Perfect Stranger: Mason Creek #17 Read online

  Copyright © 2022 by AM Hargrove

  AM Hargrove LLC—Up All Night Romance (UAN Publishing)

  Perfect Stranger (A Mason Creek Novel)

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in form or any manner whatsoever by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or a book review. Scanning, uploading and distribution of the book via the Internet or via any other means without permission is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support for the author’s rights is appreciated. For information address to A.M. Hargrove LLC, UAN Publishing—[email protected]

  All rights reserved.

  Cover by Sarah Paige

  Editing Services: My Brothers Editor

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Also By A.M. Hargrove

  About The Author

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  MILLER

  The movers brought the last of the boxes into my new home. It was a relief knowing Atlanta was now behind me and Mason Creek was my new address. I loved the house that Jessie, my partner’s wife, had found for me. Growing up here, she knew everyone in town and had worked closely with Grady Jackson who was the owner of Dream Big, the local real estate office. Together, they’d located the perfect home and from then on, everything was a breeze.

  “I think you should have them move the sectional over there.” Jessie pointed to the corner of the main living area. The house was open concept and the kitchen had recently been remodeled, along with the bathrooms. The back of the house faced the mountains and the view was extraordinary. I stared at it until she called out, “Miller? You with me?”

  “Sorry, I got lost in the view.”

  “Yeah, it’s really something, isn’t it? Bet you can’t get anything close to this in Atlanta.”

  “True. You know something? I thought the cold would bother me, but it really doesn’t. I actually like it.”

  “I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s everything the town has to offer, and you love what you’re doing.”

  “You’re probably right. Anyway, what were you saying?”

  She suggested an arrangement for the living room furniture, which turned out to be excellent. Jessie had great taste, so I didn’t mind deferring to her on this. Suddenly, the baby cried out. He’d been sleeping in his little thingamajiggy.

  “Sounds like Henry needs a snack. Let me feed him and I’ll be right back.” Jessie picked up the carrier and disappeared into one of the back bedrooms.

  My phone rang and I answered. “Miller Campbell.”

  “Hey, how’s the move going?”

  It was Miles, Jessie’s husband. “Great. Your wife is feeding Henry now, but she’s been great. She has an eye for this stuff.”

  “I know, and she loves doing it. Have they finished moving everything in?”

  “Yeah, and now they’re unpacking everything. It’s going to look great. I’m glad I went with Jessie’s color recommendations on paint.”

  “I can’t wait to see it.”

  “How’s work today?” We were partners in the town’s medical practice.

  “Busy. Still seeing the usual respiratory stuff. I’m picking up dinner from Wren’s Café tonight on the way home. Why don’t you eat with us?”

  “Sounds great to me. I have to run to the store to stock up on things. I have nothing to eat in here.”

  “Be at our place at six thirty.”

  “Thanks, man. I’ll let your wife know.”

  “She already does. I just talked to her before I called you.”

  “Got it. I’ll see you tonight then.”

  “Oh, and Miller? Let Jessie do her thing. You won’t be sorry.”

  He was right. By the time she left, my bedroom, along with the three guest rooms, looked like something out of a magazine.

  “You have real talent here,” I told her. “Have you ever considered doing interior design?”

  She placed a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. “And when would I have time to do that?”

  “Uh, right. Bad question.”

  Henry was wrapped in one of those slings that she wore. He didn’t seem to mind a bit. “Is that heavy?”

  “Not too bad yet, but he’s growing like a weed. I think he’s going to be tall like his dad.”

  “Like Parker too. That kid has sprouted up, hasn’t he?”

  “Good lord, yes! I just bought him new pants before Christmas, and here it is late January and they’re already too short. He’s all legs.”

  “Is he still eating eggs every day trying to grow his muscles?”

  Jessie barked out a laugh. “Yeah, but those so-called muscles are nothing more than tiny bumps. He thinks they’re huge and we have to feel them every day. It’s hilarious.”

  “Gotta love it.”

  “Dr. Campbell, can you look at the cabinets to see if everything is where you want it?” one of the movers came in and asked, since they’d finished unpacking the kitchen boxes. I actually loved to cook, so I had quite a few boxes there.

  “Sure.” I went and inspected where they’d put everything and it looked fine to me, until Jessie made a suggestion.

  “I think those small appliances should be moved to those cabinets over there. They’ll be easier to access. You won’t have to bend down to get them.”

  “Great idea. Can you do that?”

