Shield of Refuge

by Carol Steward

  “How’d you know that?” she asked.

  “I was the truck he almost ran into as you came out of the bank drive-through. I’m not about to let him get to you again, Amber.”

  Garrett moved to calm her down.

  “We can’t tell you any more details than this, Amber,” the chief said. “I know you’ve had your doubts that we’ve been investigating this, but I assure you, it was never ignored. I’m sorry we couldn’t tell you more. And now, thanks to Garrett’s professional expertise, and his personal commitment to assure your safety, we know who we’re looking for, and we will catch him—sooner than later.”

  “I don’t think he’s going to strike like he has with the others, which I still believe were crimes of opportunity. Now his rage is going to escalate because you’re his first specific target. We can catch him, Amber, but I need you to trust us and do everything exactly as we say.” His gaze met hers and she felt her anxiety fade just knowing Garrett was going to be taking care of her.

  “I can’t close the shop, not completely,” she said, trying to sound stronger than she felt. She felt little more than desperation. “You know that. I have a big wedding this weekend, and…”

  “I know this isn’t going to be easy for you to give up being in charge, Amber.” Garrett put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. “Don’t worry. I have a plan to get you to the wedding on time.”

  EIGHTEEN

  Garrett had changed out of his police uniform, prepared to go back undercover as a bakery employee until they caught Anthony “Spider” Melendez, the kid that had been kicked out of the police Explorers group in high school. The kid that the SWAT officer killed was one of Melendez’s gang affiliates in prison. They still hadn’t been able to find any evidence that he belonged, as well.

  He just had a grudge to settle with the local police department because of his uncle, Lieutenant Chavez and the Matthews men. He thought he had finally found a way to get revenge on all of them.

  After they left the station, Garrett took Amber to the shop to pack some clothes, and to get whatever else she needed to finish up for the wedding. “While you pack, I’ll check my messages.”

  Her mind wasn’t on the incident or on her obligations. “You weren’t really serious, were you?”

  “Serious about what?”

  “About what? What do you think?”

  “Oh,” he said with a smile. “Of course I was serious. I wasn’t thinking about how it would come across, clearly, but I did want my intentions to be clear, to the chief, and to you. So you have time to consider your answer, but I assure you, I will ask again.”

  “You are never going to live down proposing in the middle of an interrogation,” she said with a chuckle. “That had better not be…”

  “That wasn’t meant to be the official proposal, but I didn’t want to leave the chief in the dark. He needs to know my plans. So you do have time to think about it. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” He reached across the console in between their seats and took hold of her hand.

  “I thought I made that clear. I don’t care about that stuff. God has shown me what true love is, Garrett. I’d marry you tonight if it weren’t for this case, but I want to remember God joining you and me as one and being able to celebrate that every year without remembering running away from a criminal. I want everyone to know I didn’t marry you just because you were my very handsome bodyguard.”

  “We know the truth, and that’s really all we need to worry about.”

  She gazed at him as he concentrated on the road. “I’ve tried to convince myself not to fall in love with you. I knew I should tell you it was nothing so you could reach for your dreams, but I couldn’t…and then you turned and proposed to me.

  “My family told me that I’d never find true love because I wanted the perfect courtship. And while I was busy chasing my dreams God brought me the least romantic and the most loving, giving, forgiving and selfless man to capture my heart.”

  “Who says I’m not romantic? I haven’t had a chance to prove myself yet.”

  “That’s just it, Garrett. “I’m hired to create the illusion of perfect romance for weddings, and yet you’ve shown me that when love is real, you don’t need to spend a penny to set the scene. That’s the gift God has given me every time you walk into my life.”

  They arrived at the shop, and Garrett locked the doors and set the security again. They walked into the shop and Amber instantly shifted gears, back to the focused party planner that he loved.

  “I’m supposed to head up to the resort with the decorations and cake tomorrow. Do you think they finished baking the cake? I have to pick up the rental van, return the car, oh, where is the car?”

  “Don’t worry about the rental car tonight. Dad and I will come tomorrow with my folks’ van and we’ll take the scenic way out of town so Melendez doesn’t follow us. I think you should call your employees to let them know you’re okay and that the shop will be closed for a while. I’ll help you finish the cake today. I’ll help cover your normal weekend sales, but I don’t see any reason to risk…”

  “I know,” she said, biting the words off, as if she was trying to hold back her irritation. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I know you’re right. Just let me sort through all of this.” She glanced at her answering machine and listened to the messages—the most urgent one from the bride—they had to postpone the wedding because they had three feet of snow at the resort. Amber quickly dialed Maya to reassure her that she’d be ready whenever, the delay wasn’t a problem for Parties Galore.

