Looking for Justice: Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 4)

by Linda K. Rodante

  “You don’t need to worry about it.”

  “No?” He glanced back and looked her up and down. “You’ll be sore tomorrow.”

  “I might be, but you won’t know it.”

  She forced Mandy past him. He had to shove Sandy back a step or two to give her room. Now that sounded like some sort of challenge. Was she flirting with him? Nah. He was sure Alexis Jergenson didn’t flirt. Of course, until a few minutes ago, he hadn’t thought that his shirtlessness would bother her, either.

  “Is that how you win cases?” he asked, following her out. They both stopped to fasten the cinches. “Intimidation?”

  “Whatever it takes.”

  He laughed. “I’d like to see you in the courtroom one day.”

  She turned. A smile appeared. “Maybe you’ll get the chance.”

  He lifted a brow. Was she thinking of practicing in Tennessee? “That would be nice.”

  Her eyes reflected her smile. She’d relaxed again, and he liked what it did to her. He reached up and gently tugged a long piece of that shiny hair. Her mouth opened, and he dropped his gaze to it. Keeping one hand on Sandy’s lead, he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her forward. His mouth was an inch from hers when the change in her stance and her eyes stopped him.

  He drew back four inches, keeping his focus on eyes now dark with fright. At least he knew the problem this time. He could deal with this if she’d let him.

  “I’m going to kiss you.”

  She started to pull away, but his arm tightened. Her eyes rounded, and he forced his arm to loosen.

  “I’m going to kiss you. Nothing else.” He let his eyes drop to her mouth again. “Just kiss you.”

  He touched her mouth with his. She stood rigid against his arm, her mouth as stiff as her back. Not what he’d expected, but he hadn’t thought ahead. She’d been raped twice, and had not gone out with anyone since that jerk of a boyfriend promised to stop when she asked. And hadn’t.

  The awkwardness in her stance, in her face, touched him. He drew a breath, dropped his arm, and touched her face. “Let’s try that again.”

  She shook her head but didn’t move. He sensed her wavering – to run or to stay.

  “I won’t hold you this time. Relax.”

  He leaned in, moving slow, like a clam his grandmother would say. She held herself rigid. His mouth caressed hers, and he turned his head, moving his lips across hers. He was about to draw away, when her mouth offered an awkward response. Heat shot to his toes, and it took everything in him to stay still. He wanted her in his arms, wanted to hold her tight and hard against him. His hands clenched. The blood raced to his head, and he hauled himself away.

  They stared at each other, both inhaling deep breaths.

  His smile felt lopsided. “Not as bad as you thought?”

  Apprehension still edged her eyes, but she shook her head. He lifted a hand to her cheek and drew his fingers along her jaw.

  “Trust me, Alexis. I won’t hurt you. I like you. Kissing is just a way of expressing that.”

  A flush crept up her throat and into her cheeks. “I know that.”

  He laughed, leaned forward to steal another quick kiss and grabbed her hand. “Come on then. Let’s take a ride.”

  ***

  Alexis let herself sink deeper into the hot water and let the tub’s geysers ease her aching muscles. She was sore. Tomorrow promised a long day of stiffness, but she’d work off some of it in the morning before leaving for work.

  She liked to ride, liked the feel of the horse beneath her, the smell of leather, the freedom of going places you didn’t get to go on foot or car. Years had passed, but it all came back. After Luke changed horses, they explored his property, crossed the road and then raced through the level fields.

  She touched her lips and thought of the kiss. No, two kisses. Three? She’d dated a few times during college, but her fear rested too close to the surface, and the men’s hormones did, too. It never worked. And then at law school, Brock had taken his time, patiently befriending and encouraging her. Until that night… She shuddered and closed her eyes.

  Even though she’d gone willingly to the cabin, Luke said it was not her fault, as John had, not to blame herself. She had been upfront and honest with Brock.

