Luke handed the photographs back to Towers. “Yeah?”
“The old home site between the northwest corner of your field and the woods...”
“My great-grandparents had a small house there. It’s been torn down for years.” What were the pictures the FSA agent was holding out now?
“You’d never see it unless you know it’s there, but Kevin made use of the cellar. He had a generator and water system. He couldn’t find a place near Holly, so he stayed close to you.”
Luke looked, first with disbelief, and then with anger. He practically threw the offensive pictures at Rex. “I want all of his stuff out of there.” Somehow, it sullied his great-grandparents’ memory.
“It’s a crime scene right now.” Mitch seemed genuinely regretful. “As soon as we’re finished processing it, I’ll haul everything to the evidence locker, myself.”
“But the house?” Holly’s hand was on Luke’s arm, and she seemed unaware of her nails digging into his skin. “Didn’t he live in that awful house?”
“That was for you and him together.” Rex’s voice was sympathetic. “He wouldn’t dream of sleeping there without you.”
“Luke would never have let that happen.” Luke’s spirit was buoyed by the strength and confidence in Holly’s voice.
“You have to hear about Jack Wallace.” Mitch seemed eager to tell them. “Tripp saw Wallace get in the backseat of Holly’s car the night of the wreck. I believe he was going to reveal himself to save you, Holly. But when Wallace succeeded in hurting you, Tripp went after him with a passion. He gets quite wound up about avenging his wife. If he’s ever sane enough to stand trial, we have a grade A confession.”
“We were right then, Mitch? Tripp stopped calling because he was after Wallace?” Luke couldn’t help but think how complex this was turning out to be.
“That’s how it appears.” Mitch glanced at Rex and back to Luke. “Crazy or not, Kevin Tripp is smarter than any person I’ve ever met.”
“And the boys?” Concern for her students filled Holly’s face.
“He freely admits to paying them to harass Luke.” Mitch still spoke. “Trevor Bayne told the truth; Tripp called him and offered to pay a good amount of money for a group of boys to have fun, as he put it. Besides telling Trevor about the storage room and how he could ‘borrow’ the key, he sneaked around and left buildings unlocked for them. Then, all he did was encourage them to use their imagination. He brags like he had those boys do something wonderful.”
What’s going to happen to them?” Holly asked quietly.
“I won’t lie, Holly.” Mitch was dead serious. “They’re all five going to see jail time if I have anything to say about it. I know they’re your students, and you care about them, but there have to be consequences for their actions.”
“I understand.” But Holly’s sadness was evident. “What will happen to Kevin?” Her voice was once more firm and steady.
“He will be tested for competency.” Rex sounded reassuring. “I believe he most likely will be admitted to a secure psychiatric unit for strict supervision and intensive therapy. Then, if he is ever declared competent, he will stand trial. With all the evidence, as well as his confession, he will be given a lengthy sentence. He won’t ever be a danger to you again, Holly.”
Holly drew a deep breath. “Is this my fault? Did I do something wrong?”
“No.” Rex’s answer was immediate. “I’m confident it will be determined Mr. Tripp has been ill for most of his life. Mitch told me how he acted out in high school. That tells me he was already living in some sort of delusional world, where consequences didn’t matter.”
Luke felt Holly finally relax. He caught her eye and gave her a reassuring smile.
“It’s over, Holly.”
Her smile wobbled for a moment before it grew bright. “I know.”
Then she turned back to Rex. “I don’t know what your beliefs are, but I believe in miracles. I’m going to pray that God heals whatever is broken inside of Kevin.”
For the first time, a real smile appeared on the staid FSA agent’s face. “Holly, miracles have gotten me out of many bad situations. I’ll be praying for the man, too.”
Mitch asked if either Luke or Holly had any more questions. Luke wasn’t surprised when Holly said she didn’t. He knew she was at peace with what had happened.
A few minutes later, he and Holly were once more alone in the room.
“I’m surprised by how well you’re taking this.” Luke raised his hand to the back of her neck. “Are you really all right?”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek before standing. “I’m better than all right. It’s over, Luke. I’m not going to give even one more second of my life to that man.” The expression on her face lightened his heart. Gone were the signs of constant stress and worry. Holly was truly happy, and all was right with the world.
Well, almost all. Now, he just needed to quit being so negative about his situation. “I guess I’ll stay with Mom and Dad while I’m recuperating. I can hire somebody to take care of the farm for me.”
Holly’s fingers softly traced his cheek. “I was thinking Billy Andrews and a couple of your youth group boys would be good help for you this summer. Your dad may have to show them how to do a few things, but I’m sure they’ll work their hardest for you.”
Luke thought the idea over for a few minutes before coming to a decision. “If their parents agree, that’ll be okay with me.”
“So, that takes care of the farm.” Mischief sparkled in Holly’s eyes. “But I have a better idea for somebody other than your parents to take care of you.”
