A Pursued Heart

by Elaine Manders

  “Hey, Rebecca, I’ve moved back to Atlanta. So, how’re you doing?”

  Jason. He was back in town. Why would he think she’d ever want to hear from him again? “I’ve been doing fine. You?”

  “Great. I heard you’d gotten a big promotion and are calling the shots at Bay Pharm. I’d like to hear all about it. Could we go out to dinner sometime this week?”

  He had to be kidding. When Rebecca had broken up with Jason, she’d made it clear they had no future. Yes, at one time she’d expected they’d get married. That was before she knew all he wanted from her was a physical relationship—that didn’t include marriage. She still chided herself for her stupidity. Apparently her perception had a blind spot.

  “No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. It’s best we let things stay as they were.”

  “Ah, come on. You don’t still blame me for making a pass?”

  A pass? Was that what he called it? She recognized attempted rape when she saw it. She still thanked God for giving her an escape.

  She wasn’t quick enough to respond, and he went on, “You can find it in your heart to forgive me, can’t you? You were a fine Christian.”

  He hit a nerve, and she felt her ire rising. So like Jason to jab at her Christianity. “I do forgive you, Jason, but we can’t be friends. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot to do.”

  “Wait…don’t hang up. At least let me try to make it up to you.”

  “There’s nothing to make up. Good-bye, Jason. I wish you all the best.” And she hoped he would find a woman who used him as he’d used Rebecca. She pressed the button to end the connection. Maybe that wasn’t very Christian. She could forgive Jason, but wasn’t yet at the point where she’d forget.

  She turned her attention back to her computer, and the phone chimed again. After it went through its process four times, she pressed the receiver. “Listen Jason, I have nothing more to say.”

  “It’s Ben, Rebecca.”

  Her anger switched to excitement in a flash. “I’m sorry, Ben. I was trying to get rid of someone.”

  His husky chuckle sent a shiver through her. “You obviously succeeded. I’m calling to see if you’re feeling better.”

  Feeling better? She couldn’t feel better. Oh, he meant had she recovered from her spider scare. “Yes, Ben, I’ve recovered from my hysterics.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “Oh, and you won’t believe what happened this morning. Someone had left a package from South America on my desk. Know what it contained?” She laughed. “Spiders—probably from the rain forest. They’re purported to be the most poisonous in the world. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but what a coincidence.”

  She expected to hear his deep laugh. Instead, nothing but silence as the seconds ticked off. “Ben?”

  “Yeah. Rebecca.” Another long pause. “I go out for a walk every afternoon, just to get away from the office, get some fresh air. Would you join me this afternoon? Just tell me when you’re free. I expect my schedule is a lot more flexible than yours.”

  A walk—with him? She clicked onto her schedule. Flexible or not, she’d find the time. “I’d like that. How about two forty-five. I have a meeting at three, but if I’m a little late…” She laughed again. “They can’t start without me.”

  His soft, deep chuckle warmed her insides. “Two forty-five it is. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

  She ended the call and sank back into the chair’s cushions. Suddenly the day looked a whole lot better.

  Chapter 5

  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. -1 Peter 5:8

  If Satan wore a nametag, no one would be deceived. -Ben Lucas

  Ben paced the length of the foyer, back and forth, glancing each turn at the elevator. Rebecca was only a few minutes late, but it didn’t matter how late she was. He meant to talk to her. The more he thought about a package of spiders being left on her desk, the more uneasy he became.

  That feeling of impending dread followed him like a shadow—the same way he’d felt the night of Kelly’s murder. He had known deep in his gut Kelly was in danger. For the hundredth time he asked himself why he’d let her go that day. Maybe he couldn’t have done anything. He might have been killed too. Jamie might have been killed.

  Kelly had thought so. Try as he might, Ben couldn’t shake the guilt that he’d abandoned her. Now that same urgency churned in his stomach. Why? He didn’t really know Rebecca. She didn’t have a crazy ex-husband stalking her. But someone might be stalking her.

