by Hope White
“I was getting used to your floor.”
“Ha, ha.” She pulled out a second chair and lifted his ankle, putting the ice pack on it. “Good, stay.”
“Arf.”
“See, how do you do that?”
“What?”
“One minute you’re incorrigible and mean, and the next, you’re joking around.”
“I’m…” he paused. “Mean?”
“Sometimes, yeah.” She planted her hands to her hips.
He glanced at his ice pack. She’d been good to him even though he’d ripped through her life like a lightning storm, blasting everything apart. “Sorry.”
That was the second time he’d said that word tonight. Not like him. Not one bit.
Her wall phone rang again. “Oh, drat.” She grabbed it. “Hello,” she snapped. “Oh, hey, Nat. I thought you were…oh, no, I’m sorry. Hang on.” Krista put her hand over the mouthpiece. “Can you give me a ride to and from work tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
She turned back to her friend. “No problem, but it’s at the shop, so you’ll have to… I’m at home. No, I had to cancel, but I have a feeling he’s coming over anyway…. Because I have to make sure Luke is okay.”
“Luke can take care of himself,” he called out.
She flashed her hand like a stop sign to silence him. It was a small, cute hand, one he realized he’d probably crush if he tried to hold it.
Still, he’d like to try.
He rolled his neck. Man, he needed a good workout, something to get his balance back. Being around this woman made him go to strange places in his head, places he most certainly didn’t belong.
“Sure, come over,” she said to her friend. “Very funny. I’ll see you later.” She hung up and went back to the stove.
“More company?” Luke asked.
“Nat’s Volvo died and she’s supposed to meet Timothy in Muskegon for a romantic dinner, so she asked to borrow my car.”
“And of course, you said yes.”
“That’s what friends are for.” She opened a box of pasta and dropped it into the boiling water.
Friends. A foreign concept.
The slamming of a car door echoed from outside.
“Speaking of friends, that must be your boyfriend,” Luke said.
“Could you watch the pasta?”
“Aren’t you going to invite him in for dinner?”
“Probably not a good idea.”
“Ah, he’s the jealous type, I forgot.”
She slipped errant strands of blond hair behind her ears, put on her jacket and hesitated. “If he does come in, you’ll behave, right?”
Luke placed an open palm to his chest. “Like a true gentleman.”
She shot him a half smile and went to greet Alan.
Luke got up to stir the pasta. He wasn’t in the mood to verbally spar with Alan. Luke couldn’t trust his edgy mood not to get him into trouble and pick a fight with the guy, who was most definitely not good enough for Krista Yates.
And Luke was?
He ripped his cell phone off his belt and called in, needing to remind himself why he was here in Krista’s home. “Agent Marks.”
“It’s Luke. Any word on the guys in Chicago or the blog site access?”
“The tech guy is still working on the source, but he says it looks like the hacker pretty much wiped everything clean.”
“From a religious blog? That makes no sense.”
“Unless she posted something she didn’t realize was threatening. Oh, we traced her luggage. They put it on a truck this morning.”
“And it’s not here yet.”
“They had other stops.”
“That’s too simple.”
“At least you don’t have to worry about Garcia’s men. They’re still in Chicago. Any flags in the community file you want us to follow up on?” Marks said.
“Actually,” Luke paused. “I need a background check on Alan Jameson, loan officer at National Bank and Trust in Wentworth.”
“Got it.”
“Also, Phillip Barton and Lucy and Ralph Grimes.”
“I’ll get back to you.”
“Thanks.” The water boiled over, making a hissing sound as it hit the burner. Luke turned down the heat. “I’ll check in tomorrow.”
Luke pocketed his phone and stirred the pasta with a fork, feeling better about helping out with dinner as opposed to her waiting on him. He glanced out the window, but Krista and Alan were nowhere in sight. He put down the fork and looked out the side window. They weren’t there either.
Hobbling to the back door, he whipped it open.
No Krista. No Alan.
“Krista!”
TEN
Luke grabbed the crutches and went outside, his heart pounding against his rib cage. What kind of idiot would assume their visitor was the boyfriend? Luke, that’s who, because he’d been so distracted by Krista’s charming smile and gentle nature.
Practically falling off her porch, he stumbled out to the garage. Also empty. He stepped into the yard.
Calmed his breathing.
Scanned the property.
Listened for sounds of distress.
The haunting quiet of a snowy night rang in his ears. He ignored the chill in his bones and started up the driveway to the front of the house. He was greeted by blinding headlights.
Natalie got out of a taxi and looked at him in question. “What’s wrong?”
“Krista,” he panted, having crutch-sprinted up the driveway. “She’s gone.”
“Gone, where?”
“I have no idea.”
Natalie casually adjusted her purse over her shoulder. “She’s a big girl. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”
He glared at Natalie and headed back to the house. Needed to call the chief. Find her.
Save her.
“Hey, don’t you think you’re overreacting?” Natalie said, following him.
He ignored her, couldn’t get past the fact he’d failed again, let down an innocent.
Let down Krista.
