by Irene Hannon
“Okay.”
As he exited, David turned to Jared. “Can I give you a ride home?”
“No. I can still catch the bus.” Without waiting for a response, Jared rose and walked toward the door, then looked back at Caroline. “So I should stay home tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’m going to contact all the staff members.”
“What about the next day?”
“Let’s wait and see what the police say.”
At her noncommittal response, a weary resignation settled over Jared’s face. “Okay. See you around.”
As they watched him exit, Caroline’s phone once more began to vibrate, and she reached for it automatically, her heart thudding in her chest.
“Another call?” David asked.
“Yes.”
After she hit the Talk button and put the phone to her ear, she found her free hand taken in a firm, reassuring grip. David’s powers to protect her were limited, but his strong hand holding hers calmed her, giving her an illusion of safety. It wasn’t a good idea to let him hold her hand, of course. Not if she wanted to keep him at arm’s length. But she couldn’t summon up the strength to pull away.
“Caroline James.”
“Caroline? I’ve been calling your office for an hour. I finally tried the receptionist but I couldn’t get an answer there, either.”
Closing her eyes, Caroline expelled a relieved breath. “Hi, Mom. We had to evacuate the building. There was a bomb threat.”
“What?!”
“Everything’s fine. It was a false alarm.”
“What on earth prompted that?”
“It’s a long story.”
“All right. You can tell it to me at dinner. If you’re still coming, that is.”
With all that had happened, their weekly dinner date had slipped her mind. She checked her watch. Her mother always went to a lot of trouble to prepare a nice meal and she hated to disappoint her, but she wasn’t sure how long she’d be delayed.
“I’d like to, Mom. But the police asked me to stay around for a while. And I have some things to discuss with David.”
“Is he there?”
“Yes.”
“Then this whole thing must have something to do with that young man from Uplink you told me about.”
Her mother would have made a great detective, Caroline decided. “That’s right.”
“Well, he needs to eat dinner, too. I made plenty. Bring him along.”
The suggestion startled Caroline, even as it tempted her. But spending a cozy evening with David at her mother’s house wasn’t a good idea. “I’m sure he has other plans, Mom.”
Tilting his head, David gave her a quizzical look.
“You don’t know that unless you ask him,” her mother persisted.
“Is she asking about me?” David inquired in a soft voice.
Nodding, Caroline spoke into the receiver. “Hold on, Mom.” She touched the mute button, trying to figure a way out of this without lying. “I’m supposed to go over there for dinner. Mom thought you might like to come, but I know it’s last minute, and I don’t expect...”
“I’d love to,” he cut her off. “I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time.”
Caroline stared at him. Maybe he was just angling for a good meal. Considering that her hand was still held in his protective clasp, however, she knew she was just fooling herself. No doubt, his motivations were far more complicated than that. And she had a feeling her life was about to become a lot more complicated, too. But she didn’t see any way around it.
Taking her finger off the Mute button, she spoke. “We’ll be there as soon as we can, Mom.”
“Great! I’ll see you in a little while.”
Her mother sounded pleased, Caroline thought, as she severed the connection. But no more pleased than David looked. The smile that lit his eyes warmed her all the way to her toes, and the gentle squeeze he gave her hand as they rose and headed back outside seemed to be part thank-you and part reassurance that everything would be okay.
But Caroline wasn’t sure about that. Earlier, the bomb threat had scared her, making her afraid for her physical safety. Yet the fear she felt now was just as strong. Except this time it was her heart that was in peril.
It had been years since Caroline had prayed. And she wasn’t sure why she turned to the Lord now. Maybe it was because David’s quiet, deep faith had rubbed off on her. Maybe it was because she didn’t know where else to go for help. Whatever the reason, she sensed a need for assistance from a higher power.
Lord, I haven’t talked with You much in recent years, she prayed as David left her for a moment to speak with the two officers. Life got pretty busy, and I let my faith lapse. I forgot that I need You. But now I realize that I do. Please help us through this situation. Help us find a way to protect everyone’s safety without being forced to give up on Jared. He has so much to offer, and I’m afraid that if this opportunity falls through, he’ll end up on the street.
And please help me deal with my feelings for David. I don’t want to be disloyal to Michael, but David is so kind and caring and wonderful. And he’s here, Lord. Michael always believed in living today without being constrained by the past. I think he’d want me to move on. It just seems awkward—and wrong, somehow—to move on with his brother. Please help me figure out how to deal with this situation. Because I don’t want to pass up a second chance for love.
Chapter Eleven
“That was a wonderful meal, Mrs. James. Thank you again for inviting me.”
