Safe Harbor

by Hope White

  She stayed at the Harbor Lights Inn for a few days while the FBI continued its investigation. Each day she hoped, expected Alex to show up.

  He didn’t.

  Nicole’s life had been threatened numerous times yet that didn’t scare her nearly as much as the thought of losing Alex. Had she done something to drive him away?

  Perhaps she was overreacting and he was busy wrapping up the case.

  Finally, on the day she was scheduled to leave town, Alex showed up at the inn. She was sitting on the front porch, hoping, praying he’d show up and talk her out of heading back to Seattle.

  “Hey, you,” she said, reaching out to him.

  He ignored the gesture and sat on a porch chair next to her. A chill raced down her spine.

  “I’ve been worried about you,” she said.

  “Sorry, it’s been a crazy few days.” He glanced across the front yard, avoiding eye contact. “Had to wrap everything up.”

  “David Woods was behind it all?” she asked, wishing he’d look at her.

  “Yep. Apparently he killed Edward during a fight over the security program. Edward put David in charge of developing the software but David created the back door access and Edward found out. What you heard was David trying to convince his brother-in-law that the back door access was a good idea.”

  “And he was after me for the daily pass code, but why?”

  “We think to cover his tracks. Delete emails and text messages off Edward’s email and phone that would implicate him. David broke into Harbor Lights Inn that night looking for your smartphone in the hopes of finding the pass code.”

  “And he bumped us off the road the night we were headed to the mill?”

  “Actually that was a thug named Ray Patterson, hired by David to get you out of police custody. Ray was also the phony FBI agent who tried to take you from the medical center.”

  “But why kill Artie?”

  “David paid Artie to tell him where Edward would be at any given time. That’s how he knew he was at the lake house. Artie suspected David might be the killer, so David had him eliminated. David also had Ray take a shot at the chief and me, hoping to distract us while David went looking for you. Being exceptionally tech savvy, David cloned Agent Banks’s phone, which is how he knew you were coming into FBI custody in Billy’s Jetta. Ray bumped you off the road so David could get you alone and coerce you into giving up the pass code.”

  “He knew a lot of stuff about my brother and sister.”

  “We’ve traced calls to a few private investigators he no doubt hired to dig up information about your family.”

  “Did the FBI shut down the software?”

  “They did, with help from Gerry Walker, one of my original suspects, who was on the development team.”

  “Why create the back door access in the first place?”

  “What we’ve pieced together is that David resented Edward’s success, and the way Abigail admired him. So in one swift move David could make millions by selling the information to U.S. enemies, pin the blame on Edward and destroy his life.”

  “That’s a lot of hate.”

  A moment of silence passed between them.

  “You played a big part in both cases,” Alex said. “You should be proud of yourself.”

  “Well, I didn’t do it alone. I had you, and I had my faith.”

  He finally glanced at her. “Your faith?”

  “When David was threatening me at the lake house I felt so vulnerable, so alone. Then I realized I wasn’t alone. I said a prayer, Alex, and it gave me strength.”

  “I’m so glad.”

  “Of course, my first instinct was to pray for you to come save me.”

  He cracked a sad smile and stood. “I’d better get back.”

  “Alex?” She got up and took a step toward him.

  “Don’t.”

  He shook his head and she went cold all over.

  When he glanced into her eyes her breath caught at the pain she saw there.

  “Be safe,” he said.

  She struggled to breathe as she watched the love of her life walk away.

  * * *

  Alex kept busy for the next few days, drank a lot of coffee and started running again, hoping to ease the ache in his chest.

  Nothing worked. Still, he wouldn’t allow himself to regret his decision. It’s not like he had a choice. He loved Nicole and she was better off with a man who could protect her, not a failure like Alex who was incapable of protecting the people closest to him.

  Alex went to check on Quinn who, for some mysterious reason, was dodging his calls. Alex hoped that’s all it was and Quinn hadn’t gotten himself into trouble. He pulled up to Quinn’s secluded home and spotted his brother outside with a female, not Billy.

  “Quinn! Open the gate!” Alex called out.

  Instead, Quinn led the woman around the back of the house, out of view.

  Suddenly the gates opened and Alex pulled up the drive. Billy opened the front door and greeted him.

  “Billy, good to see you,” Alex said and gave her a hug.

  “You, too. I was just finishing up some things at the house before I took off.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  “I was offered a job up in Bellingham.”

  “Why’d you let him in here?” Quinn said, coming around the corner.

  “He’s your brother,” she snapped.

  “I’m not talking to him right now.”

  “What did I do?” Alex said.

  “I don’t talk to stupid people.”

