by Hope White
But God didn’t answer prayers for people like Luke McIntyre.
“…Lord, all-forgiving…” she whispered.
Luke blocked out her voice and focused on the stairs, on the attacker.
But no one came. The lighthouse drifted into an eerie silence.
Krista stopped praying. Seconds slowly ticked by, adrenaline flowing through his body, making his heart race triple time.
“Luke?” she whispered.
“Yeah?” He didn’t look at her.
“If we die—”
He glanced at her. “I won’t let that happen. Not to you.”
“I want you to know I’ve never felt this strongly about a man, I mean, the way I feel for you.”
He redirected his attention to the stairs. “It’s transference, Krista. It happens in cases like these.”
“Then why do you feel it, too?”
A door slammed downstairs. “Krista?” a male voice called.
“Timothy?” she said, scooting out from behind Luke.
He holstered his gun and accompanied her to the top of the stairs. “Don’t go down there.”
“It’s just Timothy,” she said.
“What happened to the lights?” Timothy said, coming up the stairs with a flashlight.
He flashed it in Luke’s face, probably to irritate him. “What’s going on here?”
“We were setting up and the lights went out,” Krista explained. “What are you doing here?”
“Natalie asked me to drop off some brochures for the new property in Millstown. Who were the two guys outside?”
“What guys?” Luke said.
“Two guys hovering by the garage. They saw me and took off.”
“Did either of them look familiar, like Alan Jameson?”
“No, they were bigger than Alan.”
“Which direction?”
“Toward Alpine Lodge next door.”
“Stay with her,” Luke said and rushed past Timothy.
“Luke, don’t,” Krista called after him.
Nothing was going to stop him from pursuing the guys who’d been stalking Krista. He flew down the stairs and out the back door.
He kept flush to the garage, took a deep breath, and eyed Alpine Lodge. Besides the news about Alan, this was the best lead they’d had and he wasn’t letting it slip through his fingers.
Keeping low, he sprinted across the property to the lobby and peeked inside. There was a woman behind a desk reading a magazine, but no customers in sight. Luke slipped his gun into his holster and stepped into the lobby.
The middle-aged woman glanced up and smiled. “Hi. What kind of room would you like?”
“Actually, I don’t need a room.” Luke flashed his I.D. “I’m looking for two guys, husky-looking?”
“Don’t have anyone like that staying here.”
“Did you see anything strange or unusual outside tonight?”
“It’s so dark out, I can hardly see anything but my own reflection in the window. Sorry.”
“Who are your guests?”
“You mean all four of them?” she chuckled. “Let’s see, Mr. Pete Ingram, in town on business. Wanda and Monroe Casperson, in town visiting their grown kids. And Lyle Alder.” She glanced up. “Traveling salesman on his way to Traverse City.”
“You always know so much about your customers?”
“I like them to feel at home.” She smiled.
“Okay, well, if you think of anything…” He handed her a card. “Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
He stepped back outside into the frigid night. Chasing his tail again, yep, that’s what he was doing. Round and round, and never catching it.
As he headed back to the lighthouse, a small pickup pulled into the driveway. An older gentleman got out and grabbed a toolbox.
“You Luther?” Luke said.
“Yep. Lost power again, did she?”
“She?”
“Madeline, the house.” He pointed.
“Yeah.” Okay, so some people named cars, and this guy named houses.
“I’ll start with the fuse box,” Luther said.
“Mind if I look on?”
“Doesn’t bother me.”
Flashing lights sparked across the property as the chief pulled up behind the pickup. He swung open the door. “What’s going on?”
“Lights went out,” Luke said. “Krista’s upstairs. Could you check on her?”
With a nod, the chief went into the lighthouse and Luke followed Luther into the basement. Luther flipped the switch for the basement light. It didn’t come on.
Luther pointed the flashlight at the fuse box and hummed.
“Easy fix,” Luther said. He flipped the fuse switch and lights popped on. “Wish they were all this easy.”
Luther headed upstairs. “You comin’?”
“In a minute.”
The guy nodded and went upstairs.
Luke glanced at the dirt floor and spotted an orange, foil candy wrapper. He squatted and picked it up, thinking it looked familiar, but he couldn’t place where he’d seen it.
So it wasn’t a random blown fuse. Someone had purposely shut off the power…to what? Scare Krista? Attack her?
The guy had to assume Luke would be close and because word had gotten out that Luke carried a firearm, the perp would know she’d be protected.
Something was off. A smart perp would go after Krista when she was alone, or at least not with Luke.
He went upstairs where the chief was grilling Krista.
“The lights went out, that’s all,” she said, glancing at Luke.
That wasn’t all. A few minutes ago he’d stopped her from professing her love for him. He knew that’s what she was about to say, and he couldn’t let her, wouldn’t let her say it out loud. Then it would be real, and he’d have to deal with his own feelings.
She was right. This wasn’t simple transference.
