Guardian of the Stone

by Amity Grays

  “The new carpenter?” Edeline pursed her lips and gave it some thought. “I didn’t know there was one.” Leaning forward and over her friend, she picked up one of the books from the pile of mysteries. “You’ll have three of these,” she said, waving the book under Amanda’s nose. “I noticed them as I was stuffing the bag.” Lifting the book, she quickly scanned the back cover. “Hmm, sounds like a good one. Maybe I’ll take one off your hands.”

  She lowered the book to find Amanda staring at her, her mouth gaping wide open.

  Edeline giggled. “What?”

  “The carpenter—you haven’t met him—the very definition of a hunk, stud-muffin extraordinaire, tall, dark and likely to send your hormones into overdrive?”

  “Why, thank you, darlin’,” Paul said, stepping into the store behind them and flexing his muscles in the form of a pose.

  Both women laughed.

  Hanging his head theatrically, he placed his hammer on the counter, turned and walked back toward the door.

  “Oh, honey, you’re a stud-muffin,” Amanda assured, adding a whistle for good measure.

  “The studliest,” Edeline agreed with an exaggerated wink.

  “Give it up.” He nodded his head toward the front window. “I know exactly who you’re talking about.”

  Both Edeline and Amanda hurried to the window.

  Edeline’s heart nearly stopped. There he was—a simple T-shirt, nice fitting jeans and the same “tall, dark and handsome” he’d been wearing at the base—the soldier who had brought her home, Lieutenant Colonel Dane Walker.

  She’d done little else but think about him over the last two weeks. His rugged good looks, the way he’d looked at her as though they shared a secret, and then, of course, there were all the answers he held, answers to questions which had plagued her night and day.

  Now suddenly, right as she was giving up all hope of ever seeing him again, here he is.

  “Dane.” She played his name across her lips. What in the world was he doing here of all places?

  “Yes, Dane.” Amanda grinned, oblivious to the enormity of the moment. “Have you met him?”

  Leaning over their shoulders as they peered through the window, Paul knocked on the glass just above them.

  Dane peeked over the rack he was adjusting and smiled their way.

  Both women smiled back before turning to glare at the man behind them.

  “Paul!” Amanda reprimanded, her hands flying to her hips.

  “Yeah, right, like you didn’t deserve it,” he said, playfully swatting her backside before heading out the door.

  Amanda turned back toward Edeline. “He’s perfect for you.”

  “Paul?” Edeline raised her brows in mock surprise. “I hear rumors he’s already taken.”

  Amanda giggled. “Yep, that hunk of lovin’ is already mine.”

  Wagging her finger toward Edeline, she turned back to look out the window to where Paul and Dane were rearranging racks. “Don’t tell me you don’t think he’s hot. I watched your eyes light up when you saw him. He’s perfect for you, admit it.”

  “How do you know?” In truth, she really was curious exactly what Amanda did know. She had a sneaking suspicion it was actually very little.

  “I quizzed Father Tom.” Amanda turned from the window and grabbed the pricing stickers sitting on the front counter. “He’s single, stable, employed.” She searched the counter, moving papers and lifting books. “Ah, there it is,” she said, grabbing a pen which rolled out from one of the multiple messes. Waving the pen in the air triumphantly, she added, “And he’s straight.”

  Edeline stared at her friend in disbelief. “You asked Father Tom if the man was gay?”

  “I was tactful.”

  “I can only imagine.” Edeline rolled her eyes and then looked back out the window. Dane was staring right at her. She could say one thing for the guy. He was blazingly forward. Now the question begged to be answered—why was he here? It wasn’t that she wasn’t glad. She was tremendously pleased, but…Paperback Adventures?

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Amanda said. “I thought Paul was too good to be true, too. Now look at us.” She looked out the window and blew her husband a kiss. “Love happens all the time,” she said, moving away from the window and toward the piles of books lying on the floor. “There’s a Prince Charming out there for everyone. Of course, they’re not all as good looking as Dane and Paul,” she added with a sheepish grin.

