Valley of Shadows and Stranger in the Shadows: Valley of ShadowsStranger in the Shadows

by Shirlee McCoy

  “One that isn’t as clearly connected to me. Maybe not a friend or a co-worker of mine. Maybe someone who…” What? Chloe shook her head, uncovered the plastic container of brownies Ben had left the previous night.

  “I don’t know who’s after me, Abel, but I can tell you this—Ben’s brownies are almost good enough to make me forget my worries for a while.”

  Almost, but not quite.

  Chloe bit into the thick chocolate, poured a glass of milk, and sat down at her computer desk. Instead of logging on, she grabbed a pencil and piece of paper. Ben had given her a new possibility to consider. Were there others? Jackson was in jail, The Strangers weren’t after her, she couldn’t find any evidence that one of her friends or co-workers had an axe to grind with her. What else was there? Who else was there?

  Adam’s friends? His co-workers?

  He’d been acting odd in the month before they broke up. After he’d confessed to seeing someone else, Chloe had chalked his behavior up to guilt and stress. Could something else have caused it?

  She jotted a note down on the paper, wishing she could pick up the phone and call Ben, discuss the idea with him.

  “Scratch that thought. I don’t need to call Ben. I don’t need to discuss my idea with him. I’ve got you to talk to, buddy.” She bent down to stroke Abel’s soft fur. “And a plate of brownies to devour.”

  But brownies were a poor substitute for human company and conversation, and Chloe figured she’d trade a brownie or two for someone willing to listen to her at this time of the morning.

  She sighed, pacing across the floor, pulling back the curtains on the balcony door. The darkness beyond the window was complete, the moon already set, the stars hidden behind thick clouds. Soon it would be dawn, but until then, Chloe was alone, waiting for the darkness to disappear and for the bright light of day to pull her completely out of the nightmare.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It had been weeks since Chloe had been to church and she almost decided to skip it again, her throbbing head and aching leg protesting the hours spent in front of the computer. Only the thought of having to explain her absence to Opal got her in the shower, dressed and out the door. The church parking lot was nearly full when she arrived, the sanctuary buzzing with people as she moved down the aisle and found a seat near the back. Maybe if she was lucky, she’d go unnoticed, though based on the number of people who were looking her way, she doubted it.

  “I thought that was your beat-up old Mustang in the parking lot. You should have called me. We could have ridden here together.” Opal slid into the pew beside Chloe, hair bouncing around her square face, her dark gaze shrewd. “Everything go okay last night? You look a little pale.”

  “It was fine.”

  “Fine? You spent the evening with one of Lakeview’s most eligible bachelors and all you can manage to say is that it was fine?”

  “The food was wonderful.”

  “And the company?”

  “Wonderful, too.”

  “I knew it.”

  “Knew what?”

  “That you and Ben would hit it off. Now, tell me why you’re so pale.”

  “I didn’t sleep well.”

  “Because?”

  “My leg’s been bothering me.” That was as much of the truth as she was prepared to give.

  “You’ve got an appointment with the doctor this week, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, make sure you tell him how much trouble you’re having. I don’t like the way you’ve been limping around.”

  “I fractured my femur and crushed my knee, Opal. The pain from that isn’t going to go away.”

  “I know, but I still don’t like it.” She sighed, her flowery perfume nearly choking Chloe as she leaned close and patted her hand. “I’m glad you’re here this morning. I didn’t think any of my children would settle close to home. I’m glad one finally had the good sense to move back.”

  “Really? One of the girls is planning to move here?” Chloe couldn’t help hoping that Opal’s third daughter Anna was the one who would be returning. Five years older than Chloe, she’d been a good role model and friend when they were kids.

  “I’m talking about you.” Opal huffed the words, her disgust obvious. “That you didn’t realize that wounds me deeply, Chloe.”

  “Wounds you deeply? I think we’re heading for a guilt trip. Which means you want something from me.”

  Opal chuckled, her hand wrapping around Chloe’s, the skin, once smooth and pale, now wrinkled and spotted with age. Still, her grip was firm, her eyes bright. “You know me too well, my dear. I do have a favor to ask.”

  “Do you need me to open the store for you tomorrow?”

  “No, nothing like that. I’ve decided to go…” she glanced around, her broad, strong face flushing pink “…on the senior singles trip.”

  “Senior singles trip?”

  “To Richmond for a few days of shopping and fun. Our Sunday school has been planning the trip for a while. I figure since I had to cut my visit with Elizabeth short when Jenna went into labor, I deserve a few days off.”

  “It sounds like fun.”

  “It will be, but I’ll be gone Thursday through Sunday. Mary Alice is going to work full time those days. Between you, her and Laura we should be okay.”

  “So what do you need me to do?”

  “Can you bring my mail in the house and check on Checkers?”

  “Checkers does not need to be checked on. He can fend for himself just fine.”

  “Checkers is a sweet cat once you get to know him. He just needs a lot of love.”

  “And a pound of flesh.” Chloe had been to Opal’s house one time since her return to Lakeview and during the visit she’d been attacked by a very fat, very grumpy black-and-white cat.