“Luke, calm down,” she said.
He spun on her. “You have no idea what’s going on here.”
“I’m her best friend, so you’d better tell me what on earth is going on.”
He waved his hand in dismissal and pulled out his cell to call the chief.
“Who are you calling?”
“Chief Cunningham.”
“Stop. Did you try calling her first?”
“No.”
“That seems like an obvious thing to do, doesn’t it?”
He clenched his jaw, unable to answer her. He wasn’t thinking straight, couldn’t even see clearly past the panic burning its way up his chest.
“Maybe there’s a simple explanation.” She dug out her cell phone from her purse and pressed Krista’s speed dial. “Krista, thank goodness you answered.” Natalie raised a brow at Luke.
Relief calmed his racing heartbeat. Then anger took hold. Krista left him, knowing it would make him insane with worry? Where could she have possibly gone and with whom?
“I’m at the house, where are you?… Uh-huh. Okay, yeah, well Luke is a little crazed, so as the saying goes, you should have called.” Natalie chuckled. “Okay, I’ll tell him.”
Natalie dropped her phone in her purse. “She’s with Alan. They’re taking a walk around the block.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Luke ground out.
“Hang on, what is so dangerous about a walk around the block?”
He went back inside, still reeling from panic. Natalie followed and dropped her coat on a kitchen chair. Roscoe ran up to greet her.
“A dog? What is going on?”
Luke ignored her and called the chief.
“Cunningham,” the chief answered.
“It’s Luke. Sorry to bother you, but Krista went out for a walk and I’m not sure it’s safe.”
“Alone? What’s she thinking?”
“She’s with Alan.�
�
“Was probably his idea. I’ll send a patrol to her neighborhood.”
“Thanks.”
“You bet.”
Luke went back to stirring the pasta.
“Okay, enough of this cloak-and-dagger stuff,” Natalie said. “What’s really going on?”
Luke considered how much he should tell her, if anything.
“Look, buster.” She grabbed the fork from his hand. “Since you’ve come to town all kinds of freaky stuff’s been happening—the guy in her garage, the tea shop break-in. We’re starting to think you’re trouble. Yet the chief’s on your speed dial. So what gives?”
“I’m here to protect Krista.”
He thought maybe if Natalie knew how dangerous this situation was she’d help keep an eye on Krista, maybe she could work with him instead of against him. Still, he wouldn’t share everything, especially not the fact they suspected a local of being a drug contact.
“I’m a federal agent,” he said. “We think Krista has been targeted by a drug cartel.”
“What?” She stepped back. “Our sweet Krista? Why?”
“Not sure.” He stared her down. “Natalie, it’s imperative that you not tell anyone about this. We need to keep it quiet in order to investigate properly. Can you do that?”
She nodded.
“Say yes,” he said.
“Yes, of course.”
“Even your fiancé,” he pressed.
“Okay, sure. I’m just…stunned.”
“So you can see why I’m worried about her.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?” she said.
“We asked her not to.”
“But she’d never have anything to do with drugs.”
“We think it’s related to her mission trip. We’re not sure how. But you’re right, since her return from Mexico strange things have been happening and there’s a possibility it’s related to drug smuggling.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
They shared a worried silence. If this woman truly cared about her friend, she’d do the right thing and be more protective. And not tell anyone about the threat.
“That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“And why you’re sticking so close to her?”
“Yes.”
Too bad it wasn’t for other, nonprofessional reasons. Yeah, buddy, that kind of thinking could get her killed.
“But obviously I didn’t stick close enough since she slipped out so easily. If it were up to me she’d stay in her house under armed guard.”
“Don’t even joke about it. She recoils from the thought of overprotective men, women or dogs, for that matter.” With a smile, she stroked Roscoe’s neck.
The thump of footsteps pounded up the back porch. The door swung open and Krista walked in, followed by Officer West, but no Alan. Good.
“Krista,” Natalie said, rushing to her friend and hugging her. “Are you okay?”
“Hey, what’s this all about?” Krista asked her friend.
“I was so worried,” Natalie said.
“I’m fine, although a little peeved that you called the cops on me,” she shot at Luke.
“You disappeared without an explanation.” It was everything he could do not to lose his temper in front of these three women.
“Alan wanted some privacy. We needed to talk.”
“You know it’s not safe,” Luke warned.
Krista glanced at her friend. “Another overprotective guy, just my luck.”
“He told me what’s going on,” Natalie said.
Officer West shut the door. “And the chief fully briefed me as well.”
“I’m fine,” Krista huffed, taking off her coat. “Everyone’s overreacting.”
“I disagree,” Luke said.
“I’d have to agree with Luke,” Officer West said.
Krista squared off at Luke. “I needed to have a private talk with Alan, not within earshot of the kitchen.”
“Did you get everything resolved?” Luke asked.
Krista shook her head and sat at the kitchen table.
“Krista?” Natalie said. “How did he take it?”
“I don’t want to talk about it, especially not with an audience.”
“Come on.” With an arm around Krista, Natalie led her into the living room.
