Lifeline

by Christy Barritt

  When that was done, she sat back on the couch. The sun had almost completely disappeared from the sky, but she had no toothbrush or pajamas. She had no food, even, and no car that would allow her to drive and get some supplies. The last thing she wanted to do was to bother Bradley. The man, in one sense, had gone out of his way to help her. In another way, he seemed reluctant to have anything to do with her. She couldn’t quite figure him out.

  And she wouldn’t try to. No, hopefully she’d be gone before she had a chance to try to do that.

  What a predicament. She sighed and let her head fall back against the couch cushions. At least she was alive. And, for the moment, she felt safe. She’d checked the mirrors on her way here and hadn’t seen anyone following. Of course, she’d never seen anyone following her before but someone had always been there.

  The ocean seemed to beckon her. Despite her desire to hunker down for the evening, she wrapped a blanket around herself and ventured outside toward the beach. As long as she didn’t wander too far away, she’d be okay. Besides, she hadn’t seen anyone following them. Maybe she still had a day or two before Darrell found her again, so she might as well enjoy the view now.

  Though the sunset to the west, its colors smeared across the horizon of the Atlantic. She plopped down on a sand dune and absorbed life around her. The waves crashed on the shore, churning with angry force today. Seagulls swooped toward the sand, trying to find any stray food. Otherwise, the beach was empty. Everyone else knew better than to be out in this cold.

  She shivered, despite her blanket. She felt so alone in the world, felt so much as if something could happen to her and no one would care. Sure, her parents would care but they were off living the young adulthood they never got to experience because they’d found out they were pregnant with her. Her best friend had moved away and had a new life. The only two other people in her life were now dead.

  She shivered again, halfway from the cold and halfway from the chill of loneliness.

  Lord, will the ache in my soul ever go away?

  “Hi there,” a soft voice said behind her.

  Julianne flinched and turned toward the sound. The crashing of the waves had obscured the sound of any car doors slamming. She needed to remember that—and remember not to get too wrapped up in the moment.

  A striking brunette walked off the dunes toward her, a welcoming smile on her face as she extended her hand. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Elle Philips...a friend of Bradley’s.”

  A friend? Was this his girlfriend? Julianne glanced at her finger and saw the engagement ring there. She seemed like the type of woman Bradley would go for—beautiful, classy, stable.

  Elle settled beside her on the dune. “Bradley told me what happened and I brought you a few things. I’m a little shorter than you, but I’m hoping the clothes will fit. I put in a few other things that you might need, as well.”

  Julianne’s heart swelled with gratitude. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  “I can’t stay long because I have a board meeting tonight. But Bradley told me a little about what was going on. I’ve been through some tough situations, and I know how easy it is to feel like you’re losing your sanity. If you need anything, you can always call me.”

  “I appreciate that...more than you know. I feel badly that I’m putting Bradley out, but I’m out of options.”

  Elle pushed a hair behind her ear, her expression earnest and confident as she nodded. “Bradley’s a good guy. Don’t let his gruff side fool you. He’s actually one of the nicest men you’ll ever meet.”

  Julianne couldn’t help but point to her ring. “When’s the wedding?”

  Elle glanced at the ring and her face morphed from surprise to amusement. “Oh, no. I’m not engaged to Bradley. But I am getting married to a great guy in another month. Bradley...well, Bradley will probably never get married.” She sighed sadly. “His fiancée, Vanessa, died a year ago, and he’s retreated into a shell since then. We’re still holding out hope that he’ll come out of it.”

  His fiancée had died? Julianne’s heart twisted. For most people, the death of a fiancée would be one of the worst things that could happen to them. People had thought that of her when Darrell supposedly died. They’d thought she’d mourned the loss of their future together. If she’d truly been happy and in love, then his death would have been horrible. Instead, his death was a relief.

  She wondered exactly what had happened with Bradley’s fiancée. She couldn’t bring herself to ask because it wasn’t her business, and she knew that.

