by Wendy Davy
“Where do they go?”
“All over the states. They like to travel, RV style.”
“Where are they now?”
“Camping. Probably somewhere around Oregon by now.”
Cali’s imagination soared. “I’d love to travel. I haven’t been very many places outside of Brookstone.”
“Why’s that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve always been caught up in the family business. I’ve been working there as long as I can remember.”
“By choice?”
Her gaze shot to his. “What do you mean?”
“Working for your father. Is it something you chose, or something that was expected of you?”
She considered his question. “Both. I’ve always wanted to be a reporter. I practically grew up at the Herald, so it was only natural,” she paused. “I do admit I’ve been restless for the past few years.”
“Restless?”
“Yes. I can’t pinpoint what it is, but I feel like something’s missing. I tried changing my writing focus from general events to targeting human-interest stories, hoping the articles would have more of an impact on people’s lives. That helped to keep me settled for a while. But, I still feel like I could be doing something more fulfilling. Something with more purpose.”
“Maybe God wants to lead you in a new direction.”
“Maybe. What about you? How long have you wanted to be in law enforcement?”
“Since kindergarten,” he answered without pause.
Cali raised her eyebrows. “That’s a long time.”
“We had a policeman visit the class one day to talk to us about stranger safety.” He rested his hand on the fireplace mantel, and leaned into it. His shirt pulled tight across his broad chest, and Cali had to concentrate to keep track of his words. “He spoke about how it was his job to look out for people and keep them safe. I knew then that was what I wanted to do.”
“It’s incredible what one person’s influence can do, isn’t it?”
He tilted his head and his gaze traveled over her face. “It sure is,” he said gently.
Cali’s pulse quickened as she wondered if there was a deeper meaning behind his words.
His lips broke into a smile. “Besides, I was captivated by his shiny badge and handcuffs.”
Cali laughed. “Ahh. The true reason you became a sheriff.” She shook her head, smiling.
“You caught me.”
She found it hard to concentrate on anything but the humor dancing in his dark-blue eyes. She tore her gaze away. “So, do you have any regrets about becoming an officer?” She took a few steps across the room, running her finger along a row of books lining a tall bookshelf.
Her heart lodged in her throat when she came to the end of the bookshelf and spotted a large bin full of toys. It sat in the corner, wedged up against the wall. A worn, brown teddy bear peeked at her from beneath a toy train, and an assortment of cars, trucks and action figures filled the bin.
Did Nick have a child?
No. It couldn’t be. Even as she denied the thought, the possibility reeled through her.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else. But, I do regret some of the choices I’ve made.” Nick’s words sounded as if they’d come from a far-off distance, although he stood close behind her.
Cali forced herself to breathe, and glanced at him as he rubbed his left shoulder. She scrambled for an appropriate reply. “At least you’ve learned something from your mistakes.”
“Very true.”
She wanted to point out the basket full of toys; she wanted to ask if he had a son. But, the questions lodged in her throat. She searched the room, looking for more indications that a child may live here.
A collage picture frame hanging on the wall across the room caught her attention. She walked to it and looked at the assortment of pictures. In one, an older couple stood in front of a large recreational vehicle, hugging each other.
“Are these your parents?”
Nick moved next to her. “Yeah.”
“They look happy together.”
“They are. Of course, they’ve had their ups and downs. Raising me and my sister wasn’t easy on them. We’ve both got a strong, stubborn streak in us.”
“You have a sister?”
He pointed to another picture with a woman holding a toddler on her hip. “This is Casey, my baby sister. And this little guy is Charlie. He turned five a few weeks ago.”
“You have a sister?” she repeated. “And a nephew?”
“A brother-in-law, too.”
“Do they live close by?”
“They live on the island. William, her husband, moved from Chicago to be here with her. Casey’s always loved it here as much as I do and William knew she wouldn’t be happy living anywhere else.”
“How did they meet?”
“Casey owns and runs a whale-watching charter boat service. William was vacationing here and signed up for the half-day cruise. Apparently they fell in love at first sight.”
“Apparently?”
“Yeah. He never left the island. He bought a cottage, hired a moving company to bring his stuff down from Chicago and married Casey. He’s never looked back.”
Cali smiled wistfully. “It sounds like it was meant to be.”
“They do seem happy together. They had Charlie about a year after they were married.”
“So the toys…?” Cali took the opportunity to ask as she motioned to the bin in the corner.
