by Laura Scott
He scrubbed his hands over his face, trying not to panic. Feeling was one thing, but considering getting involved again in a relationship, was something else.
He so wasn’t ready for that.
“Thank you, Zack,” Merry said softly, breaking into his internal monologue. “I appreciate you praying for Leonard.”
He forced a smile and tried not to take his emotional turmoil out on her. “Yeah, well, he needs all the support he can get.”
“So do you.”
Her words were soft, but they scrapped across his skin like a wire brush. It was all he could do not to snap at her, like a wounded animal caught in a trap.
He took a deep breath, fighting for control. “Are you ready to order?” He dropped his gaze to the plastic menu he’d once known by heart. “I’m thinking of having meatloaf.”
There was a long pause, and he refused to look up at her, unwilling to see the hurt reflected in her amber eyes. He was deeply relieved when their young server, Darcy, chose that moment to sashay over holding two water glasses.
“Hi, Zack. What a nice surprise to see you two days in a row.”
“Hey, Darcy, how have you been?” The moment the question spewed out, he wished he could take it back, especially when her entire face brightened.
“I’m doing really well! I’m heading back to UW Madison to complete my senior year next week.” She tipped her head in a move that was probably supposed to be coy. “Maybe we can catch up some time?”
“I always work a lot of hours, but we’ll see.” He just couldn’t quite tell her no outright, even though he wasn’t the least bit tempted to see Darcy on a personal level. “Tell us what the specials are for today.”
Darcy didn’t seem at all deterred by his refusal to commit to a future date. She rattled through the specials, hardly sparing Merry a glance. Darcy’s rudeness was so obvious, he couldn’t stand it.
“Merry, what sounds good to you?” he asked, purposefully including her in the conversation.
“Um, I don’t know.” Merry seemed overly preoccupied with her menu, too, and he knew he had only himself to blame. “I guess I’ll have the egg salad sandwich.”
“Great. I’ll have the meatloaf. Thanks, Darcy.” Zack handed over the menus, hoping Darcy would get the hint and move on.
“Okay, let me know if you need anything.” The way Darcy put an obvious swing in her walk as she went back to the kitchen to put in their order made him wince.
“What’s Darcy’s major?” Merry asked, breaking the strained silence.
“No clue.” And frankly, he didn’t care. “She’s younger than Julie, you know.”
Merry lifted an eyebrow as if to say so what? He shook his head and tried to think of a way to change the subject. Again.
“When is your next doctor’s appointment?” Surely Merry’s health was a safe subject.
“Next week Thursday, but I’m not hopeful that anything will change. I have a feeling I’ll be off work for a while yet.”
It bothered him to realize he wouldn’t be here to find out for himself what the outcome of her follow-up appointment would be. “Check with your boss. Since you were injured at work, there’s a good chance that they’ll bring you back even if it means doing some sort of light-duty work.”
“Really?” Merry’s gaze widened with hope. “That would be awesome. I can’t bear the thought of sitting in my apartment for six to eight weeks. I’ll take light-duty work over that any time.”
A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Trust Merry to be one of the few who didn’t want to be forced off work.
Which unfortunately, only made him admire her more.
____________
Merry tried to ignore Darcy’s obvious flirting, but it wasn’t easy. The only saving grace was that Zack hadn’t seemed interested in her, although the way he’d totally shut down after praying for Leonard was upsetting. She had the distinct feeling that if he could take his hastily spoken prayer back, he would.
She was grateful when the meal was finally over. But before they could leave the diner, Zack was stopped by a couple of guys she didn’t know.
“Zack! Great to see you’re back in town, man!” A tall guy slapped Zack on the shoulder, and she wondered if they’d gone to school together.
“Are you here all weekend?” the shorter guy asked.
“Yep, here until Monday.”
“Perfect,” the first guy exclaimed. “We’re playing softball at two o’clock this afternoon and we could use another player. Why don’t you join us? It’ll be just like old times.”
Merry shouldn’t have been surprised to hear that Zack had once played softball. When he hesitated and glanced back at her she stepped forward. “That’s a great idea.”
Zack still looked uncertain. “Are you sure you won’t mind sitting and watching?”
“Of course not. We could run back to the townhouse first and pick up Ace, if you think there’s time.”
The smile that bloomed on Zack’s face warmed her heart. “All right, that would be awesome.”
“So you’re gonna play?” the first guy asked.
“Yep, I’ll be there.” Zack took a step back in order to bring her into the group. “Merry, I’d like you to meet Tony Delarosa and Kade Thompson, two guys I played ball with in high school. Tony and Kade, this is Merry Haines. She’s one of the ER nurses at Hope County Hospital.”
“Nice to meet you,” she murmured as the two men stared at her with blatant curiosity.
“Likewise,” Tony said with a wide grin. “You’ve been holding out on us, Crain.”
“Oh no, we’re just friends,” Merry quickly interjected.
The way Tony and Kade exchanged amused glances made her realize they were just teasing. She blushed and realized she was way out of practice when it came to dealing with men.
“See you guys later,” Zack said, putting his hand behind her back and nudging her toward the door.