  Elle nodded behind her. “Bradley’s at the window now, probably wishing you weren’t out here.”

  Julianne glanced behind her and saw his silhouette there, watching them. “I should probably get back to the apartment. I just couldn’t stay away from the ocean. It makes your problems seem small, doesn’t it?”

  “Absolutely.” Elle stood and wiped the sand from her jeans. “Listen, I left a few groceries on your doorstep, too. You’re in good hands with Bradley. He’s tough and he’s got integrity.”

  Julianne was grateful for the reassurance. She walked with Elle back toward the house, helped her carry in the four bags she’d brought, and said goodbye.

  Then she sat alone in her apartment with only her thoughts for company.

  Unfortunately, her thoughts were the last thing she wanted to be alone with right now.

  * * *

  Some of the tension left Bradley’s chest as Julianne and Elle walked away from the shore. He didn’t want to try to control the woman, but he certainly didn’t think it was a good idea for her to be on the shore, not when he considered everything that had happened. He’d watched behind them as they’d driven back to his house, and he’d seen no sign of anything suspicious. Maybe she’d be safe here...for a few days, at least.

  He was grateful that Elle had offered to bring some things over for her because, out of all the things he was good at, picking out clothes and other necessities for a woman was not one of them. Elle was engaged to one of his best friends, Mark Denton, and her thoughtfulness never ceased to amaze him. She and Mark would be happy together.

  He’d thought he’d live out the rest of his life with the woman of his dreams, also. But while his fiancée, Vanessa, was house sitting for him when he was away on business, someone had broken into his home. When the intruder had run into her, he’d pulled the trigger. One shot in the head, and her life on this earth was gone. His dreams, their hopes together, all of their plans—disappeared forever.

  The police had never caught the person behind her murder, and every night when Bradley lay down to try to sleep, he thought about her death. He thought about ways to track down her killer. But so far, all of them had turned up empty. Nothing had been taken from his apartment. No evidence, other than the bullet, had been left. It was almost as if a ghost had appeared, ruined his life and then disappeared along with his dreams.

  He turned from the window and thought about making something to eat—or even ordering something to eat—and inviting Julianne to join him, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. He’d do what he could to help her, but he’d keep his distance. Even if the woman could be trusted, getting close to her wouldn’t do anyone any good.

  He continued to work in his office, making himself a sandwich to eat at his desk. His thoughts drifted back to Julianne, though. Just what was she doing downstairs? Was she okay?

  Finally, well after the sun went down and darkness had fallen, he set the alarm—sure it would go off if Julianne opened the door, but that could work in his favor—and turned in for the night. The clock beside his bed read eleven-thirty, and sleep wouldn’t find him. Instead, he walked to the window and peered outside.

  That’s when he saw a shadow duck behind his car.

  He tensed, watching. The shadow appeared again, moving toward the house.<
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  He grabbed his gun and ran toward the door, determined to find some answers once and for all.

  FIVE

  Harsh pounding sounded outside of Julianne’s apartment. Each hit seemed to pull her nerves tighter and tighter. Her first instinct was to draw the covers up and let fear take over. A close second was to hide in the closet and pray that no one would break down the door. But she couldn’t do either of those things. She’d just be a sitting duck if she did.

  The pounding became louder, more urgent. Was someone trying to get inside her house? Who? Why?

  She swallowed and resolutely threw off the covers around her. Her gaze roamed the room. She needed a weapon. Something. Anything. Her scan stopped at a lamp on the table beside her bed. She unplugged the heavy iron piece, wrapped her hands around the narrowest section and held it like a baseball bat as she started toward the door.

  Her heart thudded in her ears. What was she doing? Did she really think she could conquer her fears with a lamp? Despite her doubts, she sucked in a breath and continued taking baby steps toward the sound.

