by Lisa Jordan
Enough was enough. He wasn’t going to allow her to feel she needed to run and hide.
“Zoe, wait.” He glanced at the Turners, who watched him with narrowed eyes. “If you’ll excuse me...”
Shawn snaked out a hand and gripped his upper arm. “Dude, why are you hanging out with her? Do you know who she is?”
Caleb shrugged off his arm, then tossed his melting cone in the trash next to the bench. He wiped his hand on his jeans. “Of course I do. She’s my friend.”
“You need to choose better friends. You know about her past, don’t you?” Shawn jerked a thumb toward the door.
How many times did people have to ask that? He wasn’t an idiot. And this was a small town. “Yes, but that’s exactly what it is—her past. She’s not the same person.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I know her.” When was she going to catch a break?
Pam pushed past Shawn and faced Caleb, her hands fisted on her hips. “She killed my cousin.”
This was getting out of hand way too quickly.
Caleb held up a hand. “Pam, listen, I’m very sorry for what your family endured. It was a horrible tragedy, but should this woman pay for the rest of her life?”
Tears filled her eyes as her lower lip trembled. “Do you know what it’s like to have someone you care about taken from you?”
Yes, yes, he did.
Caleb stuffed his hands into his front pockets and shifted his feet. “My partner was killed because of a choice I made. I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I guarantee a day doesn’t go by without Zoe thinking about what happened, but come on, the woman can’t be tarred and feathered for this for the rest of her life.”
“Tell that to my aunt and uncle, who are spending the rest of their lives without their son.” She stabbed him in the chest with her finger. “Come on, Shawn, let’s go. I’m no longer in the mood for ice cream.”
As they pushed through the door, leaving behind a trail of disgust and recrimination, Caleb dropped onto the bench and dragged his hands through his hair. Not only did he have to work with Shawn, but he lived next door, too. If he kept seeing Zoe, would he have to move? Find a new job? The last thing he wanted was to uproot the girls, but he didn’t want to give up on Zoe, either.
* * *
Even the crisp autumn night air couldn’t cool Zoe’s scalded cheeks. Her blood rushed through her veins as she strode across the brightly lit parking lot. Reaching the street, she paused, realizing she had two options—walk home in the high heeled boots she had worn for style or do an about face and slink back inside with a target on her forehead. She’d had enough of Pam Turner for one night.
If only she had met Sully here instead of leaving her car parked on the street in front of his house and riding with him. Maybe she could call Ian and Agnes for a ride? No, she didn’t need anyone else to witness her humiliation. She’d walk the few miles back to the cabin, then figure out a way to get her car from Sully’s. She wasn’t a stranger to walking. So she’d have a blister or two tomorrow. That was nothing compared to the wounds on her heart.
Sighing, she trudged down the road, making sure to stay on the gravel. Dressed in dark washed jeans and a black leather jacket over her red sweater, she didn’t exactly stand out to traffic. She tried not to let her imagination run wild over the rustling in the bushes to her right. The tree branches hanging low swayed and swatted at her. The wind picked up, and she pulled her jacket tighter around her waist.
Keeping her head low, she forced one foot in front of the other, seriously doubting her sanity at that moment. Something dropped on her hair. She brushed the top of her head only to have another drop hit her hand.
Thunder cracked, startling her. Lightning flashed, lighting up the blackened sky. Half a second later, rain showered her.
Perfect ending to a lousy day.
Pulling her coat over her head, she sprinted down the street.
Headlights from an approaching vehicle swept the glistening surface. Instead of passing her by with a splash, the car veered off the roadway, spitting gravel as it staggered to a stop in front of her. The driver’s side door flew open, and Sully jumped out. He strode her, a thunderous look etching his face.
He swept her into his arms and crushed her to his chest. “Thank God, you’re okay.”
Arms pinned to her sides, Zoe struggled against his constricting hold. “No thanks to you.” She pushed free and moved past him.
He grabbed her elbow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Forget it. I just want to go home.” She shook off his hand.
“Zoe, wait.”
She ignored him and continued for the edge of town where lighted sidewalks offered relief from the uneven gravel path.
Uneven footfalls scuffed the stones. “Zoe, stop!” Sully’s heavy breathing made her pause. She glanced over her shoulder to be sure he was okay only to see him stumble and fall, coming down on his right knee. He cried out. The sound—a cross between a wail and a yell—sent a shiver down her spine.
She turned and ran back to him, illuminated by his headlights. “Sully, are you all right?”
“Do I look all right?” He growled as he shifted to sit on the wet ground. With his head bent and arms quivering, he forced his right leg to stretch out in front of him. He sucked in a short breath.
She touched his shoulder. “Sully, I’m so sorry. What can I do?”
“Nothing. I have to wait for the throbbing to stop enough so I can stand and put some weight on it.”
Guilt flooded her. If she hadn’t acted like an idiot and pushed away from him, this wouldn’t have happened.
Jagged shards of lightning zipped over the trees. Thunder rumbled as the wind picked up.
