As Long As You Both Shall Live: A Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 2)

by Linda K. Rodante

John nodded. “If Alan gives the okay, we’ll load your stuff in my truck and bring it to you in a week or so.”

  Ted’s face changed. “That would be a help.”

  Sharee glanced at Marci. Too many questions tumbled through her mind. She couldn’t ask any of them.

  Marci stared back at her. “Joseph is waiting for me in the car.”

  John’s jerk of surprise matched her own. Lord, protect Joseph. Protect Marci. Protect their marriage. And help Ted.

  John slipped his hand down to catch Sharee’s and glanced again at Ted. “You can sleep at my place tonight, if you want. It might be better than sleeping in the woods. I’ll take you to the airport in the morning.”

  Sharee wrenched her gaze from Marci to John.

  Ted cleared his throat. “That would be real nice. Thanks.”

  “All right. You know my truck. We’ll be waiting.” He turned to Marci. “Your husband is a good man.”

  Marci straightened. “I know.”

  John drew Sharee out the door. They walked in silence. He opened the door of his truck, and they climbed into the cab. Neither spoke.

  Sharee’s heart danced. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for working in that situation for good.

  Her breath halted a minute—but if Ted hadn’t chased her through the woods, and Dean said he hadn’t, who had?

  Chapter 14

  “Two weeks?” Lynn nearly shrieked. “You’ve got to be kidding! You are kidding, right?”

  “Well, actually, no.”

  “Sharee, there is no way possible.”

  “Can’t we just simplify some things?”

  “Simplify? Do you know all the planning I’ve already done? All the time I spent searching for and working with the colors we discussed, the materials, and decorations? You still have no invitations yet, no caterer, and no flowers! You haven’t okayed anything.”

  “But Lynn, we could call around and find out who has what and just go with what we can get. Besides, you know everyone in the church will bring food. And we have white tablecloths for the fellowship hall. Maybe we could have The Lucky Dill cater or something like that.”

  The phone went silent. “Lynn?”

  “Just call around…just go with what we can get…or something like that? No, I’m not doing this. You cannot be serious.”

  Sharee remembered John’s words. “She’ll either have a heart attack or kill you.”

  “Sharee.” Lynn’s voice warbled. “This was John’s idea, wasn’t it? How did he talk you into it?”

  “He didn’t have to.”

  “But a wedding is special. It’s holy. I can’t believe you just want to rush into it.” She stopped abruptly. “Sharee, you’re not…not…”

  “No, I’m not pregnant.”

  “Sharee…”

  “John told me everyone would think that.”

  “You mean he tried to talk you out of this?”

  “Well, no. He just told me there would be some…problems.”

  “Problems? Oh, there will be problems, all right; and the first one is that the wedding planner quits!”

  “Lynn, no. I told John if that’s how you felt then…then we would wait.”

  “What do your parents think? What about John’s parents?”

  “Well, we’re talking with everyone today. He’s talking with his parents, and I’ll talk with mine later.”

  “Why do you want to rush into this?”

  Another question she’d have to face again and again. “So much has gone on. We’ve both been beaten, battered physically, emotionally, spiritually. I just want to be with him…without anymore battles.”

  The pause lasted ten full seconds. “But two weeks?”

  “It was John’s idea. He suggested, you know, just running off and getting married first. Today, in fact. And having a reception or something when we got back.”

  “He’s crazy.”

  “Yeah, well, that man thing, you know. Always a little crazy.”

  “And they say we are.”

  “He feels like I do, Lynn. Tired of all this and ready to get on with our lives.”

  “But two months—that’s all it is now—is not long.”

  “I suppose not… just longer than two weeks and much longer than today.”

  ***

  Sharee’s mom let out a shriek. “You’re not serious!”

  “I am. We—”

  “Brian!”

  “Mom? Mom?” Sharee heard a muffled reply, and then her mom talking to her dad.

  His voice came on the line a minute later. “Your mother went to lie down. Sharee…you want to get married in two weeks?”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  “Can I ask why?”

