Breathless (4 page)

4

 

Lydia wiped her cheek as she cleaned the coffee mugs in the sink.

“I'm worried about you.” Sheryl brought in the carafe.

“I'll be fine.” Lydia brushed at another tear. “I can't seem to quit crying these days.”

“You seem so quiet. I have a feeling it's more than the timing of these calls.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were just short of rude to the pastor. That's twice in the same day. What's up?” Sheryl emptied the coffee in the sink. “Blaming it on Justin isn't going to work.”

“I hadn't realized running out so a stranger couldn't watch me fall apart was rude.” Lydia threw the dishtowel on the counter. “Maybe I am losing my mind.”

“Sheryl is just wondering if you have your eye on the new pastor so you'll take your paws off Riley,” Warren said as he came in.

“Off Riley?” Lydia smiled. “We're only friends.”

“I know that.” Sheryl aimed daggers at Warren.

Lydia grinned at the prospect of Riley and Sheryl together as a couple. As much as she cared for Sheryl, she could be a bit of a drama queen while Riley was totally serious.

“You would make a wonderful pair, the town sheriff and the town gossip.” Warren slid his arm over Sheryl's shoulder. “He would save money not having to pay an informant ever again.”

Sheryl jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.

“Well, ladies, I must bid you a fond farewell. Unlike Sheryl, I, myself, have a life.” Warren gave Lydia a light kiss, catching her ear. “I'll stay if you wish.”

“That won't be necessary. I'm planning to take a nap.” Lydia patted his arm. “You go do what you have to.”

She walked Warren to the door, her eyes heavy from lack of sleep. Sheryl had taken a seat on the sofa.

“You don't have to stay,” Lydia said.

“I know, but I have a good book and you need rest.” Sheryl dug through her purse while she spoke, pulling out a hardcover book. “Go. I'll answer the phone and later we can do dinner.”

Lydia dozed for a couple of hours. When she returned downstairs, Sheryl was in the same spot on the couch. They chatted while fixing dinner. Lydia had a hard time focusing on anything but Matthew's touch.

“I guess I should be leaving so you can get some more sleep.” Sheryl replaced the placemats onto the table after the meal.

“You mean rest until my caller contacts me again?”

“If they're watching you, they're aware the sheriff's been here so that could deter them.” Sheryl reasoned. “Besides, if it's a kid, they'll be in school tomorrow so they won't be up that late.”

“I hope so.”

“Maybe if you get some sleep, at Wednesday night's service you can actually be civil to Matthew.”

“Did I really treat him that badly?”

“For anyone else, maybe not. But for you, yes.”

“I guess I'll apologize when I bump into him next. I'm out of sorts right now.” Being distant to Matthew had more to do with Matthew than with the calls. She was drawn to him in a way she hadn't been to a man in a long time.

“He appears to be nice and will understand,” Sheryl said. “But if I were you, I'd be careful.”

“Careful of what?”

“I swear I saw a glint of lust when he looked at you.” Sheryl grinned.

“It's hard to imagine a minister having lustful thoughts of me or anyone else for that matter.” Heat ran across Lydia's cheeks.

“Well, I'll be. You're blushing.” Sheryl touched Lydia's arm. “You find him attractive. Don't you?”

“He is nice looking, so what?” Lydia shrugged her shoulders while her insides did hurdles.

“Nothing. It's great you find him attractive. It proves you're alive.”

“But there's too much overconfidence in his attitude. The only reason there's an attraction is because of his looks.” Lydia played with the frayed edges of a cloth placemat. “I prefer a person who has some substance on the inside.”

“When a person looks that good, who needs substance?” Sheryl giggled. “Imagine him holding you at night. He could be hollow for all I care.”

“You know that's not true. You want someone who has more than just looks.”

“Yeah, but being handsome helps you forget some of the ego department. Besides, I can't recall any sign of conceit from Matthew. He's been quite nice to me. Maybe some of that haughtiness comes from how you've behaved.”

“What do you mean?”

