Night Waves (10 page)

“What do you see?” Cali prodded.

“I see your fear. You know, letting someone help you…take care of you doesn’t mean you’re not a strong person. Sometimes God puts people into our lives to help us. And it’s up to us to accept that help.”

“I can handle…”

“Maybe you can. But should you?”

Taken aback, Cali sat still for a moment. “I guess I’ve always been afraid if I follow someone else’s lead I’ll be giving up control. That scares me.”

“We aren’t in control anyway.”

Cali laughed. “That’s what Nick told me.”

“He’s a smart man. Maybe he learned it from me. I was his Sunday school teacher for years you know.”

“I didn’t know.”

“It’s true. I’ve known him since he was born. He comes from a fine family, and he’s turned into a fine man. He’s found the niche God planned for him. He feels responsible to you, and this whole island of people, not out of his official duty, but from his passion for life and from his passion for serving Christ. Even if he wasn’t the sheriff, Nick would still want to look out for you. It’s who he is.”

“I admire that.”

Nick walked around the corner of the cottage, startling Cali. “Admire what?”

“You,” Cali answered without thinking. A shot of heat ran directly to her cheeks.

His eyebrows lifted and a smile spread across his face as he strode up to lean his elbows across the white porch railing. “Is that so?”

“It is.”

“I admire you too, Cali.”

His gaze locked onto hers, and her breathing hitched and then stopped altogether.

“Do I hear my cell phone ringing?” Mrs. Mayes stood and headed inside. Cali didn’t hear a thing besides the blood rushing through her ears.

Nick stepped onto the porch and took the seat next to her. “Mrs. Mayes is quite a character, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is. Did you fix the faucet?” Cali answered, searching for a change of subject, hoping the flush in her cheeks would drain away.

“Yep. It only took a minute.” His gaze followed a sailboat slowly passing by on the bay.

“How often do you come here?”

“At least once a week, sometimes more around the holidays.”

“Do her sons come to visit much?”

He shrugged. “Every so often. But, not as often as she’d like them to.”

Cali shifted in her seat. “She must get lonely.”

He focused on her and his voice softened, “I do what I can…”

“You do more than most people would.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not most people.”

Cali agreed, but didn’t dare say it. In the short time she had known him, he had more than earned her respect and admiration. As her knowledge of him grew, so did her attraction.

Nick studied her as if her thoughts were transparent. She knew her blush returned when she felt a fresh wave of heat crawling up her cheeks. She quickly looked away, shifting her feet as if she needed to reposition.

Nick shifted too, and cleared his throat. “Ready to go?”

“Whenever you are.”

He stood and offered his hand. “Mind if we stop by the station on the way to my place? I need to check on a few things.”

“That’s fine.” Cali placed her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet. He stepped to open the door, and she felt his gaze follow her into the cottage, causing her nerve endings to tingle. He stepped in behind her and cupped her shoulders in his hands, stopping her before she made it to the kitchen. He leaned in close behind her, and his warm breath touched her ear as he whispered, “You’d better get rid of that blush before Mrs. Mayes sees you, or she’ll think her matchmaking attempts have already worked. You look radiant, Cali.”

Night Waves

You look radiant. Nick’s whispered words echoed in Cali’s mind as he drove the truck through the winding roads leading to the station. She glanced repeatedly in his direction as they rode in silence, but his features didn’t betray his thoughts. Her rapid pulse finally slowed by the time he parked the truck.

“This shouldn’t take too long. Then I’ll take you home.”

Cali’s heart lodged in her throat. Nick meant his home. She scrambled from the truck before he had a chance to help her out. She knew if he touched her hand again, he would send her pulse on another run.

Nick held the door for her as they entered the station. Helen stood behind the desk, shuffling through papers, and Deputy Owen stood nearby sipping a cup of steaming coffee. Another deputy whom Cali didn’t recognize walked down the hallway toward the cells in the back.

Owen looked up. “Sheriff. Cali.” He nodded a greeting and ambled over to them.

Every trace of softness in Nick’s voice vanished when he said, “I want to see the pictures.”

Helen looked up from her paperwork. “I put them on your desk, Sheriff.”

Nick looked at Cali as if unsure of what to do with her. She solved his dilemma by walking over to speak with Helen. “No coffee cake today?”

Cali caught Nick’s movements from the corner of her eye as he walked with Deputy Owen into his office and shut the door.

Helen smiled, but lacked the warmth she had shown before. “Not today.” Dark circles of fatigue lay under her eyes.

Apprehension settled over Cali, and her muscles tensed. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”

Helen sighed. “No. That’s the problem. We need to find the stalker, Cali. The phone’s been ringing off the hook ever since the sheriff’s press conference. The stalker has every woman on the island running scared.”

The phone rang.