  She moved to get a suitcase out of her closet and Garrett panicked. “Amber…” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her slowly.

  “Well, there’s no rush to do all of this now. Just take enough so you can get some sleep. And pack light. Do you have one of those giant purses that will hold everything but the kitchen sink?”

  She laughed. “Yeah, I think I can find one.”

  “We need to leave, Amber. We’ll be back in the morning to finish up all of this. You have your staff’s phone numbers and addresses? Just to be sure this guy doesn’t try to threaten any of them, like he did CiCi, maybe we should send officers to get them, as well.”

  “You don’t think…”

  Garrett pulled out his cell phone and dialed Nick. “We’re ready,” he said, then disconnected and turned back to Amber. “We’re not dealing with a reasonable person. We’ll call the police with their addresses on the way to my parents and…”

  Amber hurried into the office and returned with a file folder and put it into her bag, then went to turn out the lights.

  “Leave them on. We want it to look like we’re here. Nick is going to be by in a few minutes with Sarah, and I’d like it to look like we’re just out on a double date.”

  There was a knock on the door and Garrett reached for the doorknob.

  “Sounds like Nick and Sarah are here.”

  “I’m feeling like I’m going to vanish into thin air, like witness protection or…”

  Garrett opened the door and Anthony Melendez rushed inside, a gun in one hand, and a taser in the other. He smiled at Garrett.

  “Remember me, Garrett? I’ve been waiting a long time to settle the score.”

  NINETEEN

  Garrett pushed himself in front of Amber, staying between her and Melendez. She wrapped her hand around his waist, holding him close. He was still wearing his bulletproof vest. She felt for his gun, but it wasn’t in his holster where it had been the other night.

  “You still trying to play cop, I see, Melendez. I hate to tell you, you never will have what it takes to wear a real badge.”

  “Keep your hands up, Garrett. Just step out of the way. I came for the party planner.” A shot rang out and hit one of the stainless-steel bowls sitting on the shelf. “You don’t have to have a badge to learn to use a gun.”

  “It takes more than a gun to be a cop, Melendez. Ask your cousins about that. But then again,
even the gang rejected you, didn’t they?”

  “I’ve never been part of any gang.”

  “That’s why you wanted to be a cop, because you didn’t have what it took to fit in there, either. Nobody wanted little Tony Melendez.”

  What was Garrett doing, taunting the creep? Amber felt something jab her rib. “God is a shield to all who take refuge in Him,” she whispered. “God, be our shield.”

  “Took this sham of a department long enough to even figure out that I was the one outsmarting all of their educated idiots. Lot of good that degree in criminal justice is going to do you now, smart boy. I had you all convinced this was gangsters territory, blaming them. When this is over, they’ll take over the war on cops.”

  Nick beeped the horn in the alley and Melendez turned to push the door closed. Sarah stood in the way, her gun pointing right at him. “I wouldn’t even think about it.”

  “Give it up, Melendez,” Garrett said, pointing a gun at the guy’s head. “I’m not about to give you the satisfaction of suicide by officer. You’re going to prison. Justice for all of your victims.”

  Melendez lifted his gun to his head and a shot rang out. The guy swore, then clutched his bloody hand to his body. “I’ll make you pay, Matthews.”

  “I think you have that turned around, Tony.” Garrett slipped back into cop mode, reading Anthony Melendez his Miranda rights and efficiently putting the handcuffs on him.

  TWENTY

  Two days later, Amber and Garrett were standing in the mountain resort with the high glass wall overlooking the ski slopes. He admired the white snow glistening behind the pastel hibiscus-covered wedding cake.

  “You couldn’t have planned a more beautiful backdrop,” Garrett said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “You, me and the Lord.”

  “It’s just too bad the wedding party didn’t make it up here because of the snow,” she said with a smile. “I can’t believe they were snowed out twice.”

  “Let’s not waste a perfectly beautiful cake. The pastor’s upstairs in his hotel room, and I’m sure we could drum up a few witnesses to make it legal.”

  “You have to be the most romantic cop I’ve ever fallen in love with, Garrett.”

  He smiled. “What do you think? Care to become Mrs. Matthews today?”

  “Keep joking around, and I might just say yes.”

  “I can’t think of anything that would make me any happier than to ask the Lord to bless this day as our wedding anniversary.” He turned her around to face him and kissed her softly on the lips. “I love you, Amber.”