“Don’t leave the house,” Luke called after them. He couldn’t stop himself.
A few minutes passed, Luke struggling with the raw panic that had probably shaved a few years off his life.
“That was a little over the top, telling her not to leave the house,” Officer West said, leaning against the counter.
“I don’t know what else to do. I’m with her and she disappears. The woman has no sense.”
“She was trying to be sensitive to Alan’s feelings. You can’t fault her for that.”
“I do if it puts her in danger.”
“She’s not like us. She’s trusting and optimistic.”
“And we are…?”
“Suspicious and cynical.” She smiled. “Look, if it would make you feel better I could offer to spend the night on her couch until you find the perp.”
“She’ll probably fight us.”
“It’s worth a try. What’s your next step with the case?”
“Investigating the locals.”
“You really think someone in Wentworth is involved?”
“Absolutely. That’s why I don’t trust anyone, not even harmless Alan.”
“Yeah, well that guy creeps me out so you’re not alone there.”
“You got any ideas how I can control this woman?” He nodded toward the living room.
“First, don’t think in terms of controlling her. And second, let her know you trust her.”
An impossible request.
The next morning Krista woke up feeling bad, both about making Natalie late for her dinner with Timothy, and the disastrous conversation with Alan. She’d nearly had him convinced to move on, explaining that she wasn’t ready for a long-term relationship.
Then Officer West pulled up, police lights flashing. Horrified, Alan had left in a huff, feeling humiliated, which is what Krista had been trying to avoid.
“I can’t believe Luke called the cops on me,” she said to Anastasia. The cat peered down from the top of Krista’s oak bureau. She’d meowed at Krista on and off all night, letting her owner know how displeased she was with their canine visitor.
Krista finished dressing and read a Bible passage about patience. She’d need an extra dose of it to deal with Luke McIntyre. He didn’t want her help and demanded she tell him every detail of her plans, yet she knew he didn’t tell her everything. She suspected he’d been given information from his superiors about the case, but wouldn’t share it with her.
She went downstairs to make coffee and toast. The couch, where Officer West had insisted she sleep, was empty and the blankets folded neatly.
Krista wanted to feel appreciation for her houseguest, not resentment, but she couldn’t help feeling smothered.
“Shake it off,” she said to herself.
She stepped into the kitchen to find Luke sitting at the table drinking coffee, Roscoe by his side.
“Shake what off?” he said, glancing up from a smattering of open files. Some days she couldn’t even describe the color of his eyes other than brilliant.
“My crabby mood,” she recovered. Had she been staring into his eyes too long?
“Didn’t sleep well?” he asked.
“Anastasia kept me up complaining about Roscoe.”
“She didn’t even see him.”
“But she knew he was here. Want toast?”
“Sure. I boiled water, too. For your tea.”
“Thanks.” When he did stuff like that it made it hard for her to be cross with him.
“We’ve gotta move fast this morning,” she said.
“Why’s that?”
“The girls are opening for
me, so I can cater a ladies’ tea at the resort. We’ll stop by the shop to pick up supplies, then head to Michigan Shores.”
“A ladies’ tea,” he muttered.
“You can always stay back and work.”
He closed a file folder and shot her a look like she’d just suggested he dress as Santa and greet little kids in the town square.
Twenty minutes later they swung by the shop. Luke was a big help, loading the boxes of scones, china cups and silverware into the trunk of his car. He wasn’t using his crutches today, so his ankle must have felt better. Either that or he was covering his pain well.
Krista drove because she knew how to get there, and she suspected Luke wasn’t fond of taking direction. She caught herself. Why did she think she knew so much about him, a virtual stranger?
As they headed to Michigan Shores Luke got a call and his congenial mood faded.
“I understand,” he said. “Yes, I will.” He pocketed his phone.
“Bad news?” she said.
He glanced in the side-view mirror and frowned. “Your luggage was supposed to be delivered yesterday. The truck driver claims he delivered it late last night.”
“But we were home all night.”
We were home all night. It sounded like they were a couple enjoying a night at home by the fire, watching a Hallmark movie.
“I guess we have to assume it’s gone for good,” he said.
“That’s going to cost me. I’ll have to buy a new wardrobe.”
“Maybe the airline will reimburse you.”
“Perhaps.”
What really bothered Krista was the thought of someone, a stranger, going through her things, taking her comfortable jeans and her favorite wool sweater Mom had given her for Christmas before she’d moved to Florida.
“Don’t think about it,” he said.
He must have read her mind.
“Does that work for you? Not thinking about it?” Krista asked.
He glanced across the car and smiled. “Most of the time.”
“Well, I’m a little old to use the ‘ignore it and it will go away’ tack.”
“Yeah, you’re ancient,” he teased, glancing at the side-view mirror again.
“See anything interesting?”
“Not really.”
They turned onto the long drive of the resort. Small cabins lined the property, and at the end of the driveway was the mansion-like lodge that housed guests and offered dining and entertainment. She pulled up to the front door and he put his hand on her shoulder.