Helen answered it. “Yes ma’am. We are doing everything possible.” She paused. “We are taking this seriously. Lower your voice ma’am. The sheriff is…” She blew out a breath and replaced the handset. Apparently, the caller had hung up.

“I wish I could help you,” Cali offered.

Helen waved Cali’s concern away. “It ain’t nothing I can’t handle. Oh, I almost forgot. I got a call for you earlier today,” she said before the phone rang again. She answered it, leaving Cali wondering who could have possibly called for her at the sheriff’s station.

Deputy Owen stepped out of Nick’s office saying, “I’ll go check right now.” His watchful eyes settled on Cali, and he acknowledged her with a nod before walking outside to his cruiser. She watched him back out of his parking spot, wondering what lead they may have found.

Helen said, “Hold on a minute please.” She put the caller on hold and handed Cali a square slip of paper. “A woman called asking for you. She wouldn’t leave her name. Only her number. Said for you to call her.” She picked up the handset again and took the waiting caller off hold.

Cali looked at the number written on the note. The first three digits belonged to Coral Isle’s area code. She didn’t recognize the last seven digits, and her pulse kicked up a notch. Who could have called?

“Dear Lord, it couldn’t be Serena, could it?” Her heart slammed into her chest, and she felt dizzy. She reached for her cell phone, but remembered she had left her purse in Nick’s truck.

Cali hurried over to his office and nearly collided with him as he came out. He grasped her arms to steady her. “Is everything all right?”

“I need to use your phone,” she said sounding breathless.

“Go ahead. I’ll be right back.” If he noticed her anxiety, he didn’t comment on it before leaving her alone in the office.

Cali walked to the desk and sat in Nick’s leather chair, comforted by the warmth he had left behind. She picked up the phone with shaky hands, and prayed as she dialed the number, Lord, please let it be her. Let her be OK. But as she said the prayer, her common sense overcame her hope. If it had been Serena, she would have identified herself.

A woman’s gravelly voice answered on the third ring, “Hello?”

“I’m Cali Stevens. I got a message…”

“Where are you?” The voice sounded deep for a woman, and unusually raspy.

“Who is this?”

“I’m the first victim.”

Cali stopped breathing. Seconds ticked by before she found her voice. “What’s your name?”

“Nancy.” She sucked in a breath and blew it out, sounding as if she were taking a drag on a cigarette.

“Why did you call me?”

The woman snorted. “I thought you might like to know what kind of twisted jerk has your friend held captive. But if you don’t…”

“No, wait! Don’t hang up. What can you tell me?”

“Not a whole lot. But nothing over the phone. I’ll tell you what I can in person.”

The hairs on Cali’s neck stood on end and her palms dampened. “Why can’t you tell me now?”

“Do you want to talk or not?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I’ll meet you on the beach at the Half Shell Road public access in an hour.”

Cali glanced at her watch. “An hour? I don’t know if I can…” The dial tone sounded in her ear. She looked at the note. Realizing she had not written Nancy’s instructions, Cali scribbled the location and the woman’s name on the paper.

Cali’s mind raced and her anxiety surged in intensity when it occurred to her she did not have a car, which left her under Nick’s control. Even if Helen or another deputy agreed to take her, they would seek Nick’s approval first. Ultimately, he would decide if she met with the woman or not. The realization paralyzed her with fear. What if he refused?

Cali ran a hand through her hair, and then covered her eyes with her palms as her frustration grew. Lord, I’m backed into a corner here. I have an opportunity to find out something about Serena, but I’m not in a position to decide whether to go or not. Please help me know what to do. After a moment, she dropped her hands. Nick stood silently in the doorway, watching her with concern.

She had no choice but to give up control and trust someone. Someone God had put in her life for a reason. “I trust you to make the right decision, Nick.”

Confusion crossed his features but he remained motionless.

“I need you.” She stood and crossed the room, stopping a few feet from him.

He stepped into the office and shut the door. “I’m here for you, Cali.”

“You know it’s hard for me to rely on someone else. But I’m learning a little at a time that God wants me to rely on Him, and on…you.” She looked away from his probing gaze, feeling much as she had when she’d walked into his office the first time.

Fearful. Anxious. At his mercy.

“What is it?” Nick cupped her face, turning it.

“The stalker’s first victim called earlier looking for me.” She covered his hand with hers. “I called her back. She wants to talk. She told me the place where she’s going to be in an hour. Nick, I need you to take me to her.”

He stiffened and dropped his hand. “How do you know it was really her?”

“She said her name was Nancy.”

“Nancy Chandler,” he paused. “I’ve already obtained detailed statements from her. What else could she have to say to you that she didn’t already tell me?” He crossed his arms and studied her as if she had all the answers.

“I don’t know. Maybe she’s remembered something since she talked to you. I think it’s worth checking out.”

He rubbed his hand across his jaw and blew out a deep breath.

