Keeping Guard (14 page)

F
or the past hour, Kylie had hardly been able to stand looking at Nate. Every time she glanced up and saw that mesmerizing look in his eyes, she wanted nothing more than to reach up and kiss him. The thought was ridiculous. Nate Richardson was not the type of man she needed to be with.

Or was he?

She tried to occupy herself in her apartment for the forty-five minutes she had before the vigil. But, as she often did, she found herself pacing, trying to sort out the thoughts floating around in her mind. She kept thinking that maybe once her stalker was behind bars or she went back to Kentucky, then she'd find peace.

But maybe it was possible to find peace in the midst of the storm. Maybe peace wasn't something you found based on your external circumstances, but something that could be obtained from the inside.

That's what she'd found when she had cancer. She'd found that peace that passed all understanding. Why had she abandoned her faith as soon as she went into remission? Was it easier to rely on God in the hard times and easy to forget about him in the good times? But she'd been going through the trial of her life lately and she just couldn't bring herself to cling to her Creator in the way she should.

Had her view of God somehow been skewed by her past
relationships? Had she begun to think of God like she thought of Colin? It seemed possible. She always felt like God was trying to teach her lessons, like He'd given her free will but He tried to bend that free will whatever chance He got. She'd begun feeling suffocated by His presence instead of reveling in it.

Yes, she had let Colin mangle her view of God.

Why hadn't she seen that before?

“Lord, I'm so sorry,” she whispered. “I've lost track of You, who You are and how much You love me. I began lumping You in with everyone else who came at me like I was fragile.” God didn't think she was fragile, not with all the obstacles He handed her.

At once, her heart felt lighter.

God was with her every step of the way. No matter what happened on this journey, she could rest assured that He was in control and that He would take care of her. The peace she'd been so desperately missing covered her heart like a healing balm.

Why had she been too bullheaded to realize that? Why was she so stubborn that she wanted to do things her way, even when she knew her way wasn't the best way?

“Thank you, Lord.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “For loving me despite my shortcomings.”

A glance at her watch showed her she had five minutes before the vigil. She touched up her makeup, which was nonexistent at this point, and ran a brush through her hair. A glance in the mirror revealed blood on her shirt. Her heart lurched. Nate's. She shuddered.

As she changed into something clean, she couldn't get the memory of the accident out of her head. The sound of a car barreling toward her. The rush of wind as their bikes tumbled. Seeing Nate lying on the grass. Wondering if he was alive.

A tear popped into the corner of her eye.

She cared for Nate more than she'd suspected.

“Lord, will You give me Your peace on my relationships as well?”

A rap at her door caused her to look at her watch again. Apparently, Nate had beaten her at being ready. When she saw him on the other side of the door, her heart raced. Without thinking, she stepped toward him and right into his arms.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Kylie felt him tense, as if worried.

She nodded and didn't let go. “Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just glad you're not hurt any more than you are.”

He tightened his embrace and kissed the top of her head. “I'm glad you're okay, too, Kylie.”

They stayed there a moment, simply holding one another. Kylie had to admit that it felt good to feel sheltered and protected. If there was one thing she could say about Nate, it was that he was like a soldier keeping guard over her. Never had she appreciated the act more.

When Nate released her from the hug, Kylie immediately missed the feel of his arms around her. His eyes met hers and she wondered what he was thinking. Still, words would have ruined the moment. Instead, he took her hand as they walked down the steps and outside. The air had a bit of chill to it since the sun had set, and Kylie felt thankful when Nate pulled her close. When they arrived on the beachfront, Kylie was surprised to see what a large crowd had gathered.

“It looks like everyone in Yorktown is here,” Nate whispered.

They joined the throngs of people on the sandy shores. Someone handed them candles and someone else came with a lighter. A tiny flame danced on the white stick of wax.

Kylie looked around at those gathered. The crowd stretched as far as the pier. She spotted Harvey and Darlene, as well as some people who frequented the restaurant and others from church. A lot of young people—many of whom probably went to school with Suzy—wept together in groups.