“They’re Charlie’s. Every time he comes over, he ends up leaving one of the handfuls of toys he brings with him. And I’ll admit I’ve bought him a thing or two to play with while I’m watching him.” Nick’s eyes lit up as he spoke about his nephew. “I get to spoil him and hand him back to his parents. It’s the best part of being an uncle.”
Cali released the breath she’d been holding. “So, you don’t have kids?”
“Not yet.”
Not yet? Cali’s gaze found his. “But you’d like to?”
“Sure. Some day. How about you?” He stepped close, studying her with an intensity she felt down to her toes.
“At least three, maybe four.”
He laughed. “You are a brave one, Cali Stevens. My kind of girl.”
Her face heated. “I don’t think I’m that brave.” But I wouldn’t mind being your kind of girl. She looked away before her face heated even further.
She glanced at the other pictures and her heart skipped. One of the frames had a picture of Nick with his arm around a beautiful brunette.
“Who’s this?” she asked in the smoothest voice she could muster.
“My ex-girlfriend. I need to take the picture out of the frame. It’s a hassle to get it out, and I haven’t done it yet.”
“How long ago did you break up?”
“A little over a year.”
“Were you close?”
He shrugged. “Not overly so. We dated for a while, but…”
“What happened?”
“At first I enjoyed being with her. I felt comfortable around her, and we shared many common interests. But, the more I got to know her, the more I realized what we valued in life was different.”
Cali straightened, turning her gaze from the picture. “Different how?”
“I want to live life God’s way. She doesn’t.” Nick’s gaze locked onto hers.
“How long did it take you to realize it?”
“Not as long as it took me to tell her. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I shouldn’t have let it continue as long as it did. She wanted me to meet all of her needs, and she didn’t understand why I couldn’t.”
“What kind of needs?”
“Emotional mostly. She expected me to be some sort of a hero. Someone larger than life. I tried to explain only God can meet all of our needs.”
“I remember hearing in church God created us with a void only He can fill.”
“That’s right, and she didn’t understand that.”
“What about all of the other women?”
His mouth quirked into a grin and he looked her over. “All of the other women?”
“The ones Mrs. Mayes tossed at you?”
He chuckled. “Why? Are you jealous?”
Cali turned away, shrugging. “Why would I be jealous?” she asked, silently wondering about her own motives.
Nick placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Well, to answer your first question, I turned them away because I’m not interested in casual relationships. I’d rather find a woman who shares my faith to build a life with. Second question…” He released her and rubbed his hand across his jaw. “Let’s see. Why would you be jealous?”
Cali’s cell phone rang and made her jump. She pulled it from her back pocket and checked the caller ID. She didn’t recognize the number, but wanted a way out of answering Nick’s question so she answered it.
“Have you reconsidered my offer?” The man’s voice sounded somewhat familiar.
“Who is this?”
“Lex Harrison. But you can call me Lex.”
Irritation coursed through her. “How did you get this number?”
Nick stepped closer, concern clouding his playful mood.
“I’m a reporter remember? I have my resources.”
“I gave you my answer. It won’t change,” she snapped.
Lex let out a loud sigh. “That’s too bad. I thought maybe since you and the sheriff are getting along so well…”
Cali closed the phone.
Nick’s gaze shifted from the phone back to her. “Who was that?”
“Lex Harrison. A nosy reporter.”
“For the newspaper. I’ve heard of him. He has a reputation as being very aggressive. What did he want?”
Cali stuffed her phone back into her pocket. “He wants inside information.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “Don’t they all?”
Taken aback, Cali answered, “I’m a reporter and that’s not what I’m after. I just want Serena to be safe.”
Nick’s features softened. “I didn’t mean you, Cali. When I think about you, your career as a reporter is the last thing that crosses my mind,” he said in a low voice.
Warmth spread through her, and she relaxed again, until she caught a whiff of smoke. “Is something burning?”
His face fell. “The bread!” He ran over to the oven, just in time to keep it from broiling to death. “I hope you like your toast a deep, golden brown.”
Thankful for the distraction from Lex Harrison’s call, Cali followed Nick into the kitchen and leaned over the pan. “They look fine.” The melted butter and garlic aroma made her mouth water.
“Let’s eat.” Nick turned, setting the pan on the stove. He walked to the table and offered Cali a seat.
“Thank you.” She slipped into the chair and waited as he carried the food to the table, then sat across from her.
He clasped his hands and bowed his head. Cali forced her thoughts away from the phone call, and followed Nick’s lead. He asked God to bless the food, thanked Him and handed a bowl of noodles to her. “Ladies first.”
