by Alexa Verde
But now it surprised him people accused her of being the reason for Seth’s death. First, his hometown was a caring community and usually much more supportive than this. Second, he hadn’t spoken about the note to anyone, except for mentioning it in his report, so how had the townsfolk found out about it? After the initial shock had worn off, Ivan had difficulty believing the Julia he’d known for years could be that cruel as to cause his brother’s suicide. He agreed with the statement that you can’t force yourself to love someone, but bottom line, the woman described in the note just wasn’t Julia.
She sighed. “Okay. You’re right. I’ll go to the ER if Barbara tells me to.”
“Good. Maybe you should also leave Rios Azules for some time. Let it calm down. It could also help you avoid another attack.”
Julia’s eyes narrowed in defiance. “I’m not going to run away. I’ve done nothing wrong. Sooner or later, people will understand that. And I happen to love the small town I grew up in. I have great friends here, and I know I can make a difference by working at the nonprofit. Unlike you, I never wanted to see the world, to look for something else. I belong here.”
Ironically, after being stationed overseas while in the army, he’d realized that Rios Azules was the place he belonged, too.
Then her shoulders sagged, making him want to hug her and comfort her, like he’d done so many times when they’d been teens. “Ivan, I wish I could say I don’t care what people think. I do care. I talked to Mari and Lydia today. Mari said that a part of town supports me still. As for the other part, Mari said that it would pass, that no matter what the rumors are, they can’t destroy the dignity inside us. I know the truth. I know who I am and what I’ve done and haven’t done.”
He couldn’t help admiring Julia, doubts or not. “I thought I knew you well. But you’re stronger than I ever realized.”
“It’s not that. My grandma gave me the greatest gift of all. The gift of faith. When I was little, she talked to me about God, read the Bible to me, took me to Sunday services and Sunday school. Sometimes I’d get upset or angry when kids would treat me badly or I’d find out people said bad things behind my back. I’d go complain to Grandma, and she’d pray for those people and tell me to pray for them, too. At first, I couldn’t understand it. But then I did as she asked and felt better.”
“I’ll never forget how you taught me to pray, too,” he whispered. “You were the one who gave me a cross.” He hadn’t been able to pray after Seth died. But Ivan had never taken off the cross. Maybe there was hope for him, after all.
Ivan kept quiet for some time.
“How are you holding up?” she asked, breaking the silence.
Ivan scrubbed his hands over his face. Julia was the last person he should be talking to about his dead brother. But it was easy to forget about it when she looked at him with so much understanding in her big eyes.
“I miss Seth,” he said. “So much I can hardly stand the pain.”
“That must be devastating,” she said softly. “Is that why you work extra shifts?”
“I tire myself to the point I can barely see straight. I try to forget. But there’s no forgetting.”
“I pray for your family. Would you like to pray with me?”
“No.” After all, he couldn’t pray after his brother’s death.
She jerked back, as if not expecting this answer. Years ago, Ivan and Julia used to pray together, used to go to church together. She looked away, obviously disappointed, but didn’t insist.
Without saying another word, she shifted closer to him. He didn’t move away. When he was near her, breathing the sweet scent of her shampoo or staring into her beautiful eyes, it was difficult to remember why he had to hate her. He made a colossal effort to stop himself from reaching out to her. His heart raced.
“I forgot to tell you that my fall wasn’t an accident. Somebody pushed me off the stairs. Unfortunately, I didn’t see who it was,” Julia said.
Ivan winced. He should’ve asked her about that in the first place. A rookie mistake. He forced himself to switch to professional mode. “Tell me about everything that happened.”
She told her story slowly, as if trying to remember every detail. But there wasn’t enough info to act on.
“I’ll talk to the people in the building, see if anybody noticed anything,” Ivan said. “And I do have some information about Hank Gallagher. I’ve talked to several of his former colleagues. Nobody noticed anything suspicious or strange in his behavior. Except for the fact that last week before his death he received private calls and seemed to be worried or even angry after them. I’m trying to find out who they came from.”
