His Secret Vow

Chapter Five

The next morning, Melody woke to find more food in the refrigerator. How was Ryan having it delivered? She hadn't heard anyone come in. There was also a box on the counter with a note: "For your safety. -R"

Inside was a new phone, the latest model that wasn't even in stores yet.

"Because my old phone was so dangerous," she muttered, but set it up anyway. All her stuff transferred over automatically, which was convenient but slightly creepy.

Emma called while she was eating breakfast. "Are you alive?"

"No, I'm answering the phone as a ghost."

"Don't joke! I had a nightmare that your mysterious husband was actually a vampire."

"Vampires aren't real, Emma."

"Neither are marriages to complete strangers, but here we are!"

After reassuring her sister seventeen times that she was fine, Melody decided to explore the neighborhood. Rosewood Gardens was nice - tree-lined streets, a small park, coffee shops and bookstores within walking distance. Very different from the cramped area where Emma lived.

She was admiring the flowers in the park when she noticed him - the same man from the black car, now sitting on a bench reading the same newspaper. He was trying to look casual, but his eyes kept following her.

Melody pulled out her new phone and texted Ryan: "The man in the black car is following me."

Ryan called immediately. "Where are you?"

"The park on Maple Street."

"Go to the coffee shop on the corner. Order something and sit where you can see the door. I'm sending Marcus."

"Ryan, who is this person?"

"Just do as I say. Please."

The please surprised her enough that she followed his instructions. The coffee shop was cozy and crowded, which made her feel safer. She ordered a hot chocolate and had just sat down when Marcus appeared, slightly out of breath.

"Melody! Fancy meeting you here!" he said loudly, then sat down and whispered, "Point him out."

"Bench by the fountain. Newspaper."

Marcus glanced over casually. His friendly face went serious. "Okay. We're going to have a normal conversation for five minutes, then leave together. Act natural."

"Who is he?"

"Someone who shouldn't be here." Marcus smiled brightly. "So, how do you like married life?"

They chatted about nothing while Marcus kept an eye on the door. After exactly five minutes, he stood. "Let's go. My car's out front."

As they left, Melody saw the newspaper man get up to follow. Marcus drove a complicated route with lots of turns, constantly checking the mirrors.

"We lost him," he finally said. "I'm taking you home."

"Marcus, what's going on? Who was that?"

"Just someone interested in Ryan's business. It happens sometimes."

"Following his wife happens sometimes?"

Marcus winced. "Not exactly. Look, Ryan will explain when he gets back."

"Everyone keeps saying that, but no one explains anything!"

"Because it's not my place. But Melody?" Marcus glanced at her. "Ryan's a good guy. Whatever's going on, he'll protect you."

"From what?"

But Marcus just shook his head.

Back at the apartment, Melody found Grandma Ruth waiting in the lobby.

"There you are, dear! I brought cookies!" She held up a tin. "Chocolate chip, made them myself."

They went upstairs together, but Grandma Ruth's cheerful expression faded when Melody told her about the man following her.

"That grandson of mine," she muttered. "I told him to be careful. I told him this would happen."

"What would happen?"

Grandma Ruth sighed. "Ryan's business has made some people unhappy. Competitors, mostly. They sometimes try to find leverage against him."

"And I'm leverage now?"

"Unfortunately, yes. But don't worry, dear. Ryan won't let anything happen to you."

"How can you be so sure?"

Grandma Ruth smiled. "Because he came back from a million-dollar deal when you texted him. My grandson doesn't abandon million-dollar deals for just anyone."

"Million dollars?!"

"Oh dear, I shouldn't have mentioned the amount."

"Grandma Ruth, what exactly does Ryan do?"

"Business things. Very complicated. Very boring. Have a cookie."

The cookies were amazing, but they didn't distract Melody from her growing suspicion that everyone was hiding something big.

That night, she couldn't sleep. Every noise made her jump. At 2 AM, her phone buzzed.

Ryan: "Are you awake?"

Melody: "No, I'm sleep-texting."

Ryan: "Marcus told me about today. I'm sorry."

Melody: "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

Ryan: "When I get back."

Melody: "That's what everyone says."

Ryan: "I know. I'm sorry."

Melody: "You apologized twice. Are you feeling okay?"

Ryan: "Go to sleep, Melody."

Melody: "Can't. Too worried about newspaper ninjas."

Ryan: "There are no ninjas."

Melody: "That's exactly what someone hiding ninjas would say."

Ryan: "..."

Melody: "Did you just text me dots?"

Ryan: "You're impossible."

Melody: "You m

arried me."

Ryan: "A decision I'm questioning."

Melody: "Rude! I'm delightful!"

Ryan: "Go. To. Sleep."

Melody: "Fine. But if ninjas get me, I'm haunting you."

Ryan: "Noted."