Cedar Hollow by Tracey Smith

shrugged as way of explanation, he seemed unfazed by the nurse’s reaction. Cassidy was surprised that he knew the nurse by name, but then again she’d known his name too. She’d actually warned Cassidy against him. She wanted to ask Ben about that, but it would have to wait for another time. She’d already set him on edge with the comment about him coming back and she wanted to smooth it over.
    Cassidy scooped up the remaining clothes on the bed putting them back into the tote bag that Ben had brought.
    “I guess we’re ready to go.” She said cheerfully swinging the bag over her shoulder. Ben nodded and led the way out.
     
    There was a heavy silence in the truck as they drove back toward Cedar Hollow. Cassidy wasn’t sure how to break the ice. Over the last couple days she’d thought that they’d made some progress in their relationship, gradually transitioning from compulsory roommates to the beginnings of a friendship, even a little flirtation, but now she didn’t know what they were. She supposed accusing someone of attempted murder really did put a kink in a friendship.
    “Are you hungry?” Ben asked finally breaking the tense silence.
    “Sure.” Cassidy agreed.
    “There’s a restaurant coming up in the next town that’s pretty good. If you want to stop.”
    “That sounds great.” Cassidy smiled over at him but his eyes were fixed on the road. “So how far are we from Cedar Hollow?” Cassidy asked grasping on to the conversation so that they didn’t slip back into awkward silence.
    “About twenty miles now, there’s only one town between Montgomery and Cedar Hollow.” Ben hesitated briefly. “Hangman’s Ridge.” He reluctantly told her the name of the small town he was taking her to. Irrationally Cassidy giggled. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and she cleared her throat nervously.
    “So is Montgomery the closest city?” Cassidy asked.
    “The closest with a hospital.”
    “I was thinking more along the lines of a shopping mall.”
    “Oh, yeah, they have one of those too.”
    “I need to make a trip, so at least now I’ll know what direction to head.”
    He looked over at her concern clear on his face.
    “If you need something I can get it for you.”
    “I just wanted to do a little clothes shopping.” Cassidy explained feeling a little anxious under his protective gaze. It reminded her that there was something out there that she needed to be protected from and she’d rather not think of that right now.
    “I’ll take you.” Ben declared and then looked back at the road.
    “I have my own car.” Cassidy reminded him gently.
    “You shouldn’t go alone.” Ben’s tone left no room for argument. “So you don’t get lost.” He added on as an afterthought. Cassidy had a sinking suspicion that wasn’t his real concern.
    His unease opened the floodgate of questions that Cassidy had been holding at bay. Was someone trying to hurt her? Were they just trying to scare her off, or worse? And Why? Who? How much did Ben know? She stared blindly out the truck window into the darkening forest consumed with haunting questions. She didn’t even register the small town that had emerged from the woods until Ben pulled the truck to a stop.
    “We’re here.” He told her. She wondered how much time had passed, how long had she been staring out the window lost in thought.
    Ben climbed out of the truck and crossed around to the other side, extending his hand to help Cassidy step down. She felt that same jolt of awareness that she’d felt the last time he’d held her hand. It erased all other concerns for the moment. She smiled up at him and he tentatively smiled back.
    The restaurant was small and dimly lit, with a nautical theme. Fishing nets were suspended in corners and watercolor paintings of fishing boats decorated the walls.
    “Benjamin Riley!” A woman’s voice squealed and Cassidy and Ben both turned to face the middle aged hostess who was approaching them with her