A small sound system had been set up on a platform in front of them, and the pastor from Nate's church tapped on the microphone. Meanwhile, two different news vans had pulled up and cameramen, as well as reporters armed with microphones, mingled in the crowds, talking to anyone who knew Suzy.

Was the person guilty in her disappearance here in this crowd? Had they come to watch what transpired this evening, taking delight in the mourning around them?

The sheriff and a couple of his deputies were there, hopefully thinking those same questions.

The pastor tapped the microphone again and then cleared his throat. “We're gathered here tonight to pray for Suzy Hoffman. Many of you here tonight know Suzy from school or church or work. Others don't know Suzy at all, but you just came out of concern for a priceless member of our community. To all of you, the Hoffman family is thankful. It's times like this when communities are at their strongest, when they come together for a common cause…”

As he talked, people began passing out flyers with Suzy's picture on it. A tear came to Kylie's eyes when she saw her friend's picture. She lifted up another silent prayer for Suzy's safety. Nate's arm slipped around her waist and he pulled her closer.

After the pastor spoke, Yorktown's mayor took a turn, then one of Suzy's classmates and finally her father. Kylie's heart broke for the man, who could hardly keep his voice steady.

“I'm offering a reward of $10,000 to anyone who comes forward with information about Suzy's whereabouts. I beg you all, please, if you know anything—anything at all—about where my daughter is, please let the authorities know. Suzy is, and always has been, a precious gift to her mother and me, who were told we'd never have children…”

A teen got up and began singing some hymns and everyone
joined in solemnly. Kylie closed her eyes and softly sang a hymn that, appropriately, was about peace.

 

Nate's gaze wandered the crowd again, as it had every few minutes this evening. He watched for anyone acting suspiciously or who seemed out of place. Most of the people around him he knew from growing up here in Yorktown.

His eyes zeroed in on a man standing back from the crowd. The man's hands were tucked into the pockets of his jeans and his eyes held a certain aloofness that made Nate suspicious. The first chance Nate had to talk to the sheriff, he'd bring the man to his attention.

Nate turned back toward the crowd, his head pounding. The pain medication he'd taken had begun to kick in, making him feel light-headed. Perhaps he should have waited until after the candlelight vigil.

While people still sang, Simon pushed through the crowd, headed toward Nate. Suzy's disappearance had taken a toll on Simon. The lines around his eyes seemed deeper, his hair whiter. Nate greeted him with a hug.

Simon kept a hold of his hand as he began speaking, “Nate, the TV crew is looking for someone to talk to about Suzy. Would you mind? I know she thought the world of you.”

He glanced at Kylie, who nodded. Nate would have to make sure Kylie stayed out of the limelight. The last thing she needed was her picture plastered all over the TV.

“Do you mind going to the pier? That way we'll get the crowd in the background.” the reporter, who looked fresh out of college, asked.

Nate nodded. He glanced over at the man who'd been standing back from the crowd. He was gone.

Nate scanned the crowd, but the man was nowhere. His guard went up stronger than before.

He took Kylie's hand, the action feeling as natural as if they'd done it every day for the past year, as they walked
across the sandy beach toward the pier. Once they walked down the wooden planks, Kylie stopped before reaching the end. Plenty of townspeople still remained there, leaning against the rails and looking over the water. Nate would try to keep one eye on her as he did the interview. He'd also keep one eye out for the mysterious stranger.

 

Kylie glanced at the crowds on the shore and decided they would make a good background for Nate's interview, especially with all of the candles lit. The moon reflected off the water, and the bridge in the background always looked statuesque.

Kylie looked over at Nate, at the intense look in his eyes as he spoke with the reporter. She smiled. Despite everything that had happened, she was glad that she'd come here to Yorktown. What would it be like to leave? Heaviness pressed on her heart. Her life was back in Kentucky, but apparently her heart had found a home here…

People behind her jostled against each other and against her, as more people joined them on the pier. Kylie moved closer to the railing and leaned her elbows there, looking over at the dark water below. Nate had just been talking about how cool the water still was, how it didn't warm up until June. He talked about how this river was one of the deepest channels in the United States. She closed her eyes and pictured being out on this water with Nate, in his boat on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

A hand pressed on her shoulder, snapping her from her thoughts.

