Because of Him: A Christian Romance (New Hope Falls Book 2)

by Kimberly Rae Jordan

  After making herself an early dinner, she cleaned up, then changed into a leotard and leggings. She had already found the music she wanted to use, so it was just a matter of choreographing the dances based on the capabilities of each age group.

  It was a bit weird to be listening to Christmas music in October, but she had always loved the season. Even though it had just been the two of them for Christmas most years, her mom had always done what she could to make their celebration memorable.

  They would decorate the house from top to bottom, then they’d spend several days baking and decorating dozens of Christmas cookies. It was kind of ridiculous to bake so many, but they’d given them to one of the local homeless shelters where they volunteered a few times each month. Everything they’d done had been set to Christmas music, so listening to it now brought back good memories.

  She kept the lights off at the front of the studio, so no one realized she was downstairs, then she went into the room where she held all the classes. It was tempting to put on her playlist of favorite songs to dance to and lose herself in the music, but she forced herself to stay focused. Maybe if she got the recital pieces nailed down, she could reward herself.

  ~*~

  Kieran held out until lunch the next day. He’d gone to pick up a sandwich from Norma’s, and when he walked out, he paused, his gaze going to the dance studio. He had no clue what her class schedules were like, but that didn’t stop him from crossing the street and tugging on the handle of the door.

  He was pleasantly surprised when it swung open. Taking that as a sign, he walked into the reception area. Within a minute of stepping through the door, the woman who’d dominated his thoughts for the past twenty-four hours appeared. Her hair was pulled back from her face, and she wore a dark blue, long-sleeved fitted top and a pair of gray loose sweats that sat low on her hips. On her feet were a pair of black flats.

  “Hello, Chief,” she said as she walked toward him. Her hesitation from the previous day appeared to be gone, but there was still wariness in her gray gaze. “What can I help you with?”

  No small talk pleasantries from her that day, Kieran realized. “Have you had lunch?”

  Her brows drew together for a moment. “Lunch?”

  He lifted the takeout container he held in his hand. “I have a roast beef sandwich on Norma’s amazing bread.”

  “Okaaay?”

  She still didn’t seem to grasp what he was saying. “I thought you could help me eat it.”

  She stared at him, one eyebrow lifting slightly. “You need help eating a sandwich from Norma’s?”

  Clearly it had been way too long since he’d tried to flirt with a woman. She was looking at him like he was losing his mind. “You know what? How about you tell me what your favorite sandwich is, and I’ll go get it from Norma’s?”

  Cara crossed her arms. “Why?”

  “Uh, well,” Kieran began. “I wanted to talk to you about something, and I thought we could do that over lunch.”

  “Turkey and swiss.”

  Kieran hesitated. “You want a turkey and swiss sandwich?”

  “Yep.”

  “Excellent.” He held out his take-out container but then jerked it back. “Are you going to lock the door once I walk out?”

  Cara’s eyes widened momentarily, but then she laughed, and Kieran felt his heart skip a beat.

  “No. I promise I won’t do that. Knowing my luck, you’d just break my door down.”

  “In the interest of eating lunch, I will not confirm or deny that.”

  She held out her hand. “I promise not to hold your sandwich hostage.”

  Kieran handed over the container, then, after a final look at her—and his sandwich—he left the studio.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Norma gave Kieran a weird look when he walked back in. “Something wrong with your sandwich, Chief?”

  “I don’t know. Haven’t eaten it yet.”

  “So what can I do for you?”

  “I need another sandwich to go. Turkey and swiss.”

  “Turkey and swiss?”

  “Yep.”

  “Just give me a few minutes. I’ll get it ready for you.” She started to walk away then turned back, a frown on her face. “This isn’t for that wretched detective, is it? Because if it is, I don’t care that you’re the police chief, you can turn around and walk right back out of here without that sandwich.”

  “No worries,” Kieran said. “I’m not buying that guy lunch now or anytime in the future.”

  “Okay. In that case, we will make you your sandwich.”

  As he stood there waiting, Kieran greeted a couple of people who came in. Being the police chief in a small town, people tended to know him even when he wasn’t sure who they were. Still, he chatted with anyone who approached him.

  It wasn’t long before Norma reappeared with another takeout box. He paid for his order then left the restaurant for the second time in less than an hour. When he reached the door of the studio, he stared at it for a moment before reaching out and tugging on the handle. Despite Cara’s promise, he was actually a little surprised when the door opened.

  “I’m in the office,” Cara called out.

  Kieran made his way to the open door and found her seated at the desk, his takeout container sitting on the desk in front of the chair he’d sat on the previous day. Cara glanced up from the monitor as he walked in, her gaze briefly dropping to the container he held. He sat down in the chair and slid her sandwich toward her.

  “Turkey and swiss, as requested.”

  “Thank you.” Cara pulled the container closer but didn’t open it.

  Kieran, however, was too hungry to just let his sandwich sit. He popped the take-out container open and bent his head to say a quick prayer of thanks for the food. When he lifted his head, Cara was watching him with her soft gray eyes. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking because her face was expressionless.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the police chief for the second time in as many days?” Cara asked, her attention back on her monitor screen.