She didn’t need to be asked twice. Outside, the sidewalk along Main Street was even more crowded than when they arrived. Zack held her right hand and pushed his way through the mass of people, and she did her best to follow along behind him, even though she was jostled with almost every step.
Finally, the crowds thinned and they were able to walk side by side to the spot where Zack had left his truck. He didn’t let go of her hand, though, until he’d opened the passenger door for her.
“Thanks.” Getting into the high truck was awkward without the full use of her left arm, but she managed to ignore the pain to avoid being lifted by Zack. Her emotions were already out of whack from spending so much time with him.
“Are you sure you don’t mind sitting outside to watch the game?” he asked, throwing the truck into gear and backing out of the parking space. “Because I don’t have to play if you’re tired and need to rest.”
“I’d like to watch you guys play,” she said, striving to keep her tone light. “Should be fun.”
He didn’t look as if he believed her, and she wondered if he was having second thoughts about agreeing to participate. Well too bad. She wasn’t about to give him an excuse to back out. Zack needed this impromptu afternoon ball game more than she did.
When they arrived at the townhouse, Zack made her wait in the locked truck with the air conditioning running while he walked around to make sure Blake wasn’t lurking nearby. Zack let Ace outside, and then came back for her.
“We should pack a little cooler of soft drinks, and maybe some snacks,” Zack suggested. “I have a portable canvas chair for you, and we’ll need to bring Ace’s water dish, too. There are some shady areas, but I’m afraid he’ll get too hot sitting outside in the sun.”
For a guy who seemed inclined to duck out of the game, he was doing a lot in the way of preparations.
“Okay, anything else?”
Zack paused, but then shook his head. “That should do it. Stay here and I’ll get everything together.”
She sat in the shade
on the front porch with Ace as Zack packed his truck. When she saw the size of the cooler, she wondered if they were providing soft drinks and water for every guy on the team.
Zack glanced at her, and then snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot sunscreen.” Without waiting for a response he headed back inside, returning again a few minutes later.
Merry rose to her feet. “I don’t know why you need sunscreen. You’re already tan from being out in the sun.”
“It’s not for me, Freckles, it’s for you. Are you ready?”
She rolled her eyes at the unoriginal nickname. “Yes, I’m ready. Come on, Ace.”
The shadows that had darkened his eyes before lunch vanished as Zack drove to the Crystal Lake Park. She’d hoped that praying would help him find his way back to God, but for some reason, it had seemed to have the opposite effect.
At times, Zack’s emotions seemed to be all over the place, and for a moment she was reminded of Blake. Not that she believed that Zack had any type of psychiatric disorder, but he still went hot and cold in a matter of seconds.
She didn’t understand him, or maybe she just didn’t get men in general. Several of her nursing friends had complained about their significant others not being faithful, or that they were self-absorbed or just plain not very nice.
All she knew about Zack was what she heard from Julie, who was obviously biased when it came to the older brother she idolized. She had no idea what sort of a husband or father he had been.
Clearly, he’d loved his wife and daughter, but it was also possible that he was grieving even more out of a sense of guilt. Maybe he hadn’t always been there for them. Maybe he had other regrets.
Blake had damaged her physically and emotionally. It had taken years to gain her self-confidence back. Did she really want to risk being hurt again by Zack Crain? A man who’d told her more than once that he didn’t have anything to offer her.
No, she didn’t.
Better to focus on being his friend, helping him to find his way back to God and faith, but nothing more.
____________
Zack gave Tony’s bat several practice swings, glad to be doing something physically challenging. He didn’t have any of his gear here, so the guys had supplied him with their spare stuff.
The glove he was given wasn’t nearly as good as his, but it would do. The guys had divided up into two teams and had done rock, paper, scissors to see who would be first at bat.
His and Tony’s team had won.
He handed the bat over to Tony, and then glanced back to look for Merry. She’d found a shady spot beneath a tree to sit and watch the game. With the cooler at her side, a cold bottle of water in her hand and Ace curled up at her feet, she looked perfectly happy.
The guys had razzed him about Merry, but he’d repeated her story since she’d seemed anxious to make sure they knew the truth. For his sake? Or hers? There was no reason on earth that she couldn’t date one of them. Except for the fact that he wouldn’t like it.
Really, this ridiculous fascination with Merry’s potential love life had to stop. She deserved better than him. His head knew that, but his heart was being stubborn.
Tony hit a double and stood on second base, grinning like an idiot. Zack shook his head wryly and stepped up to the plate to bat next. He did his best to focus on the pitch rather than thinking about Merry.
The first pitch was outside, but their makeshift umpire called it a strike. Zack scowled, tugged his baseball cap down further over his eyes, and decided he couldn’t afford to be too picky.
The next pitch wasn’t perfect either, but he swung as hard as he could. The bat hit the ball with a resounding crack, sending it sailing over the heads of the outfielders who were scrambling to back up. A home run! Tony made it home first and when Zack rounded second base, he saw that Merry was on her feet cheering for him while Ace barked loudly, clearly not sure what was going on but unwilling to be left out.
He was pleasantly surprised and touched that she cared enough to root for him and couldn’t help but grin, no doubt looking just as goofy as Tony had on his double. Zack lifted his hand in a wave as he hit third base, and then sailed over home plate.