  Could it be Darrell making all that noise? He wasn’t the type to knock and announce his presence in a shock and awe type of tactic. No, he was the type to sneak in and surprise her unaware. Guerrilla warfare, as they’d say in the military.

  “Julianne, are you all right?” A gruff voice cut into the night.

  Bradley, Julianne realized, her heart rate slowing. Was that Bradley at the door? What was going on?

  Lowering the lamp, she hurried across the room and unlatched the three locks. Bradley stood outside wearing sweats, a T-shirt and wielding a gun. His gaze was fierce and his stance rigid. Something about seeing him there got Julianne’s pulse racing. No, not seeing him. It was the situation, the danger that caused adrenaline to pump through her, not the handsome man standing outside the door.

  She cleared her throat and looped a piece of hair behind her ear. “I’m here.”

  His gaze seemed to absorb her, the intensity of the scrutiny causing her to blush. “I saw someone outside. Did you see anything? Hear anything?”

  She shook her head, fear spreading through her. “Nothing. Just you.”

  He offered a crisp nod. “Stay put. And call the police if I don’t return within the hour.”

  “If you don’t...?” She shut her mouth and nodded, not wanting to think about the implications of what he was saying. “Okay.”

  She closed the door and turned the locks, checking each latch twice. Three times, for that matter. Then she backed away from the door. She kept backing up until she hit a wall. She stood there, frozen to the spot, her eyes darting around from one window to the next. She expected to see shadows, to hear yells and footfalls, to flinch from the sound of gunshots.

  Instead, she heard nothing.

  Was Darrell out there? Had he found her? What about Bradley? Was he hurt?

  The room suddenly felt ice-cold. The plaster against her back seeped through her clothing and chilled her skin. Everything in the apartment seemed to hold its breath with her. Not a sound escaped from anywhere. But the silence held its own fear as questions without answers hung suspended in the air.

  A shadow passed the window, creeping toward the door.

  She gulped down a breath, fighting panic. Bradley? Or Darrell?

  Her fingers scratched the wall. She should have called the police. Should have grabbed the phone, at least. Instead, she’d frozen. The ice around her limbs refused to give.

  A bang shook the entire room. “Julianne, it’s me. Bradley. Open up.”

  She inhaled, realizing that she’d stopped breathing out of anticipation. She propelled herself from the wall and across the room. Her fingers shook so badly that she didn’t think she’d get the locks turned. But finally she did. She cracked the door open, suspicion still lingering in her mind.

  Bradley’s hulking form waited on the other side.

  Bradley. Of course it was Bradley.

  He pushed inside and closed the door, latching each of the locks. His hands remained steady, calm, without a hint of anxiety. He strode across the room and put his gun on the table with a thud. When he turned to Julianne, genuine concern stained his eyes. “Are you okay?”

  Julianne nodded, even though she didn’t feel that way. She hadn’t felt okay in a while, and she had doubts she’d feel okay in the future even. “Did you see anyone?”

  “No, he got away. He jumped on a motorcycle and fled before I could catch him.”

  The blood drained from her face. “Darrell rode a motorcycle.” Her words sounded raw, just above a whisper, and each syllable tight with strain.

  Bradley nodded, the lines constricting on his face. “I know.”

  She rubbed her cheek and closed her eyes. This had to be a nightmare. Would it ever end? “Do you believe me now?” She didn’t bother to open her eyes and see his expression.

  “I never said I didn’t believe you.”

  She opened her eyes—just slightly, enough that they were narrow with suspicion. “You never said you did, either.”

  He stared at her a moment, saying nothing until he finally mumbled, “I should be going. I’m going to set the alarm. It will go off if anyone tries to get in.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Good night, Julianne.”

  Against her better judgment, she smiled. “Good night, Bradley.”

  * * *

  The next morning, Bradley felt as if he’d battled a hurricane. He hadn’t been able to get back to sleep after he’d spotted the man lurking outside the house. Instead, he’d remained on guard, pacing from window to window for a sign that the intruder had returned.

