Bad judgments? On the papers or other things? Was she dragging her feet about Jessica because of her tiredness? She took a deep breath, looked down at the papers again and shoved back her chair. “I have a quick call to make, and then I’ll come.” She lifted her arm, focused on her watch. “For an hour.”
“Not staying for the game?”
“Picking up Jessica and her mom.”
His brows lifted, but he nodded. “Want me to ride shotgun?”
She lifted her own brow. “I think we’ll be okay, but you mean you’d ride in the Jag?”
“If I had to.”
She grinned, and he grinned back. Her stomach did the little flip thing again, and she turned her back to him, shielding herself from that smile.
“Let me call them.” Grabbing the phone, she punched in Dawn’s number. After talking with her for a couple minutes, she received their acceptance of her offer until something opened up in a safe house.
“You’re having them stay at your place?”
She turned to find his eyes showing concern. “Yes.”
“Is that dangerous?”
She shrugged. “Not really. No one’s supposed to know where they are.”
“No one’s supposed to.”
Alexis ignored the tone and pulled her purse from the bottom desk drawer, shoving her phone inside. “I know how to protect myself. This isn’t my first case.”
He gave a mocking bow. “Of course. Sorry. Why don’t you leave your purse here? You won’t need it at the concert.”
“I always bring my purse.”
“Like my mom.”
She straightened and tilted her head. He’d used that tone when talking about her coffee, too. A tone filled with long suffering and patience.
Her hands went to her hips. “Do you mind not comparing me to your mom?”
He chuckled. “I like my mom, but the comparison ends with coffee and purses. Trust me.”
That phrase again. Trust me.
His chuckle, though, sent a third wave of warmth through her. He took her arm and eased her toward the door. What was happening? She couldn’t think past his hand on her arm. Indecision raced through her. Pull her arm away or leave it? A moment later, he dropped his hand, and she battled both relief and regret.
The gym echoed with youthful voices. They slipped between students and other faculty members, and Alexis nodded at the ones she knew. Luke led the way to the far end, where a number of students moved around a portable stage. They stopped a few feet away, and he nodded to a few of the musicians.
A young man with a blonde ponytail adjusted his glasses and ran his hand over the keys on his keyboard. “We’ve got a new song, Professor Stephens. Want to hear it?”
“Sure.”
“Probably need to practice some first.” The man flipped his head around, bouncing his ponytail. “Jaleel, you with me?”
A tall young man, his skin dark and glistening in the gym lights, slung his guitar strap over his head. “Give me a minute.” He began to tune the guitar.
Another student that she recognized from her class slipped behind the drums and lifted the sticks. He winked at her and began to spin the sticks.
Luke chuckled again. “You’ve got an admirer.”
She shot him a frown. “I don’t think I’d go that far.”
“I don’t know. I make bet you had a few additions the first week of class.”
“What does that mean?”
His eyes held amusement. “That our male students know a good thing when they see it.” The drums started, the keyboard joined in; and he said nothing more.
Two female students stepped up to the open mics, and the young man at the keyboard began to sing.
“Jesus, hope of the world, I stand amazed…”
Students began to gather behind her and Luke. The talking quieted. Alexis glanced around. Most of the students and faculty were focused on the singers. Luke sang softly. Something moved across the gym - like a wave.
Alexis shifted uneasily. She hugged herself and wondered how she could slip out. The crowd tightened and grew. Some began to sing as Luke was doing with the group on stage. The lights dimmed. No one seemed to take notice, so she focused on the musicians.
So serious. It really is worship. They worship this Jesus.
When the song ended, everyone clapped, some hooted. Luke gave a sharp whistle, and she jumped.
He grinned down at her. “They’re good.”
She nodded. She could agree with that. For non-professionals, the sound had surpassed what she assumed she’d hear.
“Hey, sing that song you guys were practicing this afternoon,” a voice shouted.
“Which one, Darryl?”
“Yeah, dude.” Mr. Ponytail said. “We practiced them all.”
“Just start the program, will you?” Another person yelled. “We got a game tonight.”
The next song talked about the struggles the singer had in his life, comparing his life to a prison, and how Jesus had set him free.
They looked like many groups she’d seen. The lead singer at the mic had hair that flung back and forth as his head swung from side to side, his guitar-playing and small jumps back from the microphone echoed many other musicians, but the look on his face differed.
Alexis concentrated on the words, trying to make sense of them. Why did the singer think he was unworthy, and what was it about Jesus that made him feel redeemed and free? What was he saying about a new life and new name?
New life.
Again.
The singer was talking about shaking off chains, and that was what Alexis wanted to do – shake off the constant reminders of what had happened in the past. She swallowed. Something about it stirred feelings she could not identify.
What she really needed was to get out of here, get away from this music. As the song ended, she touched Luke. He bent his head her way.
“I’m going to slip out and head to the hospital.”
“Already?”
“They could release Jessica early.”
He studied her a moment, and she forced herself not to move.
“Okay. I’ll walk you to your car.”
“No.” She caught her inflection and cleared her throat. “No. That’s not necessary. I’m fine. Besides, you’re enjoying the music.”
