Shadowed

by Kariss Lynch

  “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”

  Kaylan put her hand over her heart. “Was that your question? I’m shocked it took you this long to notice.”

  “Sometimes I can be a little slow.”

  “Sometimes?”

  He dropped money on the table and stood up, stealing a kiss in the process. His smile spelled danger. “Watch it, gorgeous. You may get more than you bargained for. Or I may decide to take back my surprise.”

  She stood up and slipped her hand in his. “You planned a surprise?”

  “I’m a man of many secrets.”

  She elbowed him in the ribs. “Better not be too many.”

  He met her eyes and held them, all joking aside. “Only when I have to, Kaylan. But never something that could hurt our relationship.”

  “I understand. And you still won’t tell me who this mysterious letter writer is?”

  He laughed as they walked down a row of shops and restaurants. “It’s my turn for the questions. Speaking of, you up for ice cream?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Now that was a dumb question.”

  “How can I ever make it up to you?”

  “Spring for two scoops.”

  The ice cream store smelled of sugar and happiness to Kaylan. She could remember many trips to get ice cream with her parents and Seth in particular after school.

  Kaylan loved sampling the flavors. She chose a waffle cone and requested two scoops of cheesecake while Nick chose two scoops of double chocolate chip with what looked like marshmallows in it.

  He swung his arm over her shoulder as they left the shop and wandered down to the beach. “Why do you get cheesecake flavor? We could just go get cheesecake instead.”

  “First of all, no one makes cheesecake as good as Gran. Second, this way I get two desserts in one. Don’t knock it ’til you try it.”

  He kissed her hair as they walked, her feet sinking into the sand. “You’re missing your family today, aren’t you?”

  “I always miss them. What was your first clue?”

  “I know you. But you’ve mentioned them a lot. You tend to get this distant look in those gorgeous green eyes.”

  “I guess I’m feeling a little nostalgic today.”

  “Why is that?”

  “It’s our first day to really put aside the busyness of life and just be together. I guess with that comes a break from routine and a chance to feel everything I’ve pushed away. I miss Alabama, the trees, the weather, the people. With the holidays creeping up, I miss Sarah Beth. It’s almost been a year since we graduated. I miss being able to watch Seth’s games and be around Dave on the weekends to fish or watch a movie with him. I miss decorating with Mom, cooking with Gran, playing games with Pap, helping Dad build those model ships in his office. I miss mornings on the lake. I miss college. I guess things were simpler last year.” She gazed up at him. “Who would have thought what the past year would bring?”

  He stopped walking and faced her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers stroked her cheek. “Do you regret coming here?”

  “Never.” She stood on her tip toes and kissed him, tasting the lingering chocolate from his ice cream. She could feel his smile.

  “You’re right. That cheesecake doesn’t taste half bad.”

  She giggled and pulled back. “Nick, I wouldn’t trade this time with you. As much as I miss them, this is my life now. When I finish this internship, I can take that awful test, get licensed, and hopefully add a voice for improvement when natural disasters strike. I think you told me once that Sarah Beth will always be part of me. I can’t erase that living here. But this, Nick”—she gestured to the ocean and people milling around on the beach, enjoying the last day of their weekend—“this fits, too. You are my world now.”

  His face lit up, and her heart warmed that she was the reason. Never could she have prayed for a man like Nick Carmichael. His past was his past. She couldn’t change it any more than she could change her own. But they could build a beautiful future on the rubble of past mistakes, and she couldn’t wait to make that happen.

  “It’s time for your surprise.” He grabbed her hand, tugging her back to the car. Already she loved this day of escape.

  Chapter 33

  NICK NEVER FELT this nervous. Not when facing down locals with guns in the desert of the Middle East. Not when training. Not when caught in the middle of a brawl in college. Not when boarding Janus’s boat in Ukraine. But now his hands felt slick with sweat. His heart pounded as if it could burst from his chest. He took a deep breath, steadying his heart and fighting the nerves.

  He’d blindfolded Kaylan and now led her to where Jay had docked his boat. He prayed for the perfect evening. He glanced at the orange tint in the sky, guessing they had about an hour before the sun set.

  “Nick, where are you taking me?”

  “I lied about the note. I wrote it. I’m kidnapping you. Next stop Hawaii.”

  She giggled. “I think I can handle that. You can take the blindfold off now. I’ll go willingly. I wouldn’t want you charged with kidnapping.”

  “Not a chance, babe. We’re almost there.”

  He checked his shorts pocket again, the edges of the box reassuring him as he walked the last few steps and stopped. Megan had outdone herself decorating and, true to his request, had avoided using black. He’d thank her later.