Timothy placed his hand on Krista’s shoulder. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. And I have to get ready for the reception.”
“You call if you need anything,” Timothy offered.
“Of course. Love to Natalie.”
He kissed her cheek. With a curt nod to Luke, Timothy left.
Krista got busy putting baked goods on a plate.
“Can I talk to you downstairs?” Luke said to the chief.
Krista glanced over her shoulder, but didn’t say anything. No, they’d both said enough.
Once downstairs, Luke turned to the chief.
“So it wasn’t a random outage?” the chief asked.
“No, sir.”
“What are you thinking?”
“That someone knocked the lights out figuring I’d come after them, leaving her alone and giving them access.”
“They’re like a hound dog sniffing out a trail.”
“Timothy saw two guys running toward Alpine Lodge. I spoke to the woman at the desk. She didn’t see anyone or anything suspicious.”
The chief shook his head. “This is getting stranger and stranger.”
“I’m thinking of requesting backup.”
“Probably a good idea, for everyone.” The chief pursed his lips.
“What do you mean?”
The chief nodded toward the lighthouse. “She’s taken to you. It’s obvious. And she’s gonna get hurt.”
“Not intentionally.”
“I know that, son, but all the same…”
“I’ll have the other agent stick close to her while I finish the investigation.”
“Good plan. What’s on the schedule for tomorrow?”
“I’m hoping a day off.”
“That’s right, it’s Sunday. Okay, we’ll see you at church, then.”
Church? He had to be kidding.
As he watched the chief drive off, Luke realized he might not have a choice. If Krista went to church Luke would have to follow her, sit with her…
…pray with h
er.
Surprisingly, he wasn’t turned off by the thought after everything he and Krista had been through these last few days. They’d been lucky so far, Krista hadn’t been hurt and somehow he’d been able to protect her.
He had a little help with that. Divine help.
That’s when it hit him—he should go to church with Krista if for no other reason than to thank God for allowing him to protect her.
Protect her…and fall in love with her.
It was Sunday, church day. He still couldn’t believe he was here, sitting next to Krista in church.
Halfway through the service, the knot in Luke’s chest seemed to melt away. He let the music drift over him and released the tension he’d been holding on to for the past few days.
Krista was right. He did feel safe here, accepted in a way he’d never felt before.
Walking into the place hadn’t been easy. He’d hesitated at the door.
“There are no enemies here,” Krista had whispered and led him inside. She assumed he was scanning the place for suspects, when in fact he was in awe of the atmosphere of Peace Church.
Then again, it had been years since he’d stepped into a church. It had been…
His mother’s funeral. The day he’d been completely abandoned. Dad had been gone for years; Grandma Annie and Grandpa Joe had passed away when Luke was young. Luke had been left all alone.
You’re never alone, an inner voice whispered.
He glanced up at the colorful stained-glass windows. Oddly, here, in this place, he didn’t feel so alone.
Yet deep down he didn’t feel that he deserved forgiveness.
Krista squeezed his hand. He glanced into her eyes and was immediately transported into a fantasy of living in Wentworth with her, helping her run the shop, taking Roscoe on walks around Silver Lake.
“Amen,” the congregation said.
People gathered their things, the hum of conversation floating in the air.
“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” she said with a smile.
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Hey, Krista, Luke,” Julie Sass greeted them. “You guys coming to the warming house for caroling after the tree lighting tonight?”
“It’s not even Thanksgiving yet,” Luke said.
“It’s a tourist town. We start the celebration before Thanksgiving to give retailers a bump just before Turkey Day,” Julie explained. “So what do you think? Stop by for hot chocolate later? Or did you guys have something else planned?” Julie smiled.
Krista actually blushed and Luke found himself drifting, toying with the possibilities.
“We’ll see,” Krista said.
“Hey, Krista, they’re having problems with the coffeepot again,” an older woman said from the back of church.
“Duty calls.” She squeezed Luke’s hand and headed down the aisle toward the back of the church.
“I can help,” he called after her.
She turned. “Stay. I’ll be right back.”
He was about to follow her, but was flanked by Lucy and Ralph Grimes. He’d scratched them off the suspect list after the background check.
“When can you stop by the farm to do some handiwork?” Lucy asked.
“I didn’t know—”
“I can do it,” Ralph argued with her.
“You cannot. You should see what this boy has done with Krista’s tea shop.”
“I asked him first,” the streusel lady from the potluck said.
“Wow, now you’ve got them fighting over you,” Julie joked.
“Let’s go, Lucy.” Ralph glanced at Luke. “Nice to see you at church, son.”
“You, too.”
Son. The chief called him son and Mr. Grimes called him son. And for some reason, Luke didn’t mind.
He realized standing here amongst the congregation that he felt a part of something bigger than himself, bigger than the DEA and catching bad guys.
He liked the feeling.
“We’ll see you tonight, then?” Julie said.
“Most likely.”
