As Long As You Both Shall Live: A Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 2)

by Linda K. Rodante

  Sharee stared at him, shocked that Marci had shared her advice and wondering if what he was implying was true. Was John right, after all? Was she naïve?

  “Makes you think twice, doesn’t it?”

  “You should be thinking twice, Ted. What are you implying?”

  He leaned forward. “I’m not implying anything. I’m telling you to stay away from Marci, and out of our business.”

  Sharee took a step back and fought to keep her expression under control.

  He laughed again. “Do I scare you?”

  “You don’t scare anybody, Ted.” Bruce’s voice came from behind her. His wheelchair rolled up and stopped.

  Relief flooded like a warm bath over her. She stepped back.

  “Coming to the rescue?” Ted’s voice held disdain.

  “If needed.” Bruce wore his usual sleeveless t-shirt and jeans. The scripture tattoos on each arm stood out against his tan, and the penetrating look he gave Ted held confidence.

  Ted sneered. He let his eyes rake the wheelchair. “You know, since you’ve been in that thing, you’ve gotten way too religious.”

  Bruce smiled. “So, you’re saying this is what you need in your life?”

  “No, I didn’t say that.” The words came like a dog’s snarl. “Just tell your friend here to stay out of my business.” He whirled and lurched away from them. When he reached the parking lot, he climbed into his truck and screeched down the drive.

  “My goodness. What is his problem?”

  Bruce touched her hand. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. He wanted to scare me, though. Did you hear what he said about my accident?”

  “No.”

  “He said something about accidents happen to people who don’t mind their own business. Implying he could have caused it.”

  “He seems to be hitting the repeat button on that theme. Pastor Alan talked with him about Marci, too, and Ted threatened him and the congregation.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Yes. Alan asked him to leave and not come back.” They both looked back at the drive where Ted’s truck had disappeared. “You need to be careful around him.”

  Sharee nodded, thinking how much like John he sounded. In the mouths of two or three witnesses… Okay, Lord, I’m listening.

  “Please don’t tell John about this.” She saw his look. “At least not until after he speaks with the youth tonight. I know it would distract him.”

  “No problem, but only until the service is over. I think he needs to know.”

  “Yes, but you know John. His tendency to…safeguard me…is already over-the-top.”

  “He needs to know.”

  “I know.” She let out a long breath. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

  “I was available.”

  They made their way to the front of the church. “Do you think that Ted could have caused the accidents?”

  “Well, his anger has gotten him into trouble in the past, and he seems to be letting it have its way again. But did he run you down? That’s a different question. I can see him trying to scare you. After all, you’ve confronted him on two or three occasions.”

  “But…” she started.

  “And you reported his relationship with Marci to the pastor. That’s why Alan had a talk with him.”

  “Wait a minute. Why do you think that? I didn’t tell Pastor Alan anything.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “No.”

  “I happened to overhear Ted’s argument with him. He accused you, but if you didn’t say anything, who did?” His brow furrowed. “Do you suppose Marci did herself? I could see that if she felt guilty.”

  “She talked with John and me when I was in the hospital.”

  “Maybe she felt convicted and went to see Pastor Alan.”

  “Well, she told Ted that I told her to stay away from him. Someone else might have seen them and told him.”

  “Could be.”

  “You and Marci go back a long way, don’t you?”

  “Actually, the three of us go back a long way. Marci, Ted, and I all went to the same high school. We got saved about the same time.” He paused. “Ted and Marci were close for a while, but his temper got him in trouble even then. Marci finally broke it off.”

  They made their way into the sanctuary. A few people had gathered inside and talked together in quiet voices. Sharee glanced at her watch. It was early yet. Bruce halted beside her as she slipped into a seat.

  “Sharee, you need to listen to John about Ted.” He glanced at her. “It’s just like women. They know other women better than a man does. It works both ways.”

  “Okay. I’m listening.”