  “I am not pregnant.” She wondered how many times she’d have to say that, and how many times John would.

  “Then why?”

  She explained as she had to Lynn.

  “You and John have certainly been through a lot. Why don’t you just run off and get married and tell us when you get back?”

  “You sound like John.”

  “Do I? Well, I knew that had crossed his mind. He seems the type of young man that doesn’t want to wait once his mind is made up.” He paused then said, “Of course, that outlook has many good points about it.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “I like him, honey. But a wedding in two weeks…your mother…”

  “I know, Daddy, but it’s what we want.” She heard him sigh.

  ***

  At midnight, her phone rang. She needed the deep breath she took.

  “John?”

  “I wanted to see how you were doing.”

  “Horribly.”

  “As bad as that?”

  “I only got to half my list, and I am so tired of saying I’m not pregnant.” His chuckle sounded in her ear. “It’s not funny! How many did you call?”

  “All of them.”

  “You talked with everyone on your list?” Her voice jumped.

  “Yes. Guys take less time, you know. My parents, of course, were the longest. My sister, next.”

  “John, I think you were right. We should have run off and got married. Daddy said the same thing.” Quiet filled the air. “Go ahead, say it.”

  “What?”

  “You know what.”

  “You mean, ‘I told you so?’” He chuckled again. “Is that your teeth I hear grinding?”

  “No!”

  “I bet. Well, Lady Love, get some sleep. Finish calling tomorrow, and I’ll take you out for a quiet dinner someplace.”

  “That will be nice, if Lynn lets me go. She is taking me shopping tomorrow. We’ve got to get flowers, a dress, and invitations she says. Tomorrow!” She needed the second deep breath, too. “John?”

  “Yes?”

  “Is it too late to run off and get married?”

  He laughed.

  ***

  They had been to three bridal shops before 1:00 PM. Leaving the third empty-handed had her muttering under her breath. “Lynn, this is the third bridal shop, and it’s…” Sharee dropped her head to see her watch, “It’s one o’clock!”

  Lynn stopped in front of Sharee’s SUV. “And?”

  “And I’ve tried on every decent dress there is! Every shop will probably have the same styles. Who knew it would be impossible to find the right one?”

  Lynn’s "I told you so," proved more irritating than John’s. To Sharee, the day’s emotional highs and lows had created a wave chart of exceptional scope.

  Lynn climbed into the car and snapped her seatbelt closed. “And we’re going to run into a flower shop. It’s on the way to the next Bridal Shop.”

  “Ahhh. What are you doing to me?”

  “Making you responsible for this wedding. Did you think you were going to just drop this on me with only two weeks to go? You and I are going to pick out flowers!”

  At two o’clock, they walked slump-shoulder to the car and drove to another flower shop. An hour later, they tripped out, la
ughing and chattering.

  “Such nice people,” Sharee said. “And a great deal on the flowers.” She grabbed Lynn. They danced and hugged.

  “Next, the card shop.” Lynn said as she pulled onto US 19.

  “What? You didn’t say anything about a card shop.”

  “Invitations. Whatever am I going to do with you? And don’t think we’ve finished dress shopping.” Lynn tossed her blonde hair. “I know of three more shops in the Tampa Bay area—and I’m sure there are ones I don’t know. We’ll find something.”

  “Now you sound like me! Something. I don’t want just something.”

  “Ha! I knew you’d come to your senses. You want to be beautiful just like every other bride.” She patted her own stylish clothing. “You have to have something chic, Sharee. You want to look great. For John. For the Lord.”

  “But is it out there? I’m too short, Lynn, and you know it. There’s nothing made for five foot two brides.”

  “We’ll find something beautiful. Don’t worry.”

  ***

  Sharee sat back and closed her eyes against the lights of the fourth bridal shop. Her arms and legs melted into the chair. Even with the euphoria of ordering the invitations and being assured they would be ready by the end of the week—she would hand most of them out in church Sunday, others Monday at work—the problem with the dress overshadowed all.