  He came around Kaylan and unfastened the blindfold, his fingers brushing her wavy auburn locks. She’d changed into a knit sweater and linen pants, perfect for the weather as the November evening dipped into the sixties and a small breeze teased their skin.

  “Oh, Nick. No way.” She turned and flew into his arms, placing a kiss on his lips before turning back to the scene before them.

  Luck B A Lady, Jay’s speedboat, sat before them. Jay had cleaned her, and Megan had set a picnic basket and blankets on the deck, where a couple of padded bench seats sat ready and waiting for dinner.

  “She’s ours for the evening.” Nick helped her climb on board and started the engine; it roared to life then purred, waiting for his command. He navigated past the surf and out into the still water, gunning the engine for full effect. Kaylan squealed as sea spray lighted on her face, dotting her eyelashes like diamonds in the setting sun. Nick chuckled, relaxing in his natural habitat. The sea, the sunset, and the coming darkness, a Frogman at home.

  As they hit a cove of smoother water, he cut the engine and threw anchor, letting them bob in the gentle current. A light cloud cover smeared the sky, and he hoped it wouldn’t obscure their view. The lap of water against the boat cooled his nerves. The world receded. The only thing that mattered was her laughter and his fingers wound through hers.

  He spread the blanket on the floor of the boat, facing the setting sun. She quickly unpacked the picnic—gourmet sandwiches, chips, fruit, and chocolate cake dripping with a cherry glaze awaited. “Who in the world made all this?”

  Nick grinned, ecstatic that the details had come together without her knowledge. “Turns out your roommate is a fantastic cook.”

  “Clearly she missed her calling.” She tossed him
a sandwich and then curled up next to him, pulling a plaid blanket over both of their legs. “I’m not usually a sunset girl, but this is pretty amazing. Thanks for today.”

  “My pleasure. I gotta say, I think my California sunsets rival your Alabama sunrises.”

  “Blasphemy. Don’t ever say that again.”

  “It’s true. I’ve requested a poll, and I won.”

  “I demand a recount. But I have to say . . . ” She set her sandwich aside and curled into his chest as her voice lowered in awe. “This one is pulling out all the stops.”

  Nick couldn’t have agreed more. He’d grown up watching the sunsets over the water, but this one seemed unlike any he’d seen. Pink and orange tinted the gray clouds as if lava built in the heights. At the skyline a fiery orange and yellow spilled over the water and shot rays into the sky, slicing into the clouds and coloring the water. In the stillness the water directly reflected the sky above. Beauty surrounded them on all sides.

  “Whose turn is it for a question?” Kaylan mumbled against his chest.

  “My turn, I think.” He swallowed hard, his hands slipping as he reached into his pocket and grasped the box. “But I want you to look at me for this one.”

  She moved to sit cross-legged next to him, her gaze wary. “Are you going to ask me to do the Macarena again for you? Because like I said earlier, that is not a valid question.”

  He threw his head back in a laugh, letting the nerves bleed away for a moment. He loved the humor that returned the more she healed. He’d missed this Kaylan in the past months. He reached for her hands, tasting the words he wanted to say, feeling them well within him like the ocean he loved so much. He feared she would say no, that a part of her remained terrified of his past, of his job, of making a life here. But as she’d challenged him, what they did, they would now do together.

  “You’ve changed a lot this year, you know. I’ve watched you go from a broken woman to a woman who refuses to back down, who doesn’t just need support but who desires to support others. Kaylan, if I could have picked the woman I wanted to spend my life with, I never could have dreamed you up. You’re beautiful, fun, talented. Your love for the Lord is infectious and pure. You love others and put them before yourself, no matter the circumstance. Even today, the fact that you would help me find my family, unite with my sister, no questions asked, meant the world to me.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, watching the flickering emotions pass across her face. Emotion tore at his throat, causing his voice to become husky.

  “I love you, Kaylan Lee Richards. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you, have babies with you. Your family will be my family. I want to love you as Christ loved the church, and I would give my life to protect you.” His fingers caressed her face, causing her breath to catch. “I want to support you in your dreams, fight for your heart, and wake up to a beautiful sunrise with you for the rest of our lives. I don’t know where this journey will take us. I don’t know what states or countries we may live in. I can’t promise ease and comfort. I can’t promise full disclosure. But I can promise to partner with you and do my best to point you to Christ, no matter what.”

  He pulled himself onto his knee and reached for the box, tugging it open. Her breath caught as another spike of light shot through the sky, and the horizon line glowed a dusky pink.

  He smiled, all hint of nerves gone. He’d never been so sure of anything in his life. “So for my last question of the day.” His eyes locked with hers. “Kaylan, will you marry me?”