  She studied him for a minute. This side of Bruce was one she hadn’t seen before—as protective as John in some ways. His friendship with John had tightened between Christmas and now. It looked like it would hold. The man’s accident, the wheelchair, and all the pain he’d been through swept over her. She blinked back sudden tears.

  He straightened in his chair; his face hardened. “Don’t feel sorry for me. Don’t pity me.”

  She shook her head. “No, I won’t. But you said in the hospital that you…” Her words trailed off.

  People walked past, down the aisle to other seats.

  “That I wished I could walk again?” Bruce finished for her. “Of course. But if the Lord were going to do a miracle, he would have. Although, I’m always open. I refuse, though, to give in to the limitations of this thing. That’s why I don’t use the electric wheelchair often. I want the physical strength in my arms to do as much as I can for myself. I’m not giving into self-pity. That would get me nowhere. Besides, I’ve felt the presence of God more during this time than ever before. For instance—and you can do what you want with this—I knew I should be outside just a few minutes ago. I knew it.”

  “I believe you.”

  “I feel his presence with me every day. Like a force, a driving but grace-filled force.”

  Sharee smiled. “Well, Obi Wan Kenobi, the force was certainly with you today.”

  Bruce’s face altered. He looked thoughtful for a minute. “This Force is much greater than anything George Lucas ever thought of.”

  Music startled them. They glanced towards the platform. The worship group had stepped up to the microphones. Bruce rolled backwards, winked at her, and moved off.

  Sharee sat down, her mind full. The music brought peace, soothing her like a cool, spring rain. When the praise started, she rose and silently thanked God for all the good in her life—for John, for Bruce, for her parents, her friends, her health. The list went on in her mind as the congregation sang.

  More people arrived and filled the chairs near her. Their voices rose in adoration. The words and music filled her ears.

  “Great is the Lord,” the congregation sang, “and greatly to be praised.”

  When Pastor Alan preached, his message was on forgiveness. Are you telling me to forgive Ted, Lord? Whether he tried to run me down or not? Silence surrounded her, but she knew what God would have her do.

  She looked up as someone patted her shoulder. Lynn gave her a quick smile, sat down, and turned to listen to the sermon.

  When the service ended, Lynn hugged her. “Where’s John? And what are you doing back in church already?”

  “John’s talking with the kids tonight.” She slanted a look at Lynn between her lashes. “And I’m in church because it’s where I want to be, and I don’t need another mother. Got enough of those.”

  “Oooo! Snippy, aren’t we?” Lynn’s smile widened. “Okay, girlfriend, I get the message, but just remember that when someone wants to protect you from yourself, it’s not always a bad thing. That’s my piece. So, do you have a date for the wedding yet?’

  “No, but we will soon. We just haven’t pulled out a calendar. Oh, here come the youth. I wonder how everything went.”

  They watched as the teens began to file past the podium. The teens came up the aisle and walke
d past them. Sharee noticed sideways glances, and a couple of the younger teen boys elbowed each other as they went past. A few of the girls gave her a thumbs-up. Sharee’s brow began to wrinkle.

  Lynn’s eyes shifted her way. “What going on?”

  Ryann Byrd, one of the girls Sharee knew from the youth group, passed very close to her seat. Ryann glanced over her shoulder at John. He’d just come through the door. Her hand shot out and dropped a note into Sharee’s lap. Sharee fingered the note for a minute and glanced back down the aisle at John. What in the world had he said?

  She unfolded the piece of blue note paper that Ryann had dumped in her lap. Large block letters formed three words: HE’S A KEEPER!

  Sharee bit back a laugh and showed the paper to Lynn who elbowed her. Sharee folded the note and stuck it in her purse.

  Lynn gathered her own purse and her Bible. “I’m glad you were here. Thrilled about the upcoming wedding. I’ll call you tomorrow, and we’ll talk.”

