An Escalating Threat to the Heart: A Short Story

By Aislinn Kearns

A 6,500-word romantic suspense short story

A Chance Encounter

Kate Parsons is a cardiac surgeon with a problem—one of her former patients is stalking her, turning her life into a living hell.

One night, to escape him, she jumps into a taxi and orders the driver to get her out of there. Only there’s someone else already in the cab—a handsome, dark-eyed stranger just trying to get home.

They agree to share the taxi, and during the ride something sparks within Kate—something she’d thought had been destroyed by her recent experience with men.

But Kate’s stalker isn’t done with her yet...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aislinn Kearns
• Release date: Sep 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386059929

Aislinn Kearns

Wounded Heroes. Action Movies. Happily Ever Afters. These are a few of Aislinn’s favourite things, and you’ll find all of the above in her writing. Whether it’s the Soldiering On series – about wounded military veterans starting a security company together and finding love along the way – or her upcoming series about underground fighters. If she’s not reading romance novels or watching action movies, you’ll find Aislinn writing like mad to get the next book out. She also loves to travel to new places around the world, forever in search of the perfect cottage in the forest that she hopes to one day call home.

Book preview

For Amy,

Thank you for making this story the best it can be

Kate’s feet pounded a steady rhythm on the wet pavement. Not too quick—just enough to hustle without drawing attention to herself.

The fluttering in her chest begged her to run, but she kept a steady pace. She wouldn’t give in to fear.

She stepped in a puddle, soaking her socks right through her sneakers.

She hardly noticed.

Peering over her shoulder, trying to seem casual, she saw that the darkened street was empty. Orange streetlights reflected in puddles dotting the street. The stores were shut—some permanently, others just for the night—and the signs were off.

As far as she could tell, she was alone. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t following her.

She picked up her pace, just a little.

Nearly there.

Kate! a voice called.

She broke into a run without looking back. She just needed to get to the main road, where it was busy. Her chest squeezed tight, her breath sawing in her lungs.

Half a block. So close.

"Kate!" called the voice, more insistent now.

A yellow taxi sat innocuously by the curb, a bright lifeline. She sprinted towards it, uncaring how mad she looked as she tore the door open and threw herself inside.

Drive! she yelled, too loud in the closed cabin of the car. The driver reflexively stepped on the pedal, almost hitting a red pickup whizzing before merging seamlessly into traffic.

Kate stared out the window, watching the pale face of Mr. Stone disappear behind the evening traffic.

The pressure in her chest eased. Kate sighed in relief.

The sound of a throat clearing came from her left. At first Kate thought it was the driver, but as she slowly turned her head, she realised that there was someone sitting next to her. A man, about her age. She assessed him. Tawny blond hair and dark eyes. Average height and lean, wrapped in a heavy woollen coat. A nervous stare.

No wonder, since she no doubt looked—and acted—like she wasn’t in her right mind.

Kate sucked in a breath to apologise, but didn’t know where to start. In her haste, she’d somehow managed to commandeer a stranger’s taxi.

So, where are we headed? the driver asked, glancing at them in his rearview mirror. If he thought it strange that he had acquired two separate passengers, he didn’t say a word.

Uptown, Kate said automatically, then glanced at her companion.

I’m Midtown, he murmured, his voice deeper than she’d expected. You can drop me off on the way.

The driver nodded, seemingly satisfied with the long cab fare. Though it was after nine, it was a Friday night, and the main streets still buzzed with enough traffic to slow their route.

Thank you, she told the man. I’ll pay, of course. I’m so sorry about stealing your cab. She kept her gaze on him. He didn’t look like a threat. But she was alone in an enclosed cab with a strange man. Recent experience had taught her to be wary.

He eyed her for a moment. Are you, he hesitated, as if unsure if he should say what was about to come out of his mouth. Kate braced herself for the annoyance, or anger, or judgement that was no doubt to come. Okay? he finished.

Kate blinked.

I am now, she told him. Their gazes met. Something warm entered his eyes, and it occurred to Kate that he was handsome, in a quiet kind of way. You had to look twice to see it, but it was there.

Ex-boyfriend? he asked. When she looked at him quizzically, he continued. That you were running from.

She shook her head. Ex-patient. I’m a surgeon.

Huh. A doctor. He didn’t sound too happy about that, but he shook it off. And he’s a little too grateful?

She nodded. Something like that. She huddled down further into her seat. I’m Kate, by the way. Kate Parsons.

Obviously sensing her reluctance to discuss Mr. Stone, the man held out his hand. Dr. Parsons, he said, testing the words on his tongue. It’s nice to meet you. I’m just plain old Ian.

He said it playfully, and she appreciated his attempt at levity. I really am sorry about the cab, she told him.

He shrugged. I get a free ride out of it. He had a nice smile. Pleasant, easy.

They fell silent for a moment, and Kate found herself oddly curious about the man. Only because she wanted to make sure he wasn’t a threat, she told herself.

So, what do you do, Ian?

I teach biology. High school, not college. A nice, normal job. She felt herself relax, then wondered if it was wise.

He tugged at the sleeve of his coat, his gaze flickering up to hers and then away. Did he expect judgement from her?

Kate smiled. My biology teacher was my favourite. If it hadn’t been for her, I never would have become a surgeon.

He sent her a grateful smile. If I can inspire just one of my students like that, I’ll be satisfied with a job well done.

His gaze flickered to hers; caught and held.

So, a surgeon, huh? I don’t know how you stand it. It wasn’t unkind, but his words held a certain edge to them.

Not a fan of doctors? She felt a small twinge of disappointment at his reaction to her profession.

He shook his head. Hospitals, more like. So much pain, and death and misery.

I take it you’ve spent some time in one? she asked carefully.

He sighed. Yeah. He didn’t elaborate.

For me, Kate said, picking her way carefully through the conversation. "Working in a hospital can be tough. But it’s