“You ran out on him at the church and here,” Sheryl said. “That's not exactly saying friendly.”

“Maybe I have been a bit rude. It's been a hard couple of days.” Lydia sighed. “I cared so much for Justin. How can I even look at somebody else?”

“It's been two years. It's not good for you to continue living with a memory.” Sheryl grabbed Lydia's hand. “Justin wouldn't want you to sit here crying. He'd want you to be happy.”

Emptiness filled her. “I'm not sure I can.”

“Justin had Riley visiting quite a bit near the end. He might have hoped you two would hit it off. Maybe find comfort in each other's arms so to speak. That obviously isn't going to happen, so maybe God put Matthew here for you instead.”

“I doubt it. I can't believe I'll ever love that deeply again.”

 

****

 

The ringing telephone pulled Lydia from a sound sleep. She glanced at the clock. The time was just shy of three o'clock in the morning. She hesitated answering. Could it be the caller? What if something happened to one of her parents and she didn't pick up?

“Hello.” She answered, her voice groggy.

“The yearnings are getting strong to touch you, to taste you.”

“Stop calling! My husband died two years ago, and these calls are really upsetting me.”

“It won't be too long until you're not alone any more. I can't wait to feel you beneath—”

Lydia slammed the receiver down. She clicked on the nearby light and grabbed Justin's pillow and pulled it against her. If it had been a teenager harassing her, he would have hung up. Wouldn't he? A bead of sweat trickled from her forehead.

A few moments passed before a noise at the front door startled her. She grabbed her cell from the nightstand and crept to the top of the stairs. A shadowy figure appeared through the tapered glass on her door. Her fingers trembled as she pressed numbers on the telephone.

A knock sounded followed by a man's harsh whisper. “Lydia, it's me. Riley.”

The trembling in her stomach dissipated. She descended the stairs and threw open the door. She had never been happier to see that tan uniform.

“I happened to be passing by and saw your light come on. I wanted to check on you.”

“He called again. He said awful things.” She fought the frantic emotion climbing through her being. “Why is he doing this? Why now?”

 

****

 

Matthew drove into Lincolnville in the early morning hours. He should have followed Riley out when he left Brenda's. But when his nephew asked Matthew to stay to play a new video game, he couldn't resist. It was now almost three, and he had an early morning meeting.

Unlike a big city, no lights from local businesses lit his journey. The streets were dark except for the occasional street lamp. For some inexplicable reason he spun onto Devonshire Lane, the street where Lydia lived. As he rounded the corner, he tried to convince himself checking on a parishioner was part of his duty. Besides, keeping an eye on Charlie's sister was the least he could do for the kid he'd killed. He could live with the excuses. It would be easier than admitting something about this woman had gotten under his skin.

He drove around the curve leading to the two-story white house. A Lincolnville Sheriff's Department cruiser was parked out front. He prayed nothing had happened. As he passed, he realized no lights shone in the house. His heart tumbled inside his chest. Even though Riley denied it, this proved they were involved. At first, it was the appearance of a friend comforting another friend. However, Riley spending the night left little doubt they were more.

Matthew sped off. At least with the sheriff there, Lydia would be safe. Matthew couldn't explain why but a yearning grew inside that made him wish he'd been the man chosen to protect her.

His sleep was restless, so the next morning he rose early, and drove around the area before heading into work. Fall colors littered his route. The maples had begun to change, scattering red and yellow throughout. He made a point to avoid Devonshire during his ride. Riley stood beside the sheriff's cruiser in the church parking lot when Matthew pulled in. He parked next to the tan vehicle with a large silver seal and the words Lincolnville Sheriff emblazoned on the driver's side.

Matthew had no intention of mentioning he saw the car parked at Lydia's. With any luck, Riley had been asleep, and unaware Matthew drove by. Riley may have had an excuse for being at Lydia's. Matthew would have to fumble to think of one. “Riley, how are you this beautiful fall day?”

“Tired. Lydia received another call last night.” Riley followed him into the building. “Can you spare a minute?”

