Dangerous Delusion Read online

  When he pulled back slightly, he smiled and began to move in for another. If it weren’t for the sound of her daughter’s laughter outside, Lora knew she wouldn’t have stopped him.

  “That’s my mom, and Molly.” Lora didn’t move, but Nick dropped his hands from her face.

  “I kind of figured that.” Nick gave her another quick kiss before he stood up.

  “You want to know about the stalker, don’t you?” Lora stood up as he moved toward the door.

  “Yes, Lora, but I don’t want you to discuss that in front of your daughter.” Nick nodded toward the front door where Molly came scampering inside.

  “Mommy, there’s a superhero on our step.” Molly jumped up and down and then stopped when she saw Nick.

  “Hi, Nick.” She ran to the man she’d only met once, and hugged his legs.

  “Hey there, Lollipop.” Nick picked her up in his arms and gave her a little toss in the air making her squeal.

  “Did ya see the superhero?” Molly was wide-eyed as she stared at Nick.

  “Who’s the superhero?” Lora was completely confused.

  “He’s out in front of our house.” Molly pointed. “Come on, Nick, and I’ll show ya.”

  “She’s talking about Hulk. All my nieces and nephews call him, Trunk, and Crunch that, because they always wear superhero shirts.” Nick chuckled. “Hello, Mrs. Norris.” Nick nodded to her mother.

  “Oh dear, what’s going on?” As usual, her mother was in panic mode.

  “It’s nothing, Mom. I’ll explain later.” Lora motioned toward Molly, and her mother understood it wasn’t the time.

  “Not again.” Her mother turned away from Nick who still held Molly.

  “Mrs. Norris, don’t worry we’ve got the superhero out front.” Nick winked at Molly. “Right, Lollipop?”

  “Right, but I’m Molly, silly.” Her little girl giggled when Nick tossed her up into the air again.

  “Yeah, but Lollipop will be my special name for you if that’s okay.” Nick glanced at Lora.

  “Okay, I like it.” Molly wrapped her two little arms around Nick and hugged him.

  “Molly, why don’t you go with Nana in the kitchen and we’ll get supper, okay?” Lora walked toward Nick and Molly.

  “Okay, Mommy.” Nick put her down, and she followed Lora’s mother out of the living room.

  Nick was about to say something to Lora, but Molly ran back into the living room as if something was chasing her. She stopped in front of Nick and tugged on his hand.

  “You’re stayin’ fer supper too, right, Nick?” The hopeful glint in her little girl’s eyes would make it impossible for most people to say no to her.

  “I’m sure Nick has other plans, sweetie.” Lora glanced at him.

  “Nope. What are we having?” Nick winked and followed Molly into the kitchen.

  “Nana, said were havin’ sascedie,” Molly said excitedly.

  “Ah, okay... sounds great?” Nick glanced back at Lora with confusion.

  “Spaghetti,” Lora whispered.

  “I love Spaghetti.” Nick picked Molly up as he made his way into the kitchen.

  Lora stood in the doorway and stared as Nick entertained her daughter. Molly was a friendly little girl with an infectious smile and inquisitive nature. It made Lora uneasy, especially when the letters and gifts began to arrive. It was why Lora frequently reminded Molly about stranger danger and how not everyone was a good person.

  “What about Hulk’s supper?” Molly jumped down from the chair and headed out of the kitchen.

  “We’ll bring him some outside.” Nick caught her and lifted her back into the chair. “He likes to be outside.”

  “Why?” Molly tilted her head and stared up at Nick.

  Lora did her best not to laugh because Molly was about to start a list of questions that would drive the most patient person to the brink of insanity.

  “You see, when you’re a superhero, you need to be outside to make sure you can keep people safe.” Nick’s explanation was ridiculous, but to Lora’s shock and surprise it appeased her little girl.

  “I played with Olivia and Gracie at the park, and they said they know lots a’ superheroes.” Molly turned to face Nick. “I like livin’ here cause there’s no superheroes at our old houses, and Mommy was scared.”