  She saw the tenderness in his eyes. “I love you, Garrett, but the bride and groom should be able to make it up here by tomorrow morning. They’ll want their cake.”

  “They can keep the cake. I just want the party planner.”

  She laughed. “As long as I can have the bodyguard,” she said. “Today’s a perfect day for a wedding.”

  Dear Reader,

  Shield of Refuge has been a long time in planning, and sometimes the more we plan, the more determined God is to get us to slow down and listen to His plan. Garrett thinks he has his life all planned out, until Amber’s determination to find the truth places her life in jeopardy. He’s determined to escape falling in love, but the minute he meets Amber all his plans are turned upside down.

  I love hearing how different the experiences of falling in love is for every couple. Writing romance probably sounds pretty simple—formulaic, even. Despite claims of dating services, I don’t believe there is a scientific, logical or perfect formula for finding one’s soul mate. Not even in fiction. So when Garrett and Amber fell in love at first sight, it ruined my plotting, over and over. These two were absolutely determined they were going to call the shots. They had their “plans,” and they didn’t like having roadblocks thrown in their way. And as determined as they were to follow all the rules of their own plans, they were forced to turn their lives to God, the author of perfect happily-ever-afters.

  I do hope you’ve enjoyed all the IN THE LINE OF FIRE books, where the Matthews siblings put on the armor of God to fight drugs, assault and corruption every day.

  If you’d like to contact me, write carol@carolsteward.com, or P.O. Box 200286, Evans, CO 80620.

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  Amber has several reactions when she sees the officer take the girl away. How easy would it be in a crisis to step into a situation that could put you in danger? Do you think that it is instinctive for people to be brave?

  One of Amber’s roadblocks to helping the victim is her personal fear and bias toward the police. Most of us, at one time or another, have the opportunity to question our own prejudices. What are some of the situations you have been in where you’ve been forced to take a stand? How did it turn out?

  Garrett is also put to the test, personally and professionally. Do you think it is his personal strength or his faith in God that presses him to keep looking for the truth even though his boss implies that he shouldn’t? Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to disagree with or blatantly ignore someone in authority? How did you come to terms with taking the action that you did?

  As time goes on and no one has been reported missing, Amber begins to believe that she was seeing things. Have you ever had experiences when you see something totally different than someone else?

  Amber and Garrett meet in a very unique way, and react to their situation in ways that surprise even themselves. She expects to be afraid of all cops, and he thinks he is going to resent her, yet their reactions are totally opposite. Do you ever surprise yourself with how you react to a situation or individual?

  Amber has a difficult time forgiving herself for mistakes that she made in her life and makes the assumption that Garrett will also be unwilling to overlook her mistakes. How does Garrett’s response demonstrate God’s love for each of us?

  Garrett is very goal oriented, and has a career plan all set out until his run-in with Amber makes him take another look at this plan. Do you ever feel that God puts hurdles up for us to slow us down so we have time to reconsider what His plan is for us? When a door closes in front of you, do you look at it as failure, or opportunity for growth?

  Amber faced some huge challenges in her young adulthood that forced her to change the course of her life. Have you, or someone you know, had to get over some difficult hurdles in life, and how did you get over them?

  Garrett sets his mind on something and doesn’t easily let it go. Amber is also very strong willed. How can two individuals overcome what could be a constant battle in a marriage?

  Amber finds it difficult to understand the reason Garrett won’t tell her why he thinks she’s in danger. Have you ever found it difficult to trust someone else? How do we learn to trust?

  Amber’s and Garrett’s lives have crossed paths several times, and yet they wouldn’t have met had it not been for God’s perfect timing. One minute’s difference and the accident would never have happened. Think about a “coincidence” in your life, and how God’s timing played a role.

  Amber and Garrett want to fall in love, but they don’t want it to interrupt the plans for their lives. When our wants conflict with our needs, something has to give. Have you ever felt God leading you one way or another? How can we hear God answering our prayers for guidance? Is that “revelation” always the same?

  Garrett has the chance to seek revenge on the suspect, and yet he doesn’t. Why do you think he doesn’t? What do you think you would have done if you had been in his shoes?

  Amber reacts in fear when she witnesses the crime. By the end of the book, when she’s had time to think through it all, do you think if she faced a similar situation she would react differently?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-2469-2

  SHIELD OF REFUGE

  Copyright © 2008 by Carol Steward

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or othe
r means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

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  *In the Line of Fire

  *In the Line of Fire

  *In the Line of Fire