  He’d seen nothing.

  He had, however, downed two pots of coffee, and now a strange mixture of exhaustion and caffeine mingled in his blood, promising him that the day would be long. He set his mug on the kitchen counter and started down the hallway just as the sun began to rise over the ocean.

  He had to get showered and dressed for work. And he had to figure out what to do with Julianne. He couldn’t exactly leave her here all day by herself. She had no car or money. She’d be practically helpless—other than the lamp stand that she’d brandished last night.

  He smiled at the memory. Though he didn’t want to admit it—to himself, even—she’d looked adorable with her hair tussled, wearing an oversize T-shirt and exercise pants, and holding that oversize lamp left over by the previous owner.

  His smile slipped when he also remembered her fear. No, he couldn’t leave her here alone all day. Which meant he’d have to bring her with him to work. But what would he do with her there?

  He’d figure it out, one way or another.

  A few minutes later, he trudged down the steps with two cups of coffee in hand. He set the drinks on a patio table located on the driveway beneath the home, and then knocked on the door. When Julianne opened the door, he blinked at the sight of her.

  Elle had brought her some clothes that seemed to fit her perfectly. She wore no make-up, but she didn’t need any. The woman’s skin was flawless. Even her hair looked great with a slight touch of wave in the still-damp tresses.

  He grabbed the coffee and handed her one as he stepped inside. He caught a whiff of soap, the scent fresh and clean, as he breezed past.

  Just because he was attracted to the woman did not mean he had to act on any of those feelings. Beautiful women were a dime a dozen, and he had other more important issues to think about—issues like national security.

  He cleared his throat. Despite his reasoning, Julianne was still enough to take his breath away. Which brought him to ask his next question. “How’d you sleep?” That was a safe subject, though he could probably guess her answer.

  She shrugged and took a sip of coffee before answering. “I didn’t.
Every little squeak I heard had me on edge.”

  He gripped his coffee, suddenly feeling the need to retreat from the cozy space he shared with Julianne. She was too close and caused his heart to twist with desire...and with loss and grief and anger. He took a step back. “I was wondering how you felt about going with me to work today. I’d feel better if you weren’t alone.”

  She blinked as if his words surprised her. “I appreciate the gesture. I promise I’ll be quiet and stay out of your way.”

  Guilt trickled through him. There was a good chance this woman didn’t like the circumstance she’d been thrust into the middle of any more than he did. He had to give her the benefit of the doubt, no matter how crazy her story sounded. He could give her a chance, he reminded himself, while still keeping her at arms’ distance.

  He nodded toward the door. “Let’s get on the road, then. I have a full day.”

  She paused for a moment, standing close enough to him that he could see the flecks of blue in her hazel eyes. Something about her gaze made him want to stare into those eyes all day. “I mean it when I said I really appreciate this.”

  He stepped back, not liking the way his heart sped at her closeness. “I’m glad I can help.” But was he? Was he glad? Not really. He had little choice but to help. He wouldn’t tell her that, though.

  He opened the door to the SUV for her, waited for Julianne to climb inside and then hurried to the driver’s side. Why did riding to work with her—and having his heart race the way it did—make him feel like he was betraying his late fiancée? he wondered. As he started down the road, Vanessa’s memory caused loss to burn in his gut. She’d been one of the few people he’d allowed inside his walls, one of the few women to make his heart pound without logic. She’d been sweet, knowing exactly how to coax him out of a bad mood, knowing just how to make his day brighter with her laughter and smile.

  They’d met through a mutual friend, and he’d instantly noticed a kindness about her. He’d spontaneously asked her if she’d like to go out sometime. She’d smiled, her eyes twinkling, and said yes. They were inseparable after that. Six months later, they were engaged. Six months after that, she’d been killed. He hadn’t been the same man since then. He’d always been quiet and to himself, but those qualities became even more prevalent after her death.