Copyright
ISBN 978-1-60260-067-6
Copyright © 2008 by Lynn A. Coleman. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of Truly Yours, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., PO Box 721, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Niv®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.
One
“Stop!” someone screamed.
Crack. The sound of wood scraping underneath Jess’s boat hull caused her to frantically search the water from port to starboard. She put the engine in neutral. Pieces of a red kayak slithered past. Arms and the upper body of a man surfaced. Jess jumped overboard. Dear Lord, have I killed him? Oh God, please help.
She reached the man and flipped him onto his back. Shifting her body out of the foul-weather gear and losing her boots, she reached across the man’s chest and swam with him to the dock. Time was of the essence.
A couple of fishermen joined her at the dock and pulled the limp man out of the water. Jess climbed onto the pier. Immediately she checked his airway and began performing CPR.
“We called the paramedics, Jess,” Bill Hayden reported.
Jess counted, inhaled, and blew the fresh air into his mouth. Please, Lord. She held back the tears.
She began chest compressions and counted to thirty. Two more breaths, then back to chest compressions. “One, two…”
The man sputtered. Saltwater flowed out of his mouth. Jess turned him to his side to allow the water from the man’s lungs to continue to pour out. He opened his eyes. They were a rich royal blue with shafts of gray radiating from the pupil.
Jess’s hands shook. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she mumbled.
The man coughed.
She rubbed the man’s back for a moment, hoping to ease the strain the coughing dealt his body. “Anyone got a blanket?” she called without lifting her eyes. He convulsed. She was shaking. “Dear Lord,” she whispered, “please!”
The intensity of the sirens caused Jess to look up toward the street. It was low tide, and the paramedics would have to carry him up fifty steps to reach the ambulance. Seemingly half the town lined Squabbin Bay’s rocky cliff harbor, which looked like so many other coastal towns in Maine. A large, meaty hand fell on her shoulder. “He’s going to be all right, Jess.” The firm, even tones of her father’s voice calmed her.
The paramedics made it down the long dock with a body board in tow. As soon as they arrived, she left the stranger in their care. Jess rubbed her face with her cold hands. May was not the time of year to go swimming in the North Atlantic. She trembled—whether from the shock of the accident or the frigid water, it didn’t matter. She’d nearly killed a man. How could she have missed a bright red kayak?
“What happened?” Josie Smith asked. Josie had worked for the fire department as a paramedic since before the time Jess fell off the monkey bars at school and needed stitches. At eight, having to ride in the ambulance had been a rather cool experience.
“I don’t know. I never saw him until after I heard the boat crunching the hull.” Jess shook off the horrible image and sounds that flickered through her mind.
“Jess?” Todd snorted. “You?” Todd was her age. He had gone right from high school to training for the fire department. She and Todd had been rivals for various athletic titles while in grammar school. In high school Jess had discovered her femininity and lost interest in running and climbing ropes—unlike her best friend, Randi, who ran five miles every day, until she was eight months pregnant.
“I didn’t see him. I don’t know where he came from.” She hesitated. As a kid she’d won more awards for water safety than the rest of her friends. “I must not have been paying attention,” she mumbled.
Todd grabbed his walkie-talkie and reported the injured stranger’s situation. Jess stepped back. He was out of her hands now. She prayed he would be all right. Her father came alongside, wrapped her in a towel, and pulled her into his embrace just as her stepmother, Dena, arrived at the top of the dock. Dena had been married to Jess’s father for the past two years. A lot had happened in that time. Jess had just finished college and moved to Boston, only to discover her job experience didn’t bode well with her Down-Eastern ways. The struggle for success meant being less than honest with her coworkers, and that was something Jess couldn’t adjust to. So she’d come home and within six months started forming a co-op for the local lobstermen in much the same way that the cranberry farmers had done decades ago.
“What happened?” her father whispered.
“I honestly don’t know. I put the boat into a slow approach to the dock and—smack—I ran into him. I didn’t see him, Dad. I swear.”
“Kayaks are low riding.”
Jess scanned the harbor. Another lobsterman was on board her boat, Jessy, and bringing it back to the dock. “Did our Jessy drift in toward the rocks?”
“Probably scraped a barnacle or two off. Don’t fret about it. Do you have a change of clothes on board?”
“Nope.”
“Foul-weather gear in the harbor?”
“Yup.” She scanned the remains of the red kayak.
The paramedics started to carry the stranger up the long walkway of the floating dock. Due to low tide, it was quite a climb. A few others helped. Jess looked back at the sinking debris of the kayak. What have I done?
❧
Krispin moaned and pushed himself up on the recliner. Of all the stupid things to have happened. He let out a long gasp of air. Unable to deal with the conflicting emotions between whether to wring his aggressor’s neck or hug his savior for her quick thinking, he groaned again. He’d rented this remote cottage in a little-known place to have peace, not to be smashed into pieces.
For the past seven years, he’d been working his way up the corporate ladder. Finally, with a little luck, he’d made it to a senior position in the company. But he felt empty, alone, and couldn’t understand why. He had all he ever wanted, and then some, but life wasn’t adding up. “Now, this,” he muttered and leaned over to pick up the phone.