“Yes.” He studied her a minute. “You’re okay?”
“Yes. I think it would be better to go now rather than later.”
“This is a great thing you’re doing, letting Jessica and her mom stay with you.”
His words made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t doing that much – had never been able to do as much as she wanted.
“Not really. They need a place. I’m just providing a place until something opens up for them.” She glanced at all the students crowding around. The band started to play again, and she leaned in close. “We need to keep this between us. It’s a safe house.”
He nodded. “Yes. Sorry. I’ll remember that.”
She waved and slipped away, excusing herself to get through the crowd. The song filled the room again. Something about amazing grace, but not the Amazing Grace she’d heard during her life. This was different, more modern, upbeat. She stopped before going out the door and turned to look back.
The students and faculty swayed with the beat, some with hands in the air, some moving their heads, all concentrating on the music.
Amazing grace, unfailing love… The air seemed to shimmy, to become heavy all around her. Tears filled her eyes. She needed to get out of here, get free of whatever was happening.
She shoved open the door, ran past some students who stood talking outside, and made straight for her car.
The familiar seats and leather smell soothed her. She inhaled, taking comfort in the car’s scent. Shoving her hand into the glove compartment, she grabbed a bar of chocolate.
The songs bothered her.
But why run? If there were no God, no Jesus who died on a cross and rose from the dead as he
r brother would have her believe, then why run? Why were they so enraptured by this…man? Another man; one her brother said she could trust.
She pulled the paper from the candy and turned on her radio. Find some other songs.
Alexis wheeled out of the parking lot, heading into town. She finished the chocolate and hit the radio again. She’d taken her own music out awhile ago, but hadn’t put it back which left her at the mercy of the radio stations. Nothing good. She grabbed her phone and called Jessica to let her know she was on the way.
As she dropped her phone on the seat, a car veered in front of her. Red tail lights blazed. She slammed on the brakes. Tires screeching, the Jag vaulted to a stop. A man leapt from the car in front of her and sprinted back, pounding her windshield. She couldn’t see his face, hadn’t glimpsed it as he ran. All she could see was his chest.
“Open the window!”
She edged the window down an inch. “What are you—”
Cursing flowed over her, and the man bent down. Leland’s hard eyes bored into hers. “Stay away from Jessica, do you hear? If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep away.” He cursed again and slammed his fist against the Jag’s top. “You hear me? You’ll get more than her if you don’t.”
Alexis groped for her purse, grabbed it from the adjacent seat, and snatched the zipper down. A moment later, she held her pistol in her hand. “Get away from the car!”
The man jumped back, eyes widening. “Hey. Don’t get so upset.”
She made a motion with the gun. “Back up farther.”
As Leland edged away, she started to climb from the Jag but hesitated. The man might jump her. Where was her phone? She gave a quick glance at the seat next to her. On the floor? She heard movement and whipped her head around. Leland ran for his Ford Focus and yanked the door open.
“Hey!” She yelled. “Hey!”
The other car surged forward. She scrambled to find her phone and yanked it out from under the seat. Glancing up, she saw the Ford disappear down the road. She laid her head against the steering wheel. No one had passed them. The whole incident probably took forty-five seconds. If that. She shook herself. She’d pulled her .380 semi-automatic more than once for protection, but her heart had never slapped her chest as hard as it did now.
She put her gun back in its compartment of her concealed carry purse. Leland was gone, but after she picked up Jessica and Dawn, she’d call the police.
Her hand froze on the shift. How had Leland known where to find her?
She sighed. She and Luke told him they were from the college. He’d obviously been waiting for her and followed her from the college. Well, she’d make sure that didn’t happen again.
Chapter 8
Luke’s attention was drawn from the mountains outside his second-story office window to the man climbing from a black truck in the parking lot. Not one of the students or faculty or anyone he knew. Tall and thin and about his own age, the man circled the back of the truck and crossed the parking lot before heading up the front walkway.
The man stopped…dead.
The words were a cliché, but the man’s actions gave evidence to why someone had coined the phrase – the man froze.
Following the other’s gaze, he saw Alexis coming down the administration building’s sidewalk. Her head down, she was stuffing papers into the large handbag she carried. Finished, she raised her head. The stopped dead rhetoric worked for her, too, but only for a moment. The next instant, she dropped everything she held and raced down the sidewalk. The man took a step forward just as she flung herself into his arms. He stumbled with the force of her impact.
One side of Luke’s mouth lifted even as something hard stabbed into his chest. If she’d thrown herself at him like that, they’d both be on the ground. Instead, the other man recovered, swung her in a circle then set her down and wrapped his arms around her. They stood holding each other for a long time.
Luke stepped away from the window. Whatever the reunion was, it wasn’t his to watch. But something drew him back. He took a deep breath and glanced out again.
They broke the embrace. Alexis stepped away and raised her hands in a familiar gesture. Luke’s smile widened. Whoever the man was, she was telling him off – but good. The stranger stood and took it until she finished. Luke agreed with the inaction. No sense trying to defend yourself against that tornado.
When she slowed and dropped her hands, the man enfolded her in his arms again.