“I’m glad you’re helping me.” Julia seemed to ponder the new information. “Who benefitted from Gallagher’s death?”
“His widow. She inherited most of it, except for a small part going to several people who worked for the company for a while. And, well, Seth benefitted, too. Gallagher named him as his successor in the company. Seth received a promotion.”
“I hate to ask this. But who received inheritance after Seth’s death?”
“My parents and I,” Ivan answered without hesitation.
Julia sighed. “There was so much hatred in your father’s eyes when he looked at me at Seth’s funeral. He’d probably have thrown me out if not for you. I saw you step forward and lead him away.”
Ivan needed to return to his work. And he didn’t want to talk about his father. Ivan stood up. “Take it easy for a while. Make sure you lock the door. I’ll be back to check on you soon.” He paused. “Would you like me to drive you to a hotel? I could stay in a connecting room.” His parents weren’t going to be happy with his decision, or his boss, but Julia’s safety was at stake.
Her phone rang before she had a chance to say anything. She looked at the screen and answered, sending an apologetic glance to Ivan. “Hello, Lydia.”
She put the phone on speaker, as if she wanted to show him she didn’t keep secrets from him.
“Julia, I heard you fell down the stairs.” Lydia sounded concerned. “I’m on my way with ice and chocolate chip cookies. Don’t worry about your allergy to peanuts. I made sure there’s no trace of peanuts in the ones I baked for you. And I’m staying overnight, whether you want it or not.”
“Thank you. You know I love your chocolate chip cookies.” Julia’s lips curled up as she disconnected.
“Lydia is coming over with cookies.” Ivan stepped toward the door. “Is she bringing her rifle, too?”
“I’m sure she is.” Julia shrugged. “And everybody knows she’s one of the best shots in town. So thanks but no thanks. No hotel with connecting rooms. You need to get rest instead of playing bodyguard. Besides, I don’t want to strain your relationship with your family and your boss.”
“Stubborn.”
“Persistent.” She grimaced when she tried to get up, as if the movement brought pain to her ankle.
He raised an eyebrow.
She lifted her hands in surrender. “I’ll call Barbara now.”
Julia did so, and several minutes later, she hung up. “Barbara promised to come over today. And she always does what she promises.”
Barbara had been a close friend of the family since Julia had been a child, and now her being a doctor came in handy. Ivan walked out the door, feeling dismissed.
On the porch, he waited for the click of the lock. Once he was in the car, he gave a quick report. Only after he recognized Lydia’s car pulling up in Julia’s driveway did he finally leave.
But even when he returned to his regular duties, his thoughts stayed with Julia.
First the stalker, then the intruder, and now someone pushing her down the stairs. Ivan suspected his boss wouldn’t allow full-time protection of Julia, so it was going to be up to Ivan to keep her safe. Even if he had to go against his parents, his boss, and public opinion to do that.
Because whether Julia realized it or not, now she might need his help not only to find Seth’s kil
ler but to survive, as well.
Chapter Five
Lydia arrived with plates of barbecue chicken, cookies, a rifle, and an overnight bag. Her friend refused to let her help unload everything from the car, citing Julia’s bruised ankle. Forced to stay on the sofa, Julia stifled a wave of helplessness as she watched petite Lydia make multiple trips back and forth to the vehicle.
Ivan’s assistance would come in handy. Julia pushed away the thought. She couldn’t allow herself to rely on him. Especially not now.
“Mari wanted to come, too, but Luke and I combined forces and talked her into staying at home. It wasn’t easy. Luke doesn’t admit it, but he seems to be terrified she’ll lose this baby, too.” Lydia’s eyes darkened.
“Dear Lord, please keep Mari and Luke safe in Your care. Please help the baby to be born healthy. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen,” Julia said.
“Amen,” Lydia echoed.
The aroma coming from the food made Julia’s mouth water, and they sat down to eat.
Julia said grace.
They gave the food its due.