Before she could turn and see who was behind her, the hand shoved her. Her body lifted. She tried to grab the railing. But she couldn't.

Suddenly, she was falling.

Kylie screamed and tried to prepare herself for the icy splash into the dark water below.

N
ate heard a scream, then a splash. He whipped around. His gaze flew to the water. Had someone fallen? Jumped in as a prank? He gripped the railing, waiting for a face to emerge from the dark depths below.

His eyes darted toward Kylie.

Her spot by the pier was empty.

He looked back at the water, his heart pounding in his ears.

A dark-haired figured emerged, but only for a moment. The black water consumed the person like a hungry monster.

Kylie.

He waited for her to emerge again. She didn't.

Nate grabbed the reporter. “Call 911.”

He stripped off his jacket, stepped over the pier and dove down in a seated position, his arms over his chest. The cold water sent a shock through his body. His already aching and sluggish limbs jolted with adrenaline.

He emerged to the surface, treading water, gulping in breaths.

He took note of the pier behind him, tried to keep a point of reference.

Where was Kylie? The top of the river looked smooth, with no signs of anyone else in the water. He waited for bubbles to emerge, to let him know where Kylie was.

Lord, help me find her.

A stream of bubbles finally surfaced. He plunged underwater, his arms reaching out for something—anything—that could be Kylie.

Nothing.

His lungs burned. He surfaced. Found his point of reference. Took a breath. Dove back under. Swam toward the pier.

Still nothing.

She couldn't stay under water this long without air. She wouldn't survive. He had to find her.

He dove once more and reached the bottom of the river. The sharp edge of a rock scraped his hand. Then seaweed. Or was that hair? He reached again, his lungs aching. Hair. That was hair!

Lungs still burning, he reached forward. A hand? Yes.

He wrapped his arm around Kylie's waist and propelled himself upward. At the surface, he gasped for air. Looked over. Saw Kylie's lifeless face.

He had to do CPR. Fast.

The shore looked miles away. It didn't matter. He had to get her there as soon as possible. He pulled Kylie onto his chest and began swimming on his back with the current toward the shore.

Hasten my pace, Lord.

The pain medicine made him sluggish. He should never have taken it.

Lord, You can help me through this. Save her.

A figure splashed in the water beside them, taking even strokes his way. His face appeared through the dark. John.

His friend reached out for Kylie.

“Nate, I've got her. An ambulance is here. Get yourself back to shore.”

Thank You, Lord.

He reached the shore and pulled himself out of the icy water. Two paramedics surrounded him with a blanket, but he pushed past the men and rushed toward Kylie. She lay on the ground, even in the dark looking blue and lifeless. Two paramedics pumped her heart with their hands, blew breath into her lungs. Nate knelt beside her.

Lord, help her. Breathe breath into her lungs. Fill her limbs with life.

His heart twisted at her still form. As a former Coast Guardsman, he'd seen too many circumstances like these. Some ended well and others didn't.

Help this one end well, Lord.

As he said a silent amen, Kylie sputtered. He sucked in a breath, watching for the next sign of life. Finally, her eyes opened.

Praise God. Thank you.

“We've got to get you to the hospital.” One of the medics placed a forceful hand on Nate's shoulder.

Nate reached forward, squeezed Kylie's hand. “Kylie…”

Her gaze connected with him. “Someone…pushed…me.”

“We'll talk to the sheriff. He'll get to the bottom of this. We've just got to work on getting you well right now.”

She nodded, but her gaze skittered toward the pier, as if searching for a familiar face. Then she closed her eyes again. The paramedics hoisted her onto a gurney and carried her to a waiting ambulance. Nate stayed by her side.

“You need to put that blanket around you so you don't get hypothermia, sir.” The medic handed him another blanket. Nate threw it across his shoulders to humor the man. He'd worry about himself later. Right now, his only concern was Kylie. He should never have taken his eyes off of her. He should have known better.