  “He barely touched you, Chloe. I’d think a young woman whose rearing I had a hand in would be too tough to complain about a tiny little scratch.” Opal turned her attention to the pulpit and the choir that was filling the loft.

  “It was more than a scratch, but I’ll take care of Checkers anyway.”

  “Maybe I did raise you right after all.” Opal smiled. “Just remember, Checkers is sweet, but he’s finicky. He likes his dinner served at six o’clock on the dot. No sooner. No later.”

  Six o’clock in November meant being out past sundown. The thought filled Chloe with trepidation and she wiped a damp palm against her black skirt. “It might be better if I feed him in the afternoon. Maybe during my lunch break.”

  “The last time I went away Anna was in town. She put Checkers’s food in the bowl in the morning and he refused to touch it. I’d hate to think of him going hungry for four days.”

  Chloe sighed. “All right. I’ll feed him at six. Was there something else you needed me to do?”

  “I need to go shopping and I need a fashion expert to come with me.”

  “Fashion expert? For a trip to Richmond?”

  “I’ve got a date Friday night.” Opal’s cheeks went pink again and Chloe couldn’t help smiling.

  “A date with Sam?”

  “If it’s any of your business, yes.”

  “Good for you, Opal.”

  “So you’ll come shopping?”

  “I’m not a fashion expert.”

  “You’re the closest thing I’ve got. What do you say? It’ll only be for a few hours tomorrow night.”

  “What time?”

  “As soon as we close the store.”

  “Sounds good.” It would sound better if they were going during the day, but Chloe didn’t have the heart to say no.

  “Wonderful. We’ll have dinner, spend a few hours clothes shopping, and—” Before she could co
mplete the thought the call to worship began and the before-church chatter ceased.

  That worked for Chloe.

  The noisy prattle of the sanctuary had done nothing to ease her pounding headache or offer her relief from the tension she’d been feeling all morning. She’d come hoping to find some small sense of peace. All she’d found were more worries. The thought of taking care of Checkers, of driving to Opal’s house at night, filled her with a sick dread. Going shopping after dark didn’t make her any happier. The fact that either bothered her only made Chloe even more conscious of just how much her life had changed in the past eleven months.

  The music faded and Ben strode to the pulpit, his long legs and broad shoulders showcased to perfection in a dark suit and light blue shirt. His words were strong, but not dramatic as he welcomed the congregation, prayed, then stepped aside so that the music minister could lead the first song. Chloe knew her attention should be on the man leading the music, but instead it was drawn to Ben again and again. His smile seemed to encompass the room, his eyes even more vivid in the bright light that streamed in through tall windows.

  He scanned the sanctuary, his gaze traveling the room. There was no way he could see Chloe in the midst of the crowd, but somehow he found her, his eyes meeting hers, his lips quirking in a half smile that made her treacherous heart dance a jig.

  “Are you going to sing, or just stand there gawking at Ben?” Opal elbowed Chloe in the side, her quiet hiss forcing Chloe’s attention away from the man who’d been taking up too many of her thoughts during the past few days.

  “I wasn’t gawking.” She’d been looking. Maybe even staring. But she hadn’t been gawking.

  “Good to know. Now sing before someone notices that you’re not. I don’t want to spend the entire ride to Richmond answering questions about your disinterest in music.”

  “No one’s noticing, Opal.”

  “Everyone’s noticing. Now, sing.”

  Chloe managed to do as Opal suggested without glancing at Ben again. By the time he stood up to deliver the sermon, the tension and anxiety that had accompanied her through the long predawn hours had finally eased, the familiar hymns and sweet sounds of voices joining in praise accomplishing what no amount of alone-time could.

  When Ben finally spoke, his words about faith in the midst of crisis spoke to her soul, the message echoing the quiet yearning that had brought her back to her Bible again and again over the past few days. She might not understand God’s plan or His will, but she had to trust that He would work His best in her life.

  The sermon ended and Chloe stood for the final hymn, the quick movement making her lightheaded. She grabbed the front of the pew, holding herself steady as she tried to blink the darkness from the edges of her vision.

  “Are you okay? You’ve gone white as a sheet.” Opal touched her arm, true concern etching lines around her eyes and mouth.

  “Fine. I just stood up too quickly.”

  Opal’s lips tightened and she shook her head. “A little dizzy? Sit down. Put your head between your knees.”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’m completely recovered.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe I should drive you home.”

  “And then have to come pick me up for work tomorrow? I don’t think so.”

  “Chloe—”

  “Opal, I’m fine. I promise.”

  Opal looked like she wanted to argue, but raising four kids must have taught her when to fight and when to let go. “All right, but if you get out to your car and change your mind let me know.”

  “I will.”

  “I’ll call you this evening to finalize plans for my trip to Richmond.”

  “To check up on me, you mean.”

  “That, too. Now, I’d better go see if I can find Sam so I can let him know I’m definitely going on the trip.” She leaned over and kissed Chloe’s cheek. “Be good, my dear. And be careful.”