  Sharee nodded and glanced back down the aisle. Bruce and John had stopped in the middle and were talking as the group filed past. China sauntered close to the two, glancing at John. Neither man looked up, but their conversation halted for a moment. They waited until she passed. Bruce said something to John who glanced at Sharee and frowned.

  The church emptied, parents grabbing children’s hands and hustling them to the door. The teens trailing after them, laughing and talking. A few adults lingered, conversing among themselves.

  Her focus returned to John, smiling when he thrust a hand through his dark hair, liking the way his hair, deep set eyes, and angled chin combined for a rugged look.

  She turned at the sound of someone clearing their throat. China stood in the aisle next to her. The girl’s hair was pulled back into a long ponytail. The tiny silver stud in her nose was highlighted by the softness of her make-up. She wore black form-fitting pants with a wide white and silver belt. Her white running shoes appeared spotless. A short zippered gray sweatshirt complemented the outfit. Accented with a silver locket, the sweatshirt’s zipper stopped about two-thirds the way to the top, making it obvious there was no shirt underneath.

  Sharee straightened, not being able to stop a comparison between her plain jeans and t-shirt to the girl’s obvious sexiness. When China spoke, her soft voice had a slight edge. “You two have a hard time keeping your eyes off each other, it seems. He seems completely, well, in love.”

  Something in the words caught Sharee’s attention. She tried to identify what bothered her about them. “Well, hopefully, he is since we’re engaged.”

  “Some women might see that as a challenge.”

  Sharee studied her and rose to her feet. China stood five inches taller, but Sharee met her stare. She’d like to tell the girl to stay away from John and to zip up her sweatshirt, but it would sound as if she was insecure. Instead, she crossed her arms across her chest and lifted a brow. “They might.”

  China smiled and walked off.

  Sharee stared after her. Was the girl really…

  “Sharee?” John’s hand caught her elbow, turning her his way. His voice sounded impatient. He glanced past her, watching China’s exit. “I need to talk with China. Meet me at Alan’s office in a few minutes.”

  She touched his chest, and he glanced down, a line creasing his brow. She bit her lip. Why did he want to talk with China?

  “Bruce wants the three of us to meet with Alan.” His gaze shifted back to where China had disappeared through the doors. “Let me catch her before she leaves. I’ll meet you in the office.”

  He walked off, and she dropped her head, hoping the feelings rising in her did not show on her face.

  Bruce’s wheelchair stopped beside her. “You stood up. That was good. Now get your head up.”

  Her head did rise, but in surprise.

  He smiled. “China can be flirtatious, but you need to remember that man loves you.”

  She looked down at her ring. “I know.”

  “Okay, then. Let’s go over to the office.” He turned his head back to her. “What were you looking at?”

  She showed him the ring, thinking how John had rubbed it the other day, saying she had no reason to worry about China. She needed to remember that.

  Bruce nodded. “About time. He had the ring sent to me, and I dropped it at his place while he was still overseas.”

  Sharee felt her eyes widen. How many people knew he’d planned to ask her before she did?

  The corner of Bruce’s eyes crinkled. “You weren’t sure, but he was. He said he knew before Christmas, but he didn’t want to scare you off. As it happened, he almost did, anyway, didn’t he?”

  Sharee shook her head. “I was just confused.”

  “Not now?”

  “Definitely not.” She hesitated a minute, and he seemed to be waiting. “I love him. I know that. And more than that, I know God put us together.”

  Bruce nodded, smiled again, and rolled forward.

  Pastor Alan cast tired eyes at them as they came into the office. “It’s late, guys. Been a long day. Where’s John?”

  “He’ll be here,” Bruce said. “Let’s wait for him. He’ll want to hear this.”

  “Okay. Coffee?” They shook their heads, but Alan stepped to the coffee maker and pulled a filter and the coffee from a cabinet. “I need it. John likes coffee, too, doesn’t he?”

  Share nodded.

  They waited, making small talk. Sharee sat, distracted by her thoughts. Bruce and Alan bantered back and forth about different things. She looked at her watch. What could he possibly be talking with China about? Minutes ticked by.