  Lora had been filling her plate when Molly’s words had her almost drop it on the floor. Lora spun around and stared at her daughter. During the whole ordeal, Lora thought she’d managed to hide her fear and concern from her little girl.

  “Since we came here, Mommy isn’t scared no more.” Molly turned back when her plate was placed on the table in front of her.

  Lora glanced at Nick and then her mother. They both appeared as stunned as she did.

  “That’s why your mom moved here because she knew we had all the superheroes.” Nick nodded at her mother when she placed a plate in front of him.

  “I know, and now we got one on our step.” Molly didn’t speak anymore and started to dig into her supper.

  Through the rest of the meal, they chatted about Alice and how the family would take over her duties. Her mother offered to help if they were able to take Molly to the diner or Lora was off.

  Molly wanted to bring Hulk his supper, and her mother helped her out to the large man along with a bottle of water. Nick loaded the dishwasher while Lora cleared the table.

  “You seemed shocked by what Molly said.” Nick wiped off the stove.

  “I was. I always made sure she was never around when I discussed it with Mom or Inspector Drover.” Lora wiped off the table and flopped down in the chair.

  “Kids are pretty perceptive. Trust me my nieces and nephews have seen a lot more than we wanted them to, but they’re thriving. I think kids have a sixth sense. They know when parents are stressed.” Nick took the cloth from her and held her hands in his. “If you want, we can go to the station, and you can tell me everything.”

  “I gave my statements to Inspector Drover. He has almost all of the things the weirdo sent me.” Lora didn’t know what else she could tell him.

  “I know, but I’d like to hear it from you.” He wasn’t telling her something, but she didn’t know what.

  “Nick, you never really explained why Hulk’s here.” Lora could see the change in his expression. “Wait, this has something to do with those murdered women, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes,” The whispered affirmation sent a cold chill through her entire body.

  His patience was running out. She was out of town, and he had to wait for her to return. He’d hit a brick wall with getting any information on his love. He slowly spun around in the room taking in every single picture glued to his wall.

  Pictures that he’d taken of her at work, at the park with her little girl, and of course his favorite was her beside him with a beautiful smile.

  Of course, between her brother, father and the prick that knocked her up, he wasn’t able to get close to her. The kid's father wasn’t hard to get rid of, and nobody even knew he was at the bottom of the lake behind his parent's house. Even after six months, nobody reported the deadbeat missing.

  The day her father died was the happiest of his life, because it meant there was nobody else around to keep him from the woman he loved.

  She hadn’t realized she was free once her dad died, and then she started dating the muscle-bound loser with the sports car. He’d taken care of him too but unfortunately not the way he’d wanted. The bastard had managed to pull his car into a grassy field when he ran out of brake fluid.

  “My love, I know they have us separated but don’t worry, I’ll find you, and we can be together forever.” He ran his finger down the picture of her in the shower. “Nobody will get in my way again.”

  Chapter 8

  Nick despised the appearance of complete terror in her eyes. If someone punched him in the stomach, it wouldn’t have gutted him as much. His first instinct was to pull her into his arms and protect her from everything.

&n
bsp; “Don’t worry, Lora. I won’t let anyone hurt you, Molly, or your mom.” Nick held her against him and covered the back of her head with his hand as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

  “You don’t understand. I don’t know who it is.” Lora trembled against him.

  “A.J. read the report, and Wayne told him you didn’t know who it could be.” What could he do to make all her fear go away?

  “I made a list of every man and woman I knew or had any contact with during the day. It was hard to do because the truth is, you never think about how many people you interact with during a twenty-four-hour period.” She pulled back but didn’t meet his eyes.

  They were silent for a few minutes with only the sound of Molly’s sweet giggle floating in from outside. It calmed him and seemed to have the same effect on Lora. She took a deep breath and let it out again slowly. It was only then that she tipped her head up and met his eyes.

