The Christmas Stalking (7 page)

He’d shot Mark.

She pulled away from Len.

“I won’t let him hurt you, Destiny.” Len grabbed her arm again and pulled her towards the steps up the hill.

“Holly, you need to stay calm.” Robby blocked them. “What photography collection?”

She twisted her arm, but Len didn’t let go, so she planted her feet and pointed. “The one in there.”

“There’s a photography collection in the fishing shack? Of you?”

Len tugged her again.

“There’s hundreds of pictures of me on the wall. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“I haven’t been in there in years. Even before I sold the property to Len. He’s the fisherman, not me. Ask him.”

“He’s lying.” Len’s tightening hold hurt her arm.

“I’m not lying.”

“I can’t believe anything you say. You acted as if you didn’t know I was Destiny. You pretended that was such a surprise when I told you. And the whole time you’d been following my every move for years. Are you going to lie about that, too?”

Robby’s gaze met hers. “I admit that. I knew who you were as soon as I saw your driver’s license, but I figured you were tired of people liking you because you were famous. I just wanted to get to know you, my childhood friend—Holly Stone. Not the famous country music star.”

And she’d wanted to get to know him. Holly stared at this man. The man she’d thought was her friend.

She looked between the two men.

The earnest flicker in Robby’s gaze reminded her of the day long ago when they were twelve and he’d pulled her out of the rushing water she’d fallen into. He was trying to reach for her now, in a different way.

Robby was her friend. He wouldn’t hurt her.

She took a step away from Len.

“Let’s go. We need to get out of here before he shoots you like he did Mark.” Len reached in his pants pocket and pulled out a handgun. He grabbed her arm and tightened his hold. “Don’t believe him, Destiny. He’s lying. It’s him. I’ll protect you. I’ll take care of you.”

She tried to step away, but he yanked her closer.

God, help me.

Len aimed the gun at Robby.

No, God, please…

“Don’t hurt him, Len. Please.”

“Only I can make you happy.”

Holly twisted out of his grip and lunged at him, hoping to push him to the ground.

In one quick movement, Len’s hold strangled her neck, and he pointed the gun at her head. “She’s mine.”

Robby took a step. “Len, you need to let her go. So I can help you.”

Movement at the side of the fishing shack caught her eye. Two more policemen walked closer with guns aimed at Len…and her.

Robby motioned for them to stay back.

She tried to breathe, but Len’s arm pressed against her throat. The world blurred as she fought for each breath.

“I don’t need help.” Len walked backwards, dragging Holly with him.

“Len, nobody’s going to let you leave. Surely, you can see that. I need you to put the gun down, buddy. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Robby’s voice was unruffled—almost soothing.

Her gaze met Robby’s calm one.

He had this under control.

She forced her muscles to relax—to not fight against Len.

Keep him calm.

Just the way Robby was doing. Let Robby do his job.

“I knew I could get her here. She just needed to remember she had friends in Serenity. I only wanted to help her remember. Help her remember she had friends here.”

“I remember, Len.” Holly’s voice rasped against his hold. “And I’m happy to be here, so you can let me go now.”

“You’ll sing at the Christmas Eve service for me, won’t you, Destiny?” His hold around her throat lessened. “I promised everyone a surprise. You’re the surprise.”

“I can do that, Len.” Her voice was a whisper. “I’ll sing. So you don’t need the gun. Put it down.”

His arm tightened on her neck once again, and she gasped for air.

“I know what you’re doing—what you want. You just want to go to him. I brought you here. I worked so hard to get you to town. I know I can make you love me. You just have to give me a chance.”

Robby’s gaze locked on her as if trying to give her courage.

The gun pressed against her temple. “I promised Renee that we’d have a surprise at the Christmas Eve service. Destiny’s the surprise.”

“Did Renee know that?” Robby’s voice was calm—strong.

“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise. I asked you to sing for us, Destiny, but you wouldn’t. You think you’re too good to sing at our tiny church. I saw you holding his hand. You didn’t even give me a chance.”

Her pulse rate escalated along with the anger in his voice.