  “Absolutely.”

  When they finished, I gave it a final inspection and approval.

  “Looks great to me.”

  Jessie had explained to them which way to arrange the furniture in each of the rooms, and they finally finished late in the afternoon.

  “I’m going to head home. Come on over for dinner at six thirty,” she reminded me.

  “Will do. See you then and thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “Nonsense. You could have, it might not have looked this good though.” She laughed as she left, but she was right. The place looked great, even though I still had some things left to do.

  A trip into my bedroom reminded me exactly how much was left. Jessie left this room for me to unpack, since it had all my personal belongings and clothing. The movers had hung the clothes but I had boxes to unpack and thing
s to place in the drawers. One dresser was filled when it was time to leave.

  When I got to the Carlson’s, Parker greeted me. “Uncle Miller! How’s your new house? Is it better than living here?” I’d lived in their apartment above the garage while I was house hunting.

  “Of course not. It can’t be because you’re not there.”

  “I can come spend the night with you and we can build a fort!”

  “Whoa, buster. It’s a school night, so that’s not going to happen,” Miles said.

  “But Daddy, I could go on a weekend.”

  “We can work on that, big guy,” I said, patting him on the head.

  He grinned and went to the TV to play a video game. Then he hollered out, “Uncle Miller, did you know that Henry don’t got no teeth?”

  “Doesn’t have any teeth,” Miles countered.

  Parker repeated, “Henry doesn’t have any teeth.”

  “I do. I noticed that today.”

  “He can’t eat chicken yet.”

  “No, but he will when his teeth come in,” I said.

  “Will the tooth fairy bring him money when that happens?”

  Miles shook his head and we both chuckled. “Parker, the tooth fairy only brings money when you lose teeth, not when they come in,” he said.

  “Yeah, but Daddy, he had to lose them somewhere since he don’t have any.”

  Miles groaned. He was constantly on Parker and his grammar. “He doesn’t have any. Remember? But Henry never had any to begin with. That’s how it is with babies. They’re not born with teeth.”

  “But where are they?” Parker asked.

  “Nowhere. They’re going to come out later.”

  Parker stared at his dad as though he’d lost his marbles. “Daddy, that’s silly. They gotta be somewhere if he’s gonna get ’em later.”

  “It’s like your big teeth. They form later. After you lost your little teeth, you got the big ones. That’s how Henry’s teeth are.”

  In truth, I could see how it could be confusing for him.

  “Why didn’t he just have them when he was borned?”

  “Because it doesn’t work that way. They have to come out later.”

  “That’s just dumb.”

  Parker turned back to his game and Miles said, “We have conversations like these just about every night. He asks about things that are difficult to explain and when we can’t give him a satisfactory answer, he believes they’re dumb.”

  “He does have a point. Why aren’t babies born with teeth?”

  Miles stared at me and said, “The same reason they’re not born fully grown.”

  “That’s just dumb,” I said and we all cracked up.

  Miles pulled out dishes from the cabinet to set the table. I helped him and while we did this little chore, he said, “You should’ve heard the conversation about why babies can’t walk. It was hilarious.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He thought it was a better idea if they could walk as soon as they were born so Jessie wouldn’t have to carry Henry around everywhere.”

  “That’s a good point too. It must get awfully tiring to do that.”

  “Parker also thinks they should be born potty trained.”

  “And I one-hundred-percent agree with him.”

  Miles put the last plate down and I added the silverware.

  “You’re crazy. I can’t wait for you to have a baby.”

  “You’ll be waiting a very long time, my friend.”

  We both went back into the kitchen where Jessie was setting everything out.

  “Hey, what’s going on between you and Evvie?” Miles asked.

  “Oh, we’re history. She wanted more than I was willing to give. I told her from the start that I didn’t want a relationship so she’s off with someone else now.”

  Jessie said, “Yeah, I meant to tell you, Miles. She’s seeing someone else and seems very happy with the situation.”

  “That’s good. We weren’t that involved but I didn’t want any hurt feelings between us.” She was disappointed when I told her, but I’d been honest with her from the start. She began to get clingy and wanted to spend every minute with me, which wasn’t something I was interested in. She knew I wasn’t into a so-called committed relationship so I cut the strings with her. She’s very sweet, but not my forever person. I don’t think there is a forever person for me out there.”

  We sat down to dinner. It was the chicken casserole from Wren’s Café, which was excellent. When we finished, I helped Miles clean up. There wasn’t much to do and it took no time at all. Parker even helped.