“Please, Nick.” Cali cringed at the desperation in her voice. Her heart drummed hard against her chest as she waited for his reply.

“I’ve been telling you to stay out of the investigation since we met. What makes you think I’d willingly take you right into the middle of it now?”

She shrugged and dropped her voice into a whisper. “Because I’m not a stranger anymore.”

He shook his head and rested his hands on his hips. “That’s even more reason for me to want to keep you out of it. I care about you Cali. I don’t want anything happening to you.”

“You’ll be right there. What can happen?”

When Nick remained silent, she added, “I want to help. I need to do something. I cannot stand on the sidelines and watch. I need to be a part of this. Serena means so much to me.”

His features softened as his gaze swept over her. “Cali…”

She took a hesitant step closer and sucked in a shaky breath. “You’ve been telling me I’m not in control…that I try to carry too much load on my shoulders. I’m willing to give up that load, and I’m willing to trust you. It’s your choice, Nick, and I trust you to make the right one.”

Nick looked into the clear-blue depths of Cali’s eyes and saw the truth. She meant what she said. A sense of satisfaction swept over him, knowing he had gotten through to her. But the pressure of the decision lay heavily on his shoulders. He wanted to keep Cali as safe as possible, and allowing her deeper into the investigation could be dangerous. However, Nancy Chandler must have called for a reason.

The intercom crackled. “Sheriff. Deputy Owen is calling for you.”

Glancing at the intercom, Nick stepped to it and pressed the button. “Put him through, Helen,” he said, glad for the temporary interruption.

“I’ll wait outside.” Cali started to leave.

“No. Stay here. It’ll only take a minute.” The call came through and he answered it, not bothering to sit. “Justice.”

“It’s a dead end.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Come on back in.” He hung up. Another possible lead had ended up nowhere, leaving very few options. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to let Cali talk to the victim after all.

Decision made, he looked at her and said, “All right. I’ll take you. But…”

Before he finished his sentence, she surprised him by springing into his arms. “Thank you, Nick.”

There she was with her arms wrapped around his waist, pressing against him again, and he knew within a split second he was going to kiss her.

He should keep her at a distance to protect her, and to keep her from becoming a distraction. But, at this point, no amount of common sense could change his mind. He set his reservations aside and wrapped an arm around her, keeping her from drawing away. He cupped a hand on the nape of her neck, and tilted her head, bringing her lips close. Surprise registered on her face, and she gasped right before he brought his mouth to hers and felt the soft dampness of her lips pressed against his. He teased her lips apart, taking more of what he’d wanted since he first met her. He took his time, caressing her mouth. She leaned into him, and her skin heated beneath his touch.

He released her lips and placed feathery kisses on her forehead, her temple, and her cheek. He dipped his head, catching the light fragrance of roses in her hair, on her skin.

He didn’t want to let her go, but knew he had to.

When he drew away, her eyes had turned a shade darker, reminding him of the storm-tossed sea. He took a full step back, enjoying the fresh blush spreading across her features.

“I didn’t see that coming,” her voice wavered as she looked away and smoothed her hair.

“I’ll be sure to warn you next time.”

Her blush deepened and her gaze darted around the office. Nick grinned, satisfied he had stirred her as much as she had stirred him.

A knock sounded at his door, making Cali jump. She stepped back as a guilty expression crossed her face. Nick sobered instantly. Guilt was the last thing he wanted her to feel as a result of his kiss.

Nick reminded himself where he was, and what he should be doing. “Come in.” His voice sounded raspy, and he wished he had cleared his throat before speaking. He straightened and watched the door.

Helen peeked through. “Here’s a copy of the report you asked for.” She walked in and handed the folder to him, assessing him first, and then Cali with her gaze. “It is a little warm in here, Sheriff. I’ll set the air-conditioner lower.” The hint of a knowing smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and her eyes sparkled. Nick assumed Helen had noticed the blush on both of their faces.

“Good idea,” he agreed.

Helen stepped out, closing the door as she walked away. Apparently, Mrs. Mayes wasn’t the only one who had decided he should have a woman in his life. Nick’s thoughts strayed to Cali, along with his gaze. He swallowed as his heart continued to race. The more time he spent with Cali, the more he began to think Mrs. Mayes and Helen could be right.

Focusing back on the office, Nick stepped to the desk and placed the report on top of a neatly stacked pile, then picked up the note Cali had left beside the telephone. “Half Shell Road. We’d better get going or we’ll be late.” He started for the door, but at the last second stopped to pick up the pictures Helen had snapped at the press conference.

Cali looked at him with a question in her eyes, and the glimmer of hope she always carried with her.

He shook his head. “Don’t get your hopes up. We didn’t find anything unusual in the pictures.”

“I’d still like to see them.”

“Later. We have to get to the beach. Nancy Chandler isn’t the type of woman who likes to be kept waiting.”

Night Waves