That Old Flame of Mine by J. J. Cook Page A

only made it down to her shins. “That’s okay. I don’t think someone will mind coming to get me now.”
    He laughed. “You mean John Trump or wild Ricky Hutchins? Yes. I know all about you and your little fire brigade. I’m sorry I was unavoidably detained on business all this time. Believe me, it wasn’t my intention to be gone so long. I’ve waited a long time to finally meet you, Stella.”
    “Thanks. I really need to go.”
    He sat down in a chair near the bed and leaned back, crossing one long leg over the other as he looked at her. “You’re a little firebrand, aren’t you? I’m surprised you didn’t do more than slug that cheating boyfriend of yours back in Chicago.”
    “
What?
How do you know about that?” She had been leaning heavily against the side of the bed and finally just sat down. Her head hurt, and the pummeling her body had taken in the wreck was catching up with her.
    “I told you. I know all about you.”
    Stella heard her distinctive cell phone ring somewhere in the room. It was her mother’s ring—“Tomorrow” from
Annie
.
    She got up slowly and went to look for it. Her mother had called her a lot since Stella had left Chicago. Most of the time she worried over nothing. At least this time she had something to worry about.
    “That’s probably your mother,” Carson said, as if reading Stella’s thoughts. “She’s been calling all evening. I don’t think she finds your mode of transportation safe either. Why do you want to worry her that way?”
    Stella was torn between letting her mother know she was okay and getting the hell out of there. She could always talk to her mother later. This place—this room and this man—were really starting to creep her out. She didn’t want to be in the company of Sweet Pepper’s dark overlord any longer than she had to be.
    She finally located her clothes when she found her cell phone. They were damp and smelly, probably torn in a few places, but wearable. She had to get Carson out of the room so she could change.
    “I really appreciate your kindness, sir. But I’m well enough to leave tonight. You can take me home yourself, or I can call someone.”
    He leaned forward in his chair. “Aren’t you even a little curious as to why I’m so interested in you, Stella?”
    This had taken a bad turn somewhere, even worse than the wreck. Stella didn’t like the way he looked at her or how he sounded. Was he threatening her?
    She
was
curious why he wanted to know about her and how he’d learned about her life in Chicago. She didn’t think this was the time or place to find out. Even her poor brain knew such questions would be better asked and answered later—when she was somewhere safe.
    “I’m going to get dressed. If you know anything about me, you’ll know I’m used to changing clothes at the station back home with a bunch of men hanging around. Whatever your reason for checking up on me, I think we should discuss it later. Right now, I’m going back to my haunted cabin. It was nice meeting you.”
    He came and stood close to her. “Stubborn, like your mother.”
    “What about my mother?” She didn’t care what kind of hotshot he was here in Sweet Pepper—he didn’t have the right to investigate her family.
    “I’m assuming your mother honored my wishes to the extreme. She didn’t tell you
anything
about me, did she?”
    The phone rang again, and this time, Stella answered it. “Mom? Who is Benton Carson? Why does he know so much about me?”
    “Take it easy, Stella. Don’t get upset. He’s your grandfather.
My father
. I would’ve told you, but I promised not to prejudice you one way or the other.” Her mother’s voice was gently apologetic and nervous at the same time.
    “You knew I was coming here and you didn’t tell me?” She glanced at the old man who apparently was a relative. Stella stalked away from him to continue her conversation.
    “I’m sorry,” her mom was saying. “He and I haven’t always been