Nate reached the ambulance and didn't bother to ask if he was welcome inside. He climbed in with Kylie.

John appeared at the doors, a familiar blanket around his shoulders and hair glistening from his dive into the river.

“John, tell the sheriff that Kylie was pushed,” Nate said. “They need to question everyone at that pier. Don't let anyone go home before they're checked out.”

John nodded as another ambulance broke through the crowd of onlookers. “Will do.”

The doors closed, shutting out the outside world as they took off to the hospital—again. Nate squeezed Kylie's hand, ignoring the numbness that had settled through his bones. Feebly, Kylie opened her eyes and offered a weak smile before they put an oxygen mask over her face.

He smiled back, trying to reassure her that everything would be okay. He'd never admit that he feared now more than ever for her safety.

 

Kylie was thankful for the plastic inflatable blankets around her. What had the nurse called it? A bear hugger? A machine pumped warm air into its depths and warmed her core temperature. Warm soup had helped also. As Sunday turned into Monday her shivering had started to fade, but her head still ached uncontrollably.

As she listened to the electronic beep of her heartbeat in the hospital room, she couldn't help but thank God that this hadn't turned out differently. If Nate hadn't seen her go in… If John hadn't been nearby to help… If the ambulance hadn't arrived so quickly…

She stopped thinking about the what ifs, though. The important thing was that besides a concussion and hypothermia, she was going to be okay. A CT scan had shown no other injuries.

A knock sounded at the door and Detective Blackston stuck his head inside. “Is this a good time for some questions?”

Her mind was finally beginning to settle, to gain a bit of steadiness. She nodded and the detective stepped toward her,
pad of paper in hand. He shifted at her bedside, a fatherly gaze washing over her.

“How are you feeling?”

She shrugged. “For the second time in twenty-four hours, I'm thankful to be alive, if that tells you anything.” Her focus sharpened. “How's Nate? Have you talked to him? Is he okay?”

The detective nodded. “He's doing fine. I'm sure he'll be down here to see you as soon as he gets past the nurse who's keeping guard over him.”

Kylie smiled, remembering the nurse from earlier with whom Nate had butted heads.

Kylie's smile dimmed. She was the reason Nate had been in these precarious positions.

“I'm glad you're okay, Kylie. I have to say that, at first, I thought these episodes were random. It's becoming clear that you're a target. Whoever is doing this even may even be targeting Suzy as a way of getting to you.”

She shivered again, but not from hypothermia this time. Her gaze drifted to the clear nighttime sky outside her hospital window. “I've considered that also.”

“I say that in no way to imply that you're to blame, Kylie.”

She nodded, but she couldn't help but blame herself. If it hadn't been for her, Nate wouldn't be in this position. She continued to stare out the window, trying not to let the tears that had formed in her eyes roll down her cheeks.

The detective cleared his throat, as if uncomfortable. “I talked to your brother. He doesn't seem convinced that your stalker has found you here. I'm frankly at a loss for any other explanation, however.”

Kylie wiped at her cheeks and looked at the detective again, knowing she couldn't feel sorry for herself. “I was cautious on the pier. I kept my eyes open all night, looking for anyone even remotely familiar. I didn't see anyone, detective. I turned my back for one minute to look out over the water when I felt
someone shove me. Then I hit the water and I don't remember anything until I woke up on shore.”

Detective Blackston nodded, his jaw set in a tight line. “No one's blaming you.”

She squeezed the blankets around her more tightly. “Did anyone else on the pier see anything?”

“Unfortunately, the pier was crowded…”

“So, in other words, no. Whoever did this will get away with it.”

“We're working our best men on this case. We're also going to check the video footage the news crews were shooting. We could find something there. Whoever's doing this will eventually screw up.”

“Which means you anticipate that there will be more attempts on my life.” Saying the words out loud caused a strange fear to grip her heart.

The detective drew in another deep breath before nodding solemnly. “That would seem likely, Kylie.”

“Should I go back to Kentucky? Am I safer there?” Her mind raced through the possibilities.

