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Chiefy stood and shook then her tail wagged vigorously. Grace giggled and looked at Sid.
He grinned and nodded. "You're so good with her."
"I love her."
He nodded and his eyes met hers. "Love makes everything so much better."
Her heart thumped so hard in her chest she wondered if he could hear it. "It does."
He whispered, "Be careful." Then he smiled. "Call me if you feel uneasy or need me to come over. I'll be right there."
"Thank you."
She sucked in a deep breath, then turned toward the sidewalk, Chiefy was right there with her. As a general rule, Chiefy walked on the inside of the sidewalk so she could sniff all the grasses, flowers, and anything else close by. But, just a few steps toward Sunset Beach Road and the biker who still sat astride his bike watching, Chiefy moved to the street side of the sidewalk and her head continued to turn toward the biker. Grace didn't look his way, but she did watch Chiefy's demeanor, which was all she needed.
As soon as they passed the biker and stopped at the stop sign to turn left onto Sunset Beach Road, she heard the motorcycle start up. Her heart raced and her stomach tightened. Chiefy growled low and deep.
She patted her head, "It's okay, girl."
Keeping her breathing even, Grace crossed the street, then turned down Sunset Beach Road. She stayed on the opposite side of the road from her house, thinking she'd duck into Sarge's Sandbar if the biker came close. Sid said Sarge was his friend. She instantly felt he'd help her if she needed it.
The motorcycle seemed to drive off in the opposite direction, based on the sound fading away. She wanted to turn and make sure he didn't stop at the Garage but she was afraid he'd see her and start to follow her. She didn't want him to know where she lived.
Her heart beat hard, her breathing came in spurts, and she began to sweat. Chiefy continued to look up at her. She was smart and could likely feel Grace's heightened fear. She didn't know why she feared him, but that's likely what he wanted and why he sat staring at the Garage for so long. Instill fear just for the fun of it.
She was now in front of Sarge's and didn't see or hear the biker, so she let herself relax slightly. She and Chiefy crossed the street, and she picked up her pace to get home as quickly as she could. Right now, the only thing she wanted was to get home.
The bag of caulk she carried swung as their pace picked up. Her house came into focus and excitement sped through her body. She smiled for no reason at all other than the safety of home was just ahead.
Chiefy seemed to sense it too as her pace picked up slightly. Grace kept in step with Chiefy and they were only two houses away when the sound of a motorcycle reached her ears. Her breathing increased and she started a slow jog, afraid to look back. Chiefy growled again but Grace only sped up.
She pulled her keys from her little purse and found the key she needed to minimize her time outside. The instant they stepped up on the little porch, Grace stuck the key in the lock and turned. The door opened and she and Chiefy hurried inside. She let go of the leash and hurried to twist the locks on the door. The one on the knob and the deadbolt. Leaning back against the door she allowed herself a moment to get her pulse to slow down.
Chiefy ran to her water dish for a long drink. The sound of the motorcycle grew louder then shut off. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Scooting to the window in the living room, she dropped the bag of caulk tubes onto the sofa, and peered out between the curtains and the window and there he sat. Same bike. Same biker. Same distance away. Not close enough she could call the police but still there. Watching.
She checked the locks on the doors. All good. Hurrying to the back door she checked the locks. Good again. Then, just for good measure, she checked the locks on all the windows.
Feeling as safe as she could be for now, she chided herself for being paranoid and filled Chiefy's dish with food. She picked up the bag of caulk and stepped into the bathroom where it'd be used first. She pulled out a tube from the bag and inserted it in her caulk gun, but her hands were shaking. Laying the caulk gun down, she moved out to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of iced tea.
She took a healthy drink of it, set the glass on the counter, and a loud knock on her door caused her to yelp. Chiefy began barking and Grace hurried to the living room door. She didn't have a peep hole and wished right now she did.
"Grace." Knock, knock. "Open up, it's Sid."
9
Sid watched that biker. He moved past the Garage then slowly back again. When he kept going, a growing unease in his stomach had him watching. Sure enough, he could hear him down Sunset Beach Road, then stop.
The day prior, Sid found a foot path that ran through the alley across the street from the Garage, then across a private road, through a thicket of palm trees and between Grace's places. No need to go past the biker. Sid knocked on her door and heard her yelp inside.
"Grace." Knock, knock. "Open up, it's Sid."
His relief was immediate when he heard her twisting the locks. Her eyes were wide in fear when the door swung open. "Sid, you scared me." She stepped back to allow him room to come in.
Chiefy ran to him, her tail wildly swaying. Her excitement at seeing him made his heart warm.
"I'm sorry to do that to you, Grace." He leaned down and patted Chiefy. "I heard the biker drive down here and figured he was trying to scare you. I'm afraid he's focused on you because of me."
"How would I have anything to do with it?"
