No Plans for Love by Ruth Ann Hixson Read Free Book Online

brain that I'm having an affair with Mark Blakely."
    "Are you?"
    "I'm not having an affair with anyone." Sherry looked at the name tag on his uniform, "Officer Wade, I just moved here on Friday. Mark was like my big brother when I was little. His sister and I are the same age." Sherry thought a moment. "I have a question for you. Why would the wealthiest woman around be at a Laundromat? I am sure she has a washer and dryer at home. I'll tell you why. She saw my car in the lot and came in to harass me. She said I didn't listen to the hiss; maybe I'd pay attention to the scratch." Sherry indicated the fingernail impressions on her cheek.
    "Hiss? Scratch?"
    Sherry explained the hiss, scratch and bite scenario. "Last night she came in the dollar store where I work and shoved me back against the shelves I was stocking. You can ask Judy Beyers. Elena followed me home last night and almost made me crash my car. She's not sane."
    "Tell me what happened."
    Sherry explained in detail what had occurred beginning with when Elena came in the door. "I thought it was someone coming in to use the facilities. I didn't even look up until she ripped the book from my hands and flung it across the room." She went on to tell what followed.
    "I still must charge you with assault but I won't take you to jail tonight."
    "I have a right to defend myself!"
    "Yes, you do.  You  can contest it at a hearing. If you can't afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you. Sign here and then I'll go out and cite Miss Bayshore for harassment."
    Sherry folded her copy of the citation and put it in her purse which she slung over her shoulder. Wade opened the door for her as she picked up her basket and headed for her car.
    "Don't leave just yet," he said as he went to talk to Elena.
    As she set her clothes basket on the backseat, Sherry could hear him talking to Elena.
    "Miss Bayshore, why are you here? I know you have a maid come in on Thursdays to do your cleaning and laundry."
    "I have a dress I want dry cleaned and came in here to use their facilities. I want to wear it tomorrow."
    "Show me the dress," he ordered.
    She got into her car. "Go to hell! If you want it, get a search warrant." She slammed the door and drove away.
    He came around Sherry's car and told her, "I'll escort you as far as the township line. I can't go beyond that unless I'm in hot pursuit."
    Sherry smiled. "I could drive real fast."
    He chuckled. "I don't think that's a good idea. All I can tell you is that if she follows you, call the state police. You do have a cell phone, don't you?"
    "No. Cell phones cost money."
    "I recommend you get one even if it's a burn phone. You need to be able to call for help."
    Sherry kept looking in her rear view mirror to be sure he was following her. Though he had his lights flashing he didn't use the siren. Just as she saw his turn signal blinking, he gave a short burp of the siren to let her know she was on her own. She was nearly home when she noticed a car behind her. She slowed down to allow it to pass but it didn't so she guessed it was Elena.
    She didn't know what to expect but she was certain it would be different from what had happened the previous night. She speeded up as fast as she could safely go without crashing. The car behind her stayed right with her. Sherry guessed that Elena wouldn't bump into her car from behind because it would set off her airbags. Sherry's car didn't have airbags; it was too old.
    When she was ready to slow down to turn in the driveway, Sherry's whole being was on the alert for what might happen. She braked, flipped on the turn signal and made her turn without mishap. She pressed the garage door remote and drove in the garage. Glancing in her mirror she saw that Elena was right behind her. She pressed the remote to bring the garage door down. Elena would have to back up or risk having her car smashed. She backed up.
    As Sherry got out of her car she heard Elena slam her car door. Just as she opened the back door and