  “If this starts again, I’m leaving Newfoundland,” she said the words, but her eyes told him there was no way she wanted to leave her home.

  “You know what that would do?” Nick ran his knuckle against her cheek.

  “What?” Lora seemed to lean into his touch.

  “Break my fucking heart.” Nick smiled.

  “I’m sure you’d survive.” She rolled her eyes.

  “I’m not sure I would. You’ve charmed me, Ms. Norris, and it makes me happy and terrified at the same time.” Nick stared into her eyes. “I’m going to find this guy, so he’ll never scare you again.”

  “You’re going to do that all by yourself.” Lora cupped his cheek and smiled.

  “If I’ve got to, but I’m sure between my brothers and the superheroes, I’ll have lots of help.” Nick leaned toward her, and as their lips were about to touch, a small voice from the front door drew it to a halt.

  “Mommy, come watch Hulk lift me with only one hand.” Molly squealed excitedly.

  “Big deal, she’s what? Thirty pounds.” Nick grumbled.

  “Forty-one, actually.” Lora laughed. “You should go show her that you can do it too.”

  “Nah, she thinks he’s a superhero, and it makes her feel safe.” Nick slipped his hand behind Lora’s head and pulled her close. “I want both of you to feel that way.” Nick pressed his lips to her forehead and reluctantly released her.

  “I think, maybe you just stepped up to superhero level.” Lora smiled as she backed out of the kitchen.

  “I hope I can be yours.” Nick followed her.

  Nick stayed for most of the evening for a few reasons. He wanted to get all the information he could on Lora’s stalker. As well as find out if Molly had knowledge her mother didn’t realize the little girl had, but most of all he wanted to spend time with Lora.

  “G’night, Nick.” Molly jumped on the couch next to him and wrapped her little arms around his neck.

  “Goodnight, Lollipop. Sweet dreams.” Nick hugged her tightly.

  He could hear Lora reading softly to Molly while he sat in the living room. He wasn’t surprised when Sheila stepped up to the couch and sat next to him. For a moment she didn’t speak. Then she turned to him.

  “You care about my daughter, don’t you?” Sheila didn’t pull any punches.

  “I do, but that’s not the only reason I’m here.” Nick kept his voice low.

  “She’s been hurt in the past, and last year she went through a very tough time.” Sheila reminded him a lot of his own mother, especially with the mama bear scowl she gave him.

  “I know about her stalker.” Sheila’s surprised expression told him not many people knew about her ordeal.

  “She told you?” She seemed skeptical.

  “That she had one, yes, but she’s gonna tell me the rest after Molly goes to sleep. Is there anything you can tell me?” Nick figured Sheila might know something he didn’t

  “I’ll leave that to Lora. I’m going to warn you, don’t hurt my daughter, or you’ll see a side of this soft-spoken woman not many people see.” Sheila stood up and gave him a sweet smile.

  “You know, I think you and my mother would be great friends.” Nick chuckled.

  “I’ve met her, and we've had lunch, but I might have to get some information on you, young man.” Sheila winked and disappeared into one of the rooms Nick assumed was her bedroom.

  While he waited, Nick checked email on his phone and scrolled through social media. Apparently, Molly’s bedtime routine was an enormous production. There was water, a snack, several trips to the bathroom, and a story. An hour later Lora emerged from the room, closing the door softly behind her.

  “I’m sorry that took so long.” She entered the living room and sat on the opposite end of the couch.

  “Are you kidding? You need to be at Ian and Sandy’s place when they try to get four kids to bed.” Nick smiled.

  “I can’t imagine, but after getting to know both of them, I’m pretty sure they’re good at it.” Lora tucked her legs under her and rested her arms on the back of the couch. “I know that’s not why you stayed. What do you want to know?”

  “If you’ll have supper with me on Saturday evening.” Nick rested his arm on the back of the couch, so he was able to reach across and touch her hand.

  “Nick,” Lora sighed.

  “What?” He studied her features, but it wasn’t like he’d ever forget any of it.