  Luke’s anger at the man touched her. Until last week, she’d never told anyone but John about the second rape. She was used to her brother’s protectiveness, had felt it from the time she was small, but especially after the first rape. Luke’s response had differed from John’s. She couldn’t exactly describe it, but having him hear and understand what she’d been through helped ease the long-hidden pain and the violation somehow.

  She rested the back of her head against the folded towel on the porcelain tub and thought of that. Luke was different. She couldn’t quite nail down what it was. Trustworthy. She hesitated. Was Luke trustworthy? Maybe she assumed he was. Like Brock. No. No, Luke had never taken advantage, and he could have.

  His character – intelligent, hard-working, with a willingness to come to another person’s rescue – was admirable. She thought of Jessica. Luke hadn’t argued or backed down. Instead, he did what was needed at the time. And he’d been there for her, too. That aspect of his personality, she prized – to rescue someone, to save someone who needed it.

  Her domestic violence cases were filled with women and children, even men, who needed to be rescued. Life had battered them, then people did the same.

  The word “saved” echoed in her mind. Was she getting religious? Or was it just her mind picking up the strands of Luke’s teachings, or the things she’d heard from the students, or from the Chapel services?

  Jesus saves. Redeems. Gives new life. All things she’d heard repeatedly since coming to the college.

  She stood and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her. She needed to tell Luke she wasn’t a Christian. It was time. For her not to say something now would be deceptive, but maybe she’d read a few chapters in her Bible tonight. She could at least tell him she was doing that to help smooth over the fact that she hadn’t told him before.

  And maybe, just maybe, she’d read something to help her understand about that new life to which he referred.

  Chapter 13

  The warmth inside him contrasted with the cold outside. They stood in the college parking lot next to her Jaguar, both bundled up against the frosty weather. The leaves had disappeared from most trees, and their skeletal outlines stood in black relief against the silvered sky.

  “Thank you for dinner, Luke. I enjoyed the company and the food.”

  He ran a finger down her jaw line, feeling his smile widen. “Then it was worth the time it took me to talk you into it.”

  During dinner, his hormones had kicked into an excess of activity – her mouth, her hair, the way she laughed – all of it caused havoc with his good intentions. He slipped his hand under her hair to the back of her neck.

  “Alexis.” He heard the roughness in his voice and cleared his throat.

  Her half-opened mouth reflected her nervousness, and he straightened, took a deep breath, and sought for a diversion.

  “Do you know if you’re going to continue teaching or perhaps go back into law?”

  She hesitated, frowning, and shivered against the wind. Good enough reason to pull her into his arms. She came, uncertainly.

  “I have thought about practicing again. I…I just don’t know.”

  “What made you give up law and move here?” When she said nothing, he tilted his head to see her better. “Prosecuting cases like Jessica’s could cause burnout. You said that the other night. Is that what happened?”

  She shrugged. “That was part of it.”

  “Your work in Atlanta with the rape crisis center and that house you established for victims of violence. Couldn’t you duplicate that here, with or without going back into practice?”

  Her brows lifted. “Perhaps. I hadn’t thought of it.”

  “I have.” He cleared his throa
t again, drew his focus from her mouth again. “Sorry. If I’m being too inquisitive, tell me.”

  “No. I don’t mind telling you.”

  The huskiness of her voice and her look was tinder to the fire he kept trying to control. He wanted to kiss her mouth, her eyes, the place at the back of her neck where her hair fell like silk.

  He slid his hands up and down her back and bent his head, covering her mouth with his. His arms tightened, and he savored the feeling of holding her. After a moment, she leaned against him, her mouth softening. A wave of response hit him, and his pulse beat hard against the side of his head. He forced himself to push back and away from her. The woman had no idea what she did to him. He allowed the cool air to rush between them, needing it.

  “That was good. Thank you.” She put hand to her mouth. “I mean…the dinner.”

  He caught her hand, feeling his grin. She hadn’t meant to thank him for the kiss. “It was good.” He laughed when she turned her head away, squeezed her then became serious. “I can be patient, Alexis. I don’t mind, but I would like to see where this relationship might go. Are you willing to do that?”

