Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 50561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“That’s a sweet idea but I can’t. Your dad is expecting a package and someone needs to sign for it. If I miss it again he’ll probably shoot me.” She grinned and I hoped that I would still be that warm toward Simon when we’d been together as long as they have.
“Well can I take the car? Tony’s supposed to pick me up when I’m ready so I’ll just come back here when I’m done and have him pick me up.”
“Sure, you know where the keys are, have fun. And no speeding.”
I ignored her, since I do not speed and grabbed the keys on my way out. I was feeling ten times better than I did when I showed up here and my step was much lighter. Of course she was right. Simon loved me. And besides, he’s not the type to make such a gesture unless he meant it.
The morning’s angst faded away as I drove on, my excitement growing with each mile that went by. Now, I could enjoy the air that streamed through the slightly opened window and I even turned up the carols that were playing on the radio. This was going to be a spectacular holiday; I could feel it.
I made it to the mall in record time and was bubbling over with new joy as I parked and got out. The parking lot as was to be expected this time of year, was packed from one end to the next, so I had to park a ways away from the entrance. No bother, it was the middle of the day and I wasn’t planning on being here long. I didn’t see the man that approached until he was right there and then it was too late. I didn’t even have time to scream.
***
Simon
***
Where the hell is she? I’d taken a much- needed break from my work and she was the first thing on my mind once I came up for air. She wasn’t answering the house phone and her cell went straight to voicemail.
I didn’t panic right away, she could be out in the gardens or in the tub, but something niggled at the back of my mind. I called Tony on the off chance that he was driving her somewhere. “Hey Tony, where’s Ashley?”
“I took her to her mom’s a few hours ago. Everything okay?”
“It’s fine, I didn’t know she was going over there today. I’ll just call her there.” I hung up and searched for the number in my phone. She was probably knee deep in wedding plans instead of studying.
Her mom answered on the second ring and I breathed a little easier. “Hello Ms. Janet, it’s Simon, can I talk to Ashley?”
“She’s not back yet.”
“Not back from where?” Now the panic was beginning to set in.
“She drove my car to the mall I think…”
“Okay thanks.” I hung up and called Sam right away.
“Sam where are you?”
“Sitting outside her office. She hasn’t moved since she got here this morning why?”
“I can’t find Ashley, she’s at the mall. Get there now I’ll meet you.” I rushed out of the office and headed for my truck with a sickening pain in my gut.
I was probably fretting for nothing, her phone could’ve died or something as simple as that, but better safe than sorry. A million scenarios ran through my head as I made my way to her, none of them good. If anything happened to her…no I won’t let myself think it. No way I was going to lose her now; life wouldn’t be so cruel. There was still so much more we had yet to share.
I pulled into the parking lot just as Sam entered from the other side. It was only then I realized I had no idea what her mom’s car looked like and the place was crowded. Sam saw me and drove to meet me halfway. I was about to call her mother and ask for a description of her vehicle when something caught my eye and I was afraid I’d found it.
The crowd, police and mall security surrounding the still running car told me all I needed to know. “Please no.” I think I screamed her name out loud but it might’ve been all in my head. I threw myself from the truck with the engine still running, and Sam hot on my heels.
I approached with my head spinning and my guts in knots. “Where is she?” There were the only words I could get past the hurt in my throat.
“Sir, who are you?” I barely looked at the uniformed officer who turned to me.
“I think my fiancée was driving this car. What happened?”
An older lady in her sixties approached.
“He just took her. It happened so fast there was nothing I could do, I…”
“Sir, what’s your name and who is the young lady?” I gave him the information and from the look on his face I knew it was her mom’s car and that I’d just confirmed who it was that had been taken. No one knew what kind of car her abductor was driving, the lady who’d witnessed it had only seen a man forcing a woman into a truck and speeding off.