“There's no way of knowing until we figure out if your stalker has followed you here. The sting is scheduled for Tuesday.” He checked his watch. “Make that tomorrow. I want to wait and see what happens. In the meantime, I'll have a man stationed outside your door here at the hospital at all times.”

“And I'll be here also,” a deep, familiar voice said in the distance.

Kylie looked to the doorway and saw Nate. Her heart fluttered in ways she didn't expect. “You got past your bodyguard, I see.”

He smiled. “Good to see you still have your sense of humor.” He came to the other side of her bed and took her hand. The warmth of his touch against her skin also warmed her heart.

“I'm glad you're okay, Nate. Thank you for…saving my
life.” Her voice caught as she said the words, and her words trailed off into a whisper.

Nate's eyes became swirling pools of emotions, fixed on Kylie. “You gave me a good scare, Kylie.”

“We've got to stop scaring each other, then.” She tried to manage a smile but wasn't sure if she succeeded.

Detective Blackston cleared his throat beside her and shifted his weight. “I think I have everything I need from both of you. If you think of anything else—”

“We'll give you a call.” Nate looked away from her and finished filling in the blank for the detective.

When the detective left, Nate sat down on the bed beside her. His fingers stroked her hand, the action amazingly soothing. “You sure you're doing okay?”

Kylie nodded. “Yeah, I'm just trying to come to terms with the fact that someone is targeting me here in Yorktown. Do you think it's the same person who did this to me in Kentucky? It's the only thing that makes sense to me, but at the same time, the man in Kentucky never tried to harm me, only scare me.”

Nate grimaced, his eyes getting that hard look they often took on. “The most logical explanation is that it's the same person.”

She nodded, feeling that same heaviness settle over her heart.

“We're going to get through this, Kylie.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thanks, Nate.” She didn't miss the “we” reference in his statement. It comforted her beyond reason to feel like she wasn't in this alone. She wanted to reach up, touch the edges of his face, feel the stubble of his five o'clock shadow on her fingertips. Instead, she cleared her throat. “How's your friend John?”

“He's doing fine. They released him already.”

“Thank goodness he was there.”

They stared at each other for another minute, those un
spoken words between them remaining unspoken. Why did she always seem to lose her words when it came to talking about whatever was developing between them? Nate couldn't seem to find the words either…or was she the only one feeling this way? Could she be imagining that he felt the same?

The phone on the nightstand rang and Nate plucked it from its holder. It was her brother. Nate handed the phone to her, and Kylie had the strange suspicion that the two of them had already spoken.

“How you doing, sis?” As usual, worry etched the deep strains of his voice.

“I've been better.”

He paused, and Kylie could picture him, his jaw hard and his gaze steely as he thought about what had happened to her. A moment later, he said, “The sting is Tuesday. We'll catch this guy, Kylie. We will. If it's the last thing I do, I'll put this man behind bars.”

“Not if he's in Yorktown.”

“It's highly unlikely. It doesn't seem possible that he could discover you're there. How many people know the real reason you're there, besides Nate and the detective? Anyone?”

“No, no one. Except…” Her mind formed an image of that day in the restaurant, of the staring customer who turned out to be…

“Except who?”

She blew out a breath. “The producer from Cuisine TV. I had to admit to him that I was here under unusual circumstances and plead for privacy. But there's no way he would…”

“It could be anyone, Kylie.”

She twisted the phone cord around her finger. “What about Colin? Has anyone seen him lately?”

“Do you think he could be the one? I mean, I never liked the guy, but…”

Kylie shook her head and then stopped. “I don't know any
thing anymore, to be honest. You'd think if Colin were here, I'd recognize him, I'd see him and know.”

“I'll have someone drive past his place, see if he's there. Maybe I'll even do it myself.”

“It couldn't hurt, I guess.”

“I'll call you tomorrow, Kylie. The cooking demonstration is at noon, so we'll be calling after that with an update.”

After she hung up, she found Nate staring at her. “Who's Colin?”

“An ex-boyfriend.”

“You think he could be your stalker?”

She shrugged. “The thought has crossed my mind. That's what makes me feel so crazy. I've never seen this person's face. He could be anyone.”