by Sharon Dunn
Gavin turned to face her. “Look, Julia, I know you’re tired of all this confinement.”
“I know this is the way it has to be…for now.” She picked up her plate and stabbed the cake with her fork. “I keep trying to imagine what it will be like in one month. I try to see myself outside with the sun shining down, just walking all by myself.”
He moved toward her, sympathy evident in his expression. “I know this isn’t easy.”
She put the cat to one side and rose to her feet. “I can handle it. I am going to put Elijah in jail forever for what he did to Marlena, for the way he tried to mess with my mind and twist the word of God.” Summoning courage she wasn’t sure she had, she lifted her chin and squared her shoulders.
He offered her a supportive smile. “You’re going to make it through this.” His eyes shone with admiration.
Her chin dropped a notch. “Sometimes, though, I think about all I missed out on, and it bogs me down. I didn’t learn to drive. I didn’t go to the prom. I didn’t go through graduation. I—” She caught herself. She couldn’t go down that thought path. She tilted her head up to the second floor. Focus on something you have control over, Julia. “I have no idea which room I’m supposed to take.”
“Why don’t we go out together and get the suitcases?” He glanced toward the big windows. “I don’t like the idea of you being alone in this place just yet. Then we’ll figure out where you’re supposed to sleep.”
She walked toward the door. He grabbed her arm. “Let me go first.”
Like breath on a window, the warmth of his touch faded slowly from her arm. What was it about Gavin Shane? His proximity made her head buzz.
He slipped outside, making sure she kept pace with him. He unlocked the trunk and placed two suitcases on the gravel.
Headlights came into view at the corner of the lot. Gavin slipped in front of Julia, shielding her. He tucked his hand inside his jacket, probably where he kept his gun. Heart racing, Julia pressed close to him.
FIVE
The car came to a stop and the headlights turned off. A woman stepped out, her face indiscernible in the darkness.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here,” the woman said. “I’m Elizabeth Johnson.”
“Do you know what she looks like?” Gavin whispered in Julia’s ear as the woman approached.
“Dad only had an old photograph.” Julia pushed down the rising fear with a deep breath. Whoever this woman was, Gavin knew what he was doing.
The woman walked toward them with her hand out. “You must be Gavin Shane.”
Julia let her guard down a little. Nothing in the older woman’s demeanor suggested aggression or deviousness, and she knew Gavin’s first and last name, information only her father and the police would know.
Elizabeth took a step toward Julia. “You must be Julia. Please, both of you come inside.”
“We’ve already had a look around. I hope that was okay.” Julia stepped toward Elizabeth. She didn’t have to look at Gavin to know he still had his hand on the gun in his side holster. He wasn’t totally convinced Elizabeth was who she said she was.
“I’m glad you made yourselves at home.” Elizabeth ushered the two of them inside after they picked up their suitcases. “I wasn’t going to let anything keep me from being here when you two came, but we had a little emergency. I have one man helping me with the renovations—”
“I thought the place would be unoccupied.” Tension threaded through Gavin’s words.
“It’s all right.” Elizabeth turned toward Gavin. “Steve can be trusted, and he’s only here during the day. The other workers won’t come until you are gone.”
Gavin crossed his arms. “It really would be better if nobody knew she was here.”
Elizabeth stiffened. “I assure you that Steve will not talk to anyone. I’ve known him for years.”
Sensing rising discord, Julia interjected. “Did something happen to Steve? Was that your emergency?” She set her suitcase down.
“The man was helping me with some repairs in the horse barn and had a forgetful moment when he was using a saw.” She rested her arm on the high counter with the room keys hung behind it. “I had to rush him to the emergency room…didn’t even have time to grab my cell phone.”
The Siamese cat came up to Elizabeth, rubbed against her leg and meowed. “I assume you’ve met Ophelia, the lodge cat.” Elizabeth skirted around the lobby, flicking on several floor lights. The additional illumination revealed that Elizabeth was a thin woman with a tinge of color in her cheeks, a glow to her face and shoulder-length silver-white hair. She returned to Gavin and Julia.
A gasp escaped Elizabeth’s lips as she turned to look at Julia in the light. She walked over and cupped Julia’s face in her hands. “You are the spitting image of your mother.”
“Am I?” Julia pulled away, hurt tainting her words. Talking about her mother as though she were alive reopened old wounds. Though she didn’t know why, Elizabeth’s gushing kindness made her want to retreat. She wasn’t sure what to think of Elizabeth.
The older woman softened her voice. “I didn’t mean to be so brusque.” She touched Julia’s face tenderly. Her eyes glazed. “I have some wonderful stories to share about your mother.”
“You have…stories about my mother?” Even as she spoke she felt the chasm in her chest, that sense of emptiness that threatened to overwhelm her. Would hearing the stories remind her not only of losing her mother, but of Marlena?
Elizabeth wrapped an arm around Julia. “Come on, I’ll show you your room.” She turned back around to face Gavin. “I’ve got a room made up for you, too, downstairs.”
“Actually, I’ll be planted outside Julia’s door tonight.” Gavin stood with his feet shoulder width apart.