“Who?” Luke couldn’t imagine who she would suggest.
Her smile growing brighter, she pulled something out of her jean's pocket and held it out for him to see. “I found this in your pocket.”
He looked. She was holding his family ring. His eyes met hers. “I just couldn’t stop carrying it. I keep it with me all the time, praying someday you’ll accept it.”
“So?” She waited expectantly.
Was she saying what he thought she was? He couldn’t believe it. His voice shook just a little when he asked, “Holly, will you marry me?”
“Yes.” Her response was instantaneous. Then she leaned over and kissed him gently.
After their lips parted, Holly straightened up. Luke took her hand in both of his and slid the ring back on the finger it was made for. It looked perfect.
Luke was ecstatic but now confused, too. “What does your accepting my proposal have to do with—Holly, my fiancée cannot stay at my house to take care of me.”
She softly kissed him again. “No, but your wife can.”
He had to be asleep and dreaming. Then, common sense picked that moment to close the gate. “I don’t want you to rush into marriage just because I need somebody to take care of me.”
“Good.” Holly seemed unbothered by his declaration. “Since I’ll be marrying you because I love you and don’t want to waste another minute being apart.”
“But what about a fancy wed—”
Her fingers over his lips halted his words. “I’ve always wanted a small ceremony. Pastor Rollins can marry us right here in the hospital chapel. It’s plenty big enough for our families, and Mitch and Tessa.”
Luke started to protest, but then he took a really good look at Holly. She seemed happier than he’d ever seen her before. “Okay, but I’m not marrying you until I can wear pants.”
She presented him with her heart-stopping Holly smile. “I love you, Luke.”
As long as he lived, he would never get tired of hearing those words come from this woman’s lips. “I love you, Holly.”
Once more, she leaned down, and they sealed their plans with a kiss.
Thank You, God. You’ve answered my prayers, and I feel more blessed than I ever have before. Holly is safe. And she’s going to be my wife very soon. Thank You.
Epilogue
Holly smiled up at her husband as his arm
tightened around her shoulders. Even though the ceremony was short and simple, Luke had already been up and around more than he should.
“Let’s sit down,” she suggested, slipping out from under his arm and taking his hand.
He grimaced. “Sounds like a good idea.” She led him to the sofa, where they sat side by side. He slid his arm behind her and curled it around her waist. “I guess I don’t have all my strength back yet.”
“Luke!” She couldn’t believe what he was saying. “You were shot twenty-five days ago, and just released from the hospital right before our wedding this afternoon. Remember, Dr. Potter said it might be six months before you’re completely back to normal.”
He grinned lazily at her. “Okay, Mrs. Walker.” He leaned toward her. “But I’m not too tired to steal a kiss before everybody gets here.”
Holly had driven them straight from the hospital to her house. After giving it a lot of thought, they decided her single-story house was a better place for Luke to convalesce. Once he was able, they were putting it on the market and moving to the farm. He hired the three boys to work for him during the summer, but his dad had gone one step further. The son of one of his childhood buddies was moving to town and needed a job. As a wedding present, Richard hired this man, Beau Harding, to supervise the farm. He had already moved an eighteen-foot camper onto the property. It was a beneficial solution for all of them.
“Have I told you how happy I am you’re my wife?” Luke asked after he kissed her.
“Not for at least fifteen minutes,” she teased. “But you can tell me as often as you like. As long as you don’t get tired of hearing me say how happy I am you’re my husband.”
“Where do you want the cake?” Susan walked into the room, carrying a small two-tier wedding cake.
“Just put it on the dining room table, Mom.” Holly should probably get up and help, but she did not want to be more than a few inches from Luke. It was their wedding day, after all.
“Richard and Anita are right behind us with the wedding presents.” Tony, balancing three large bottles of sparkling cider, spoke.
He had barely gotten the words out before Holly’s new mother and father-in-law entered the room, both laden with beautifully wrapped gifts.
“I really wish you guys had listened to us.” Holly leaned against Luke and sighed. “We already have enough things for two houses. You shouldn’t have bought us gifts.”
Richard met Tony’s eyes. “You didn’t tell them yet?”
Tony, having set the juice on the table, raised his hands in surrender. “I was afraid they’d shoot the messenger.”
“What?” Luke didn’t look any more thrilled than Holly felt at the thought of a surprise.
“Oh, nonsense.” Susan walked over and stood directly in front of them. “Your friends all decided you needed a reception.”
Holly started to protest. Luke wasn’t up for more than the small gathering they had planned.
“Now, just a minute, Holly.” Her mom wasn’t finished. “Jennifer Ewing came up with the idea of a card reception. It’s like a card shower, only most of them attached their cards to gifts. They know and understand Luke needs to mend. They still wanted to share in your celebration somehow, so they sent gifts. Just be thankful for your friends.”
