Enchantment: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series Book 6)

by JoAnn Durgin

  Sam turned to Eliot. “An evil eye? I can’t begin to identify the other things in the circle or guess their meaning.”

  “It’s a warning,” Eliot said. “I guarantee it’s nothing good.”

  “The outer door was locked securely last night?”

  “As far as I know,” Marta said. “I think Beck came in after me. We can check with her when she wakes up, but I’m sure she would have locked the door.”

  “Right, and Kevin would have made sure of it.” Sam moved his hands to his hips. “Have you checked the men’s dorm and”—his pulse quickened—“Natalie and Winnie’s quarters?” The women would naturally harbor concerns for their children.

  “They’re all clear. This is the only building affected,” Eliot said.

  Sam shook his head. “Any theories on who would have painted this symbol and why?”

  “I did some quick research.” Eliot crossed his arms over his chest and stepped to Sam’s right, in front of the symbol. “The evil eye is a type of curse generally believed to bring sickness, death, bad luck, loss—”

  “The evil eye symbol is prevalent in many cultures of the world, prompted by envy and jealousy,” Marta said from Sam’s left side. “Women and children are the most frequent targets.”

  Eliot frowned. “Pregnant women, to be specific, the ones generally considered the most innocent and vulnerable.”

  A blast of shock mixed with anger shot through Sam. “Sounds like mysticism and occultism to me. This kind of thing has no place in my work camp.” When he stepped closer and raised his hand to touch the symbol, Eliot put a hand on his arm.

  “Leave it for now, Sam. We need to alert the local authorities and they might want to dust for prints. Once they give the go-ahead, we’ll paint over it.”

  Marta gasped. “Do you really think calling the authorities is necessary?”

  Sam met Eliot’s gaze and the other man gave him a slight nod. “Even though it’s only paint on a wall, Eliot’s right. It’s vandalism and a scare tactic. I’d like nothing more than to march over to the supply room, grab a can of paint, and cover up this obscenity before the others see it.” He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “I’ll put in a call to the local sheriff and then I’ll call Pastor Chevy to make sure nothing similar has happened on the church grounds.”

  They’d faced opposition in TeamWork camps before but nothing as blatant as this act. It could be nothing, but as long as it was under his control, Sam couldn’t take any chances when it came to the well-being and security of the volunteers in his camp.

  “You might want to mention this to Marc.” Marta’s sensitivity for Natalie resonated loud and clear.

  “I will.” Likewise, he’d mention it to Kevin and Rebekah. “The other women are bound to see the symbol when they leave the dorm in a couple of hours, if it’s still here. Looks like we’ll need to organize a rotation of the men to stand guard over the camp every night. Either that or we’ll hire an outside security service.” Sam quickly scanned the campsite. “We should station the guard in the middle of the camp where there’s a good view of the women’s dorm as well as the dorm for Winnie, Natalie, and the kids. Not only that, but we should probably have a male presence here in the camp at all times. Do you agree, Eliot?”

  Eliot nodded. “I concur.”

  A deep frown creased Marta’s forehead. “You guys are already putting in such long hours at the church. Sure, that ugly symbol spooks me a little, but that’s probably the intent of the person who painted it. We can’t give into fear or intimidation. I think the other ladies will be satisfied to know the authorities are being notified.”

  “Until we know differently, Marta, we need to view this as a potential threat,” Sam said. “If one or more persons were brazen enough to come into our camp and do something like this, then we need to take it seriously. But if they’re foolish enough to show up again, we’ll be ready for them.”

  “You’re right,” Marta said. “To be honest, I think we’d feel safer if it’s our own guys guarding us, not hired strangers.”

  “I’m sure our guys will want to be the ones standing guard in the camp,” Eliot said. “I’ll make up the rotation schedule. We’ll make it work. However, I think we should hire an outside security service to watch over our vehicles and the plane, in case the vandals get any bigger ideas. I’ll take charge of setting that up.”