  Kieran took a bite of his sandwich and waited until he was done chewing before he answered. He debated not broaching the subject with her since it was clear she was suspicious of his reappearance in her studio. Of course, she had a right to be. She’d lived in New Hope for several years, and even though their paths had crossed, they had done so at a distance, and he’d never introduced himself to her.

  “Actually, I have a favor to ask of you.”

  “Of me?” Cara frowned as she leaned back in her chair, moving it around to face him more directly.

  “Yes.” Kieran abandoned his sandwich and sat back as well. “In light of what’s been going on with the recent string of thefts, I was hoping you might consider helping me out.”

  “How exactly?” She rested her arms across her waist, her chair swinging slightly from side to side. When he didn’t respond right away, she lifted her hand, hooking a finger on the dainty gold chain necklace she wore.

  “Well, considering that you have one of the best security systems in town, I wondered if you’d be willing to redirect a couple of your cameras.”

  “Redirect them?”

  Kieran nodded. “The cameras at the back are pretty much aimed only at your garage door. I was hoping that you might consider redirecting even just one of them. I mean, I understand you have your reasons for having the security you do.”

  She gave a single nod. “I do.”

  “I can probably find someone to help redirect them, if you’re not able to do it yourself.” He hesitated then asked, “Do you have any cameras at the front of your building?”

  Then it was her turn to hesitate. She bit her lip as she regarded him for a moment before nodding. “I do, but there’s only one that might be movable.”

  Kieran was beyond curious as to why she had so much security, but once again, he managed to keep from asking her about it. He had to admit it didn’t sit too well with h
im that there was someone in his town who felt they needed as much security as Cara did.

  “I would appreciate it, if you’d be willing. We just don’t have any other leads on these thefts. It was frustrating when it was just the antique store break-in, but now that the bookstore has been robbed too, it’s even more so. It’s left us wondering if there is going to be yet another one.” Kieran sighed and ran a hand down his face. “I’m just trying to get ahead of the game.”

  Cara stared at him for a few moments before she nodded. “Okay. But is there any way you could be the one to adjust the camera?”

  “Uh, sure? I mean, I can’t say for certain I’ll be able to do it. These cameras look like some fancy ones that might require a special technician.”

  “At least try, please.” Cara’s brows drew together. “I’d rather it be someone I…know.”

  “Can you show me the one you think I could change the direction of?”

  “Sure.” She pushed back from her desk and stood. With graceful steps, she rounded the desk and headed for the door.

  With a wistful look at his sandwich, Kieran closed the container so that it wouldn’t dry out, then got to his feet and followed Cara. She stopped in front of the row of chairs in the waiting area, staring out the front window.

  It was an overcast day, but so far, they hadn’t had any rain. A couple of people walked by the window, but they didn’t stop or look in. He came to stand next to her, his hands resting on his duty belt.

  “Do you have any classes today?”

  She gave him a quick look, then nodded. “I have a pregnancy stretching class this evening.”

  Kieran searched for a response to that, but as the silence stretched between them, he cleared his throat and asked, “So where are the cameras?”

  “There’s only one here that you’ll be able to move.” She pointed up to a corner opposite the door.

  When he spotted it, he frowned. How had he not noticed that when he’d come in earlier? He glanced at Cara. It was as if the anticipation of asking about the cameras had distracted him from actually looking around.

  He moved toward the camera, staring up to see if he could determine if it could be easily maneuvered. Glancing over to where Cara stood with her arms crossed, he asked, “Do you have a ladder?”

  “Yes.” She lowered her arms then turned around, heading toward an opening on the other side of the office.

  She hadn’t invited him to follow her, but Kieran did so anyway, not wanting her to have to carry the ladder. The short hallway was narrow but brightly lit and painted a soft lemon yellow. It dead-ended into another hallway that ran parallel to the dance studio. Both the hallways were lined with poster-sized black and white photos of ballet dancers in various poses.

  Though Cara could traverse the hallway easily enough given how slender she was, Kieran had to move more cautiously so that he didn’t brush against the photos. They were set behind frames that were nailed into the wall, but he wasn’t sure if there was anything protecting them, and the last thing he wanted to do was to rip or mark them.

  That hallway ended at a small landing that had two doors. Cara opened the one in front of her, bypassing the one behind them. Kieran noticed right away that it opened into the garage. Bright lights reflected off the small silver SUV parked there.

  Cara hesitated on the threshold, her hand gripping the door frame. After a moment, she stepped through the doorway and turned to the right. Kieran followed her, glancing around to see that it was a neat and tidy space.

  Turning, he saw Cara slide open a large weathered barn door. Behind it was an organized area with shelves and larger spaces to hang things like a mop, broom, and the ladder he needed.

  “Here, let me get that,” Kieran said as she reached for the ladder.

  She glanced over at him, then moved aside. His arm brushed her shoulder as he grasped the edges of the aluminum ladder. It wasn’t a super tall one, but it should get him close enough to the camera so he could see it more clearly. Once he had it out of the closet, she slid the door shut then led the way back into the hallway.