Julia turned to face him. His consistent inclination toward protecting her lessoned the fear that had hovered over her for two years. “When are you going to sleep?”
Light from the chandelier played across his face and hair. “I’ll catch a few hours when Elizabeth can be with you.”
It had been a long day for both of them. He must be just as tired as she was. She studied him for a moment, noting the tiny scar on his cheek and the thickness of his eyelashes. Her father had done all right in hiring the bodyguard who looked more like a surfer.
Once the two women were upstairs, Gavin felt comfortable walking the grounds to get a better idea of the layout of the place. He pulled a flashlight from his suitcase.
He stepped outside, sliding the door shut. Most of the two-sided brick wall that sheltered the outdoor pool was complete, shielding it from view and making the big windows on this side of the lodge less of an issue.
To the west, beyond the cottage, was an open field and what might be the barn Elizabeth had mentioned. Old-growth forest surrounded the place to the north and south. How deep did those woods go? How many places could someone hide? He’d have to find out from Elizabeth what was behind the grounds of the hot springs. The cottonwoods continued to creak and rustle.
He sauntered around to the side of the main building. A light shone in a second-story room, and he caught a glimpse of Julia’s blond head. They really needed to change her hair color. Elijah True was known for his paranoia toward the government and his stockpile of guns. No doubt he had followers with sniper skills. Julia was an easy target through that window. He’d have to talk to her about standing in front of windows and maybe even get some coverings on the lobby windows. Poor Julia would probably balk at having to live in a world that was nearly dark day and night, but it would have to be done.
In the morning, he’d be able to evaluate if they could go outside. For her emotional well-being it would be good for her to get some fresh air, but not at the risk of her safety.
Because the background checks had taken so long, Gavin had been hired last minute. He hadn’t been able to give any input on where to hide Julia. This spa wouldn’t have been his first choice, but as long as it was secure, it would do. If the foll
owers didn’t show up in the next couple of days, he could assume they had managed to shake them. That was a big “if.”
The full moon provided enough light for Julia to see the tall cottonwoods swaying in the wind outside her window.
“Make sure you twist that deadbolt,” Elizabeth said. She’d taken the time to show Julia where the fresh towels and sheets were kept and helped Julia put away the few clothes she had brought with her.
Julia brushed a hand over the soft lace curtain. “Thank you.”
“Well, good night. We’ll visit some more tomorrow.” The sound of Elizabeth shutting the door made her wince. The memory of doors clicking shut and locks sliding into place rushed back into her mind. Confinement had been Elijah’s form of punishment. She looked around her room decorated with quilts and lace. Inwardly, a coldness melded to her core. This was her new prison.
When she glanced out the window a second time, she saw Gavin walking across the grass below. He seemed intent on a purpose, focused on his surroundings. Something about him was like a lion ready to pounce, yet he seemed to have an inner calm.
As ordered, Julia deadbolted her door. She retrieved her pajamas from her suitcase, brushed her teeth and folded back the covers. She pulled the quilt up to her shoulders and stared at the ceiling. She was unbelievably tired, but wasn’t sure if she would be able to sleep. Her father’s fears had not been unfounded. As the trial grew closer, staying at the house would have put her in danger. At least they didn’t know she was here at the hot springs. But she missed her father already. In the morning when she could manage a calm voice, she would call him.
Gavin’s professionalism helped ease the constant fear about the followers being around every corner. It was as if he carried some of her burden, lifting her anxiety.
The doorknob shook.
Heart racing, she sat upright.
“Julia, sorry to bother you, but you have locked the door.” Gavin spoke softly.
Julia flipped back the covers, charged across the room and slid back the deadbolt. “Elizabeth said to lock the door.” She tried to keep the irritation out of her voice. All these contradictory orders.
A smile crossed Gavin’s face. “Elizabeth isn’t a security expert. At night when I am outside your door, it would be better to leave it unlocked in case I have to rush in here.” He indicated the chair he would be sitting on. “If I have to leave for any reason, lock your door.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “That makes sense.” And it made her feel less claustrophobic to have the door unlocked.
He stepped into her room and checked the window to make sure it was latched. “Don’t stand in front of this for any length of time.”
“I’ll try to be aware of that.” She hung her head. “Sorry I was so obstinate a moment ago.”
“It’s okay.” He leaned toward her, placed his hand on her jaw and lifted her chin. His wide brown eyes held an honesty that was reassuring. “Elizabeth is only trying to be helpful. I’m the one you need to listen to. I’ll keep you safe.”
Julia opened her mouth to respond, but the intensity of his expression left her speechless.
He pulled away. “I’ll be right out here.”
Julia’s heart thudded as the door eased shut. Her skin tingled all over. His touch had that kind of effect on her. She let out a huff of air. If he wanted to have a business relationship, he was going to have to quit doing that kind of stuff. Now she wasn’t going to be able to sleep.
She grabbed the ACT study guide and collapsed in the leather chair in the corner. She read for a few minutes. Brushing her hands over the pages of the booklet, the image of the woman in the coffee shop came back into her head. Her heart ached as she tried to picture herself at that same table with her book open, sipping a coffee.
