Look, you and Kylie have been really kind to me. I don’t know how to say this, but please be careful. Be safe. Especially safe.”

“What’s going on, Samantha? I don’t like the sound of that.” Nate, a seasoned Coastie, had always been tough, strong and fair. Right now, he sounded on edge.

John wanted to step in, to say more, to help in some way. But he didn’t know the woman, and Nate did. He held his tongue, restrained himself from pushing Samantha for answers. It was obvious that she needed help, even if she wouldn’t admit it or accept it when offered.

She took a step toward the staircase leading to her apartment over the restaurant. “I don’t have any time right now. I’ve got to go.”

She rushed up the stairs. Halfway up, she dropped her purse and the contents clattered down. John retrieved some lipstick and a pen. He handed the items to her, noticing how she jerked back when their hands touched.

“Thank you,” she muttered before hurrying away.

John stomped back down the stairs and joined Nate at the back door. He wanted to get his friend’s take on the situation. They moved away from the staircase so their voices wouldn’t carry.

“What was that about?” John asked.

Nate rubbed his jaw, looking just as perplexed as John was. “I have no idea. She’s scared.”

“Someone roughed her up,” John muttered.

Images of Alyssa flooded his mind. He blanched at each memory before regret filled him. He should have done more to protect her. He should have known that the man who’d caused her so much misery in her past would return, that he wouldn’t be content to leave her alone.

“I’ve seen that look before. She’s terrified.” John shook his head, unable to get the images to leave his mind. “What do you know about her?”

Nate shook his head. “Not much. She keeps to herself. Always pays her rent on time. Dotes over her son. But she’s offered very little in terms of personal information. We don’t ask. If she wants us to know, we figure she’ll tell us.”

John clenched his jaw, still replaying the conversation with her. “She said, ‘Be safe.’ It sounds as if trouble might be coming.”

“I’ll keep my eyes open. We’ve had problems around here before.”

“And they landed you in the hospital,” John reminded him. “Maybe I should stick around, be an extra set of eyes....”

“You do your thing, John. Smuggler’s Cove is your dream. I’ll take care of things here or call the police if I have to.”

John hated to walk away when a storm could be brewing. Especially since Nate and Kylie had a toddler and another baby on the way. Nate would need all the help he could get.

John prided himself on always being there for friends when they need him. That’s one of the reasons why his failure with Alyssa hurt so much.

He’d let her down. He’d let their unborn baby down.

“I don’t like this,” John finally said.

Nate clamped his hand on John’s shoulder. “It’s about time you did something for yourself. The change of scenery will be good for you.”

But John didn’t know if he could do that. The image of Samantha standing in the doorway with fear in her eyes would haunt him. So would the remembrance of her busted lip and the cut on her forehead.

Could he really go on with this new chapter of his life just as he’d planned? He didn’t know.

* * *

Samantha’s thoughts raced a mile a minute as she zipped her suitcase. Her jaw and her head ached. Even her eyes hurt as tears threatened to push out.

She had to get a grip. She had to pick up Connor and keep moving. And she didn’t have much time.

Samantha didn’t know where she’d go, how she’d get there or what she’d do once she arrived. All she knew was that she had to leave.

She gave one last glance at the apartment. At one time, she’d thought the small space was perfect. She’d wondered if they might find a home here in Yorktown. And maybe one day Kylie and Nate could be her friends.

She should have known better. A stable life—feeling normal and without fear—none of those things were her reality right now. The notion of a safe, happy life was only a farce.

Stepping back onto the landing, Samantha closed the door behind her. She heard the lock click, the sound cementing her plans to run.

Here I go...again. Lord, watch over me. Show me where to go. Pour Your wisdom over me.

Hauling her suitcases behind her, she thumped down the stairs. Her heart raced, pounding in her ears. Each pulse seemed to echo the urgency of the situation.

Go. Move. Run.

All she wanted was to find a place to stay. Rest. Be.

At the landing by the back door, she looked back. Just as she expected, Nate was standing there, waiting for her. She’d known he wouldn’t accept her flimsy explanation. His friend was gone, though. John was gone.

That was probably good. The man’s eyes had seemed too intense, too curious...too compassionate. She feared her reaction to him. Whenever he’d come into the restaurant and Samantha had spotted him, her heart had raced.

The man was attractive. Really attractive. He was tall with dark, neat hair. His body looked sculpted and firm. He seemed to be a loyal friend to Nate and Kylie. He wasn’t the loud or pushy type. Instead, he seemed steady, patient and strong.