Tobias (Reynolds Ranch 2)

Seconds later I hear the telltale sign of footsteps through the back room in a mad dash. “Ava. Where are you?” Tobias calls out while walking quickly.

He comes into the room with his boots still on and drops to the floor in front of me. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Did you call him?” I stare at Landon, glaring at him even though honestly I’m happy Tobias’s here. I have to get this off my chest before I break down in tears again.

“Fuck, yeah, I did.” Landon nods as if it’s not a big deal and then hands the water to Tobias, who brings it to my lips as if I can’t do it myself. I take it from him a little more aggressively than I should have, but my emotions are running the gauntlet.

“He should have. What’s going on?” He stares at me with all the sincere concern in his eyes that I expect and love, but I’m confused and hurt right now.

“I got a call from some woman, threatening to kill me,” I hiss.

“What?”

“She told me you belong to her, and that I better call off the wedding or there won’t be one.”

“Oh my God,” Lara cries out. I stare at Tobias, looking for some answers. Something to make me feel better, but I don’t see it in his eyes. Instead, I see the exact opposite.

“It might be the right thing to do.” My mouth drops open as I stare at him in confusion, pain ripping through my chest at his words.

“Are you fucking serious?” I shove the glass in his hand and push off the sofa. I’m about to toss my ring at him when he grabs my hand, spinning me back toward him.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. Well I didn’t mean that exactly.” We stand facing each other as he fumbles on his words. “Shit. I’m fucking it up. I want to marry you right now. What I’m saying is that I think the person who’s stalking me believes that. Whoever is after me must be someone from town because we’ve kept our plans a secret and I haven’t heard from reporters since that day.”

“So you want to hold off?” I ask.

He shakes his head violently. “No, I want to call the judge in right now and have him bring everything here.”

“But…why didn’t you tell me that you had a stalker?” I can’t hide the pain in my voice.

He cups my face with one hand while brushing the other hand down my hair. “Honestly, I forgot about her. I don’t even know who this person is. I haven’t heard a word in at least six months, so I assumed she found someone else to stalk. When you first came here and I saw you in my bedroom camera, I thought maybe you were her.”

“I need a minute.” I pull away from him and walk to the kitchen. Pressing my hands onto the counter, I think about every moment that we’ve been together.”

“You know he loves you, right?” Landon says, walking into the kitchen. “Sorry, my wife is thirsty.”

“I know he does.”

“Well, then you know he’d do everything he could to protect you and he wouldn’t intentionally hurt you. I remember when he saw you in his room. His sanctuary. He looked lost. He should have been livid, but he was the exact opposite. All of a sudden he couldn’t wait to get home. The stalker had bothered him and suddenly, he didn’t even consider calling the cops on you. You know about the cook, so you know how he feels about any female in his bedroom except you. He wanted to beat my head in when Lara handed me the phone to see you on the surveillance. I saw it in his eyes. Don’t let this make you change your mind.” He walks back to the kitchen door.

“Thanks. Oh and you forgot Lara’s drink,” I say with a wink.

“Oops.” I grab a bottle of water and leave this time while I clean off the counter and decide to go back out there and tell Tobias I’m on board with marrying today. I love him, and Landon is right.

“I’m betting she didn’t think you had anyone and then seeing Ava with you triggered her. Hearing about the wedding forced her to take drastic steps,” Landon says as I walk back into the room.

“How did she get my number?” I ask, shaking my head, walking up to Tobias who looks so nervous about my response. I slide my hand in his and he tightens it as his shoulders relax slightly. “It makes no sense. I haven’t called anyone besides Tobias, Louisa, and Lara. Shit. The wedding prep.”

“Did you give it to anyone?” Lara asks.

“I filled it out when I ordered the cake and the wedding meal,” I say.

“I’m going to send my security team to check it out,” Landon says.