“Besides, everybody needs seven can openers.” Luke’s dad spoke imperturbably.
“Oh, hush, Richard.” Anita blushed as she explained to Holly and Luke. “We ended up with seven can openers as wedding gifts. Not any other small appliances. Only can openers.”
“So, she took that to mean we could eat out of cans for the first seven years we were married.”
Anita swatted her husband’s shoulder. “You’ll be eating out of cans for the next seven years if you don’t stop telling tales.”
Holly heard the back door open and close, and then Tessa call from the kitchen.
“Are all the presents off the floor?”
“I’ll see.” Mitch entered the room and looked around. “There’s nothing on the floor, Tess.”
What was going on? Why did Mitch look like he was about to burst out laughing, and what was the deal with things on the floor? Holly looked questioningly at Luke, who shrugged.
“Okay!” Tessa yelled.
Suddenly, the familiar thud of four feet could be heard running across the kitchen floor. The sound only preceded Clarence by a few seconds as he happily galloped into the living room and right over to the sofa.
“Clarence! How did you get here?” Holly thought Richard was bringing him in the truck later that evening. Then she took a better look at the dog as she petted him. “What happened to you? Have you been wallowing around with Mrs. Pickler’s goats?”
Luke’s laughter drew her attention away from Clarence. Her husband put a hand on his side as his laughter grew. Holly followed his line of vision.
Tessa had just walked into the room and what a sight she was! Her once perfectly coiffed hair strongly resembled a dust mop, and her dress was crooked. Holly couldn’t stop her own laughter as she took in her friend’s disheveled appearance.
As Holly looked at her, Tessa grinned through the locks of hair hanging in front of her face. “I won!”
Thank You, God. So did I.
Coming January, 2016
Living in Shadow
Book 2 of the In Shadow Trilogy
Haley Johnson is tired of being “fixed up” with men. God would bring her the right one when it was time, and they would take one look at each other and know it was meant to be. Right?
Wrong.
Beau Harding isn’t Beau Harding. Nor is he any of the other names he’s gone by during the past five years. A Chicago detective, deep undercover in a well-known syndicate, he struggled with the lifestyle he was forced to live. And, just when he was close to busting the whole operation, circumstances beyond his control forced him to blow his cover. Now, to save his life, he has to disappear until the syndicate is brought down.
The problem is, Haley and Beau are drawn to each other almost from the moment they meet. With secrets he can’t share and her desire to stay right there in Shadow, they don’t stand a chance of making this work.
Or do they?
A crime wave is hitting the friendly town of Shadow, Illinois. Vandalism turns into murder, and it’s going to take the right people to stop it.
Including Beau. There’s a chance trouble followed him to Shadow, and nothing will make him leave his new friends and the woman he loves to face it alone. He’ll stay and fight…even if it costs him his life.
March, 2016
Staying in Shadow
Book 3 of the In Shadow Trilogy
Ellie Walker doesn’t remember the past five years of her life—not after driving off a bridge. So, she’s come to Shadow and made a new home near her cousin and his wife. She even has a steady boyfriend who seems to mean more to her than he should. Sometimes, Ellie is so content, she’s not sure she wants to remember.
Brady Donovan was ordered by the doctors to let Ellie remember on her own, but he’s not about to let her forget him. He’s banking on her falling in love with him all over again—just as she did before they were married. He knows, no matter how it turns out, this won’t be easy.
Ellie was part of a special federal investigative team, headed by Brady, set up to take down a nation-wide child-kidnapping ring. Nobody knows what happened to Ellie the day of the accident, after she rushed out of headquarters.
When it appears the very organization they’re trying to stop has set up shop in Shadow, Brady and his team figure it’s too much of a coincidence. Ellie knows something important, if only she can remember. But, when her memory returns, will she be the same person? Will she be Brady’s wife? And the criminal they’ve been looking for may turn out to be much closer than any of them anticipated.
Lives are in danger and hearts break as Brady and Ellie search for the truth.
About the Author
Georgia Florey-Evans writes stories rea
ders can relate to—an “Oh, this could happen to me,” is the best compliment she receives.
In the Christian Romantic Suspense genre, she has found her niche and voice. Her characters struggle with their faith, and sometimes evil rears its head—but, without preaching (she hopes) God’s Love always shines through in some way.
Her husband, Jeff, may roll his eyes, but always answers such questions as, “Would a woman hold a gun this big?” or “What’s the difference between a bulldozer and backhoe?” (She’s still not sure about that one.)
With “characters” such as Clarence, and Fat Albert (Staying in Shadow), she turns her sense of humor loose. Real life isn’t all happy or sad, so neither are these stories.
She would enjoy hearing from her readers. You can contact her and read her blog at www.georgiaevansauthor.com
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