“Please, call me Judy,” Caroline’s mother told David, who stood as she picked up the creamer. “And it was my pleasure. We were due for a little male companionship at one of our weekly tête-a-têtes. Overdue, in fact.” She gave Caroline a pleased smile—one of the many she’d sent her daughter’s way during the meal. A meal that had been served in the dining room—on the good china—instead of their usual spot in the kitchen or on the patio. “Now I know you and Caroline have things to discuss about Jared. You just sit here and get on with it while I load up the dishwasher.”
“I’ll help, Mom.”
Caroline started to rise, but Judy put a hand on her shoulder. “Not tonight. You two have some decisions to make.”
Although her mother had listened with interest as Caroline and David spoke at dinner about Jared and the threats that had been issued, in an uncharacteristic display of reticence she’d made few comments and offered even fewer opinions. While Caroline sometimes found her mother a little too opinionated, she valued her insights and was curious about her take on the whole situation.
“What do you think about all this, Mom?” she asked, settling back in her seat.
Shaking her head, Judy reached for the butter dish. “It’s an unfortunate situation. Jared sounds like a bright, talented young man who’s trying to improve his life. But that gang is treacherous. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. About everyone. And about you in particular.” A spasm of distress tightened Judy’s features as she looked at her daughter. “But I worried about you in the Middle East, too. I guess I’m used to it by now. And I’ve always been proud of your sense of justice and integrity, and your willingness to stand up for what you believe in. Those are some of the reasons I love you so much. I just hope you’ll be careful.” She turned to David. “What do you think?”
The look he gave Caroline was steady and sure. “I couldn’t have said it any better.”
A satisfied look settled over Judy’s face. “That’s what I figured. In the meantime, I guess I’ll just keep bending the Lord’s ear, like I did when you were in the Middle East.”
As her mother bustled out of the room, Caroline stared at David. Had he just implied that he loved her? Or was he just agreeing with her mother’s comment about being careful?
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br /> Instead of continuing that discussion, however, David switched topics. Steepling his fingers, he leaned forward, his face intense. “Your mother was right about Jared. We need to make some decisions.”
Caroline exhaled a relieved breath. “I know. But I think we should wait until the police assess the security risk at the Chronicle. I don’t want to give up on him yet. What about the Uplink board’s reaction to all this?”
Twin furrows appeared on David’s forehead. “As it happens, we have a regular board meeting tomorrow morning. I’m not sure how detailed the news coverage on the bomb threat will be, and I doubt Jared will be mentioned. But I owe it to the board to explain the situation. I had resistance from the beginning on taking high-risk students, and I need to be honest about the situation. However, I’m going to suggest that the board not take any action until we get the police assessment of the security risk.”
“Do you think the members will go along with that?”
“I have no idea. But I’m going to pray that they do. Uplink needs to be there for students like Jared. Otherwise, it’s not doing justice to its mission. Assuming the police come back with an encouraging report, how do you feel about keeping him on in light of all that’s happened?”
“As long as I can be assured that danger to the staff is minimal, I plan to see this through.”
“What about the danger to yourself?”
“I’ve been in dangerous situations before.”
No doubt that was true. But it didn’t make David feel a whole lot better.
At the odd expression on his face, Caroline tilted her head and gave him a curious look. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“Not about helping Jared. I just never expected things to escalate like this. I thought we might have some trouble from Jared himself, but I didn’t think the gang would bother him once he moved.”
“Gangs don’t look kindly on deserters. I learned a whole lot about how they operate when I did that series last year for the Chronicle.”
“The one that earned you this.” He leaned over and traced a gentle finger along the scar at her hairline.
She stared at him, trying in vain to stifle the sudden yearning that sprang to life at his touch.
“If you knew that much about gangs, I’m surprised you took Jared on.” His voice was as soft as the finger that still rested against her temple.
“H-he deserved a chance.”
“But the stakes are a lot higher now.”
“I’m not a quitter, David.”
He already knew that. But while he admired her commitment, it was playing havoc with his peace of mind. Knowing he was taking a risk, knowing it might be too soon, he reached for her hand, enfolding her fingers in his without ever breaking eye contact.
Her own eyes widened in surprise, and a pulse began to beat frantically in the hollow of her throat, but she didn’t pull away.
“Caroline, I have to be honest with you. I’m having a real problem dealing with the danger you’re in as a result of your involvement with Uplink—an involvement I initiated. The fact is, my feelings for you have...”
“Did I leave the lid for the butter dish on...” In one quick but comprehensive glance Judy took in the scene at the table, then turned on her heel. “I’ll check later,” she said over her shoulder, disappearing into the kitchen.
Caroline didn’t know whether to be grateful or dismayed at her mother’s interruption. But she did know that she wasn’t ready to hear whatever David had been about to say. Giving her hand a gentle but firm tug, she pulled free from his grasp. “I’ll be fine, David. But I appreciate your concern.”