  Sam appreciated Eliot’s take-charge personality. “Good idea, and thanks. Let me know the cost and I’ll reimburse you. If TeamWork can’t cover the cost—”

  “Don’t worry about it. Consider it my contribution,” Eliot said.

  “You’re a good man, Eliot. I’m glad you’re here. Okay, let’s tell everyone, men and women, to keep their cell phones with them at all times. We also need to check and make sure we have plenty of functional flashlights and extra batteries.”

  Eliot nodded. “Done.”

  ~~♥~~

  Taking another sip of his coffee in the dining hall, Eliot noted the ladies seemed somewhat subdued. They smiled and interacted with the kids as usual but there was an undercurrent of unrest. He couldn’t blame them. During his morning prayer, Sam briefly touched on God’s watch care over them, but he understandably hadn’t mentioned the symbol. Unduly alarming the others—especially with the children present—wasn’t advisable until they knew more, if even then.

  A gathering thunderstorm mirrored the mood of the group. Low hanging, dark clouds floated by outside the windows and he heard the distant rumble of thunder. Continuing to eat his sausage links and scrambled eggs, Eliot watched as Josh climbed onto the bench beside Sam. Josh was a deeper thinker but was usually jovial and easygoing. Not now. The two men kept their heads together, deep in discussion, for several minutes.

  Across the table, Marta kept the conversation lively with Angelina and Felipe. The teenagers were amusing and their personalities played off each other in a fun way. Except for making an occasional offhand comment to let Marta know he was listening, Eliot didn’t make much of an effort. After the worrisome events of the morning, he wasn’t exactly in a conversational mood. Stifling a yawn, he swirled the last bite of his scrambled eggs in ketchup. He hadn’t been back to sleep since the discovery of that evil eye symbol, and he’d pay the price later. Wouldn’t be the first time.

  “My dad used to do that,” Marta said, nodding to his plate. “He loved scrambled eggs, and he always drenched them in ketchup.”

  He wanted to ask her more about her dad. If she was willing, he should be able to find out what happened to the man. Giving closure to families was what he could do, for better or worse. Most often the outcome was sad but expected. With Marta watching him now, Eliot wondered how best to respond. Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he wadded and left it in the middle of his empty plate. He was relieved when Angelina jumped off the bench with Felipe right behind her, leaving him alone with Marta.

  “I’m not sure what to say considering your memories of your dad aren’t so pleasant.”

  “It’s not that, exactly.” She took a quick drink of her cranberry juice. “I have a lot of good memories of my dad, Eliot. It was more that they just…stopped. When someone seemingly falls off the face of the earth, it’s difficult to know what to think. Do you hope or do you mourn, and for how long? Do you declare them dead, hold a memorial service?” She ran one finger around the rim of the juice cup. “Do you move on with your life or remain in limbo indefinitely?”

  “The only thing that’s certain is that there are no easy answers. It’s either a personal—or a family—decision.” Lifting from the bench, Eliot scooted around the table and sat down beside her. He hoped she’d be receptive to his suggestion. “Marta, if you want, I can find out what happened to your dad.”

  She blanched. Her eyes were wide, but with hope or fear, he couldn’t discern. “That’s a very generous offer. I know I can’t ask how you’d go about it or ask for any particulars, but would I need to hire you to do that?”

  “Co
nsider it a personal favor,” he said. “I’d encourage you to ask your mother, and it’d be a good idea to mention it to your brothers.”

  “You’re right. With men, it can be a pride thing. My brothers would want to know and agree to the plan, be a part of the process. Leaving them out isn’t an option. You’re fearless, aren’t you?”

  Eliot gazed straight into the one pair of eyes where he could so easily lose himself. Eyes which now held a rare vulnerability. A softness, a sweetness. Her guard was down. As much as he loved her feistiness, Eliot was deeply drawn to this side of Marta’s personality.

  “I have to be strong or I couldn’t do what I do.” He made sure to keep his voice low. “I have plenty of doubts about all kinds of things, but not about this. I can find out where he is or what happened to him.” If human remains needed to be found, as long as the man’s bones didn’t reside at the bottom of the ocean or in a concrete slab, he could find them.