On the second ring, his secretary answered, giving the usual formal greeting.
“Hi, Amanda, it’s me.”
“Mr. Black, how are you? How’s your vacation?”
“Fine, fine. Actually, no, it isn’t fine. I’ve had an accident. Is Gary in?”
“Yes, sir. Are you all right?”
“Mild concussion,” he admitted, but he wouldn’t confess to her he was lucky to be alive. The office would have it blown out of proportion by the time he was due back on Monday…three days. He wouldn’t be back by Monday. He knew that before the accident. The injury just gave him a good excuse.
“Krisp, you all right?” Gary seldom showed any real concern for anyone apart from how it would affect business.
“I’ll be all right. But the doc said I shouldn’t drive for a few days, especially not the long distance back to Manchester from here.”
“Gotcha. What happened? And what clients do I need to know about for next week?”
Krispin filled him in. He rubbed his throbbing temples and closed his eyes. “Gary, I hate to do this, but can I call you back later? I’m feeling a little nausea coming on.
”
“TMI.” Gary groaned. “Take another week; we’ll cover for you.”
“Thanks, I could use it.”
“Should I send Maureen up?”
Krispin squeezed his eyes closed. Gary had been trying to set Krispin up with Maureen for ages. He dated her on occasion but only when he had no other option. Maureen was Gary’s younger sister. Nice enough gal, but they had nothing in common—except Gary. “No thanks. I’m going to be busy taking care of a lawsuit, I’m sure.”
Gary whistled. “Betcha end up owning that boat.”
“More than likely.” And that’s the way it was in his world. Fight until the person next to you drops or you bring him to the poorhouse. But how could he sue her after she saved his life? “Later, Gary.”
“Later.”
Krispin waited to hear the disconnect before clicking the Off button of the cordless phone. He didn’t need to sue her. He could let it drop. “I suppose a new kayak would be worth the pain and suffering.” He leaned back in the chair.
A gentle knock on the door woke him. It took a few moments to get to his feet and catch his bearings. He went to the door and saw a honey-haired woman with a timid smile on luscious pink lips staring at him. “Hello?”
“Hi, I’m Jess Kearns. I…” She looked down at the wooden planks on the small deck. “I’m the one who ran you over.”
“Ah.” He didn’t remember her being this beautiful. Of course he never really got a good view of her. “Come in; you’ve saved me the trouble of tracking you down.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve brought my insurance information. I hauled the kayak out of the harbor, but it’s not repairable.”
“I can imagine.” He didn’t want to be angry with this woman, but he was. “Have a seat.”
“No, thank you.” She handed him a piece of paper. “Here’s all the information you need to know.”
He scanned the sheet. “My lawyer will be in touch.” He dropped the paper onto the table.
“Lawyer? Won’t it be easier just going through the insurance company?”
“I’m planning on suing you, Ms. Kearns. You nearly killed me.”
Tears filled her eyes. His stomach knotted. Why’d I say that?
“I’m sorry. You’re welcome to sue me. I don’t have much, but anything I have is yours.” She scurried past him and out the door.
Krispin stood there for a moment. How odd. Doesn’t she know that she’s admitted guilt? No lawyer would have trouble taking her for all she’s worth. “Wait,” he called out.
She kept running and then jumped into a red Mercedes convertible.
“She doesn’t have anything? Yeah, right!” Krispin reached for the phone to call his lawyer, then paused. She said I could have it all. Do I want that?
❧
Jess couldn’t believe her ears. The man wanted to sue her. While she didn’t own much, she may well have put her father into jeopardy, and possibly Dena. Dear Lord, protect my parents from my careless actions.
She fretted the entire drive home. After she told her parents the news, they called their attorney and prepared for the lawsuit. Her father’s lobster boat and business were worth a small amount, but Wayne and Dena had previously taken steps to incorporate their various businesses so that if one should fail, they wouldn’t lose it all. Five hours later Jess had a computer printout of the worth of the lobster business, her mortgage, a statement of personal worth, another copy of the insurance policy, as well as a statement from the lawyer regarding his contact information. A plastic container of Dena’s homemade chicken soup sat on the passenger seat beside her as she drove up to Krispin Black’s house for the second time that day.
A faint light glowed in the living room of the rental cottage. Jess used to play here with her girlfriends years ago when Mindy’s parents owned the cottage. But like so many others, they had moved farther south and sold the property.
She knocked on the door. No answer. Peering into the living room, she looked for any signs of life. He lay on the recliner with a cup in his hand. She watched his body tense, then relax. The cup dropped to the floor. He didn’t respond.
Jess opened the door and walked in. She took his pulse. It seemed steady. His hand suddenly clutched her wrist. “What are you doing here?”
“I…I came to bring you the information for the lawsuit.”
“What?” He jumped up from his chair, then collapsed.
“Do you have a concussion?”
He nodded his head and groaned.
“Sit back. When was the last time you took your medicine?”
“I don’t know.” A glazed look clouded his blue eyes.