“Sure.”

No one would be to work for another half hour. Matthew flipped on overhead lights as they walked back to his office.

Riley carried his hat in his hand. Once in the office, he wandered to the large picture window. His face was drawn and dark circles hung under his eyes. His whole façade gave the impression a dark cloud hung over his head.

“We can't seem to get a handle on the person making these calls,” Riley said. “He's starting to say some pretty bad stuff.”

Matthew sat back and listened, letting Riley speak without interruption.

“I heard your bike, early, not too long after the call.” Riley's voice lowered as he moved from the window to a seat across from Matthew. “Lydia's a bit out of your beaten path. Isn't she?”

Heat rose on Matthew's neck and onto his face as he worked on an explanation. Wouldn't do to say he found her attractive and just seeing her house excited him. Thankfully, Riley continued without waiting for a response.

“Did you note anything suspicious?”

“No, there wasn't anything out of the ordinary.” The timing of his passing by soon after the phone call had to look funny. His defenses rose. “Is that why you suggested this job?” Matthew's tone sharpened. “In case you weren't aware of it, I'm here as a minister, not a personal bodyguard for your girlfriend.”

“My girlfriend? Is that what you think? You drive by in the late night hours, my car's parked out front, and you assume I'm sleeping with her. Not that it's any of your business, but I'm a friend to her. Nothing more. I happened to be reclined in the driver's seat when you rode by.”

Matthew's heart did a flip hearing there was no romantic liaison between the two. “Sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to any conclusions.” He rounded the desk and slid a hip onto the edge.

“You were checking up on her?”

“Honestly, I still haven't quite figured out what I was doing.”

“People wonder why I keep out of relationships.” Riley gave his head a shake. “It's too much trouble, particularly in the emotion department. Look at you, acting as if you're afraid another guy's stealing your girl. Last I checked, she wasn't even close to being yours.”

Matthew let out a laugh.

“Lydia's a wonderful lady,” Riley said. “She's been somewhat remote since her husband died, but under that aloof exterior is a warm, caring person. I don't have a problem if it turned out to be you that got through to her, but be careful not to push too hard.” He hesitated. “I feel bad for the gossip that's going to run rampant. If you believed we were together, others will too. It's just more for her to deal with.”

“I don't recall any lights being on in the neighborhood, so most shouldn't be aware of your being there. I certainly won't say a word.”

“Maybe I'm too close to it all. I still remember the pain from my end. I can't imagine what Lydia's gone through.” Riley stood and returned to the window. “I spent eighteen months watching a good friend die, his wife at his side every minute, emotionally dying alongside him. It would probably have been easier if he'd died quickly. I promised him I'd look after her. But how do you protect someone from a voice in the night?” Riley's forehead creased, and his eyes went downcast. “I can't stop being there for her because of a bunch of tongue-waggers. I gave my word to a close friend.”

“You can't stop being her friend.” Matthew walked over and placed his hand on Riley's shoulder. “She needs prayer and friendship. That's all any of us can do at this point. Hopefully this person will get tired and not take it to the next level.”

 

****

 

Lydia lingered in the parking lot. Finally she opened the car door, grumbling as she gathered the books in her arms. She was here; might as well get it over with. Besides, Riley made her promise to get out of the house.

She inhaled a bottomless amount of air before entering the building. “Hi, Phyllis.”

The secretary held up an index finger while she spoke into the telephone. Phyllis and her husband were fixtures of the church, having worked there for nearly fifteen years. Her husband cared for the grounds while she worked in the office. When Lydia called earlier, Phyllis confided to her that women had been calling all morning with silly excuses to stop by and see the new minister. Lydia imagined Phyllis was about ready to pull her white hair out.

Lydia became aware of his presence even before she saw him. Nothing prepared her for the energy she experienced when they again met.

“Phyllis could you…” Matthew stopped mid-sentence when their eyes met. “How are you today, Ms. Frederickson?”

“I'm doing fine. And you?” Lydia offered her best smile as books tumbled from her arms.