  The door opened, and John came through. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Just something I needed to take care of.”

  He glanced Sharee’s way, but she dropped her head, looking down at her hands.

  Bruce’s hand covered hers for a moment. “Hey, head up.” He squeezed her hand.

  Sharee raised her head, gave him a quick smile, and looked back at John. His eyes were on Bruce. He frowned and raised an eyebrow. She glanced back and forth between them. Bruce grinned.

  Alan cleared his throat, holding out a cup towards John. John took it with a nod and pulled a chair next to Sharee’s.

  Pastor Alan settled back in his. “Let’s get started, Bruce. What’s up?”

  Bruce’s nod indicated Sharee. “Sharee might want to start.”

  “Me? You mean about Ted?”

  “Yes, I believe it’s something both John and Alan need to hear.”

  John leaned forward in his seat, setting the cup on the desk. “What about Ted?”

  Sharee described her confrontation with Ted.

  “He’d obviously come to the church to confront her,” Bruce said. When John started to say something, Bruce interrupted. “Wait. Let Alan tell you about his run-in with Ted.”

  “I’m not sure that’s for publication,” the pastor said.

  “I understand, except I did overhear it; and it says a lot about what’s going on inside him. It could give an indication of whether or not he was capable of causing Sharee’s accident.”

  John straightened. “In that case, I want to hear it.”

  The pastor said nothing for minute then set his cup down, too. “All right. I tackled Ted on his relationship with Marci. During our discussion he made some threats against me.”

  “He threatened you?” John’s voice thickened.

  “And the congregation.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” He turned and put a hand on Sharee’s knee. “You’re hearing this, right?”

  She nodded.

  “I told Ted he was not welcome on the church grounds again. I’m surprised he showed up this evening. We need to love him as Christ would, but I have to protect the congregation, too.” He turned toward Sharee. “And you. You saw Ted with Marci, and you and Ted argued about that, right?”

  “It wasn’t an argument. Just words.”

  “To you, Sharee. Ted took it as a challenge, I thi
nk.”

  John raised a brow. “Do I know about this or is this a separate incident?”

  “You know about this.” She heard him give a sigh of relief and smiled.

  Bruce rolled his wheelchair closer. “Maybe we should talk to the police about these threats. As you said, there are people to protect. He could have caused Sharee’s accident. Although I have a hard time seeing how that would fit with John’s accident. Whatever the case…”

  Sharee leaned forward. “Maybe he just said that to scare me. I can’t see Ted doing this. He’s just talking.”

  The crease in John’s brow deepened. He rose from his chair. “Ted is like a kid with a handful of cherry bombs and matches. Just waiting for a time and place to set them off.” He began to pace. Pastor Alan started to say something; but John spoke over him. “Cherry bombs are not the right analogy. The man is dangerous, Alan.”

  “I’ve already talked with the police.”

  “You have? Good. Are they going to question him?”

  “Yes, but he moved out of his apartment. They haven’t found him to talk with him, yet.” His gaze shifted to Bruce. “I will report what happened tonight, too. He was told to stay off church property.”

  John’s jaw clenched. “I’d like to talk with him myself.”

  Pastor Alan focused on him. “I think we’d better let the police handle this. Once I’ve reported what happened tonight, perhaps the police will investigate both your accidents more thoroughly. But first, we’ll pray. John, sit down. God knows more about this than the police, than any of us. We need His wisdom.”

  John glared but lowered himself into the chair and took Sharee’s hand.

  She squeezed his. “You know, God kept us safe through these accidents. It could have been much worse, and Bruce was there tonight. Whatever’s going on, we need to trust God to lead us.”

  “I suppose that means you don’t want me to punch Ted out the next time I see him?”

  Bruce laughed. Sharee shook her head.

  The concern still showed in his eyes, but a corner of his mouth lifted, “Okay. Let’s pray.”