  “And your blonde friend, what, has a Ph.D. in physics?”

  “We’re not talking about her.”

  “At least that’s something,” Billy muttered.

  “Then what are we talking about, Quinn?”

  “What you did to Nicole.”

  “I did her a favor.”

  “Right, ripping her heart out is doing her a favor. See what I mean? Stupid.”

  “Hey, my relationship with Nicole is none of your—”

  “Do you know how many times she’s called me?” Quinn interrupted. “Trying to figure out what she’d done?”

  “What she’d done?”

  “Yeah, to make you abandon her. I finally had to ask her to stop calling. Do you know how that made me feel?”

  “It’s not like you haven’t ignored women before.”

  Quinn lunged at Alex and they tumbled off the porch onto the front yard. They rolled and punched, and Alex realized he wasn’t angry with his brother.

  He was furious with himself.

  In the process of trying to do the right thing for Nicole, he’d hurt her.

  The shock of cold water made Alex gasp. He and Quinn froze and looked up.

  Billy stood over them with the hose. “Okay, now that you’ve got that out of your system, shake hands and make up.”

  They stood and Alex extended his hand but Quinn shook his head. “Not until you talk to her.”

  “I did the right thing, Quinn. I’m no good for her.”

  “You can’t keep taking the blame for everything, Alex. It’s not your fault a killer was after her, or that Jessica was killed, or that Sophia cleaned out Dad’s bank accounts. None of it’s your fault.” Quinn took a step closer. “The only thing that’s your fault is breaking that woman’s heart. You guys are good for each other and you know it, but you’re going to punish yourself because...” Quinn waved his hand in dismissal. “Get off my property.”

  He turned and marched away.

  “Oh, Mr. Donovan!” A female voice echoed from the backyard.

  Soaked through to the skin, Alex stood there, watching his little brother walk away. Is that what Alex had been doing? Taking
the blame for everything? Punishing himself?

  “I thought I was doing the right thing,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

  “I know.” Billy sighed, glancing toward the backyard. “You guys never do.”

  * * *

  Fearing Nicole would refuse to see him, Alex had Ruby schedule an appointment for Nicole to meet a new client—Alex.

  Alex waited at a restaurant with a view of Puget Sound in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Ruby said it was one of Nicole’s favorites and Alex could see why. It was a charming Victorian home converted into a restaurant. It reminded him of the Harbor Lights Inn.

  He arrived early to get his bearings and spend a few minutes figuring out what he was going to say, how he was going to make this right. First he’d apologize for hurting her. He thought letting her go to find a better man was an act of love, but after some time of reflection and prayer, he realized it was selfish. He was so focused on his own failures that he couldn’t see he was hurting Nicole, the woman he loved with all his heart. But could she forgive him for being so dense?

  A jingling sound echoed across the room and he glanced up. Nicole stood in the doorway, long red hair flowing across her shoulders, bright and expectant eyes scanning the room. His heart ached with a kind of need he’d only felt when in her presence. She looked...enchanting.

  Then she glanced at him and her smile faded. He stood, hoping she wouldn’t turn and bolt out the restaurant, leaving him alone with his shame. She took a deep breath and headed toward him.

  “Hi,” he said.

  “What are you doing here? I was supposed to meet... Wait a second.” She narrowed her eyes.

  He motioned for her to sit down. “Please?”

  “Did Ruby set this up?”

  “I asked her to, yes. Can we talk?”

  With a raised eyebrow she sat down and slung her messenger bag over the back of the chair. “I thought guys didn’t like to talk.”

  “We don’t, but sometimes we have no choice.”

  “What’s going on? Is it about the case?”

  “No.”

  “Quinn’s okay?”

  “He’s a pain in my neck but otherwise fine.”

  “And Billy—”

  “Stop.” He took her hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb, marveling at her soft skin. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I wish I were a better man, I wish—”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I get that that’s why you chose to go with the FBI over staying with me. You wanted to feel safe, something I couldn’t provide. It’s okay, I get it.”

  She pulled away and made a T with her hands. “Time out. I went to the FBI because I couldn’t stand to see you hurting. They took your brother, Alex. They brought the chief in for questioning. You were hurt deeply through all the people you care about because you were protecting me. I couldn’t stand it anymore. That’s why I traded myself in for your brother’s freedom. There’s nothing worse than seeing the person you love in pain.”

  “I know,” he whispered. “And I’m sorry for that, too.”

  “Hey, hey.” She reached out and placed her palm against his cheek. “Weren’t you the one that said we all deserve God’s love and forgiveness?”

  He leaned into her touch, the warmth of her palm easing the tension from his shoulders.

