Keeping Guard, page 12
Alarms sounded in her head. The sheriff? What was going on?
She yanked a sweatshirt over her head, gripped the door handle and charged into the stairwell.
By the back door, the sheriff argued with Frank. Beyond them, Nate stood with his arms crossed, scowling. His expression softened when he spotted her. He dropped his arms to the side as he took the stairs two by two to reach her.
Thank you, Lord, that he’s okay.
“What’s going on?” She stuffed her hands into her pockets, searching Nate’s face for any sign that he was hurt.
Nate stepped close and lowered his voice. “Frank has Suzy’s handkerchief. He claims he didn’t see her last night, but…”
“Then how did he get her handkerchief?” Kylie’s voice rose in pitch.
“That’s what the sheriff is trying to figure out. He’s going to take him down to the station for questioning. Why don’t you go back into the apartment and I’ll let you know when they’re gone? Okay?”
Kylie nodded, not wanting to be around Frank right now anyway, especially when she thought about what the man might have done to Suzy. She squeezed Nate’s hand and then slipped back inside the apartment and locked the door. She heard Nate running down the steps again and the sound of voices, though she couldn’t make out the words.
She leaned against the door, her heart racing. What could Frank have done with Suzy? Was she okay? Being held captive somewhere? Or had Frank done something worse? She shuddered.
She prayed it wasn’t too late, that Suzy was okay and safe and just waiting to be found.
Walking toward the window, she glanced outside again and saw the sheriff leading a belligerent Frank into the squad car. She hoped the sheriff truly would get to the bottom of this.
Nate watched the scene from the stoop outside. His hands were planted on his hips and he shook his head as if weary and frustrated. A moment later, he came inside and Kylie heard him climbing the stairs. She went to the door and unlocked it. When she pulled it open, he stood on the other side.
She extended her arm behind her, inviting him in. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and try to relieve some of his weariness. She didn’t, though.
“Want some tea?” she offered instead.
He shook his head and sat at the dinette. “No, thanks.”
Kylie sat across from him, lacing her fingers together on the table. “What happened? Do they know where Suzy is?”
“Frank still won’t admit that he even saw her. I’m hoping the sheriff will be able to get more information from him.”
“Is Frank dangerous?”
“He’s mostly just a nuisance. I hate to say it that way, but it’s true. He won’t help himself. Instead, he just makes everyone else miserable. But I really can’t see him being violent.”
“But Suzy’s scarf…”
He rubbed his hands over his face. “I know. Believe me, I know.”
“Did you find out anything else?”
He slid his hands down his face and dropped them to his side as he leaned back in the chair. “No, I didn’t. I wish I had.”
“You did well, Nate. That was really nice of you to offer him some food.”
“I should probably do it more often, but when I close the restaurant, I’m usually exhausted. Plus, the idea of Frank hanging around doesn’t do much for business. So don’t take me for a saint. I struggle just as much as anyone with caring for the ‘least of these.’”
“Isn’t that what the Christian walk is about? Giving our best. All of us are far from perfect. Thank goodness for the grace of God. I’d be nowhere without it, that’s for sure.”
“Why do you say it with such a heavy heart?”
Kylie shrugged. “I don’t know. Just being in the situation I’ve been in for the past few months, I guess. I cling to God when times are tough, but when times are good, I seem to think I can do it on my own. It’s a lesson I’ve been constantly trying to conquer for my whole life.”
“I think a lot of us are like that.”
Her mind drifted back to her teen years. She closed her eyes. “I’ve never felt closer to God than when I had lymphoma. I felt like I knew God intimately. Then I went into remission. I’m not really sure what happened. My church attendance stopped being what it should. I thought I could love God without immersing myself in His word or gathering with other believers. I thought just believing was enough. But I’m tired of living like this.”
“It sounds like you’ve had some good realizations, Kylie. It all goes back to that grace thing you were talking about earlier.”
She nodded. “You’re right. Absolutely right.”
“How about we pray for Suzy together? Would that be okay?”
“That would be more than okay.”
Nate reached across the table and took her hand. Together they bowed their heads and lifted prayers for Suzy’s safety, for peace for her family, for justice to whoever had done this to her.
After saying amen, she reluctantly pulled her hands away from Nate’s. Kylie felt a special connection with Nate. Praying with others always seemed to do that.
He cleared his throat and glanced at his watch. “I should try to get a few hours of rest.”
“Me, too.”
Nate’s warm eyes settled on hers. “Good night, Kylie.”
“Good night, Nate.” Kylie smiled, her heart racing more than it probably should. When she’d met Nate in the parking lot on that stormy night, she would never have thought that in such a short time he’d leave her smiling like a lovesick teenager, but that’s exactly what she was doing. She leaned against the door another moment and remembered the feeling of Nate’s hand in hers. She was still smiling as she slipped into bed for the evening.
Seven o’clock came too soon for Kylie. Despite the hectic pace of last evening, she must have fallen into a deep sleep, because when she woke up she immediately heard voices and machinery outside the building.
She walked to the window facing the river. Water spurted like a fountain from the asphalt and filled the street below. At that moment, crews paused from their noise-making activities to stare at the mess.