This time, Luke made a definite turn from the window. He didn’t need the squeeze in his chest to tell him what he’d been denying for the last couple of days. The woman wasn’t just special to God. She’d wormed her way inside him, too.
He took a deep breath and headed out. Maybe he’d get to meet this paragon of her affection, because he had no doubt this man was just that. She wasn’t the kind to throw herself at too many men.
It only took a minute to get from his office, down the stairs and out the door. The man was holding Alexis by her shoulders and nodding.
“You know, I would have been here if possible.” The words carried. Emotion laced them, but Luke couldn’t place it. Sadness? Regret? Guilt?
Alexis’ response was too low for his hearing.
A smile lit the other man’s face. “He’s doing fine. He’s a miracle.”
“But I wanted to see him – both Sharee and the baby. Why didn’t you bring them?” Alexis voice reached his ears as he neared them.
“I thought you wanted me home,” the tall man said. “You mean you wanted them, too?”
“Don’t start with me—”
“What baby?” Luke interjected over her shoulder.
Alexis jerked her head around. The other man straightened and sent him a questioning look.
“I did hear ‘baby,’ didn’t I?” Luke asked. If he had to force the introduction, he would. Better to know now if he read this relationship right or not. He’d make sure he kept his feelings to himself if he had. Not that they’d made themselves known to him until a few minutes ago.
“Yes.” Alexis’ voice sounded impatient but touched with amusement. “You heard baby. John and Sharee’s baby.” Alexis nodded his way. “Luke, this is my brother, John. John, Luke Stephens.”
“Brother?” Luke worked hard to keep the surprise from his voice.
“Yeah.” Brown eyes the same color as Alexis’ scrutinized him.
Something tight loosened inside Luke’s chest. He smiled and extended his hand. The other man’s handshake was firm.
“Luke?” the man repeated. “Good to meet you. Do you teach here like Alexis?”
Luke couldn’t stop the feeling of relief sweeping through him nor the twist of amusement to his mouth. “Not like Alexis. From what the students say, she has a style all her own. But yes, I teach.”
Alexis whirled on him. “What does that mean?”
He held up a hand. “Nothing, Dar—” He coughed. “Nothing. Just a statement.”
Luke didn’t miss the narrowing of her brother’s eyes and the speculative look he threw him. Darling? Is that what he’d started to say? Better be on his way before he messed up big time.
Alexis frowned and surveyed him.
He gave his best smile. “Your brother? From around here?”
“No, John and his family just arrived from Indonesia.”
Luke lifted a brow. “That’s quite a plane trip.”
“It was.” Her brother’s eyes shifted from him to Alexis. “But coming home is well worth it.”
Luke nodded. Close family.
“I don’t mean to be rude,” John said, “but Sharee and the baby are waiting at the cabin for us. We’re trying to get out to dinner between feedings.”
Luke laughed. “I understand that. Don’t let me keep you. I have some feeding up to do myself. Nice to meet you.” He nodded at John then at Alexis. “See you Monday.”
He walked past them and to the parking lot, his face breaking into a grin. Brother. Thank you, Lord.
&
nbsp; He stopped with his fingers on the door handle. Had his brain shut down? She’s not whom you’re looking for. You know that. Too serious and too pretty. Don’t ask for trouble.
***
“I don’t care what he said, Mom. He’s a liar, and you know it.”
Jessica’s voice reached Alexis as she thrust open the door of the condo a few minutes later. She wanted to change clothes before John and Sharee picked her up. From now on, she planned to have a change of clothes at the college. She stepped into the foyer and paused with her hand on the knob.
“You listen to me, girl. If I say—” Dawn’s voice stopped when Jessica put a finger to her mouth. Both stood just inside the kitchen. Dawn turned and looked Alexis’ way.
Alexis pushed the door closed. “Hi. Am I interrupting?”
“No.” Jessica came forward and lifted the extra books Alexis carried. “Let me get these. We were discussing what we could make for dinner.”
“Can you put them on the bookshelf? Thanks. I’m running back out to meet my brother and his wife for dinner. They’re in town for a couple of weeks. So don’t worry about me.”
She headed for her bedroom. What had cropped up that Jessica didn’t want to share? Dumping her purse and briefcase on the bed, she yanked the clip from her hair, pulled her jeans and a sweater from the closet and slipped into the bathroom. In a few minutes, she walked back down the hall, over the wooden floor, and dropped into a barrel accent chair.
Across the Chinese area rug, Jessica and Dawn sat at opposite ends of the sofa. Jessica played with one of the sofa’s accent pillows.
Before John and Sharee picked her up, perhaps she’d have a few minutes to figure out what that first sentence meant. Who was a liar?
“I’m sorry about running out tonight, but I haven’t seen them for a year; and they have a new baby.”
“A new baby?” Dawn’s eye flicked to Jessica, and Jessica’s hand dropped to her stomach. “Where are they from?”
“Indonesia right now.”
“Indonesia?”
“Yes, they’re missionaries to Indonesia. They work with a human trafficking group there and also help fly supplies into villages where there are no roads.”
Looking for Justice: Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 4) Page 7