  “I will be.”

  Opal merged into the crowd that was exiting the sanctuary while Chloe held back, waiting until the room emptied and just a few clusters of people remained. When she was sure her limping progress wouldn’t block anyone’s exit, she stepped out into the aisle and headed to door.

  “Chloe, I was hoping I’d see you here.” Brian McMath stepped up beside her, his slim, runner’s frame dressed to perfection in a dark suit and staid tie.

  “Brian. It’s good to see you again.” And would remain good as long as he didn’t mention her scars again.

  “I’m glad you feel that way. I’ve been thinking about the conversation we had the other day and I wanted to apologize if I came on too strong. I hope my interest in your scars and the medical treatment of them didn’t make you uncomfortable.” Coming from another doctor, the words might have sounded sincere. Coming from Brian McMath, they sounded phony and well-practiced.

  “I appreciate your apology.”

  “Good. Then maybe you’ll let me make things up to you. How about having lunch with me?” They stepped out of the sanctuary and headed toward the exit.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

  “You have plans?”

  “Yes.” She planned to take Abel for a walk. Maybe take a nap.

  “With Opal?”

  Obviously, Brian wasn’t going to give up. Chloe was about to tell him exactly what she had planned and why she wasn’t going to disrupt those plans for him, when they stepped out into watery light and she saw Ben.

  He looked great standing on the church steps, his hair curling around his collar, his relaxed confidence appealing. He must have sensed her gaze because he looked up, his half smile becoming a full-out grin as she approached.

  “I thought I saw you sitting beside Opal. I’m glad you came.” His hand was warm as he clasped it around hers, pulling her a step closer, his gaze settling on Brian. “I’m glad you’re here, too, Brian. I hear things were hectic at the hospital this weekend. I thought maybe you’d be caught up in a case there.”

  “I don’t believe in working on Sunday, pastor. I’m sure you know me well enough to know that.”

  “I’m sure I do.” Ben smiled again, but Chloe had the distinct impression he didn’t really care for the doctor or his comments.

  Brian nodded, then turned to Chloe. “Since we’re not going to be able to have lunch today, I’m going to take off. Maybe I’ll see you at the quilting circle this Wednesday.” He strode away before Chloe could comment and she wasn’t sorry to see him leave.

  “You’re smiling. I guess that means you’re glad to see him go.”

  “He’s a little overwhelming.”

  “Good choice of words. So, maybe since you’re not having lunch with Brian, you’d like to come over to my place and have lunch with me.”

  “Abel won’t be happy if I leave him home alone much longer.”

  “You can bring him over.”

  “I don’t want to put you out.” She also didn’t want to say no. No matter how much she knew she should.

  “I’ve got beef stew and homemade rolls already made. More than enough for two people.”

  She really should refuse. Chloe knew it. But even as she was telling herself that she should stay away from Ben she was opening her mouth to agree. “Beef stew and rolls sound good. I can bring what’s left of the brownies over for dessert.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll meet you over at my place in fifteen minutes or so.”

  “See you then.” Chloe limped down the steps and got in her car, sure that she was making a mistake. Allowing Ben into her life was dangerous for both of them. Chloe had already had her heart broken once, she had no intention of letting it happen again. But what bothered her more than thoughts of heartbreak was the dream—the image of Ben broken and lifeless in the front seat of a burning car
.

  Just thinking about it made her shudder. Sure Ben could take care of himself. Sure he was capable and strong, but Adam had been, too, and despite what Ben had said the previous night, Chloe couldn’t help worrying.

  She stepped out of the car and started up the porch steps, a flash of movement to the left catching her attention. She turned, her pulse leaping, her heart racing. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see, but the small ball of fluff that was rushing toward her wasn’t it. “Abel?”

  She scooped the puppy up into her arms, fear burning a path down her throat and settling deep in her stomach. “How’d you get out here?”

  She asked, but she really didn’t want to know, didn’t want to imagine someone opening her apartment door while she was gone, didn’t want to think that someone might still be there. Instead, she stumbled back toward her car, locked herself inside, hesitating with her hand on the phone. She hadn’t crated Abel before she’d left. Was it possible he’d snuck out the door while she was leaving? Slipped down the stairs and out the door without her notice?

  Maybe.

  Or maybe someone had broken into her apartment and inadvertently let him out. She could call the police. She could go see if her apartment door was open.

  She could sit here all day trying to decide what to do.

  She rubbed the puppy’s fur, wishing she didn’t have so much doubt in her ability to know real danger from imagined. She didn’t want to call the police and look like a fool. She didn’t want to not call if something was really going on. Abel growled a deep warning that made the hair on the back of Chloe’s neck stand on end. She scanned the driveway, the yard, the trees. The porch.

  She froze, watching in horror as the door she’d left closed slowly began to open.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Ben hadn’t planned on inviting Chloe to lunch. Then again, he hadn’t planned on seeing her at church. When he’d glanced around the sanctuary and caught sight of her, the jolt of awareness he’d felt was an unexpected surprise.