  Tears coursed down her face as she rose up on her knees and threw her arms around his neck. Her lips met his, and he had his answer. This girl belonged to him, a gift from God in every way. He knew without a doubt that he would treasure her the rest of his days.

  He chuckled. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.”

  His lips met hers again. He didn’t think he would ever tire of her kisses or her arms around his neck. He cupped her face in his hands, drowning in the hope rekindled in her eyes, hope he hadn’t seen in a year. Hope for a future. He pulled back and removed the ring from the box, reaching for her finger.

  His whisper carried in the gentle breeze as he recited Proverbs 31. “‘A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.’ You are my treasure, Kayles.”

  Her eyes shone in the darkness. “That was the best question of the day.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “I love you, Nick Carmichael. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  He pulled her close as the last of the light slipped beneath the water line and shadows descended on the boat. As Nick pointed the boat back to port, he couldn’t help but think that the sunset had been appropriate. It was the end of one stage and the dawn of another, one he couldn’t wait to begin.

  Chapter 34

  KAYLAN AWOKE WITH a start and looked at her hand. She hadn’t dreamed it. A pear-shaped diamond adorned her finger, evidence of a sunset proposal the night before. She fell back against her pillow. It had happened, really happened.

  A party had awaited them when they got back. Megan and Micah pulled out all the stops. Despite being miles away from Alabama and the rest of her family, she felt more loved than she could hope for. Every day California felt more and more like home.

  She jumped up to shower and get ready for work, just in time to read her Bible and watch the sunrise too. She had much to be thankful for this morning. Yet a small twinge of sadness stole across her heart. Sarah Beth wasn’t here to celebrate, and she wouldn’t be there to stand next to her on her big day.

  Kaylan knew it would always be this way, big moments of celebration followed by quiet moments of grieving. She knew one day she would rock away on a front porch in heaven and tell Sarah Beth all about it. They had eternity to enjoy their friendship. For now she would carry on and celebrate, knowing that’s exactly what Sarah Beth would want her to do.

  Her phone rang as she left the porch after reading her Bible. Nick. Her smile nearly slipped off her face as she hurried to her room. “Morning, babe.”

  “Kayles, we need to talk.”

  Her smile froze, and she stopped in the middle of her room, her eyes darting around. The serious tone of his voice set her nerves on edge. “Everything okay?”

  “We’re leaving, Kayles. We got the call a couple of hours ago. They’re briefing us when we get there. We’re loading the plane within the hour. I’m not going to see you, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Could you . . . ”

  “Yeah, I’ll take care of the house and check in on Kim and Logan. Don’t worry. Please be safe.” Her heart sank. She’d had a brief break from reality, but she realized this is the life she would marry into. Moments of celebration and fun, followed by long absences. If she wanted Nick, she would learn to embrace both.

  “Kayles, I’m sorry. This isn’t how I wanted to spend the next few days.”

  “Don’t apologize. Go do what you need to do and then come home to me.”

  She could hear his smile, even though she couldn’t see it. “Have I told you lately that you’re amazing?”

  “Keep telling me. I love you.�
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  “I love you too. Hold down the home front. I’ll call when I can.”

  “It’s a deal. Bye.” She hid her cracking voice as she ended the call, her emotions riding a roller coaster.

  “Lover boy leaving again?”

  Kaylan jumped and turned to find Megan leaning in her doorway. She’d donned shorts and a T-shirt for her work at the aquatic center and nursed a mug of coffee in her hand. “You scared me.”

  Megan smiled. “I guess with everything going on around here you have the right to be a little jumpy.”

  Kaylan shuffled through a pile of clothes to grab a light jacket and her keys. “Guess so.”

  “So Nick’s leaving to avoid wedding planning.” She shook her head. “Typical.”

  Kaylan laughed. “Thanks for planning the party last night. It was incredible.”

  A shyness crept over Megan. “I liked hanging out with your friends.”

  “Well, how about you come with me to see Logan and Kim tomorrow night? I don’t think you spent time with them at Halloween.”

  “I’m game. What do you have in mind?”

  Kaylan slipped past Megan in the doorway, talking as she moved toward her car. “Kim is back from the hospital with her baby. I want to check in on her. I would love for you to get to know her. I’m taking dinner over.”

  “Babies, Kaylan? I’m not so good with kids.”

  Kaylan stopped at the door and flipped a strand of Megan’s hair, grinning at her roommate’s cringe. “Just one baby. And three kids. Trust me, these are the best-behaved kids on the planet.”

  “Fine. Sign me up. You’ve got me helping neighbors and kissing babies. Maybe you’ll have me believing in Jesus soon too.” Megan rolled her eyes.

  “That’s the plan.” With a wave she walked out the door, praying for her roommate and the SEAL team heading to who knew where. She planned to watch the news constantly until the guys came back.