  “What did I do to deserve you?” he whispered.

  “Do you want the list?” She cracked a half smile. “You’re a good man, Alex. It’s time to forgive yourself and move on.”

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You really forgive me?”

  “Yes, love, I do. You led me out of the darkness and into the light. You helped me believe again. In God, in love. I love you, Alex Donovan.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him, her lips soft and warm. He fought the urge to pick her up, carry her to his car and drive back to Waverly Harbor. He broke the kiss and they pressed their foreheads together.

  “You’re here and I’m in Waverly Harbor,” he said. “Think we can make this work?”

  “I hear love conquers all.”

  “I’ve heard that, too.” And today, with Nicole in his arms, Alex actually believed it to be true.

  * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Tracking Justice by Shirlee McCoy.

  Dear Reader,

  Some of us hold on to traumatic childhood memories that affect both our decisions and our relationships. Nicole Harris thinks she’s dealt with her abusive childhood when, in fact, she’s been on the run since she left home. It takes a violent situation to force her into confronting her fears. With the support of a compassionate police detective and the community of Waverly Harbor, she’s able to work through the trauma of her past to come out the other side as a stronger and wiser person.

  My hope is that it doesn’t take a traumatic situation to make us confront our pasts; that through our belief in God and support of friends and family we can feel safe to explore our emotional wounds that have yet to heal.

  We can continue to look away or deny our pain, but no matter how fast we run it will always be right behind us, like a shadow mirroring our every move. Safe Harbor is about confronting emotional pain in a way that will make us stronger as we focus on finding our way to Grace.

  Wishing you a safe journey...

  Peace,

  Hope White

  Questions for Discussion

  Do you think Nicole should have fled Waverly Harbor or stayed to help with the police investigation?

  Do you think Alex was right to assign himself as Nicole’s personal protector? Why or why not?

  Have you ever known someone like Alex who blamed himself for others’ misfortunes? If so, how did you help him or her?

  If you were Nicole, what would you have done to cultivate a relationship with your estranged siblings?

  Do you think Nicole was effectively managing her life, considering her traumatic upbringing?

  Have you ever found yourself haunted by your past? Can you think of any Bible passages that could help ease the fear?

  Do you think less of Alex for leaving home to join the service in order to get away from his abusive stepmother?

  Did it seem to you that Nicole had been dealing with her childhood trauma or avoiding it? How so?

  Do you think Alex was right to keep Nicole at an emotional distance during the investigation? Why or why not?

  What were your opinions about Alex’s brother, Quinn?

  Do you think Alex failed Nicole when he was assaulted by the mystery driver? Should she have gone back to help Alex?

  Did you agree with Nicole’s decision to turn herself in to the FBI? Why or why not?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

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  ONE

  Police detective Austin Black glanced at the illuminated numbers on the dashboard clock as he raced up Oak Drive. Two in the morning. Not a good time to get a call about a missing child.

  Then again,
there was never a good time for that; never a good time to look in the eyes of a mother or father and see terror and worry or to follow a scent trail and know that it might lead to a joyful reunion or a sorrowful goodbye.

  If it led anywhere.

  Sometimes trails went cold, scents were lost and the missing were never found.

  Knowing that didn’t make it any easier to accept.

  Austin wanted to find them all. Bring them all home safe.

  Hopefully, this time, he would.

  He pulled into the driveway of a small, bungalow-style house, its white porch gleaming in exterior lights that glowed on either side of the door. Just four houses down from the scene of a violent crime and the theft of a trained police dog the previous afternoon. An odd coincidence.

  Or maybe not.

  Two calls to the same street within nine hours? Not something that happened often in a place like Sagebrush, Texas.

  Justice whined, his dark nose pressed against the grate that separated him from the SUV’s backseat. A three-year-old bloodhound, he was trained in search and rescue and knew when it was time to work. Knew and was ready, even after the eight-hour search they’d been on earlier.

  Austin jumped out of the vehicle and started up the driveway, filing away information as he went. Lights on in the front of the house. An old station wagon parked on the curb. Windows closed. Locked?

  A woman darted out the front door, pale hair flowing behind her, a loose robe flapping in the cold night air as she ran toward him. “Thank God you got here so quickly. I don’t know where he could have gone.”

  “You called about a missing child?”

  “Yes. My son.”

  “The dispatcher said that you don’t know how long he’s been gone?” Austin had heard the call go out shortly after he’d left his captain’s place. Hours of searching for Slade’s stolen police dog, Rio, had turned up nothing but a dead-end scent trail and mounting frustration. Austin had been exhausted and ready to go home. Now he felt wired and ready to hit the trail again.