He wasn’t calming down.

“Len, please don’t shoot me. If you do, I won’t be able to sing.”

“You don’t want to sing for me. I asked you to, and you said no.”

She put a hand on his arm, the one squeezing her throat. “I do want to sing, but I can’t sing while you’re choking me. Please let me sing.”

His arm around her neck relaxed once more. “Sing for me. Sing for me, Destiny. Not for the world, or for anyone else. Just me.”

Robby took a step.

“Don’t come another step closer, Robb. I’ll shoot her. I swear.”

The pressure of the barrel against her temple increased.

She looked at Robby and shook her head. Holly took a deep breath. “Silent night, holy night...” Her voice shook, but the words came out.

Len’s grasp loosened ever so slightly and the gun moved away from her head.

“Round yon virgin, mother and child.”

Even though her voice trembled, she kept singing and slowly moved out of Len’s grasp.

Len stood as if mesmerized, his gaze never leaving her face.

Holly stared right into his eyes, singing for him, for her, for Robby, for the two policemen who were waiting in the distance.

Please God, make my voice strong. Don’t let him shoot.

She poured her heart into it, her voice lifting as it strengthened.

“Sleep in heavenly peace…sleep in heavenly peace.” Holly’s voice rose, the song’s final blessing soothing, reverent.

Len fell to his knees.

Holly’s legs trembled, and she could barely stand up.

Robby moved forward and took the gun from Len’s hand.

Len sobbed. “I just wanted her to sing for us—for me.”

“I know, buddy. I know.” Robby grabbed Len’s hand and gently placed it behind his friend’s back, then took the other and latched the handcuffs.

15

Another Christmas Eve alone.

There’d been a moment when she believed she wouldn’t be alone any longer. A minute when she’d thought there might be a future with Robby, but the hope flickered and then died out, like the embers of her grandparents’ ruined cabin.

Holly held the curtain apart and stared down as last-minute shoppers graced the snow-covered streets, hurrying home to finish up holiday preparations.

The Village of Serenity & Peace. Definitely false advertising. The past two days had been a nightmare.

The only good news was the doctors said Mark would survive his injuries. In spite of the snowstorm, he’d been life-flighted to the nearest trauma center. And even though his wounds were serious, the doctors were optimistic.

She’d phoned every fifteen minutes until the nurses asked her not to call until after the Christmas holiday.

Putting him out into the cold had actually saved his life. It had slowed his metabolism and stopped the blood loss.

The authorities had questioned and re-questioned her so many times she’d lost track. A trial might be held, but it was dependent on Len’s mental state.

And during all that time, Robby didn’t come to check on her.

Letting the curtain drop, she wished she was anywhere but Serenity.

The roads were closed, making it impossible to leave. The forecasted five or six inches of snow had turned into fourteen, but the state police assured her the roads would be cleared by morning.

And then she could leave and put this whole fiasco behind her.

Next time she needed a vacation she’d go to the Bahamas.

No reason to come back here—ever.

The hurt in Robby’s eyes when she’d accused him of shooting Mark and being her stalker said it all. They might have had a future together, but she’d blown it.

Singing no longer made her happy. Maybe she’d sell her house and move somewhere out of the public eye. Maybe she’d retire and find a place she could call home. A real home.

Someone knocked on the hotel door.

She’d only ordered room service fifteen minutes earlier. Jumping off the bed, she went to the door and opened it.

Robby stood there, looking almost as tired as she felt. Arresting his best friend had to have been a nightmare.

“Do they need to ask me more questions?”

“They’ve left and they took Len with them. He’ll be held at a local mental health facility until he can undergo a mental evaluation. Then he’ll most likely face charges at a later date.”

Her eyes filled with unexpected tears. “Poor Len. Do they know what’s wrong?”

“Not yet. That will be up to the psychiatrists to decide.” He grimaced. “I can’t believe I didn’t see the signs.”

“You can’t blame yourself.”

“Intellectually, I know that, but my heart’s telling me I should have done more.”