“We can’t stay here, Sully. Lean on me. I’ll help you to the car and drive you home.”
He heaved a breath, rubbed a grimy hand across his forehead, and then braced his weight on his arm as he pushed himself up. His eyes bulged as he shifted his legs. He teetered to one side.
Zoe rushed to slide her arm under his and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Use me to walk. I can handle it.”
They shuffled to the car. She pushed away long enough to open the passenger side door. He dropped on the seat, gritted his teeth and lifted his injured leg inside, his chest heaving.
Zoe slammed the door and jogged around the front. She slid behind the wheel, trying to ignore the wet seat from Sully leaving the door open. After adjusting the seat and mirrors, she shifted the engine into Drive and headed to Sully’s.
She glanced at him, only to find his head resting against the window and a hand covering his face. A muscle jerked in the side of his jaw. Deep lines bracketed his taut mouth. Returning her eyes to the road, she mentally kicked herself for being so foolish.
She turned into Sully’s driveway and shut off the engine. He had the door open and was already trying to get out before she could even unbuckle her seat belt. She hurried out of the car and to his side. Sliding her arm around him, she braced her leg to support his weight.
They reached the front door, but before Zoe could open it, it flung open.
Sarah stood in the doorway wearing navy flannel pants and a white hoodie. She held a bottle of crimson nail polish in her hand. She locked eyes with Zoe, then shifted her gaze to Sully. “Caleb, what happened?”
“I fell.”
She pushed the door back, shoved the nail polish in her pocket, and then positioned herself on the other side of Sully. The scent of popcorn lingered in the air. Riley barked and danced around their feet.
“Down, Riley.” Zoe and Sully commanded in unison.
Riley dropped on his back legs and cocked his head, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
The three of them staggered into the living room where a bowl of
popcorn sat on the coffee table and a sitcom played on the TV. Zoe pushed an afghan out of the way and removed her arm from Sully’s shoulder so he could ease onto the couch.
He dropped his head back on the arm of the couch and sighed, closing his eyes. Zoe moved to his feet and untied his shoes, dropping them on the floor.
“What happened?” Sarah sat on the coffee table and touched the hole ripped in Sully’s jeans, exposing a two-inch gash crusted with dried blood and bits of gravel.
With eyes still closed, Sully waved a hand toward her. “Zoe, my sister Sarah. Sarah, this is Zoe.”
“You introduced us already.” Sarah’s eyes did a slow slide from the top of Zoe’s soaked head to the tips of her muddy boots. Her mouth tightened, then she said, “So, you’re the one.”
What was that supposed to mean?
The knot tightened in Zoe’s stomach. She forced a smile. “Nice to see you again.”
Sarah said nothing in return, but focused her attention on her brother. “You need to get some ice on that knee.”
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that.”
“Glad to see your sarcasm wasn’t injured in any way.” Sarah stood and left the living room. Zoe could hear the chinking of ice scraping together, and then the faucet turned on.
She returned with a plastic bag full of ice wrapped in a dishtowel and a glass of water. Zoe stayed rooted on the end of the couch while Sarah placed the bag carefully on his knee. She held two small pills out to him and a glass of water. “Here, take these.”
Sully opened his eyes and pushed himself up with his elbows. “What are they?”
“Your pain pills.”
He tossed them back and guzzled the water. Handing her the empty glass, he gave her a tired smile. “Thanks, sis. Now beat it, would ya? I need to talk to Zoe without an audience.”
Sarah reached for the remote and shut off the TV. Then she picked up the popcorn bowl and shot her a look Zoe couldn’t interpret. “Fine. I’ll be in my room if you need anything.”
She ran a hand over her tangled hair. Heat climbed up her neck. Nothing like making a great impression...
As soon as Sarah left with Riley in tow, Sully struggled to a sitting position, resting his injured leg on the coffee table. Beads of sweat broke out on his upper lip.
Zoe wanted to do something, anything to help relieve his pain, but she’d done enough. In fact, she should probably just leave before she caused any more trouble for one day.
She pushed to her feet and glanced toward the front door. “Sully—”
“Stay.”
The single word spoken with fatigue, yet, maybe just maybe a hint of longing was nearly her undoing. Tears filled her eyes. She swallowed several times until she could speak without making a fool of herself. “I’m sorry. You’re hurt because of me.”
He patted the cushion beside him. “Sit with me.”
She shrugged out of her leather jacket and tossed it in the chair. She sat on the edge of the cushion next to him and turned to face him. “I’m so sorry for your leg.”
Sully tugged on her arm, pulling her off balance. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, dragging her closer. Her face pressed against the softness of his long-sleeved T-shirt. She breathed in the scent of his soap and listened to the rhythmic beating of his heart.
He traced the curve of her cheek, then tipped her chin up so he could meet her eyes. “Why did you leave?”
She dropped her hands and tried to rub the grime from her fingers. “I couldn’t stay and cause a scene. I wouldn’t embarrass you like that. I waited outside, but when you didn’t come, I figured you’d had enough.”