  “Did it ever cross your mind Prince Charming might already have a Cinderella?” It had most definitely crossed Edeline’s.

  “Asked. He doesn’t. The position’s still available.”

  Of course she’d asked. Her friend was bound and determined to find her a man.

  “Just because there’s a vacancy, it doesn’t mean he’s looking to fill the position.”

  “When did you become such a pessimist?” Amanda scoured the floor. “You know, the piles are already sorted by genre except for this first one. I’ll sort it, and then I say we take them outside and worry about alphabetizing them out there?”

  “That will work,” she agreed absentmindedly. “Did you say Father Tom brought him here?” The oddity of it suddenly hit her. Why would Dane go to the priest and not her or her father?

  “Yes.” Amanda bent down to her knees in front of the first pile and started categorizing the unsorted books into their appropriate piles. “Father Tom thought we could use his help setting up. He was right. Dane’s been a great help.”

  “Amanda, do me a favor and don’t…” Edeline shook her head and groaned. She knew her friend well. It was pointless to even ask.

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t try setting me up. We know nothing about this guy.”

  “I just gave you his whole spiel. I don’t work blind you know. I check them out before I nudge them your way.”

  Edeline groaned.

  “He seems like a nice guy, Eda.”

  “Even nice guys have their demons.” She knew Dane had his. Necessary or not, he’d killed at least two men. How could anyone take a life and not be haunted?

  Grabbing the pile of books at her feet, Amanda stood up. “I imagine they do,” she said before heading outside.

  Edeline quickly grabbed her own pile and headed out behind her.

  “Science fiction?” Amanda called.

  “Over there,” Paul answered, pointing toward the back rack.

  Edeline looked at her pile. “Westerns?”

  “Here.” Dane patted the rack right in front of him.

  Perfect. She took a deep, deep breath. This was the moment she’d been dreaming of, her chance to have the warrior somewhat to herself. She headed his way, eager for the meeting. And it had nothing to do with his dark piercing eyes, which yes, they were to die for—dark, watchful, completely unforgettable. No, it wasn’t that at all. She wanted only one thing from this so-called carpenter. She wanted answers—long overdue answers.

  Once again those eyes watched her, looking at her as if she was the whole of the universe. It made it very difficult to remember he was but a stranger. Without question he was a stranger to her. Regardless of what they had shared in another world, she didn’t know the man at all.

  Of course, he might see things differently.

  Edeline shook off the thought as she neared the rack. She was not about to get sidetracked by this man, regardless of how sexy were the thick lashes which framed his deep brown eyes—a fact she’d noted that day in the conference room. And it didn’t matter how delectably his lips curved more to one side than the other when he smiled—a fact she’d noted when he’d walked into the lab and seen her shaking the stone. No, it didn’t matter at—

  “I’ll take those from you,” he said, reaching out and taking the books from her hands. “Louis L’Amour,” he read, lifting one of the books after placing the pile on the shelf. “I thought I recognized the cover.” He glanced her way. “My father was a big fan. He’s read every book the ma
n ever wrote.” He placed the book back with the others and began sorting them by author and title.

  Casual conversation? Not what I expected.

  “What are you doing here?” she whispered.

  He nodded back toward her friends. “Not now, Edeline.”

  Looking over her shoulder to see how focused was their audience; she found both sets of eyes were directly upon them.

  Wonderful, Mr. and Mrs. Happily-Married had found her a prospect.

  It appeared she’d be forced to play along. As strangers they would be expected to maintain a certain degree of casual banter. Moving behind him, she began placing pricing stickers on each of the books.

  “My father enjoys him as well,” she began. “But then, my father enjoys all things historical. He’s a fanatic like Paul. When the two get together, it’s nearly impossible to pull them from the past.”