Her heart broke for him. And she’d betrayed him even more than his best friend had. At least, Len had a reason, she didn’t. “I’m so sorry.”

“It comes with the job. You’re not ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“Christmas Eve services, of course. Remember I invited you and you accepted.”

“Yeah, but that was before...” She couldn’t meet his eyes. “I thought you wouldn’t want to have anything to do with me ever again.”

“Before what?” His gaze met hers.

Hope sparked in her heart.

“Before…before I destroyed whatever we had going with my accusations. You must hate me.”

“Oh...that.” He cupped her chin in his hand and looked into her eyes. “I understand why you thought it. I’m not going to say it didn’t hurt, but it’s something we can get past. And I don’t hate you—far from it.”

The spark turned into flame as her heart jumped for joy. “Really?”

“Really. Now, we’ve got Christmas to celebrate. Let’s get a move on. Tonight’s the Christmas Eve service and tomorrow is Christmas dinner at my brother’s house—Trenton style. And that means a lot of noise and a lot of food. Are you up for it?”

“But I don’t have any gifts.”

“Christmas isn’t about gifts—it’s about love. And besides, God gave you a beautiful gift. Your voice.”

“Yeah, but that gift almost got me killed. I may never sing again.”

“Of course you will. When God gives a gift like that, you can’t keep it to yourself.” He put his arms around her and pulled her close. His lips grazed her ear as he whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll always keep you safe.”

Always.

“Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep.”

“Oh, I intend to keep that one—if you’ll let me.” His lips met hers.

Holly moved closer. She’d found her home.

****

Their feet crunched across the glistening field of ice and snow as they walked hand in hand across the park to the tiny white church.

Holly’s heart was full of love and joy and some trepidation. “Do you think people are going to be angry at me?”

“Of course not. Why would they be?”

“Oh...I don’t know. Maybe because I’ve disrupted their lives.”

“None of it was your fault.”

They walked up the steps to the church.

She remembered the guilt that had tugged at her the last time she’d walked inside the church, but there was no remorse this night. Only joy.

She gazed at the pulpit.

Christmas trees with white lights adorned the stage, giving it a festive feel.

Her feet slowed, but Robby’s hand on her elbow urged her forward.

“I knew you looked familiar, sugar. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you.” Renee walked up and hugged her. “I am so sorry for what you went through. It must have been just horrible.”

“I’m okay. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was before.” She took a step back and Renee released her.

“Don’t worry about keeping me in the dark. I completely understand, Dest—is that what you want me to call you?”

“Call me Holly. Plain, old Holly.”

“Well, there ain’t anything plain or old about you, but Holly it is.” She turned to Robby. “Well, Chief, I promised you and the whole town a surprise, but it’s not going to happen after all. I guess it’s going to be the same old service as last year.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“I feel like the whole mess is partially my fault.” Renee wiped her eyes, stopping the tears before they fell. “Len told me he would have a surprise for me tonight, but refused to tell me what. I should have forced him tell me what he had in mind. I promise I had no idea.”

Holly patted Renee’s arm. “Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t your fault, or Len’s. He’s very sick and confused right now.”

Renee shook her head. “The whole thing is shocking, but he’s in my prayers.”

“And ours, Renee.” Robby nodded his agreement. “I’m sure tonight will be wonderful as always. Traditions are a good thing.”

“I suppose, but...” Her gaze moved to Holly. “Oh, never mind, that would be too much to ask.” She hurried away.

Holly squeezed Robby’s hand. “She wants me to sing tonight.”

“After all you’ve been through, it’s too much. She knew that. That’s why she didn’t ask.”

“I suppose.”

The lights dimmed as they found two seats at the back of the church.

Robb held on to Holly’s hand. “It’s a short service, but I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“I’m sure I will. It’s been way too long since I’ve been to a Christmas Eve service.”

“This will be the first of many.”

She smiled and leaned her shoulder into his in agreement.

The congregation sang two Christmas favorites, and then the preacher stepped up to the pulpit. His voice was strong as he read the Christmas story from the Bible. He went on to talk about the true meaning of Christmas—love.