About an hour later, Barbara stopped by and examined Julia’s ankle, then insisted on taking Julia to the hospital and having X-rays done. Once it was confirmed there were no bone fractures, Julia and Lydia returned home.
The rest of the evening and the night passed by uneventfully. Probably, it was due to the patrol car driving by often, and Lydia’s vehicle parked in Julia’s driveway.
Like in old times, Julia and Lydia spent a nice chunk of the time talking. Not surprisingly, most of the conversation revolved around Ivan. Julia relived the incredible feeling of been carried in his arms and how much she’d wanted him to kiss her, illogical as it was. She’d never forget their first kiss when they’d been fifteen. Her first kiss ever…
The next morning, Julia’s ankle felt much better, thanks to lots of rest in an elevated position and repeated treatments with an ice pack. Lydia drove her to Sunday services and helped her to make it to the pew, where Lydia’s grandmother was already sitting together with Mari and Luke.
“Good morning.” Mari gave Julia an encouraging smile and a quick hug.
As always in church, a feeling of serenity came over Julia. But she couldn’t help looking around, searching for Ivan, though she was afraid she wasn’t going to find him there now. It pained her that he’d seemed to lose his faith.
How could she help him grow his faith again? She said a prayer about that.
Several parishioners sent her surprised looks, as if they didn’t expect to see her there, and her heart dropped. Mari’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she moved closer to Julia, and so did Lydia. Then Julia’s stepsisters, Ashley and Ronda, joined her in the pew, each giving her a warm hug, and the feeling of peace and serenity returned. Julia bowed her head and prayed for the entire town but especially Ivan’s parents.
After the service, Pastor Sam shook the hand of every parishioner who walked out the door. Julia approached him cautiously. Even though Seth’s death hadn’t been her fault, some people thought otherwise. Pastor Sam didn’t hesitate to shake her hand, and her heart warmed. She’d always felt welcomed in this church, and now she needed it more than ever.
Lydia, Mari, and Luke helped her to Lydia’s car, even though Julia wasn’t limping that badly.
“Honey, I’m going to have lunch at the Café with the girls,” Mari told Luke.
“Enjoy. But please be careful.” Luke looked at his wife with so much love.
If Julia hadn’t been happy for her friend, she’d probably have a twinge of envy.
Lydia took Julia and Mari to the Café. On the way, Julia kept checking the rearview mirror. The black sedan was nowhere in sight, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Judging by the way Mari glanced around, she paid attention to her surroundings, as well. Unlike her usual outfit of a T-shirt and jeans, today Mari wore a blue dress with a blue jacket that matched her long bangs in color.
At the Café, their food arrived surprisingly fast. It probably helped that Mari owned the restaurant.
Lydia was the one to say grace.
Julia indulged in her shrimp tacos. The tacos were delicious, but she caught antagonistic gazes coming from people at other tables and shifted in her seat uncomfortably. A couple of such gazes had come from the women she’d gone to high school with, the ones blaming Julia for stealing their boyfriends. Yes, those guys had asked Julia out, but she’d done nothing to attract their attention.
In the whispers that reached her, she distinguished the name Ivan mentioned. Julia cringed. She’d hate to ruin the town’s good opinion of him.
“Just look at her! Doesn’t she have any conscience?” A loud whisper reached her from two tables away.
Julia swallowed hard and glanced that way. A trio of guys in their late twenties stared at her with open contempt. Oh, no. She suppressed a groan.
Two of those guys had asked her to the prom, and she’d refused. What was it today in the Café? Unofficial high school reunion?
Several unflattering words reached her ears. Embarrassment and humiliation made heat creep up her neck. Maybe she should leave.
Mari leaped to her feet. “I’m going to throw them out.”
“What? Mari, no!” Julia tugged at her friend’s hand.
Not that she had doubts that Mari could win a fight with three guys, but Julia didn’t want to ruin Sunday for other families dining there. Or for her friend’s restaurant to have a bad reputation.
