Healing Her Soul (Mayflower Series #2)

Chapter 6

As promised, Ryder stayed clear from the topic of their make-out session. He had attempted small talk with her, but she was determined to stay silent. There was no way she would give in and let this man attempt to crawl into her heart.

“Good night, Julia.”

“Good night and…thanks for the ride.”

These were the only words spoken before Julia made her way down the dirt path and to her home. Like the night before, Ryder waited for her to enter the house before he drove off.

She felt proud that she had managed to keep Ryder Cooper at arm’s length, just like what she had set out to do in the first place. Now all that was left, was to keep at it for as long as she could. God help her and her mission.

The next day, she got up bright and early. It was the one day of the week the bakery opened late so that Ellen could have her day off. Julia spent a good three minutes giving herself a pep talk in the mirror. God please give her the strength to deal with Ryder today.

Maddie had long left the house to tend to farm duties and Julia was glad. Her sister sometimes seemed like a hawk, observant and perceptive. She would be able to sense Julia’s anxiety from a mile away.

Shaking off her insecurities, she got into her car and made her way to the bakery. She needed to get her mind off Ryder, so she decided to think about Danish Pastries. She wasn’t much of a fan of Louise, but she did enjoy the sitcom that took place whenever Louise interacted with Maria. She enjoyed it even more so when Noah was stuck in between, trying to appease both women. Maybe she should send Ellen a text to let her know since she, too, enjoyed the show.

The text, however, never got made.

Julia gasped. Her heart sank as she approached the bakery. Each step she made felt like a ton of bricks wrapped up in a titanium crate.

She stood by the doorway, shocked, as she covered her mouth in disbelief. Thoughts left her as she took in the sight. Glass was sprayed everywhere. Neither their windows, nor the glass door were spared.

Ellen sat next to Maria as she spoke to an Officer seated across from them at a table that Julia noticed was far enough from the glass shards. She recognised the officer as Officer Henry, an old schoolmate of hers before she had left. As she entered the bakery, two more officers exited the kitchen area. One held onto a camera whilst the other had his vision firmly fixed in her direction.

Her eyes widened when they clashed with Ryder’s.

Everyone else turned to look at her. She stood frozen in her spot, like a deer caught in headlights. Maria was the first to call out to her.

“Oh Julia,” Maria almost cried out as she stood up and reached out for her. As though seeking the warm embrace of a mother, Julia went straight to Maria and engulfed her in a tight hug.

“It happened early this morning,” Maria explained. “Thank god no one was in at the time.”

“Are you alright?” Julia asked as they pulled apart. “How can I help?”

“There’s not much to do yet until Officer Luke is done taking pictures,” Maria explained.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, ladies. We just have a few more questions,” Officer Henry spoke up. He turned toward Officer Luke expectantly.

“The kitchen is clear. I just have to consolidate the evidence, that’s all,” Officer Luke reported.

“Right,” Maria nodded. She turned back to Julia, “How about you and Ryder go out and have some breakfast? I’ll call you when we are done here. Is that alright with you, Ryder?”

Ryder nodded in response and made his way outside without a word.

“Whatever you need,” Julia gave Maria a reassuring smile before following him outside.

Ryder remained silent beside her as they walked. Where were they going? Julia had no idea, and she had no capacity to ask. Her thoughts swirled around the damaged bakery. Who would do that to Maria? She had such a kind soul. What about Ellen? Ellen may be as direct as they come, but she hardly interacts with customers. Not many people knew she was even an employee. What if… Julia had unknowingly caused it herself?

A twinge of guilt mixed with fear rolled down her spine and settled at the pits of her stomach. Could it be…..‘him’? Could he have escaped jail and sorted her out? Her hands felt clammy at the thought. It couldn’t be. But…. What if…

“After you.”

Julia’s head snapped up. Ryder was holding open a door for her. Her eyes ventured upwards and spotted the restaurant signage.

“The Three Little Pigs?” She asked, a little confused.

“I figured a nice quiet place would be good for you to gather your thoughts,” Ryder smiled at her. It was a genuine smile, not his usual smirk. For a moment, Julia felt even more confused, not knowing what to make of this side of Ryder. As if reading her hesitance, he nodded his head toward the entrance.

She raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she walked passed him and entered the restaurant.

“Jules!”

Katelyn, Julia’s childhood best friend, bounded across the restaurant and caged her in a bear hug.