  She thought the package of spiders was a coincidence. He didn’t believe in coincidence. Everything had a purpose. Was this God’s way of giving him another chance—to protect a woman. Another chance at love?

  There was chemistry between him and Rebecca. He’d felt it that first morning in the Sunday School class. The looks she gave him assured him she felt the chemistry, too. Strange that he’d notice it so quickly—almost at first sight. He’d been dating Kelly several weeks before he’d noticed the first tinges of attraction.

  He wasn’t ready to get involved in another relationship. Common sense told him to take it slow, but this business with the spiders called for immediate action. He just hoped Rebecca would take it seriously.

  The ding of the elevator doors drew his attention again. Several people stepped out before he saw her. She turned her head, looking. They made eye contact and he felt a little jolt. There was definitely chemistry. She came toward him, smiling.

  Rebecca wore a ruby wool dress reaching a couple of inches above the knee and hugging a curvaceous feminine shape. Her gray cloak swayed as she walked, and her high heels clicked on the marbled tile floor. Sensible shoes, not stilettos like some women tortured themselves with.

  “Hi, sorry to keep you waiting.”

  “I haven’t been waiting long.” He just touched her back and followed her out the automatic door.

  He pointed toward the right. “I usually walk to the atrium and fountain.” The street wasn’t crowded and they strode side-by-side.

  Rebecca chatted easily about her day, and they were half way to the stopping place. He had to get to the point. “So, the package of spiders didn’t faze you?”

  She laughed. “No, I knew they were completely encased. Of course they were no doubt real—unlike that one last Saturday. No, no panic attacks today.”

  “It got me thinking. Does anyone hold a grudge against you? Maybe someone who knows you have a phobia of spiders.”

  She pulled back a step. “A grudge? You don’t honestly believe someone might have deliberately put that package on my desk? And the plastic one?”

  “I don’t mean to sound paranoid, but yes, I have a bad feeling about this. Maybe it’s nothing, but to ease my mind, would you tell me if someone could be stalking you?”

  Her steps slowed, the smile wiped off her face. She shook her head and waves of dark brown, honey highlighted hair fell against her cheeks. Ben resisted the urge to brush it back. “Some old boyfriend?”

  She shook the hair out of her face, setting it shimmering in the afternoon sunshine. “None who would do anything like that.” A light came on in her eyes. “Except…” They both stopped. “Jason called just before you did to tell me he was back in town.” She laughed—that same nervous laughter he’d noticed after her fright Saturday night.

  “He wanted to get back together, but that’s not happening.”

  “How well did you know Jason?”

  “I thought he was the perfect…date…at one time. That’s all he was, someone to escort me to functions. I admit I sometimes entertained the thought that it might lead to something more.” She lifted her hands in a helpless gesture. “Trouble was, that something more meant marriage to me, to him it meant an affair. Before he went off to Europe, I made it clear I wanted nothing more to do with him.”

  “Apparently, he didn’t accept that.” Ben didn’t like the sound of Jason, and he k
new those types of men better than Rebecca did. If they thought they could score with a woman, they didn’t easily give up the chase.

  Despite Rebecca’s education, professional position, and sophisticated style, he suspected she was pretty innocent.

  “It doesn’t make sense that he’d want to scare me with spiders.”

  “Did he know about your phobia?”

  “Yes, of course, but if he wanted us to get back together, why would he want to scare me? Besides, he wouldn’t have had access to the lab’s spiders.”

  “Anyone who would have access? Someone who might want revenge?”

  Her shapely lips twisted into a grimace. “There was Lyle Moran. I filled the position he was demoted from for making slurs against a visiting professor. He works in Bio now.” She lifted her shoulders. “But I had nothing to do with his firing, and it’s silly to think he’d follow me to a church function.”

  “Not if he were a stalker.”

  “Now you’re scaring me.”