“By the way, thanks,” she offered.
“For what?”
“Being good to Krista. I’ve never seen her smile this much.”
With a nod, Julie walked away.
Leaving Luke with a whole slew of guilt to process. He was here to protect Krista, but he was also using her for his case, sticking close to get a lead on what Garcia’s men were after.
No, that was his original motivation for coming here. Find the bad guy and shut him down.
Things had changed.
As people filed out of church Luke sat back down, taking a second to evaluate the turn of events.
He wasn’t just here to close the Garcia case. He was here to protect Krista.
Because he was falling in love with her.
Help me, God, he prayed silently. I want to do right by her.
For the first time in forever he wondered, was forgiveness possible? Could he have another chance to live a normal, productive life with a generous and kind woman like Krista?
“Hey,” Krista said, sitting next to him.
He glanced at her. “Everything okay with the coffeepot?”
“It’s old and stubborn. Sometimes you need to get rid of the old stuff to make way for the new.”
“Very true.”
She took his hand and held it for a few minutes. He could tell she reveled in the peaceful atmosphere of her church.
“Did you enjoy the service?” she said.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
“It was wonderful.” She looped her arm through his and glanced out the top windows.
He’d always remember her this way, tipping her face to the light, a slight smile curving her lips. She was sweet and gentle. And perfect.
“Okay, love birds, time to fly out of here,” Pastor White said from the back.
“Sorry, Pastor,” Krista said, standing.
“Don’t be sorry. I’d let you stay longer, but I need to visit Dorothy Greko at the hospital.”
Luke and Krista shifted out of the pew and walked up the aisle, still holding hands.
The pastor smiled at them. “See you at the tree lighting?”
“We’ll be there.” She glanced at Luke and smiled.
“So, what’s on the agenda for the rest of your day?” he said.
“Relax, update my blog, pet the cat, if she’s still talking to me.”
“Cats talk?” he teased, walking her to the car.
“Do they ever.”
“I’d like to see that.”
“You mean hear it.”
“That, too.”
He opened the passenger door for her and his cell vibrated. “McIntyre,” he answered.
“They lost Garcia’s men in Chicago. It’s a pretty good bet they’re coming your way.”
EIGHTEEN
Krista wasn’t sure what the phone call was about, but it completely changed Luke’s mood from warm and friendly to cool and distant.
He was back in agent mode, continually scanning their surroundings, giving one syllable answers, not engaging in conversation.
She knew what she’d seen in church. Luke had made a connection to God. She read it in his blue eyes as they walked out together, holding hands.
But now, as she sat in her kitchen working on her blog, she could feel his tension from across the room as he stared out the side window, waiting for something or someone.
She wanted the warm and caring Luke back.
“Wanna see the rest my pictures?” she said.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Of what?”
“My mission trip.”
He glanced out the window, then back at Krista. “Sure.”
She clicked on the slide show of children in class, attending church service, and the trip to the countryside.
“Was the countryside pretty flat?” he asked.
“Some of it. But there were mountains as well.”
A pi
cture flashed on the screen of Krista kneeling beside a group of children.
“You look like a natural with kids,” Luke said.
“Thanks.”
“What’s that?” He pointed to a bright red building in the background.
“I don’t know. Some kind of manufacturing plant, I guess.”
She clicked through the photos and landed on a little boy with his arm around a little girl’s shoulder.
“Cute,” he said.
She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I would have taken more, but two guys were swearing at me in Spanish, telling me to get away from the kids.”
“Why? Because you were taking pictures?” Luke squinted to see two guys in the background, one bald, the other with thick, black curly hair.
“I guess. They don’t trust us.”
Someone tapped on the back door.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone,” Krista said.
“I am.”
He opened the door and the chief stepped into the kitchen. “Krista,” he greeted, then eyed Luke. “Want to talk outside?”
“No.” Krista stood and planted her hands on her hips. “You have to stop keeping things from me. It’s my life that’s in danger.”
“I’m trying to protect you,” Luke said.
“By keeping me in the dark?”
Luke sighed and glanced at the chief. “Go ahead.”
“He wasn’t home and no one’s seen him.”
“Who?” Krista pushed.
“Alan,” Luke said.
“Why are you looking for Alan?”
“We found his fingerprints on something at the tea shop,” Luke said.
“He’s my friend, he’s been there a lot. What’s the big deal?”
“It was a threatening note. I found it in your office and sent it in.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “But why would he…you think he’s the local contact for the drug cartel? No, that’s not possible.”
“His house was locked up tight, lights were off, car was in the garage,” the chief said.
“So he hasn’t left town.”
None of this made sense. Alan was a nice, polite man, always protective of Krista.
“He was our best lead,” Luke said.
“What should we do next?” the chief said.
“Tell your officers to be on the lookout for two strangers, guys who work for Garcia.”
He thought for a minute, then pinned her with his dark blue eyes. “Do you trust me?”