“Well, you figured wrong. I didn’t follow you because I was too busy sticking up for you.”
“You stood up for me? Why?”
“Zoe, you know what your problem is?” His gentle tone softened the sting in his words.
She couldn’t help but feel defensive. No one really wanted to know their flaws, did they? “I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“You’re too quick to run.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You need to stand up to these people instead of feeling sorry for yourself.”
Zoe reached for his hand and pulled it away. The more he touched her, the harder it was not to bury herself in his arms. Right now she didn’t think that would do either of them any favors. “That’s easy for you to say. You didn’t kill anyone.”
“Not directly, but my choices cost my partner his life.”
“Your partner was killed by someone else’s bullet.”
“And your fiancé was killed by the car that ran the red light. Your blood alcohol level just exacerbated the situation.”
“How did you know that?”
“I read your case file.”
“You spied on me?” She jumped to her feet and fisted her hands on her hips.
Sully threw up his hands and shrugged. “I’m a cop, Zoe. I wanted to know the facts.”
“You could’ve asked me.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling sick to her stomach.
Sully removed the ice from his knee and moved to his feet. He grasped the couch for support. “No, I would’ve gotten the ‘it’s all my fault’ version.”
“It was my fault. I shouldn’t have been drinking and driving.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. But there were other circumstances in that case.”
“Yeah, well, the jury thought differently. No changing that.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and leveled her with his no-nonsense cop face. “Maybe not, but you don’t have to slink around town like a coward afraid to stand up for herself. Think about what kind of example you’re setting for your son.”
She hadn’t thought about it that way. All she wanted was to keep her head down so she didn’t bring any more shame on her family. Instead, she ended up looking like a coward. Was that really how Sully saw her?
“We’ve got a problem.”
“What’s that?”
“My presence in your life is going to cause problems with your neighbors.” She jerked a thumb toward the Turners’ house.
“I’d rather get new neighbors than lose you.” Sully cupped her face in his hands. Then he pulled her into his arms.
As much as his words warmed her heart, she couldn’t help but wonder if Sully realized how much he’d have to sacrifice with friends and maybe even his professional relationships by associating with her. Was she willing to do that to him?
Chapter Ten
Even with the sunshine warming her face and the pleasant air blowing in off the lake, Zoe couldn’t stop the shiver that ran up her spine. She rubbed her arms briskly to generate some heat. Maybe she should have worn pants instead of the black-and-white-patterned skirt that matched her short-sleeved black sweater.
The color was fitting for her emotional state after what had happened with Gina and then what happened after go-karting with Sully. Her heart hung heavy in her chest over the events of the past couple of days. She spent as much time as she could at the hospital, but trying to talk to Gina left both of them frustrated. Her friend wallowed in self-pity instead of trying to work through her problems.
Waking up in the detox unit of the hospital hadn’t helped matters, either. But Gina had no one but herself to blame for the choices she made.
Zoe talked with her own counselor to realize she couldn’t do any more until her friend wanted the help.
The only thing she could do was pray for Gina and her family. The rest she’d have to surrender to God.
Gina’s slide back into her old life made Zoe even more determined to prove she could be the woman she longed to be. Since she left Agape House, she had maintained a full-time job, paid her bills on time and kept her weekly appointments with her counselor and pa
role officer.
She wasn’t going to end up like Gina.
Griffin wasn’t going to wake up one morning and find his mother unconscious from alcohol poisoning...or worse.
She’d win her parents’ trust, regain custody of Griffin and live the life God intended for her.
Which meant surrendering to Him daily because she was weak and couldn’t do it on her own.
And after talking with Sully the other night, she needed to work on acquiring a backbone so she didn’t look like a coward to her son.
Maybe she could begin right now.
Squaring her shoulders, she turned away from the lake and headed for the Lakeside Chapel, the stucco building that had sat on the edge of the campground for nearly eighty years.
Despite her growing relationship with God for the past couple of years, sometimes Zoe felt like a fraud stepping inside the Lakeside Chapel. But then she had to remind herself she had been redeemed for the past sins that had kept her enslaved. Sometimes she had to remind herself several times a day, especially when she ran into people like Pam Turner who treated her like a leper.
But she wasn’t going to let what happened the other day at the go-kart track color her worship this morning. She needed the time to let go of some of her anxieties and soak in the pastor’s sermon.
Zoe recognized a few faces as she walked into the simple, clean sanctuary that smelled of lemon oil and fresh air. Twin stained glass windows on either side of the pulpit cast a rainbow hue across the polished hardwood floor.
She slipped into one of the bench-style pews in the back row and smoothed the wrinkles out of her skirt. A cross breeze fluttered through the open side windows, ruffling her hair. She turned her face toward the window and closed her eyes, breathing in the crisp scent of new beginnings. A dog barked in the distance, competing with the mellow sounds of the prelude.
As people filed into the sanctuary and filled the pews, they nodded, smiled or acknowledged her with a hello. Some of the faces looked familiar, as she’d seen them around town. They recognized her—she could tell by the expressions on their faces—but they still greeted her warmly.