  Marta nodded slowly and appeared deep in thought. “I don’t know the first thing about how finding someone works.”

  “It starts with making a few phone calls. Based on what I find, I’d take it from there.”

  “I wouldn’t expect you to travel anywhere.” If Marta gave him the go-ahead, he’d travel anywhere on the planet to give this woman and her family the closure they needed.

  “Expectations aside, I’ll do whatever’s necessary.”

  “I’m not sure if I should call Mom while I’m here or wait until I go back home to Houston. On the other hand, this is important enough that it might be best to schedule a family conference and fly home to Kentucky.”

  “Whatever you want,” he said. “The offer stands now or later. Five or ten years from now.”

  She still looked overwhelmed and confused. “Thank you for the offer. That sounds somehow inadequate, considering the circumstances.”

  “I want to help you, if you’ll allow me, Marta, but I don’t want to overstep my bounds.” He only wished he could give her good news, but he had a suspicion that was the one thing he wouldn’t be able to give her.

  “Well, we both need to get to it, I suppose. I’ll see you over at the worksite.” Marta glanced up at the window. “Looks like we might get wet today.”

  “Do you like walking in the rain?” He wasn’t sure where that’d come from but maybe his instincts with Marta were better than he’d thought.

  “Splashing in the rain has been one of my favorite things to do since I was a kid.” Her smile stole his breath as she rose from the bench. “See you soon.”

  ~~♥~~

  Marta carried an empty serving tray back into the kitchen and deposited it by the sink.

  “Thanks for helping, Marta,” Lexa said as she transferred leftover sausage and bacon into plastic storage containers.

  “You’re not even on the cleanup schedule this morning.” Winnie smiled from where she scrubbed a pan at the sink. “You definitely win the Above and Beyond Award for kitchen workers today.”

  “Glad to do it,” Marta said. “No awards necessary.”

  Gayle helped her store the leftovers in the refrigerator a couple of minutes later. “Are you okay? You look worried.”

  “Let’s go outside.” Marta slipped out the back door with Gayle right behind her.

  “Whew. It’s humid this morning,” Gayle said. “It’s one of those days where I wonder why I bothered taking a shower. Maybe the rain will cool things down.” Her gaze bore into Marta’s. “Tell me. Did something happen that’s upset you?”

  “Oh no, nothing like that. Eliot just offered to help me find my dad.” Other than Sam and Lexa, Gayle was the only other person she’d told about her dad’s disappearance. She’d surprised herself by telling Eliot so soon.

  “That could be a good thing, right? When did you tell Eliot?”

  “At the prayer circle last night. He said something that made me think he might be leaving the mission and then a vision of my dad popped into my head. I guess it was a God thing because it’s not like I go around freely telling people.” Marta inhaled a deep breath. “Okay, I have to tell you something else or I’m going to burst.”

  “Go on. I’m listening.”

  “Eliot wants a relationship. With me.”

  Gayle’s green eyes widened and she put her hand over her mouth to muffle her squeal.

  “Shh. Be careful with the squeals, happy or not.” Marta laughed as Gayle swept her into a warm hug. “With that weird symbol setting everyone on edge, the guys might come running out here to make sure we’re okay.”

  “At least they’re protective, and I can’t help it. I’m so happy for you!” Slightly taller than Marta, with her classic features and every hair in place, Gayle always looked effortlessly glamorous. If she wasn’t so wonderful and down-to-earth, and solely based on appearance, Marta might assume she was snooty and pampered. Gayle had never been forthcoming about her background, and she’d learned not to ask questions. But it was more than obvious that her close friend had been born to privilege.

  Marta pulled out of the hug. “Remember, I was there for the whole Gee, Eliot and Marta should really get together discussion in the kitchen the other day. I had no idea Eliot would make any kind of proclamation of his feelings this soon. I mean, we’ve never even been on an official date, Gayle!”

  “Eliot has always struck me as a very in-command, take charge kind of man. Strong and authoritative. A born leader.”