Someday, Julia, someday.
After the trial, she could go to college. She’d stroll carefree across a campus, meeting friends, sitting in a class taking notes. Normal things would happen. She’d meet someone, and they’d fall in love.
Outside, Gavin’s chair scraped across the floor.
Gavin leaned his chair back against the wall, crossing his legs at the ankle and resting them on the railing.
Down below, Elizabeth came into view when she emerged from the dining hall. She peered up at him as she wiped her hands on a dishrag. “I’m going to head back to my place, unless you need me to stay. I’m not sure how this whole thing is supposed to work.”
“That’s fine for tonight. Maybe tomorrow it would be a good idea for you to sleep in the lodge in the room next to Julia’s. We’ll figure it out in the morning.” He still wasn’t sure what to think of Elizabeth or her story about the emergency. He wondered if William had run any kind of check on her, or had just taken her at her word.
He drew his attention back to Julia’s door. A thought occurred to him. “Hey, Elizabeth.” He walked down the stairs. “Do you know anything about perfume?”
Elizabeth furled her brow. “Perfume?”
“Julia picked some out for herself earlier, and she wasn’t able to get it.” He gave her the short, cleaned-up version of what had happened. “I don’t know what it was called. It smelled kind of like—”
“Oranges and lemons. I smelled it when I hugged her. I think I know which one it is. I can get it for her tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” It wouldn’t be the same as going to a counter and buying it herself, but she had picked it out.
Elizabeth studied Gavin for a moment. “That’s kind of a personal thing to give a woman.”
Heat rose up his neck. “I didn’t mean it that way. The perfume is a…sort of symbol of freedom to her. I just thought it would help with the frustration she feels about the confinement and give her hope about a normal future.”
“I can get it for her then.” Elizabeth pointed toward the sliding glass doors. “I’ll go out that way. You can latch it behind me.”
Once Elizabeth was gone, Gavin latched the sliding door and then checked all the other locks. This place didn’t even have an alarm system. Not the best setup, but he was going to have to work with it. Moving Julia again would produce a whole new set of hazards, and as far as he knew, this place was secret.
Gavin headed back up the stairs. He hadn’t expected to be drawn to Julia like this. He’d seen the flash of attraction in her eyes when he’d touched her cheek. He’d crossed a line. He’d given his word to her father. That couldn’t happen again.
Once on the balcony, he pulled his gun from his side holster and placed it on a table that had a lamp on it. He scooted the table closer and situated his chair.
He’d taken this job because being a bodyguard was what he’d done since he was eighteen. Until he’d watched a friend who’d hired him get shot in front of him, he had thought he was good at his job. He’d grown up with Joshua Van Dyken. Both of them had been adrenaline junkies when they were teenagers, but Joshua was the one who had done something with his skill and become a race-car driver. They’d met up again when both of them lived in Florida and Joshua had hired him as his bodyguard.
Gavin’s hesitation and decision to step to the right instead of the left had given the crazed fan the opportunity he’d been looking for. Joshua had recovered, but the gunshot wound had done nerve damage and affected his reflexes. Joshua would live, but he wouldn’t race again. Racked with guilt, Gavin hadn’t spoken to him since the shooting. Seeing his friend unconscious in a hospital bed had torn him to pieces. He’d ended up in the hospital chapel asking God for help. The one good thing that had come out of Florida was a renewed faith.
Gavin closed his eyes and prayed for an uneventful night, for the stirred-up feelings about the past to go away. This praying stuff was going to take a while to get used to. He opened his eyes and stared down at the quiet lobby below as Ophelia stretched, arched her back and settled in her spot.
The shooting with Joshua in Florida had shaken his confidence. And now, after today’s blunder in the department store, he was beginning to wonde
r if he was the best man to protect Julia.
SIX
A cry from inside Julia’s room woke Gavin from his half slumber. In a single swift movement, he jerked to his feet, grabbed his gun, swung around and tapped on the door. “Julia?”
“I’m fine. It’s just…my leg.” She sounded like she was in pain.
He clasped the doorknob. An urgency to be with her, to make sure she was okay, pressed on him. “May I come in?”
“Yes, please.”
When Gavin opened the door, Julia was slumped down in the chair beside the bed. Her face was drained of color.
He put the gun back in his side holster and rushed over to her.
“I took a shower and got dressed.” She turned her leg slightly. “It hurts worse.”
The sight of the blood-stained bandage sent a chill through him.
“Can I look?”
She nodded. “I taped plastic over it. I thought it would be okay to take a shower. When I took the plastic off, it was bleeding again.”
Taking care not to pull too hard, he peeled back the bandage. He winced. He’d dressed the wound so quickly. Maybe the cut was more severe than he had first thought.
She sucked air through her teeth. “How does it look?”
“I’m going to touch around the cut. You tell me if it hurts.” As gently as he could, he pressed his finger into her skin about an inch from the gash.
She jerked her leg. “Yup, that hurts.”
“It’s not red yet, but maybe it’s the start of an infection. We need to get you to a doctor. You might need stitches. I don’t want to take any chances of this turning into a full-blown infection.”