Katelyn was slightly smaller than Julia, but her fierce loyalty and spirit made her a force to be reckoned with. That, and her fiery red hair, made her seem like a fierce Celtic warrior whenever an unfortunate soul angered her. However, Julia would always find it amusing when Katelyn got angry, because she grew up in Mayflower and she never adopted the Irish accent that either her father nor her grandparents had. It was a confusing sight for some.

In fact, that was how Julia met Katelyn back when they were kids. She had angered the feisty warrior and made an enemy of her. For a whole year, they fought and caused trouble, giving all the adults around them a headache.

One day, however, Maddie was being bullied in school and both ladies didn’t hesitate to beat the boys to a pulp. They say prison changes a man. Well, in their case, detention. They became the best of friends whilst in detention, and the rest was history.

“Kate….Katelyn…. I can’t breathe,” Julia wheezed out, feeling the strength in Katelyn’s arms as she crushed her.

“Oh s**t. Sorry,” said Katelyn as she pulled away instantly, a slight blush crossed her cheeks. She had adopted this habit of tight hugs ever since Julia had returned to Mayflower. Julia had a suspicion that her friend was afraid that she would leave again. If only she knew.

“It’s good to see you too,” she smiled. Katelyn eyed her for a moment, before her eyes flickered behind her and a sly grin slowly spread across her face.

“Good morning, Katelyn,” Ryder greeted.

Katelyn’s eyes flickered back to Julia, a knowing grin plastered on her face as she replied, “Good morning Officer. Let me show you two love……”

Julia immediately glared at her, daring her to say the word ‘lovebirds’. She was not in the mood for such teasing, at all.

“…..Love..ly…people to your table,” Katelyn’s amused smile faltered for a moment at Julia's intense glare. Breaking the awkwardness, she cleared her throat and gestured for them to follow her. She spun round and led them to a booth in the corner where Julia and Maddie usually sat.

Ryder arched an eyebrow at Julia, silently asking what that was about, but she simply shrugged it off as she followed behind Katelyn.

“The usual for both of you?” Asked Katelyn once they sat down in their seats. The couple nodded, but stopped midway when they realised they were both doing the same thing. Julia narrowed her eyes at him, willing him with her imagination to disappear.

This earned them both a giggle from Katelyn, but she sped off as soon as Julia snapped her head back at her. She could be a Celtic warrior too if she wanted to.

“So…” Ryder pulled her from her thoughts. “About the bakery, where are your thoughts in all of this?”

“Is this breakfast a means to interrogate me?” Julia questioned. It would make sense to separate everyone and ask them questions. If he had been up front with her at the start, maybe she would not have felt this irritated.

“Now hang on there, firecracker, this is not an interrogation,” Ryder assured, “because I’m not on this case. Henry and Luke are.”

“Then why were you there? Why are you here?” Julia interrupted.

“Because…” Ryder hesitated for a moment, “Because I heard, and I was concerned.”

“Oh.” Julia was taken aback. She had not expected that. Was that a good enough reason? Or was he really there because he had too much time on his hands? She pursed her lips, contemplating, as awkwardness began to grow between them.

At that moment, Katelyn arrived with their breakfast, making the awkward moment even more so. As though she could sense the odd atmosphere, Katelyn hurriedly walked away, not wanting to get involved in whatever was happening between them.

“So….” Julia attempted to break the ice, “What do you think happened?”

“So is this a means to interrogate me now?” Ryder shot her back. She looked away, annoyance crept up under her skin.

He eyed her from across the table for a moment and sighed. He reached for his coffee cup and took a sip from it, letting her simmer for awhile before he spoke.

“Do you know if anyone has ever threatened you or any of the other ladies whilst at the bakery?” He asked. Julia immediately looked at him, the accusation clear in her eyes.

“Can you think of anyone who had even an inkling of displeasure with the bakery?” He pressed on. Her annoyance slowly morphed into pure irritation at the questions. So it was an interrogation after all. Liar.

“No. What the hell…?”

“They left a note,” Ryder cut her off, giving a pause to let that information sink in. “They threw bricks through the door and windows, but one brick came with a note attached to it.”

A slow trickle of fear filled her. Was she right? Was it....'him'?

“What did it say?” Julia’s voice wavered, afraid to hear the answer as dread seeped through her veins.

“It said ‘Soon I will have my fingers around your neck, squeezing the life out of you.”