Kylie threw on some clothes and hurried downstairs. She rushed through the kitchen and found Nate standing in the dining room, watching everything outside the picture windows. He turned when she walked in.
“What’s going on?” She stood beside him.
“Water-main break. I woke up an hour ago and saw the street was flooded. Called the city and now they’re staring at the problem, trying to figure out what to do.”
Kylie shoved her hands into her jean pockets and absorbed the information. “What does that mean for business today?”
“It means we have no business today. I’m not about to let customers in through the kitchen, and there’s no way they’re wading through the water to get to the front door. Plus, we have no water.” He wrinkled his lips and glanced her way. “I guess that’s a blessing and a curse.”
“Maybe there’s some other stuff we can do in the kitchen to get ready for opening again on Monday.”
He nodded, his gaze fixed on the men outside. “Maybe.”
Kylie paused to stare at the city work crew outside for another moment. Finally she turned to Nate, ready to ask the questions that were most on her mind. “Any word on Suzy? Frank?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t called yet. I will once I get into my office.”
A few minutes later Nate disappeared into his cubbyhole and Kylie busied herself by cleaning shelves, rearranging plates and throwing away old food from the refrigerator.
Darlene stopped by, as she did every morning, but this time without desserts. “That’s quite the mess outside.”
Kylie sat back on her ankles, grateful for a break. “We’re closed for business.”
“That’s what I figured. I’m sorry to hear that. I know it’s bad for business.”
“Speaking of business, how are things at the bed-and-breakfast?”
Darlene’s face lit with a smile. “I can’t complain. I’ve had one guest who came Thursday and plans to stay for a week. I told him to come try the restaurant, but he seems preoccupied with some business he’s attending to. I also have two couples on weekend getaways and four sisters who decided to explore some American heritage.”
Kylie smiled. “That’s great.”
Kylie knew Darlene and Harvey worried about business, like many people in their position did. Kylie was glad to hear things were going well for them. Before Kylie could ask any more questions, Nate appeared from out of his office. The lines around his eyes looked deeper as he approached. Kylie and Darlene both paused and waited for him to share whatever was on his mind.
“I’m not sure if you heard yet or not, but Frank was in the restaurant last night, and he had the scarf Suzy was wearing when she disappeared. The police have him in custody, but he still claims he knows nothing. He said he found that scarf on the ground the night Suzy disappeared.” Nate shook his head. “And there’s still no word on Suzy. No one seems to know or to have seen anything. Her parents are beside themselves.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Darlene asked.
He shook his head. “The police are still asking questions so they can know where to start looking, even. The best we can do right now is pray.”
Kylie nodded. “I’ve been doing that and will definitely continue.”
“Everyone in town has been praying,” Darlene added. “We’ll find her. I just know we will.” She patted Nate’s arm and then hugged Kylie. “Let me know if I can do anything. I’m sorry the restaurant will be closed today. I have lots of guests I was hoping to send over here.”
When Darlene left, Nate shifted his eyes to the crew in front of the store. He stared at them for a moment before running a hand down his face as if to wipe away exhaustion. Then he turned to Kylie. “What do you say we forget about work and go for a walk?”
Kylie put down the silverware she was rolling. “A walk? But what about the restaurant?”
“It can wait.” He stretched out his hand. “What do you say?”
Kylie looked at him a moment before smiling. “I say let’s do it.” She grabbed his hand and he pulled her to her feet.
As she glanced out the window, she saw the fog still hung heavily outside. “I thought this would have rolled out by now.”
“Nah, the fog likes to settle here in Yorktown for some reason. Being right here on the water helps. I always say it gives the place atmosphere.”
They stepped outside into the damp day. Beyond the building, the sound of crews working on the street filled the air. Kylie pulled her sweatshirt more tightly around her to ward off some of the heavy moisture in the air.
“Weather too bad for you?”
She shook her head. “Are you kidding? It feels great to get outside.”
“I thought we could walk over to the National Battlefield. It’s pretty interesting there, whether you’re a history buff or not.”
“Let’s go.”
As they moved away from the restaurant, walking between historic buildings where treaties were signed and history took place, the sound of the fife and drum drifted through the air. Soon enough, a group of teenagers dressed in Colonial garb appeared, walking in formation. The music lent a magic feel to the surroundings.
Kylie sucked in a breath, cool air filling her lungs. It felt so good to stretch her legs and to be outside. She didn’t realize how much she loved being in nature until she was stuck inside all day.
“For a Saturday, this place is pretty dead.” Nate glanced around at the barren streets. “We usually have tourist groups throughout the year.”
“Maybe you’re not losing a lot of business today after all.”
He offered a half smile. “Are you always such an optimist?”
Kylie stuffed her hands into her pockets. “No, not always. But I do find it helps me when I can think positively.”
They reached a clearing and before them stretched Surrender Field, the place where the war for this country had been won. They wandered the gentle hills and looked at the historic cannons that marked the battlefield.