Jess flipped open her cell phone and called Josie. Within minutes Jess was told what to look for and to give the word if she needed any further help. Josie would be right over.
“Have you eaten?”
“I don’t think so.”
Jess looked through the small kitchen. A half-eaten, stale bagel sat next to a very cold cup of coffee. “Breakfast,” she mumbled. Finding a pot, she heated up the soup and went back to the living room. She looked into his eyes, his incredibly handsome eyes, and swallowed.
“You like?” he purred.
Jess closed her eyes and prayed. She hadn’t dealt with a man like this in years. She ignored his question and pushed on. “What day is it?”
“Friday.” He glanced out the window. “Possibly Saturday. How late is it?”
“Not that late, Mr. Black. I have some soup heating on the stove. Do you have a wife or someone to watch over you?”
“Nope. You offering?”
“Jesus wouldn’t want me to ignore your condition. I’ll call my dad and he’ll come over.”
“Your father? Don’t bother. I thought…”
“Mr. Black, I’m fairly sure I know what you thought, but I’m not that kind of a girl. I’m sorry you were injured at my hand, but please show me some respect.”
Krispin Black scanned her face, then closed his eyes. “You’re right. I apologize. It was terribly rude of me.”
“Apology accepted. Let me get your soup.” She left him and called her father. He couldn’t come but would find someone right away. Placing the bowl of warm soup on the dinette, she asked, “Are you able to make it to the table on your own?”
“I think I can manage.”
Jess held herself back as she watched the proud man work his way over. They sat in silence as he ate.
“Thank you.” He pushed the bowl away. “That was thoughtful.”
“You’re welcome.” She reached for the pile of papers. “Here’s all the information you’ll need for your lawsuit. Our lawyer’s name and contact info is on top.”
He scanned the pages. “It’s not your boat?”
“No, it’s my father’s.”
“And he’s willing to give up on this without a fight?”
She smiled. “I didn’t say that. He’s hired his attorney. But they knew you’d order to obtain this information, so we just prepared it in advance.”
“You’re nuts.” He paused. “Sorry.”
“No, we’re not nuts, we’re Christians. And I was at fault.” She paused for a moment, then looked directly into his eyes. “You don’t believe, do you?”
“Nah, never had much use for religion. Didn’t see the point. It’s all right, I mean. I’m not against it or anything. But if there truly is a God, why would He concern Himself with the likes of me or anyone else in the world?”
Jess smiled. “Because He loves us.”
“You really believe all that stuff?”
“Yup.”
Krispin gently wagged his head back and forth.
“You can call it my Christian love that brought over these papers and that soup and the friend who’s going to spend the night with you to make sure you’re okay.”
“Why would you do that? I mean, I get the Christian thing, but I told you I was going to sue you.” The disbelief was written all over his face.
“Krispin…
” She paused. A desire to reach out and touch him caught her by surprise. “I honestly did not see you as I was approaching the dock. I must have looked down for a moment and missed your entering the waterway in front of me. I’m just thankful I was able to save you. I don’t think I could live with myself knowing I killed a man.” She pulled her hands back to her lap. Lord, what do You have in mind here? Did this accident occur to bring this man to salvation? Your will, Father, not mine.
“Jess—you did say your name was Jess, right?”
She nodded.
“Fine. Jess, you’re a beautiful woman but definitely weird.”
“More than likely.” Her cell phone rang. “Excuse me.” She answered the call from Jordan, her best friend’s husband.
“Jess, it’s Jordan. Randi and I are on our way.”
“Great, thanks.” Closing her phone, Jess passed on the information. Jordan worked for her stepmom. He was the newest resident of Squabbin Bay. Of course in a couple months he would lose the title because Randi, Jess’s best friend since she was five, would be having a baby, making him or her the newest member of the small seacoast community.
Krispin pushed his chair out from under the table. “I’m fine. I don’t need a babysitter. It’s not necessary.”
“Actually”—she placed her hands on her hips—“I think it is. You didn’t eat, and I suspect you haven’t taken your medication. Someone needs to look after you, and I can’t. Sorry.” There was a peculiar attraction to the man, but she couldn’t run with such thoughts, and she certainly couldn’t enter into a relationship with someone who didn’t believe the same as she did. No, it was best if she and Krispin never saw one another again. “If you have any questions, you can contact our attorney.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’ve already said that.”
I know, but I still feel guilty. “Good night, Mr. Black. I’ll be praying for you.”
He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it.
Jess slipped out of the cottage before she said another word or gave thought to her foolish feelings. It must be the guilt I’m feeling, Lord.
Two
Krispin drummed his steering wheel, feeling like a fool, waiting in the Squabbin Bay Community Church parking lot on Sunday afternoon. How he’d ever committed himself to having dinner with Randi and Jordan, he’d never understand. Of course they’d hoped he would come to church and join them before they went to the Dockside Grill. He inhaled the lightly seasoned salt air and calmed himself. Finally, people slowly streamed out of the church, laughing and talking with one another. His memories as a child were of hustling into the car to get home for dinner. And the memories of family fights to and from church still turned his stomach in knots.
Suited For Love Page 1