  “Well, there’s a lot to talk about. I understand perfectly their interest,” he said, his words spoken so matter-of-factly she would have missed their meaning if not for his manner—the quick meaningful glance, the somber expression.

  “Yes.” She swallowed. “There’s so much to be learned, so many questions.”

  They moved on to the lower shelf, both bending out of sight.

  As she reached for the next book, his hand covered hers.

  She nearly gasped. The man affected her in the strangest of ways. Lifting her eyes to his, she whispered. “Why here? Why now after all these days?”

  “I’m your watch.”

  She shifted uncomfortable. “I have a watch. They drive a black Suburban, shadow my every move and haunt my yards. They couldn’t be more annoying if they tried.”

  “They’re going to be gone in a couple days.”

  “A fact I embrace with every passing hour.”

  “You can’t go without coverage, Edeline. Not yet. Not until the power is passed and any personal threat to you is gone.”

  “There is no power to pass, Lieutenant Colonel, and I don’t need more coverage. What I need is answers.”

  “I’ll answer any question you have—later, with your father.”

  He undoubtedly caught her immense irritation. It seemed to amuse him. Watching her quietly a moment, then continuing on with the task at hand, he added, “You need to quit calling me Lieutenant Colonel. The name is Dane.”

  She glared at him. “You’ve certainly kept me waiting long enough…Dane.”

  He chuckled. “That’s my girl.”

  The possessive caught her by surprise. She wondered exactly what the comment meant. Had they bickered? Based on what had been their circumstance, it would surprise her. Though he certainly seemed the argumentative type, she definitely wasn’t…or didn’t consider herself to be.

  Dane finished the row and stood.

  “So, Dane,” Amanda said from a couple rows back, “how is it you know Father Tom?”

  No! Panic struck Edeline direct as a pang inside her chest. Already kneeling on all fours at the bottom row, she crawled to rack’s end and peeked back toward the menace.

  Amanda leaned casually over her rack, Dane direct in her sights.

  Nausea swam the surface of Edeline’s stomach. She knew exactly where this was going. Amanda had an agenda, and Amanda with an agenda was a little like a cat on the prowl. There simply wasn’t a lot going to stop her.

  She’d try all the same. Drawing her hand across her neck cutthroat style, she glared at her friend, who chose to ignore her.

  Dane tilted his head to look down to where she knelt. The same amused expression from before shifted his good looks into downright sexy. He looked back to Amanda. “Father Tom and I share a mutual friend.”

  Edeline jumped to her feet. “Done,” she declared. “Amanda, why don’t you follow me inside? You can help me pick the next load.”

  “Nope, not quite done marking this one,” she replied, pulling a sticker from the sheet and placing it on the next paperback for show. “You go ahead and run inside. I’m chatting with Dane.”

  Gritting her teeth and snarling her displeasure, she fought the urge to grab Amanda by the ear and yank her inside. When it became obvious the little matchmaker wasn’t going to budge, Edeline shot her one last warning look and then reluctantly headed into the shop.

  If she were smart, she’d sneak out the back door and head for home.

  Why, after twenty-four years of doing just fine on her own, was everyone so determined to take over her life? If her father had his druthers, she’d be imprisoned in their cottage. If the general had his way, she’d be hooked to a pole and dangled through the streets for all the lunatics to find. If Amanda had her way…well, that was nothing new. Amanda was always trying to hook her up with someone. Blissfully married women couldn’t tolerate their friends’ single status.

  What Edeline wanted was answers and to know it was all going to end. She wanted the whys, whens and hows. After that, she simply wanted her life back.

  One glance around at the seemingly endless piles of books assured her running was out of the question. She’d have to help and keep her friend on track if they were going to open by noon. At least the work would be a stack of normal she could both handle and use. Reaching down, she grabbed another armload.

  Romance.

  She glanced back out the window. Dane was still standing by the westerns and getting drilled by Amanda.

  Hmm. Romance was several rows back.