  He’d memorized every inch of her beautiful face including the tiny scar she had just over her right eye. She had tiny freckles across her nose and he’d noticed she’d gotten more since the summer started. To him they were beautiful. Just like her.

  “That’s not why you’re here.” She glanced at his hand that now held hers.

  “It’s part of it.” Nick winked.

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” Lora attempted to pull her hand away, but he gripped onto her fingers and pulled them to his lips.

  “I think it’s a great idea.” He linked his fingers with hers.

  “The last guy I dated was almost killed when someone cut his brake line.” Lora’s voice cracked.

  “Is that when you moved here?” Nick tugged her closer.

  “No, I moved once more before I came to Hopedale.” Lora’s eyes were fixed on the ring on Nick’s finger.

  “To get away from this guy?” Nick asked, but he knew the answer.

  “It started just after my dad died.” Lora ran her fingernail across the insignia on his ring. It was the graduation ring he received from law school. He didn’t practice anymore, but the ring was part of him, so he still wore it.

  “What happened?” He probably should take notes, but at that moment he didn’t want to let go of her hand.

  “My dad was a teacher, and he coached baseball in the summer and basketball during the school year. He was my superhero.” Lora glanced at Nick with tears in her eyes.

  “Aren’t all dads superheroes to us as kids? I know mine was. Hell, my dad still is.” Nick brushed his thumb against hers.

  “I like your dad.” She smiled.

  “Me too. Go on.” Nick managed to get her close enough, so he could tuck her under his arm.

  “A week after the funeral, I got a card in the mail. Nothing really. We were getting tons of them from Dad's co-workers, students, old friends, and neighbors.” Lora sighed.

  “What was different about the card?”

  “It wasn’t a condolence card. It was like a card you’d give to a girlfriend.” She shrugged.

  “Do you remember what it said?” Nick absently played with her hair.

  “You’ll be my tomorrow; you own my heart. It was signed, for my one and only love.” Lora shivered, and Nick kissed the top of her head.

  “Were you dating anyone at the time?” The question was for one reason.

  If Lora had a bad break up with some psycho, it was possible the guy wasn’t ready to let go. Some men didn’t take rejection well, and Nick saw more than his share of them. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d been cal
led to a domestic disturbance because a woman wanted to end things with some asshole who didn’t take it well.

  “Yes, I thought it was from him, and it was odd because we’d only been out on four dates. When he came by a couple of days later, I thanked him for the card. He told me he didn’t send it, and I shrugged it off as someone being sweet.” Lora snuggled closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “But that wasn’t the last one.”

  “No, that was only the tip of the iceberg. After that, they started coming at least two or three times a week. Cards, flowers, candy and stuffed animals.” Her body relaxed against him.

  “What made you move the first time?”

  “About three weeks after it started, Roy, the guy I was dating mentioned he’d gotten some threatening texts. Basically, warning him to stay away from me.”

  “Then his brakes were cut.” Nick nodded.

  “Yeah, after he spent the night…. Sorry.” Lora tipped her head and glanced up at him.

  “Why are you sorry?” Nick was confused.

  “I don’t know, talking about Roy spending the night… seems weird.” Lora rolled her eyes. “Stupid I know.”

  “It’s not stupid.” Nick put his finger under her chin. “Just so you know, I hate Roy.”

  “You don’t know him.” Lora giggled.

  “He spent the night with you, and that makes me jealous.” Nick ran his thumb across her lower lip.

  “I’m pretty sure you had some overnight guests from time to time. Actually, if I’m to believe the rumors, you’ve had lots of slumber parties.” Lora raised her eyebrow and smirked.

  “I’m not proud of that.” For the first time, Nick was embarrassed by his sexual exploits.

  “Nick. I was kidding.” Lora sat up and gazed into his eyes.

  “Lora, I’m not going to pretend I was the good Catholic boy, but since I met you, the only woman I want, is you.” Nick brushed his nose against hers.

  “Nick, this is too fast.” Lora sat up and sighed.