In the distance stood a cemetery. They walked quietly toward it, side by side, dew glistening on the tops of their shoes and dampening the edges of their pants. Fog still hung heavy around them, making the historic marker feel even more haunted.
In the cemetery, Kylie reflected on the names she read, names of people who had died fighting for this country during the Revolutionary War. She thanked God for the sacrifices made in order to give her freedom. She thanked Him for the ultimate sacrifice that His son made on the cross in order to give her life.
Greater love has no man than this, that he would give up his life for another.
The verse flittered through her mind. Nate’s image flashed into her mind. He was the kind of man who’d give up his life to save someone else. He was a good man. Honorable. Men like him were few and far between.
“I love coming here to reflect on life.” Nate leaned against a fence at the edge of the cemetery, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket.
“Cemeteries are a great place to put life into perspective, that’s for sure.”
Kylie averted her gaze to the left at a movement she saw there. Another tourist? She searched the area, but saw no one, just an old house and some headstones and towering trees.
Nate appeared at her side. “What is it?”
Kylie blinked rapidly. “I guess I’m just seeing things.”
They began walking between the headstones together. The skin on Kylie’s neck prickled. Was someone watching them? She paused and turned. She and Nate were the only ones in the cemetery. Everything that had happened lately was making her paranoid.
Nate’s cell phone rang. He pulled it from his belt, checked the number and then glanced back at Kylie. “I’ve got to take this. Will you excuse me for a moment?”
Kylie nodded and watched as he walked toward one of the towering nearby trees. His voice sounded low and she couldn’t make out what the call was about. The water main break, maybe? She continued walking, not straying too far from Nate.
She paused. The feeling of unseen eyes on her was all too familiar. She’d become accustomed to it back in Kentucky. Without turning her head, she scanned the area in front of her. Woods that ended at the river. She saw no one there, not even a wild animal.
Trying to appear casual, she turned toward a nearby cannon, but her eyes wandered over her surroundings. When her gaze reached the visitor center, she stopped. Was that a figure she’d seen dart around the corner? Or were her eyes playing tricks on her?
The place was already foggy, with shifty shadows and low visibility. Perhaps her paranoia was at play again.
“Kylie?”
She let out a small scream and jumped, spinning around toward the voice.
“Whoa, it’s just me.” Nate stood there with his arms raised.
Kylie’s heart rate slowed some. “Nate,” she breathed in relief.
“Who did you think it was?”
She shrugged, her gaze darting toward the visitor center again. “I don’t know. I just keep feeling like we’re not alone here.”
Nate scanned the area. “I don’t see anyone.”
“I know. I don’t either. I guess it’s more of a feeling. Maybe it’s just something that’s been ingrained in me after all of my experiences back in Kentucky.”
He put an arm to her waist. “We should probably head back, anyway.”
“Why? Is everything okay? Was the phone call about Suzy?”
He glanced toward his phone. “The phone call? No. That was…that was nothing. No news yet.” He began leading her back toward the road. “Now, let’s get you home.”
Kylie nodded, but she couldn’t help but wonder who the phone call had been from. There was something Nate wasn’t telling her. Kylie’s heart twisted at the possibility. Had it been Bruce? The sheriff? She sucked in a breath. She would have to trust Nate. If the phone call was something she needed to know about, Nate would tell her…wouldn’t he?
SIXTEEN
By the time Nate arrived back at the restaurant, his thoughts over the phone call had been replaced by worries over Kylie’s safety. Certainly Kylie had imagined things while in the cemetery. Her stalker couldn’t have found her here.
Or could he?
Nate twisted his key in the lock with such force that the metal nearly broke. He hoped Kylie didn’t notice as he led her inside. He’d remain on guard, make sure Kylie didn’t get out of his sight. He wished Bruce would catch the guy behind these threats to Kylie and throw him in jail. He’d feel better once Kylie was safe and this madman was no longer a threat.
Of course, once she was safe, that meant she could go back to Kentucky. Why did that realization cause his gut to twist?
Could it be because Kylie had been the only bright spot about the restaurant for the past week? His heart lurched at the thought.
“Well, I’m at your disposal. Anything you need me to do?” Kylie stood staring at him, looking so earnest with her doelike eyes, tiny chin and steady gaze.
He wanted to touch that adorable chin, to see if her skin felt as soft as he imagined. He kept his arms at his sides, however. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off and I’ll get caught up on my paperwork. I’ve been working you too hard anyway.”
Kylie remained where she stood and shrugged. “I actually prefer to stay busy. It keeps my mind off of things.”
“Okay, then.” He nodded, wishing the weather was a little nicer today so they could remain outside with reasonable visibility. The fog made it too easy for someone to conceal themselves, and Nate couldn’t chance that. “How about if you fix us lunch?”
She nodded, looking pleased as her gaze traveled to the kitchen. “I can do that. Any requests?”
“Whatever your specialty is. Just remember, you’ll have to use some of the extra water jugs I have stored in the pantry. The water line still hasn’t been turned on.”
“No problem.” She glanced toward the dining area and beyond, to where it appeared the beach had expanded to reach the restaurant. “I wonder how long it will take the crews to fix all of this? What a mess.”