Their brief moment of fame was quickly derailed when the other team went up to bat and hit several home runs as well. Zack played second base and made several good plays. Apparently his high school baseball skills hadn’t totally abandoned him.
The game was loud and fun, both sides scoring many points before they finally called it quits after five innings and nearly a tie score. Everyone hung around guzzling sports drinks and munchies. Merry joined the group, leaving Ace in the shade of the tree.
“Nice game,” she said. “I had fun watching.”
Zack swiped his sweaty face with a towel, trying to keep downwind from Merry to spare her the stench. “It was a blast, although it’s too bad we’re not closer to the lake so I could take a quick swim before heading home. I’m afraid I don’t smell the greatest.”
“I’m a nurse. Trust me, I’ve smelled far worse.”
He chuckled and glanced over at Ace. “We better get going. I think Ace is feeling left out.”
“All right.”
He glanced back at Tony and Kade. “Hey guys, we’re taking off.”
“Try not to be a stranger,” Kade said, giving him a playful smack in the shoulder. “We have these ball games often during the summer and you’re always welcome.”
Zack couldn’t remember the last time he’d hung out with any of his old friends. Certainly, they’d hung out in the early days, when he and Suz were dating. But after they’d gotten married and had Amelia, he hadn’t bothered to keep in touch.
That was on him, and to be honest he wasn’t sure if he had to go back in time that he wouldn’t do the same thing again. He’d liked being married. He liked having a family.
But there was something to be said for having friends, too.
He followed Merry over to where Ace was standing and whining beneath the tree. When she bent down to untie the dog’s leash, he noticed a slip of paper hanging out of the side pocket of her jeans.
“Look out, you’re going to lose this,” he said, gesturing to the slip of paper.
“I don’t even know what it is.” Merry frowned as she pulled the paper out and, suddenly, the color leeched from her face.
“What’s wrong?” He took the slip of paper from her fingers and had to control the flash of fury when he saw it was a note from Caruthers.
We’ll be together again, soon, Meredith.
Love, Blake.
Chapter Eleven
Merry struggled to maintain her composure as she swiped her hands on the seat of her jeans. Just touching the note Blake had stuffed in her pocket made her feel like taking another shower.
“When did he get this into your pocket?” Zack demanded.
She shook her head and shrugged her right shoulder. “No one has been anywhere near me since we arrived in the park. But when we walked through town, we were surrounded by people. I have to assume that’s when he slipped the note to me.
Zack scowled and glanced around the park, clearly searching for some sign of Blake. “I don’t like this,” he muttered. “I think we’d better head back to the sheriff’s department and see if they have any leads. It shouldn’t be this difficult to find him.”
Silently agreeing with him, she swallowed hard against a wave of despair. She didn’t understand why Blake had remained obsessed with her, especially after all this time had passed. She closed her eyes and prayed.
Please, Lord, keep us safe in Your care. And please help heal Blake, too. Amen.
She opened her eyes, relieved at the sense of calmness that wafted over her. She turned toward Zack, who was staring at her intently. She smiled. “I’m ready to leave if you are.”
“I’m amazed how well praying seems to work for you,” Zack said in a low voice. “One minute I thought you were ready to fall apart, and then next you appear calm and serene.”
“Praying does give me peace,” she admitted. “Facing fear is easier when I remember I’m not alone.”
Zack seemed intrigued by the idea, but then Ace began to bark again and he quickly looked around, as if sensing a threat. But this time Ace was only barking at another dog, a small Westie being walked by a young girl along the edge of the park.
“Not your type, Ace,” Zack muttered. He turned to Merry. “Take the dog’s leash and I’ll grab the cooler.”
Merry took the leash and shortened it up, since Ace seemed determined to get to know the Westie better. “Stay, Ace. Stay.”
As usual, the dog didn’t listen to her very well. They made their way to Zack’s truck, and from there drove straight to the sheriff’s department.
They arrived after the shift change, so Deputy Armbruster wasn’t available, but Deputy Thomas agreed to talk to them.
“Hi, Merry.” Deputy Thomas had stopped by the hospital many times, so she knew him almost as well as she knew Deputy Armbruster. “I heard about your stalker, but don’t worry, we’re going to catch him.”
“With all the guys you have looking for him, I would have hoped you’d picked him up already,” Zack said grimly. “He’s already gotten too close to Merry.”
Deputy Thomas frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Read this.” Zack held out the note Blake had managed to stuff into her pocket.
“When did you get this?” Deputy Thomas asked in a grim tone.
“I don’t know for sure,” Merry admitted. “We walked up and down Main Street this afternoon and the sidewalk was jam packed with people. He must have slipped it into my pocket, most likely after we left Rose’s Café.”
“Look, Deputy, I don’t like the way he’s watching her,” Zack said, his gaze troubled. “You need to find him before he escalates.”
“I understand your concern, and trust me, we are looking for him. But we also have other calls we’re taking as well. We’ve already busted up a big fight at Barry’s Pub, not to mention being called out to a couple of car crashes. Weekends are busy around here, especially in the height of tourist season.”