  “I’d better get a move on. I have to stop at the store as my house is empty.”

  “Uncle Miller, you better get eggs for your muscles and some of that cinnamon-covered cereal. It’s the best.”

  “I will. You better get a bath because you have school tomorrow and you don’t want to be stinky.”

  “I’m not stinky.” He giggled.

  “You might be if you don’t take a bath.” I pinched my nose for emphasis.

  “You might be too.”

  “I know, which is why I take baths. And don’t forget to scrub your feet. Nobody likes smelly feet.”

  “Daddy, do my feet smell?”

  “I don’t know, but they won’t after your bath.”

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” I said to Miles. “Thanks for dinner, Jessie.”

  “Don’t thank me. Thank my husband for picking it up and Wren’s for making it.”

  She handed me a plastic container filled with leftovers. “This is for your lunch tomorrow.”

  “Wow. Thanks! See you all.” I was just about to leave when my phone rang, and so did Miles’s.

  I answered mine as he did his. It was a call regarding a car accident that had taken place on the interstate right near the Mason Creek exit. Once I got the information, I ended the call and waited for Miles. I was sure he’d gotten the same one. When he hung up, I asked, “You want to take one or two cars?”

  “Two, just in case one of us has to go to the hospital with the patient. They didn’t indicate how serious it was.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Two

  MARIAH

  Darkness had fallen and it was snowing lightly. I’d left Spokane in a rush, grabbing only the necessities in the form of clothing for me and all of Claire’s things. The need to get as far away from him as possible was dire. My goal was to make it as far as Casper, Wyoming, tonight.

  Shortly after going through Bozeman, the road turned icy but I wasn’t aware. I hit a patch of black ice, and from then on the car went spinning out of control. Screeching tires, crunching metal, and glass shattering pierced the night as the car ran off the interstate and landed up against a tree. Claire wailed from the back seat. Thank God she was tightly strapped in her car seat, but when I tried to move, I was trapped. The dashboard was in my lap and pinned me in the seat. I couldn’t feel my right leg.

  I reached down, trying to see if I could free myself, but it was impossible. My hand came back wet and I was sure it must’ve been blood. Had there been anyone to witness my accident? Would help be coming, or was I alone out here? I couldn’t wait for an answer, so I felt around for my purse, where my cell phone was. I hadn’t wanted to use it because I feared he would track me, but this superseded everything. Claire could be badly hurt and I wasn’t willing to let anything happen to her, if I could help it.

  My arm extended as far as it would go, and when I tried to reach farther, blinding pain ripped down my leg. I gulped back a scream that threatened to tear out of me. My purse must’ve been thrown from the seat. It could be anywhere in this car. I wish I had one of those fancy cars with Bluetooth, but I didn’t. My car was old and on its last run. What should I do now?

  Then, someone pounded on the window. “Hey, are you all right in there?” Outside stood a man and a woman.

  “No, I’m injured and can’t move. I’m trapped. Can you see if my little girl
is all right?”

  I heard the back door open and then a woman’s voice came back to me. “I think she’s okay, but I can’t really tell. We called 911 so it might be best to leave her be until they get here.”

  “Thank you. Can you talk to her, please?” She was still crying and I was more worried for her than me.

  Through the pain, I heard the woman cooing and murmuring, and the man asked, “Is there anyone you want us to call?”

  “No! Don’t call anyone.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  I began to have difficulty breathing. “I can’t breathe.”

  “Okay, slow down a second. Take in a slow deep breath and try to hold it.”

  “I can’t. My chest hurts.” Panic rose within me. If I died, what would happen to my daughter?

  The sound of a siren in the distance got louder and louder.

  “Just hang on. Help is almost here.”

  He was right. Soon, firefighters and EMTs were at the scene. They placed an oxygen mask over my mouth and nose. I pulled it away, saying, “Please check my baby girl.”

  One of them put it back on and said, “We are. Someone is checking her now. I’m going to ask you a series of questions and just nod your answers. Are you in any pain?”

  I nodded yes then I pulled the mask away again and said, “I’m trapped by the dashboard. My right leg is bleeding and my chest hurts.”

  “Okay.” He walked away and shouted something that I couldn’t understand. Things were getting fuzzy now.

  Then I faintly heard the sound of metal crunching again, but I faded out.

  “Hey, can you hear me? Miss, can you hear me?” someone asked. I blinked several times and looked to see a man hovering over me.