“Thanks.”
After they had eaten in comfortable silence for a few minutes, he glanced toward the door. “The storm’s been upgraded to a low category hurricane. The mayor has issued a voluntary evacuation.”
Cali swallowed a bite of crusty bread as a panic tore through her. “I won’t leave Serena.”
He sighed. “I know you won’t. But,” his expression grew serious, “if the hurricane heads directly for us, my hands will be tied trying to get people off the island. So will all of my deputies. Then the aftermath…” he trailed off.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying the hurricane could delay our search for Serena.”
Shocked by the thought, Cali set down her fork. “I hadn’t considered that. I’ve been so caught up in trying to find her, I didn’t think about how the storm could interfere. There’s been so much else to worry about.” She dabbed her mouth with a napkin and turned, looking outside.
Nick took her hand, the warm, gentle pressure giving her much needed reassurance. She swept her gaze to his and warmth spread from her hands through her entire body.
“You look so afraid. Let everything else go, and think about one question.” He leaned closer. “You’re willing to trust me. But, are you willing to trust God?”
His question surprised her. “No matter what you say, I can’t just sit back and wait.” She tore from his grasp and stood. “I’m stronger than you think.”
“I know you’re strong. Trusting God doesn’t make you weak, Cali. It makes you stronger. He gives you an inner strength, a confidence you can’t get anywhere else.”
She turned and walked across the room, looking out the glass door to the rough ocean water. Dusk settled in, and the ocean grew darker with each passing moment as Cali watched and considered what Nick had said. Drawing in a breath, she admitted, “I want to trust Him. I just have issues giving up control.”
Nick moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back against his chest. “Don’t think you’re the only one with control issues. I battle with it every day.”
“You do?”
“Sure.”
“I thought you learned your lesson in the bar fight that gave you your scar.”
“I learned I have limitations, but it’s still hard to accept them.”
“But, you seem to have so much faith.” She rested her head against his shoulder.
“I do have faith. But that doesn’t mean I’m perfect.”
“No one’s perfect.”
“That’s right. So, we do what we can and pray God helps us along the way.”
“Are you referring to finding Serena?”
“I’m referring to life.”
They fell into silence as Nick continued to hold Cali in his arms. His warmth surrounded her, coaxing her to relax. His breath touched her skin as he whispered, “Consider this fair warning.”
“Fair warning?” She turned in his arms.
He dropped his head and pressed his lips to hers, drawing his hand behind her neck to bring her close.
Nick had promised he would warn her before kissing her again. Pleasure and guilt tore into Cali at the same time. He had taken her by surprise with his kiss earlier. But, now that she had been warned, shouldn’t she stop him? Should she be enjoying his affections when Serena was still missing? Tears burned her eyes and she backed away, gathering her breath. “I can’t help but feel guilty.”
“Don’t.” He inched back. Cali expected to see irritation in his features, yet only compassion came through. “My men are out there searching, hunting. When it’s my turn, I’ll be back out there. Not a minute goes by when someone isn’t looking for her.”
“You’ll be back out there. What about me? I feel so…restricted.”
He sighed and stepped away. “This control issue you have will tear you apart if you let it.” He began gathering the dishes and putting away the food.
Confused by her own reactions, Cali turned from the door and paced the room. A part of her wanted to walk straight back into Nick’s arms, but her conscience wouldn’t let her.
A computer desk sat in the far corner, and a pile of pictures lay scattered across it. She walked to it, and recognized that the pictures had been taken at the press conference. Before thumbing through them, she stopped and asked, “Nick?”
“Yeah. Go ahead and look at them. If it will make you feel better.” The dishes clanked and clattered as he loaded them into the dishwasher, making Cali wonder if he was a bit irritated with her after all.
Regardless, she kept her focus on the pictures and sank into his plush desk chair. She leaned forward and picked them up. Her hands shook as she looked from one to another, scanning the faces in each picture. She stopped when she recognized three of the people in the background. Trey, Chad, and Anna stood t
ogether behind the throng of reporters. She struggled to remain calm and rational. Think, Cali. What possible reason could the lifeguards have to be at the press conference?
Cali stood and carried the picture with her to the kitchen. She waited for Nick to finish loading the dishwasher and add the detergent. After he set the washer on the normal cycle, she said, “I met these lifeguards. The one on the left is Trey, Anna’s in the middle, and the one on the right is Chad.”