  “Yes, but I… I…” She stopped.

  “What?”

  “I need to tell you something.”

  “All right.”

  “I…” She removed her hand from his and took a short step back. “I’m not a Christian.”

  He wasn’t sure he’d heard right. “What?”

  “I’m not a Christian.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No.”

  Things went silent around them. His heart stopped, skipped. “That’s…impossible.” It was, wasn’t it? Impossible. Of all the problems they might have, being “unequally yoked” had never surfaced. “You’re teaching here. They only hire Christians.”

  “I know. I…” The strength in her face appeared to melt. “I…”

  He felt sick. What was she saying? “You lied on the application?”

  “No, I…” Her voice sounded ragged. “I told them, but they were desperate; and…and I was, too. Neither the Dean or I felt right about it, but he said not to say anything. Everyone would assume…”

  He didn’t care about the details. Only one thing mattered. “You’re not a Christian?”

  “No. The President knows, of course. He and Cliff. No one else.”

  His mind flew over the ramifications. Seeing where the relationship would go? Useless. He could not marry her, would not. And that was where he’d hoped the relationship would go, whether he’d let himself think it or not. But now… Balls of steel rolled inside him, slicing open the places of pain and betrayal he thought were healed.

  “Sharee told me about the opening. Called me from Indonesia, in fact. She said they might not hire me, but to apply.” She stopped for a moment. “I never meant to deceive you.”

  He shook his head, the pain inside changing, igniting embers. “You not only deceived me, but every student you’ve taught, all the professors, the other staff members. I can’t believe the President allowed this.”

  She swallowed. “Does it mean that much?”

  “Does it mean that much?” He drew back. “Haven’t you heard anything while you’ve been here? Do you just turn it off – the talk about God, about Jesus?”

  She flinched at his words. He sounded harsh even to himself. Lord, don’t let me hurt her like I’m hurting. Don’t let me lash out.

  “Alexis, everything we’re about here has to do with God – His love, His leading. Our lives are dedicated to Him. That is what a Bible college is. Have you heard nothing at all?”

  “Yes, I’ve heard.” Her voice jumped an octave. “I know you’re all serious, but none of it makes sense. A God who created the world. Jesus, the savior. It’s not logical. There’s no evidence—”

  “The evidence is there if you look for it.”

  She shook her head.

  The enemy had worked overtime in her. He’d never seen it, never guessed. A cavern of huge proportions existed between them. The flames grew inside him.

  “You have four eye witnesses.”

  She frowned. “What? Who?”

  “The Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.”

  Her frown deepened. “If they lived, and if they can be believed.”

  “You believe Plato, don’t you? And Aristotle? Their writings.”

  “Yes, but…”

  “The writings of the Old and New Testament are no different than many other writings at that time. We take those others at face value. The only reason you wouldn’t take these the same way is because of a predisposition to disbelieve them.” He took a deep breath. “Truth has stared you in the face all these weeks, and you haven’t seen it. I can’t make you believe, but I wish I could.”

  He had tried to keep his voice level but the shock of what she’d revealed stunned him. Walk away. Before you do or say something you will regret. He turned.

  She caught his arm. “Luke. You’re the only man I’ve trusted in years. Don’t just walk off.”

  He heard the hurt in her voice. Her pain multiplied his. “I appreciate that…honor. And it is an honor. But there are many decent men out there. We’re not all rapists. Find a respectable one, one that will walk you up the aisle.”

  Her eyes widened. “Don’t leave like this.”

  He slipped his arm free from her hold. “I have to. I need to get my head on straight.”

  “No one, but John, has it on straighter.”

  He forced a half-smile, turned again, and stepped to his truck. Her eyes singed his back. When he climbed into the truck and started the engine, he looked at her again. She stood there, arms crossed, clutching her shoulders, alone.