  Lynn and the bridal assistant were scouring the store for anything in the style she wanted, anything that could be altered in the short amount of time they had.

  Lord, lead us to the right dress. She’d offered up a hundred other similar prayers today.

  Her phone’s melody sounded, and she fumbled in her purse. John hadn’t called since early this morning, but he’d be wondering how the shopping was going. She glanced at the phone’s display, and her heart skittered. No name. Was this starting again?

  “Hello?”

  “Who? Oh. Mrs. Wicker. Hello.”

  Lynn peered at her from a rack of dresses. She lifted a manicured brow.

  “It’s Lorraine,” the woman on the other end said. “Call me Lorraine.”

  Sharee straightened in the chair. “Of course. Lorraine.”

  “I wanted to talk with you. Can we meet today for a short time, possibly this afternoon?”

  “This afternoon?” Sharee stared at Lynn, who put a dress back on the rack and walked to her side. “I’m sorry, Mrs... Lorraine. Today is very full. Perhaps if—”

  “But I’m in town today. I can’t make it back anytime soon. Don’t you have some time later today?”

  Sharee hesitated. “I really am busy, but…You’re in town, you say?”

  “If you have a half hour.”

  “A half hour?”

  Lynn scowled and mouthed. “Not before 5:00”

  Sharee raised her hands and shrugged. The woman was being insistent. What could she do?

  “Could you wait until 5:30? Like I said, it’s a hectic day.”

  “That’s fine. 5:30 will work. Please don’t tell John. I’d like to keep this between us.”

  “Mrs. Wicker, I don’t keep things from John. We…”

  “I know you’re planning the wedding, and he shouldn’t have to worry about me or how I’m doing. So please, can’t you keep this between us? At least wait until after we talk. Then you can decide.”

  Sharee put her hands to her head. So, Lorraine didn’t want to upset John. The subject then would not be an easy one. This is not what I need right now, Lord. Guilt curled around her like a snake. How could she deny this woman a few minutes?

  “Okay. He’s picking me up at 7:30 for dinner. I’ll need to get back in time to dress.”

  “Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “I know a café where we could meet.”

  “Oh, no. I thought we could meet at the church. I know where that is. At the parking lot in the back.”

  “The church? Oh. Okay.”

  Lynn pointed to her watch.

  “I’ll see you at 5:30, Lorraine. Goodbye.” Sharee ended the call and tilted her head at Lynn. “What do you think she wants?"

  "Who knows? Do you suppose John told them about the new wedding plans?"

  "Yes, she knew; and they were on his list to call, anyway. But I can’t imagine what she wants to talk about. I wish I didn’t have to go.” Sharee dropped her gaze.

  “What’s wrong now?”

  “That’s pretty selfish, isn’t it? Here am I planning my wedding, while she…”

  Lynn touched her arm. “Don’t feel guilty. You came into John’s life long after Janice died. Lorraine can’t blame you for anything. Don’t blame yourself.”

  “I know. I’m sure they feel like I’m taking John away, though.”

  “In a sense, you are; but it’s time. Time for them to move on—as hard as that is. And time for them to let go of John.”

  ***

  Sharee turned off US 19, feeling the tightness across her shoulders. What could Lorraine want? She started to call John but stopped herself. No, she’d given her word. No matter what the woman wanted, they’d both be on their way in a half hour. She would give her that much time.

  Jesus, you know I need your help with this.

  Sharee eased into a parking place at the back of the church and climbed from the SUV. Her gaze drifted over the lot, the office, the fellowship hall behind her. No one was here, which made sense. Pastor Alan left at five, if he was in the office. Some days he wasn’t. He and Daneen visited individuals at the hospital or worked with other non-profits helping the indigent and doing counseling.

  The hum of a car engine caught her attention. Lorraine’s blue Ford rounded the corner. Sharee straightened and waved.

  The car swung her way, picking up speed. It took two full seconds before the warning surfaced. Had the woman not seen her? Had she hit the accelerator by mistake? Sharee scooted sideways. The car swerved, aimed at her again. What was she doing?