  “He’s all those things from what I can tell. On the one hand, he’s not sure how to be in a relationship. He was sweet when he admitted that, and I found it endearing. Then he went on to explain that a relationship with him comes with…complications.”

  Gayle’s smile sobered. “Complications? Like what?” She frowned and slid one hand down to her hip. “Please don’t tell me there’s strings attached. Long strings. If so, I need to have a little chat with that boy. I won’t allow anyone to string you along, my friend.”

  “Oh, calm down already. Not strings, exactly, but he did confirm—as we suspected—that what he does for a living is dangerous. And that he’s gone a lot, which we knew based on past experience.” Marta held her tongue before telling Gayle that Eliot lived not far from Houston. Maybe she shouldn’t be spilling any of his secrets and should limit her comments about Eliot to Lexa and Sam. Surely they knew.

  This is so confusing, Lord.

  “Well, that’s a huge step in the right direction, right? And what else?” Gayle quirked a brow and gave her a knowing look. She was very good at those.

  “No, we haven’t kissed. He had a very good reason why not”—Marta shot her a don’t ask glance—“but if he doesn’t initiate one soon, I might have to grab the man and plant a big one on him.”

  “I imagine he’s had some experience in that department.”

  “Okay, that’s not helping.” When Marta had teased Eliot about his girlfriends around the globe, she’d only been half-joking.

  “Sorry for the momentary detour. Are you going to take Eliot up on his offer to help find your dad?”

  “I’d like to have him find out so my family can finally have closure. Eliot told me I should talk with my mom and brothers about it first, and he’s right.”

  “Is he offering to help while he’s here on the mission or after he goes back to work? We both know Eliot’s job is no nine-to-five desk job.”

  “Whenever I say the word. He said he could make some calls and take it from there. Eliot made it clear he’d do whatever it takes to find Dad.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Or find out what happened to him.”

  “Honey, it’s okay.” Gayle put a hand on her arm and squeezed. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  “You didn’t. I guess it just hit me all at once.” When her tears spilled onto her cheeks, Marta quickly wiped them away. “I haven’t thought about trying to find out what happened to my dad in so long.”

  Gayle nodded. “I think you’re right that it’s a God thing. From what you’ve told me, you loved your fathe
r, and I can’t imagine what it felt like to have him disappear like that.”

  Marta took the tissue Gayle dug out of her jacket and thrust in her hand. “Thanks for always being here for me, Gayle.”

  “That’s what friends are for. You’re one of my biggest encouragers and I love you like a sister. Good thing we like each other since we work together. And now, would you look at us? We’re on our vacation together, and where do we go? On a mission trip with our employers!”

  “Yeah.” Marta wiped her eyes. “We’re either overly dedicated or crazy. Maybe a little of both.”

  As if in answer, a loud clap of thunder sent them hurrying back into the kitchen.

  Chapter 17

  ~~♥~~

  Sam caught Eliot’s eye and angled his head toward the door of the dining hall. Excusing himself from his conversation with Dean, Eliot headed their way.

  “One of the men from the One Nation Church is here,” Josh told him as the three men walked out of the dining hall together. “Harry’s familiar with mysticism, ancient Indian culture, that kind of thing. He’s going to give us his interpretation of the symbol.”

  Sam glanced at the sky as more thunder rumbled. “Hopefully before this storm breaks.”

  An older gentleman dressed in work clothes and a denim jacket met them in the middle of the camp. After Josh made the introductions, they walked to the women’s dorm.

  Harry studied the symbol for a minute before speaking. “It looks to be a type of curse, a warning.” Harry pointed to the irregular circle. “The circle symbolizes a number of things, including life, unity, completion, cycles, infinity, and spiritual energy. This symbol,” he said, pointing to the arrow inside the circle, “symbolizes woman. And this”—he pointed to the creature-like symbol—“represents childbearing and motherhood. In most cases, it would indicate a woman with child. The evil eye and the ‘x’ in the corner of the circle are warnings that caution should be taken and that someone is watching.”