  Ben reached out and took her hand. It was ice cold so he covered it with the other. “I don’t mean to scare you, but the feeling I have that something isn’t right is strong. Maybe it’s nothing. Just be alert. Aware of what’s happening. If it is a stalker, he’ll try again.”

  “But what can I do about it?”

  He gave that some thought. What could she do? “You live in a secure building, so you should be safe there. Do you have a gun?”

  “A gun? Good heavens, no.”

  “If anything else happens, it would be a good idea to get one and a permit to conceal. I’m not sure that’s allowed in the city, but if you can get a permit, keep it in your handbag. I can get you some mace.”

  A clock chimed three o’clock. “I have to get back to work,” she said.

  Rebecca took off like a shot, pivoting and rushing back toward their building. Ben had to jog briskly to keep up.

  He’d upset her, and maybe she was trying to get away from him as much as getting back to work. He might have ruined his chances with her, but was still glad to have warned her.

  Not a word was spoken as they rode the elevator. When he made to get off on the third floor, she touched his arm. “Thank you for your concern, Ben. I’m going to ask about Moran.”

  “Just be careful,” was all he could get out as the door closed.

  Chapter 6

  Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. -Proverbs 27:9

  A true friend is one whom you can invite over without hiding the clutter in your house or your soul. -Rebecca Lucas

  So how are things going with you and that hot new accountant?” Darcy stood at the counter, whipping the potatoes. She and Rebecca cooked and ate dinner together most nights. They both liked to cook—Darcy did anyway—but it seemed senseless to cook for one person. Plus, the leftovers would pack their lunches for the next day.

  Rebecca swiped her with a dishcloth. “Hot new accountant? I’ll have to tell him that one.” She returned to wiping down the island. “I assume you mean Ben.”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, girl. I saw the way you looked at him in Sunday School class. He about gave you a cardiac.”

  Everyone who worked in the serious world of science should have a friend like Darcy. Someone to tease and cajole. Rebecca counted Darcy a great blessing, someone to bring her back to earth at the end of the day. And not afraid to tell her the truth.

  She couldn’t help a giggle as she met Darcy’s stare. “He didn’t give me a cardiac. I behaved quite naturally when we took a walk together today. He works in my building, you know.”

  “You mentioned that. So did you just run into each other?”

  “He invited me. Actually, I think he was concerned about the spiders being left on my desk.”

  “Hand me the salt. It was crazy…I mean after you got scared of that toy spider at Mr. Simmons’s.”

  Rebecca had told Darcy all about that. Now she wished she hadn’t. “It was a coincidence, nothing more.” She opened the oven door to peek at the roast. “I think the beef’s done.” She took the braised brisket, simmering in its own juices, out and set the pan on an iron crab-shaped trivet Mom had brought her from a trip to the Florida Keys.

  “The green beans are done, too. I’ll get the plates.” Darcy had to stretch to reach the dinnerware. “I think it’s sweet that Ben was concerned. You are going to encourage him, aren’t you? I mean you aren’t going to bury yourself in research and test tubes during this fine stretch of weather.”

  Rebecca waited until she’d popped four rolls under the broiler before answering. “I don’t think I will encourage him. My job is much too demanding to get into a serious relationship, and I have a feeling Ben’s the type who’d expect something serious, if anything at all.”

  Darcy looked up from across the island. “What’s wrong with him? He’s very good looking, and I thought you liked him.”

  “I do like him…it’s just that, well, I’d prefer a casual relationship. Besides, I don’t think I’m Ben’s type.”

  “Why not. Sounds like he thinks you’re his type.” She snickered. “And he should know.”

  Rebecca took out the rolls and poured iced tea. “Just little things. He’s like a lot of men who take their faith seriously.” Darcy pointed a finger with another argument, but Rebecca warded her off with a raised hand. “Let’s be honest, Darcy. We know sincere Christian men believe women should take a subordinate role in everything. Even if they work, they’re supposed to depend on the man.”

