You had noticed him for weeks now. A tall man with broad shoulders and a quiet way of moving always seemed to be nearby. He knew exactly where you lived, which car you drove, and even the light floral perfume you wore every day. At first, you thought it was just your imagination. But lately, the feeling had grown stronger. It was getting out of hand, and it made you uneasy every time you left the house.

One sunny afternoon, you pulled into the gas station after running errands. You parked beside the pump and turned off the engine. Before you could even reach for the door handle, a large black truck rolled in and stopped directly behind you.

Your heart beat a little faster.

You stayed still for a moment, watching through the side mirror.

A familiar figure stepped out of the truck and walked toward your open window. You paused, your hand hovering near the door. The man leaned down slightly so you could see his face clearly.

“You can drive, darlin’, but I’m still pumping the gas,” Caleb said with a warm smile.

You let out a long breath and shook your head.

Of course it was him.

Your husband, Caleb, had been following you around for weeks now. He trailed you like a lost puppy, or as he liked to joke, “like an ugly duckling that finally found its swan.” He simply could not stand the idea of you doing things on your own.

“Caleb, I told you I can handle this,” you said, trying to sound firm but failing to hide your smile. “I just need to fill up the tank. It is not a big deal.”

Caleb rested one arm on the roof of your car and looked at you with that stubborn, loving expression you knew so well.

“I know you can do it, sweetheart. You are the most independent woman I have ever met. But that does not mean I have to like watching you do everything alone. What if something happens? What if the pump is tricky or someone bothers you?”

You rolled your eyes, but your voice stayed soft. “Nothing is going to happen at a gas station in the middle of the afternoon. I pump gas all the time when you are at work. Remember?”

“I remember,” he replied, already walking around to the back of your car. He grabbed the gas nozzle and started filling the tank without waiting for your answer. “And every single time I think about it, I do not like it. So today I decided to make sure you are safe. Plus, I missed you. Work ended early, and I thought I would surprise you.”