Not to mention that Mari was pregnant and shouldn’t be fighting in the first place.
“If you have a problem with my friend here, you can talk to me. Outside,” Mari said loudly, her hands fisted. “Don’t worry, Julia. I’ll take care of this.”
“I’ll help.” A familiar voice made Julia look in the direction of the cashier.
Ivan stood there, picking up takeout, and the expression on his face said he meant business.
He wasn’t in his uniform, but judging by the change in the three guys’ demeanor, they knew who he was. They exchanged glances.
Then the tallest of them lifted his hand. “Waitress, check!”
“And don’t forget to leave a tip.” The tension in Mari’s shoulders relaxed, and she sat down.
Different emotions warred inside Julia: sadness that some people in Rios Azules chose to believe the false note and gratitude to those people who stood by her side, no matter what. And yes, her heart skipped a beat at seeing Ivan again.
The Café’s head waitress, Nina, hurried to the table with the guys, the check in her hand.
Ivan paid for his takeout and walked to Julia, Mari, and Lydia. “Ladies, I hope you have a great lunch.”
Lydia glanced at Julia, then at Ivan, and a small smile appeared on Lydia’s lips. “Would you like to join us?”
Ivan looked at Julia. “I promised my parents to have lunch with them, but thank you for the invitation.”
His mere presence made Julia’s breathing shallow. But she was glad she hadn’t driven a rift between Ivan and his parents. At least not yet. “Thank you for your help.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Ivan turned in the direction of the table with the guys and stared them down. “I’m sure you had everything under control.”
The tallest man grumbled something and placed a stack of bills on the table, then the trio stormed out.
Mari chuckled. “We did, but things could get messy.”
“See you later.” Ivan touched the tip of an imaginary hat. “Have a wonderful Sunday, ladies.”
Julia watched him walk away.
Mari cleared her throat. “See you later, huh? You know we’ll want to hear all about it.”
Julia gave the shrimp tacos her undivided attention. “There’s nothing to tell. We’re just friends. Not even that now.”
Mari snorted. “Yeah, right. I’ve seen the way you look at each other.”
A blush flamed up Julia’s cheeks, though for a different reason than before. She hurried to change the topic. �
�Thank you for spending your Sunday with me.”
“No need to thank me. I happen to like your company,” Lydia said while devouring her baked salmon. “And I’m spending the night again.”
“Nope. I’m spending the night. It’s my turn.” Mari polished off her rib-eye with gusto. It was amazing that no matter how much Mari had eaten, nothing had ever affected her tall, lanky frame. “Hmmm, I might need another steak. What? I’m eating for two.”
“I’ll be fine. No sense in staying overnight to guard me.” Julia ordered takeout for dinner, making sure to avoid anything that remotely contained peanuts.
Her ankle was sore after exertion, but not too bad.
After lunch, she bought perfume for Ronda, this time without any misadventures. Her limping decreased, and she thanked God for that.
After Lydia dropped Julia off at home, Ivan called three times to check on her, and the patrol car drove by regularly. Ashley and Ronda stopped by. But every time the doorbell rang, Julia’s heart fluttered, as she hoped it would be Ivan. And every time, she had a little sting of disappointment when it wasn’t him…
Around five o’clock, Mari showed up at Julia’s doorstep, Luke carrying an overnight bag and looking none too happy.
Julia waved her hand in protest. “Mari, really, it’s not needed. You should stay at home.”
“I told her that,” Luke grumbled.
“Julia, are you kicking me out?” Mari quirked an eyebrow.
“Well, no.”
“Okay, then.” Mari settled on the couch.
Luke gave his wife a kiss and whispered something in her ear, his gaze full of love and concern.
After he left, Julia and Mari spent the evening praying, talking, and eating the takeout Julia had gotten at the Café earlier, two steaks for Mari and fish tacos for Julia.
Around eight o’clock, Julia glanced out the curtains and froze. A familiar dark blue truck was parked opposite her driveway.