  Back in the waiting area, Kieran set up the ladder then carefully climbed up. His uniform and duty belt made that a bit of a challenge, but he made it up to the step that would allow him to see the camera more clearly.

  “Please try not to fall and break your leg,” Cara said. “It wouldn’t do much for the reputation of my studio if word got around that the police chief broke his leg while he was here.”

  Kieran looked down at Cara, a bit surprised to see a spark of humor in her eyes. The corners of her lips were tipped up ever so slightly. “Oh, we can’t let that happen.”

  “Do you think you can move it?”

  He turned his attention back to the camera. Reaching out, he gripped it to see if it would swivel or if he’d need to loosen something first. Thankfully, it moved surprisingly easy. “Does this one actually work?”

  “What do you mean?” A concerned look crossed Cara’s face. “They should all be working.”

  “It’s just that from up here, I can see another camera that looks completely different than this one. It appears to be one that could be controlled remotely. Are you able to do that for some of them?”

  Cara hesitated then nodded. “Yes, there are several that I can control, but that particular one isn’t capable of viewing the outside.”

  Kieran could see that. The way it was set up almost made him think that it was a dummy camera to throw people off. But with Cara’s assurance that it wasn’t, he tried to angle it so that it would capture outside activity.

  “Can we check the view?”

  “Sure.”

  Kieran climbed down the ladder and followed Cara into the office again. He went around the desk and watched as she pulled up the feeds. The camera he’d readjusted gave a decent view of the front sidewalk and the road beyond it. He would have liked it to have a complete view of the buildings across the street, but that just wasn’t possible because of where it was installed.

  “These are the ones at the back by the garage,” Cara said. “I can adjust one of them from here for you.”

  With a few clicks, she brought up a view of the lane behind the building. Kieran leaned one hand on the desk and directed Cara on where he wanted it to point. She was slow to follow what he said, and when he glanced at her, he saw that her lower lip was held between her teeth.

  He reached out and covered her hand where it rested on the mouse. She froze for a moment, then took a deep breath. It was clear that she wasn’t comfortable adjusting the cameras that she depended on for her security.

  “What are you afraid of, Cara?” Kieran asked gently.

  “Nothing,” she said quickly. Harshly. Then more softly, “Nothing.”

  “Someone who isn’t worried about something happening doesn’t have this much security.”

  Her hand slipped from beneath his and clasped her other one in her lap. “I do suffer from a bit of…paranoia. But being a single woman, I don’t think that’s totally unrealistic.”

  Kieran stepped back then returned to the chair he’d abandoned earlier. “No, you’re right, but New Hope is a pretty quiet town. Pretty safe.”

  She met his gaze, the concern gone now. At least from her face. There was no doubt in Kieran’s mind that she had all this security because she anticipated something happening. The only reason a woman—or anyone, really—would have that much security in place was if they had either experienced a traumatic event or were anticipating one. For Cara, it might be both.

  “Thank you for being willing to help me out with your cameras,” Kieran said, realizing for the first time exactly how much it might actually be impacting her to let him redirect her security. “As soon as we’ve figured out who’s behind the break-ins, you can move them back.”

  Cara nodded but didn’t say anything, her brow was still furrowed.

  “Are you hiding from something? Someone?” Kieran asked, pushing, even though he knew he probably shouldn’t.
“You know you can trust me, right? My job as a law enforcement officer requires me to protect people. Like the residents of New Hope. Like you.”

  Unfortunately, his words didn’t have the effect that he’d hoped they would. They certainly didn’t appear to comfort her at all. Usually, his presence was a reassurance for people. That didn’t seem to be the case with Cara. And that bothered him.

  “I’ll just get out of your hair,” Kieran said, uncertain of how to further their interaction. He’d had questions after his previous visit, and he’d hoped that coming back, he might get answers to some of them. Instead, he was leaving with those questions still unanswered and a whole bunch of new ones swirling in his mind.

  He got to his feet and picked up his sandwich. Though he would have liked to stay and eat with her, he got the feeling that her tolerance of his presence was quickly reaching its end.

  “Thanks again for your help.”

  Cara stood up as well. “You’re welcome.”

  As a thought crossed his mind, Kieran set his sandwich container back on the desk. He pulled out his notebook and pen and jotted his name and personal cell phone number on a piece of paper before tearing it off. Putting it on the desk, he slid it toward her.

  “That’s my number. If anything happens, you give me a call. Night or day. Call me.” He waited for her nod before picking his sandwich up again. “I’ll see you around.”

  As he left the studio, the intrigue he’d felt for Cara continued to grow. As did the desire to do a little research about her. While he had access to all kinds of ways to search about a person, he knew that he had to limit his quest for information to the ones that the average person would have at their fingertips. Social media.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Cara stared at the sandwich container on her desk. She wasn’t sure what had possessed her to not only talk to the man but to agree to move her cameras.

  Her gaze darted to the images that were visible on her second monitor. It was odd and slightly disconcerting to see new views on the screen. Her stomach knotted at the loss of security those cameras had given her.