  He loved her. He knew it now, and he knew something else. The picture of her standing there, alone, would stay with him a long time.

  ***

  The phone chimed on her way home. Alexis snatched it from the passenger seat and stared at the number on the screen. Tears starred the readout. She blinked her eyes and looked again. Her heart thudded, and her shoulders slumped.

  Jessica.

  She dropped the phone back on the seat. It chimed again. She didn’t want to talk. Not to anyone. The phone’s ring came once more. Alexis sighed and raised it to her ear.

  “Yes?”

  “Professor Jergenson?”

  Alexis cleared her throat. “Jessica, I told you to call me Alexis. You were living at my house. Call me Alexis.”

  “I know. It’s just…well, hard.”

  “That’s okay. What’s up?”

  “Are you okay? You sound funny.”

  Alexis stared at the car lights flashing past. Was she okay? No. Would she be okay? Yeah, someday. “I’m fine, Jessica. A cold, I have a cold.” Lying could become a new part of her life. “What is it?”

  “Can…can I come to stay again? Tonight?”

  The Jag swerved. Alexis wrestled it back into the middle of the lane. A headline flashed across her mind. Appalachian College Professor Dead in Freak Accident. And Luke would never forgive himself. He’d think he caused it. She needed to drive more carefully. She could not put that on Luke’s shoulders, no matter how angry he was with her.

  “Profess— Alexis?” Jessica’s voice drew her back.

  Alexis sighed. “That’s fine. You’re coming tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me why you’re coming. Did you and your mom have a fight?”

  “No, I…”

  “Jessica, if you come to stay with me, you’ll have to tell her where you are. Don’t let her worry.”

  “I won’t, but I’ll call her after I get there. I haven’t told her yet that I changed my mind.”

  “About what?”

  “About testifying. You were right, and the people at the pregnancy center, and Professor Stephens.”

  “You talked with Luke?” The jump and sputter of her heart hurt.

  “Yes. He…he said a lot of the same things you said. And then he asked me to p
ray.”

  “And?”

  “And God said the same thing, too.”

  “He did?”

  “Yeah. I mean…of course, I didn’t hear this audible voice, but when I woke up this morning, I knew. I knew I had to testify.”

  ***

  Luke strode across the lobby toward the President’s office. He’d been summoned. Good. Because his plans for the day included a conference with the President and with the Dean, whether they wanted it or not.

  He hadn’t seen or overheard Alexis this morning – better for both of them. Maybe this summons had something to do with it. No matter. The President would hear what he thought about their little plan and hear it soon.

  When he reached the office, the President’s administrative assistant waved him through. He opened the door and stepped inside.

  President Jim Edwards sat behind his desk. It looked as if he’d run his fingers through his silver hair numerous times. He nodded at Luke and opened his mouth to say something, but from his right, Dawn Saltare jumped to her feet and pointed in Luke’s direction.

  “You stay away from Jessica!” Her voice shrilled. “He and that other Professor – that woman – are interfering in my daughter’s life. They’re telling her to do things that I don’t want her to do.”

  Luke lifted his eyebrows, glanced at the President and back to Dawn. “Jessica is over eighteen, an adult. She can talk to whomever and do whatever she wants.”

  “I thought it was funny that you two were so concerned about her. And that other professor let us stay with her. Who would do that for people they don’t know?”

  “Alexis was concerned about Jessica’s safety. And yours.”

  “I think she just wanted a case. I know she’s a lawyer. She’s just drumming up business.”

  Luke frowned. “Who told you that?”

  “That’s none of your business. It’s true, isn’t it?” She whirled on the President. “You see what I mean? These two are messing in people’s lives, and it better stop. Because if it doesn’t, this college is going to find its name in the evening news; and it’s not going to be pretty!”

  Jim looked over his glasses at Luke. “Can you expand on this?”

  “I can tell you that Jessica talked with me, and after I heard her story, I took her to talk with Alexis.” He hesitated. “She’d been abused by her mother’s boyfriend.”