  “You just met Ben. How can you know if that’s what he believes?”

  “Little jabs he made about me working on eleventh heaven. My position is higher than his. I probably make more than he does. You know, some men don’t like that. In a way, his jumping in to protect me from what he perceives to be a danger proves he divides the roles of men and women sharply.”

  They both sat and Rebecca gave the grace. “In a way, I, too, believe married women should devote themselves to their home and family. That’s why I don’t see marriage in my immediate future.” She served the beef to Darcy, then herself. “It’s a serious consideration. Ben has a child.”

  “You said he’s an adorable little boy.”

  “He is, and he needs a mother—a full time mother.”

  “Seems to me any mother would be better than none at all.”

  Rebecca shook her head. “I can’t see myself as a mother. I know how hard it is. There are several young mothers working for me. They juggle childcare, nursing the baby, taking children to the doctor, attending school functions—and they’re constantly worried about what’s going on. Checking baby monitors, calling the sitter. Frankly, they can’t devote their full attention to their jobs. I’ve committed myself to this position and until I get a foothold, it’s going to take every ounce of my attention.”

  “Are you arguing with me or with yourself?”

  Rebecca laughed and speared a piece of meat. “With myself, I suppose.”

  They ate in silence for a few minutes. “I wonder why Ben thought someone was stalking you.”

  “Because he blames himself for his fiancée’s murder, that if he’d taken care of her, he’d have been able to prevent it. There again, it’s the man thing. They think they’re responsible for protecting their women. They should remember they’re human first, then men.”

  “That’s profound. Can I put that on my thought-of-the-day calendar?”

  “You have my permission. By the way, how are things with you and Sam?”

  Darcy actually blushed. “Never been better.” She gave Rebecca a sly smile. “I think he’s going to give me a ring for Christmas.”

  Rebecca’s mouth fell open. She reached out to grab Darcy’s hand. “Oh, Darce, I’m so happy for you.”

  “He hasn’t said so for sure, but he’s sure hinted at it, and I’m pretty sure.”

  “And you’re going to say ‘yes’?”

  “Of course.
I’d marry him by Thanksgiving, if he asked.”

  “Your mother would have a conniption if you didn’t give her enough time to plan a big church wedding.”

  “You’re right about that.” Darcy sipped her tea, her features taking on a serious look. “Who might want to harm you? I suppose everyone in a high-power job has somebody who wants to do them in. Have you rubbed someone the wrong way?”

  “I thought about this guy named Moran—my predecessor. They demoted him for insulting a customer and sent him to Bio, but I don’t know how he could’ve gotten ahold of that package of spiders.”

  Darcy made a face. “Sent to Bio. Oh, that sounds horrible, like something next to purgatory.”

  In the middle of taking a sip, Rebecca spewed her tea in the middle of a laugh. “Now look what you made me do.” She sopped up the mess with her napkin.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to strangle you,” Darcy said, not sounding the least bit sorry. “How about Cindy Wasselman? She had her eye on Ben. Might be jealous.”

  “Cindy Wasselman? From church? True, she’s never been friendly toward me for some reason, but that’s extreme.”

  “She a driver for a postal service.”

  “Is she? I didn’t know that. But that’s silly. Cindy wouldn’t go to that extreme over a man.”

  “It wouldn’t take much to deliver the package to the wrong address. If she were discovered, she could just say it was a mistake.”

  Rebecca pressed a fresh napkin to her lips. “I suppose I could trace the name of the delivery man—or woman.” She shook her head. “No, that’s plain silly, and I’m going to drop the whole thing. As I said, it was just a coincidence.”

  Darcy got up and began clearing the table. “Maybe, but I say you should give Ben a chance. He might be the one, little boy and all.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind.”

  She had a feeling Ben Lucas was going to be hard to keep off her mind.

  Chapter 7

  Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4