  She couldn’t deny it—she was more than slightly attracted to the man. Who wouldn’t be? He was built to appeal to a woman’s basic desires. What nature hadn’t blessed him with, iron and discipline had graciously supplied.

  What had it been like for her, getting rescued by such a man? Certainly there would have been gratitude, but had there also been adoration? They were gone three days. How many of those days had she been with him? What had they talked about? What had she shared? She wondered exactly how much she had revealed and how well he knew her.

  It was a little unnerving not knowing.

  The way he looked at her—the way he spoke as if…well, as if there had been some level of intimacy between them, made her wonder how big of a fool she had been.

  Edeline put down the pile in her arms and scanned the floor for more westerns. She wouldn’t examine her reasons.

  Loaded with another armful, she headed back outside.

  “Eda.” Amanda looked her way. “Did you know Mr. Hasenbrook hired Dane to help Father Tom finish the west addition? That’s why he’s here. He’s actually staying with Father Tom until the renovations are done. Isn’t that great? Fortunately for us, he heard about the fundraiser and volunteered to help.” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that, now he’s ours. It’s like it was meant to be. Don’t you agree, honey?” Amanda glanced toward Paul, who was now watching her through narrowed lids.

  “I’m always glad to lend a hand to a worthy cause,” Dane said, holding out his hands once again as Edeline approached. “This is a great cause, and I have to admit, I don’t much mind the company either.”

  He’d looked right at her. There would be no denying the statement was meant for her.

  Edeline felt herself blush from the top of her head clear down to her toes as she handed him the books. “Thank…you,” she said awkwardly, meaning for the help, but frazzled by the compliment—a compliment which was sure to do nothing but encourage her obstinate friend.

  Soon all four were working in a familiar pattern in and out of the shop, until all the outside shelves were full.

  “I do believe we’re ready,” Amanda declared, taking one last look around.

  “Good job, team,” Paul said, hitting them all with a high-five. “If you ladies want to grab the cookie trays, Dane and I will open things up.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Amanda gave her husband a kiss and turned toward the store, motioning for Edeline to follow.

  Once the door closed, the matchmaking began.

  “Round two of the grilling revealed nothing off-kil
ter.” She beamed. “Just hot and handy. Hot and handy,” she repeated with a snort and a slap across her leg. “I crack myself up.”

  “You should’ve been a comedian,” Edeline said dryly. “Now, put down your bow and arrow, Cupid. The man’s probably not even interested.”

  “Oh, he’s interested.” Amanda bit into her lip and wiggled her brows humorously.

  “Stop,” Edeline warned.

  “Can’t help myself.”

  “Try.” Lifting the first tray of cookies, she shot her friend one last warning glare—a wasted moment if ever there was one.

  Dane watched as she bagged the customer’s purchases.

  “Thanks for stopping by, Mrs. Levitt,” she said with a smile as she handed the woman her bag. “We certainly appreciate the support.”

  The elderly woman’s face lit with affection as she took the bag into her arms. “Oh, Eda, you know I would never miss it. You kids are so good to do all this.” She adjusted the bag to her hip and then reached out and squeezed Edeline’s hand. “May the Lord bless you, dear.”

  “And you, Mrs. Levitt.”

  Everyone loved her. But then, how could they not? She was nothing if not lovable. God knew he loved her. Being so close to her and being bound by the restraints of a stranger was nearly killing him. She wasn’t a stranger. She was the woman he loved, even if he was having a time getting use to the modern version of the woman.

  Eda was definitely the typical twenty-first century lady. Oh, she was, of course, still his Edeline. Her enchanting curls still fell unruly in every which direction, her smile was still bright and genuine and impossible to forget, and her blue eyes were still as vibrant and alive as ever. But there were additions. The touches of makeup, though light, slightly changed the final picture, emphasizing the long length of her lashes, the allure of her lips.

  It was definitely a different look from the unadorned look she’d carried in the past. Not one was more appealing than the next, both were simply captivating.