  The Ford sped straight at her. Behind the windshield, Lorraine’s face knotted into an ugly mask.

  Sharee jumped farther from the car’s path, but it veered in her direction again. The car’s blue hood filled her vision. She dove sideways, hitting the grass and rolling out of the way. Brakes squealed, and Sharee climbed to her feet. She jerked her head around.

  Lorraine had missed hitting the fellowship hall. Now the car jerked in reverse. Sharee gaped at her. The woman had tried to run her over. Why?

  The Ford lurched forward again. She’d be smashed against the building. She jumped for the small tree near the entry way. The car skidded past her, missing her by inches. Brakes shrieked. She didn’t wait this time but ran the other way, across the parking lot toward the field.

  The screech of tires reached her. She needed cover. The large pine and the bleachers offered the only hope. She raced past the tree and rounded the bleachers. The engines roar grew. She bounded onto the steps and ran up them.

  The car slammed the side of the bleachers and threw her sideways onto the seats. She tried to break her fall, but her hands shot uselessly between the seats. Her head slammed against the metal. Pain seared her body. She didn’t move.

  The bleachers rocked and sang, and she shoved herself upright. Lorraine stood on the bottom step. Behind her, the car’s door stood open.

  Sharee rocketed to her feet and swayed as her head spun. “What are you doing?”

  “You’re not marrying John. Do you hear me? He loves Janice. He always has.” Lorraine jumped over the next step.

  Sharee backed away, along the bleacher seat. “You’re crazy.”

  The woman jumped the next seat and dove at her. A hand clawed at Sharee’s arm, but Sharee twisted out of her reach, and Lorraine grasped air. Her foot shot between the seats, and she fell.

  Silence settled around them. Lorraine groaned and tried to roll over. Sharee started, eased around her and ran down the steps. At the last one, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Lorraine pull her leg free and p
ush to a standing position. Leaping down, she raced past the blue car. The engine still ran. She stopped. She should take it.

  Behind her, the metal stairs screeched. She whipped into the driver’s seat, slammed and locked the doors. Her hands shook as she pulled the phone from her pocket. She punched nine-one-one. Her hands were shaking, her sight fuzzy.

  Help, Lord.

  The door locks clicked, and the door flew open. Lorraine grabbed one arm and the back of her shirt, yanking her out of the car. The phone flew from her hand. Her feet hit the ground, and the woman pummeled her over the head.

  Sharee dropped to her knees and threw her arms up for protection. “Stop! What are you doing? Stop!”

  “You’ll never marry him! You hear me!”

  The pounding slowed, and Sharee thrust herself away and shot to her feet. Lorraine charged her. Sharee sidestepped, ducking under the woman’s grasping arms. Lorraine slipped on the ground and slid around.

  Sharee’s eyes darted toward the office. She had to get away; she’d never win a battle with this woman. She took a step back. “Janice is dead. You can’t bring her back.”

  Lorraine face skewed. “But you won’t take her place! You’re not marrying John. You’re not going to Indonesia. That was their plan.”

  “John and Janice never planned to go to Indonesia. They….”

  “Shut-up! Don’t tell me what they planned.” Her eyes flicked over Sharee with disgust. “I don’t know why John picked you. You’re nothing like Janice. She was gorgeous and tall and blonde. You’re nothing.”

  Sharee sucked in her breath, but her eyes went past the other woman. The pond. If she could get to the pond. Lorraine couldn’t swim. Her heart went into overtime. The pond, the cypress trees, the road behind them all offered avenues of escape.

  “Does Mr. Wicker know you’re here?”

  “Of course not. He thinks it’s good John is remarrying. He wanted to meet you.” Her face screwed into a vicious mask. “John told us about you before he left for Indonesia. I wanted to kill him. I tried when he got back. I told Tom I was going to see a friend, but I drove over here from Orlando. With the GPS, it was easy to find his place; but then I realized you were the real problem. So I found out where you lived and tried again, only I barely hit you. You escaped the next time, too.” She stopped and eyed Sharee. “You’ve been lucky until now.”