As she reached up to touch Michael’s medallion, David drew a slow, steadying breath. Her message was clear. She wasn’t ready yet to hear what he had to say. So he’d have to wait to tell her what was in his heart. But in the meantime, he was still going to worry.
After checking his watch, he rose. “I think I’ll head out. It’s been a long day. If you’re ready to leave, why don’t I follow you home?”
“I’m going to stay awhile and visit with Mom. But you go ahead. You need to be rested for your confrontation with the board tomorrow.”
“I hope it won’t come to that.”
“I hope not, either. But you need to be in fighting form, just in case,” she said with a smile.
“You’re probably right.” He rose, reaching for their plates.
“Leave the dishes, David. Mom and I will take care of them.”
“Nope. I always clean up my own messes. Just lead the way to the kitchen.”
Considering the firm set of his jaw, Caroline decided arguing would be fruitless. She pushed through the swinging door, with David close on her heels, and Judy turned from the sink when they entered.
“He insisted on helping clear the table,” Caroline told her.
“That’s very nice. But not necessary.”
“Many hands make light work. I’ll bring in the rest of the dishes while you two ladies straighten up out here.”
A few minutes later, when the table was cleared and the dishwasher loaded, they walked with him to the front door.
“Thank you again for a lovely evening, Judy. I haven’t had such a good meal in a long time.”
“It was my pleasure. You’re welcome anytime.”
“I’ll remember that. Good night.”
They watched as he headed down the front walk, returning his wave when he lifted a hand in farewell before striding toward his car. As her mother closed the door, she turned to Caroline. “He’s quite a man.”
“Yes, he is. But don’t get any ideas.”
“Considering the cozy scene I interrupted in the dining room, I don’t think I’m the one with ideas.”
A flush suffused Caroline’s face. “All right. Let me rephrase my response. Don’t get your hopes up. Whatever you saw isn’t going anywhere.”
“Why not?”
“Because I loved Michael. I still do.”
“I feel the same way about your father. My love for him didn’t die when he did. But that doesn’t mean I can’t also find room in my heart for someone else. Like Harold.”
“That’s different. Harold wasn’t Dad’s brother.”
Her mother gave her a speculative look. “You know, back in Biblical times, it was very common for a man to marry his sister-in-law if his brother died.”
“That was centuries ago.”
“Good ideas never go out of style.”
Propping her hands on her hips, Caroline stared at her mother. “Are you suggesting that I should marry David?”
“Only if you love him.”
“I hardly know him!”
“Baloney.”
“Okay, I guess I know him pretty well,” Caroline conceded. “But there’s nothing romantic between us.”
“Hmph. You can believe that if you want to. But I saw the way you two looked at each other tonight. My body may be older, but my heart’s still young and my eyesight is just fine. I know attraction when I see it. And I’ll tell you something else. David may be Michael’s brother, but he’s also a keeper. I’d think long and hard before I discouraged his attention.” With that, Judy headed back toward the kitchen.
If she could have mustered an argument, Caroline would have. But her mother was absolutely right. One day soon Caroline would have to deal with the thing simmering between her and David. She just wasn’t yet ready to do so.
* * *
Mark Holton banged the gavel and called the Uplink board meeting to order. “David asked to be first on the agenda today because of an urgent issue that has arisen. We’ll push the publicity report to second place, if that’s okay with you, Rachel.”
“Sure. No problem.”
“David, you have the floor.”
“I don’t know if any of you caught the late news last night, or read the paper yet this morning. If you did, you might have seen the story about the bomb threat at the Chronicle,” he began.
Several heads nodded, and Allison spoke. “I noticed it because the Chronicle is one of our new sponsoring organizations.”
“That’s right. Jared Poole is working there this summer,” David confirmed. “And that’s what I’d like to talk about this morning.”
For the next few minutes, David gave them an overview of the situation, beginning with Jared’s successful internship and ending with the final threatening call Caroline had gotten yesterday, along with the security review being done by the police. As he spoke, the expressions in the room changed from curious to uneasy to anxious.
“None of this information has made the press, and there’s been no connection drawn between Uplink and the bomb threat. At this point, my recommendation is that we withhold action pending the police report. Assuming the security at the Chronicle checks out, I’d like to let Jared complete his internship,” he finished.
The board members exchanged nervous looks, but remained silent.
“I’m not anxious to put anyone in danger, David,” Mark spoke up.
“I’m not, either. That’s why I think we need to wait until we have the police report before we make a decision. But I wanted to brief all of you on the situation.”
“Rachel, you’re our publicity expert. What’s your assessment of the long-term implications if the connection leaks?” Mark asked.
“Depends on how it’s spun. We don’t want to come across as a reckless organization that makes arbitrary decisions about the students we select and puts our hosting organizations in danger. On the other hand, if Jared is a success story, we could generate some great press for the positive impact Uplink has had by taking a few risks.”
