The Summer Deal Read Online Free PDF Page A

would’ve known. Wouldn’t she?
    Growing more nervous with every moment that passed, she opted to take the stairs to her third floor apartment.
    Letting herself into her private sanctuary, she turned three deadbolts and secured the door. She dropped her shopping bags and walked around the small space making sure no one was there.
    She was alone. Samantha couldn’t breathe, and it dawned on her: she was most vulnerable when she was alone. Her legs grew weak, and she sat at the kitchen table. Staring at the deadbolts, tears filled her eyes. With trembling hands, she picked up the phone.
    She dialed the police.
    *****
    “You understand we can’t do anything if Daniels hasn’t actually hurt you?” the officer said. “Do you have a place to stay until you feel better about this?”
    She slowly nodded as she saw the concern on his face. “It won’t be necessary. He doesn’t know where I live.”
    “Just to be on the safe side, go somewhere else or have a friend stay with you.”
    “We have a video intercom system and a new security door at the main entrance. I’ll be okay.”
    The officer handed her a card with his personal beeper and told her not to hesitate to call the police. “You can call me directly if you wish. I’ll be in this area all week.”
    Samantha opened the door to let him out. Her stout, silver haired neighbor, Mary, walked in. “What is happening here? Are you all right, sweetie?”
    Relief flooded over Samantha as her friend took her hand and rubbed mothering warmth into it. Mary’s eyes urged her to speak and unburden herself.
    “Yes, I’m fine. Have a seat on the couch while I let the officer out, and then I’ll make some tea.”
    In the excitement of preparing for the trip, she’d forgotten it was Scrabble night with the elderly neighbor. Mary was close to eighty years old, but her memory was sharper than a twenty-year-old’s.
    “I’ll have the board set up in no time.”
    Thanking the officer, she locked the door behind him. Mary became her shadow and moved into the kitchen with her. Samantha remained quiet, considering how and what to tell the neighbor. She didn’t want to frighten her friend and add to the upset.
    “Honey?” Mary raised a silver eyebrow in question, and motioned for Samantha to sit while the older woman went to put on the kettle. With a hug and well-practiced encouragement, Mary had the younger woman confessing the day’s events.
    “Oh sweetie, I’m glad you called the police. You should’ve gotten a restraining order against him when he started acting so irrationally. And, I don’t care if he doesn’t know where you live. You’re not staying alone tonight.”
    “I’ll be good in the morning. I just need to rest, and then I’ll pack for my trip.” Her hand shook as she raised the hot tea to her mouth.
    “Now that young man you work for, he’s the type of man you need in your life.” Mary placed a warm hand on Samantha’s knee and applied the slight pressure her age-worn fingers would allow.
    “Mary, you’ve never met Demo. How could you say that?”
    “Sure I have. Remember that night you spent with him?”
    “I’ve never spent the night with him.”
    Smiling coyly, Mary patted Samantha’s knee. “Keep your knickers on, sweetie. I don’t mean spent the night, spent the night . I’m talking about the night you stayed with him because Mr. Good-For-Nothing was threatening you.”
    “Oh, that’s right. You saw Demo in the hall when he brought me home in the morning.” Heat rose to her cheeks as she remembered her neighbor giggling like a school cheerleader when she’d introduced them.
    “Yes, dear. And I told you that same day what I thought. I told you, he fancies you.”
    “Mary, you know better. He’s my boss. That’s all.”
    “A that’s all boss doesn’t invite you to spend the summer with him on an exotic island.” Mary’s eyes twinkled as she poured the remainder of the kettle. “Finish your tea, and then you’ll show me