All Is Bright Read Free

“You’re looking mighty pretty for nearly drowning tonight.”
    Her laugh sounded high and forced in her ears. “Only you would say something like that to a woman in bare feet with no makeup.”
    He grinned, and his white teeth flashed in his tanned face before his expression turned sober. “Tell me what happened, Delilah.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “How’d you hear about it?”
    â€œOne of my deputies was investigating. When I got there, the wrecker had just managed to pull your car onto the sand.”
    â€œI’m surprised they were even able to pull it in.”
    â€œCurtis went out in his wetsuit and scuba gear to attach the hook to it. The damage to the car is pretty extensive from where the truck hit you. It’s going to be a total loss.”
    She winced. “Vanessa told you, didn’t she? She went tearing out of here shortly after I got back.”
    He grinned again. “Okay, yes. She found me at the café, but I would have checked it out anyway as soon as my deputy reported in. Seeing as it was you and all.”
    The gentleness in his tone took her aback, and she didn’t quite know what to say to that. “I suppose you want to hear what happened. Have a seat.” She pulled her bare feet onto the sofa with her and under the throw.
    He settled beside her and took out a notebook. “When did you first notice the truck behind you?”
    She launched into the event, but the retelling made her shiver again as she recalled how the truck had hit her more than once. Her description of the truck and the man wasn’t going to help him much. “The truck looked like any other black truck on the road. I’m not up on models. It was older and muddy like he’d had it out on the sand or in a field.”
    â€œAny idea of his age at all?”
    She shook her head. “The visor was down, so I couldn’t see his face, just his jaw. Plus it went dark quickly.”
    â€œI can check with Denny’s to see if anyone brought a truck in for repairs. Hitting you had to have left some damage on his truck too.”
    The phone jangled and she tensed. Caller ID read Unknown and she looked at Tom. “I’ve been getting calls too.”
    â€œI know. Answer it.” He scooted closer.
    The spicy scent of his cologne gave her the courage to grab the phone from its cradle and punch the On button. “Tidewater Inn.”
    The instant the call connected, she could hear the “Hey Pretty Girl” tune playing in the background. She punched on the speakerphone function so Tom could listen as well.
    â€œDid you run me off the road today?” Her voice wobbled just a bit, and Tom touched her hand. “What do you want?”
    â€œYou know.” The voice had some kind of electronic garble to it. “And you’re going to pay.”
    The music stopped, and she realized the guy had hung up. Her hand trembled as she replaced the phone on its cradle. “I have no idea what he means.”
    A muscle twitched in Tom’s jaw. “We’re going to have to talk about your past.”
    Her throat closed at the thought of opening up to anyone, especially Tom. “I think I’ll go to bed right now. This has been exhausting.” She leaped to her feet and raced for the stairs.

    Delilah kept a smile on her face as she checked out departing guests and welcomed new ones, but her sore muscles kept reminding her of that frightening brush with death. Libby had wanted her to have the doctor check her, but Delilah assured her she was fine. Saturdays were too busy to spend the morning at the doctor’s office.
    At three o’clock Elin arrived, wedding dress in hand. With her aqua eyes and long dark-red hair, she was going to be a beautiful bride. She smiled and held up the plastic-encased dress. “You sure you want to do this today? When the stalker was after me, I could barely function. Just thinking about