When Fall Fades (The Girl Next Door Series Book 1) (14 page)

As the pastor preached, Sadie fought to keep her thoughts from drifting to Charlie—the unoccupied seat to her right a constant reminder of his absence.

Her mind rewound back to the tornado storm that ripped through St. Louis last February, forcing her and Charlie to huddle together in her basement while the violent winds flattened an entire subdivision one street over. Buried beneath the wicked shrieks of nature’s fury their conversation got real. Fast. They’d talked about regrets. About life and death. About what came next.

They both believed in heaven. And Charlie wasn’t the least bit fearful about meeting his maker. But death was something of a dilemma for Sadie. It didn’t sting as bad when you got to prepare, which was the main reason Sadie liked the career she’d chosen. She got to help tie up those loose ends.

But what about when death caught you by surprise? When there was no time for good-byes? Then again, it was final. Even that, in a way, was an assurance. One not everyone got.

As the sermon drew to a close and thoughts of Charlie sprouted up like dandelions, she felt almost … buoyant. Yes, she missed him, and the circumstances of his death were still stained and incomplete, but she let her tireless mind mellow with the peace of knowing that Charlie was in good hands.

Before they could even exit their row, Sadie’s mom was flagging her and Finn down.

“I can’t see who she has with her, can you?” Finn had grabbed Sadie by the arms, using her as a shield as they inched forward.

“Wimp. I don’t see anybody, maybe we lucked out.” Sadie spoke over her shoulder, then scanned the vacant area around their mom. Wonders never cease
.

“Hello children, I didn’t see you two sneak in. We saved some seats for you—guess you won’t be needing them now.” She trilled a laugh and lit into a story about seeing the Wilsons who “used to go to our old church” and “whose kids were in Sunday school with you.”
Blah, blah, blah.

Sadie tuned her out as she glanced around for a distraction. Any would do.

“Oh, there you are. Sadie. Sa-die!”

Registering her mother’s shrill command for attention, she turned back to find some guy had joined their family huddle.

She shot Finn a “help me” look. The jerk merely smirked and seamlessly backed away.

Coward.
Sadie silently seethed.

“Sadie, you remember Eric Wilson.” Eric’s brilliant white smile was too blinding to be natural. “You two were in Sunday school together when you were toddlers. He’s the one who poured glue in your hair. Isn’t that sweet?”

A pink tinge flushed his neck and his wide smile simmered to a grimace at her mother’s lack of subtlety. “Hi, it’s nice to see you again. And, umm, belated apologies for the glue.”

Reining in her manners, she extended her hand to meet his. “Yes, well, I was traumatized, even checked into the Elmer’s clinic for those few touch-and-go weeks following the incident, but as you can see, I’ve since recovered.”

“Oh, Sadie, honestly!” Her mother blushed but soldiered on. “Eric is new in town, he just moved back, and I was telling him how you know all the best places to eat and get coffee—”

“Sure. Yeah. Chick-fil-A and Starbucks. Don’t mention it.”

Her quip didn’t seem to amuse her mother, whose eyes shot so wide you’d have thought Sadie had ripped off her shirt and started a burlesque number in church.

“I’m sure he’d love to have someone show him around.” The words grated through tight teeth, threatening unspoken repercussions should Sadie refuse to take the bait. 

How many times should she have to humor her? “I’ve actually been really busy lately.” A generic excuse was forming on her tongue when
Eric
came to her rescue.

“That’s okay, I’m gonna be pretty tied up getting settled in.” His slight wince and warm grin issued an apology. Smooth fingers touched her elbow guiding her away from her mother’s peddling. “Sorry, I didn’t know she was gonna put you on the spot like that. I’m not big on set-ups either so no worries.

“But I have to admit when I saw you—all grown-up, gorgeous, and sans pink bows in your hair—I thought it might not be the worst thing.” He gave her a charming smile, dimples forming on each cheek. “If you ever feel like a coffee or something I’ll be around, no pressure.”

Taking her time to contemplate his offer, he gave an adorable fake squirm under her scrutiny. And it was then she noticed he was decently attractive, in a pretty boy kinda way. Squeaky clean shaven—either that or he was incapable of growing facial hair—with sandy brown hair and pale blue eyes. He earned favorable marks for a first impression and for some reason, she couldn’t dismiss him as easily as she had others before. “I do enjoy indulging my caffeine addiction. I’ll think about it.”

His face lit with surprise, cute crinkles forming around his eyes as he backed away. “I’ll take it.”

Within seconds of his departure, Lorelei swooped back in. “Sadie Elizabeth! That was so rude—”

“Relax mom, I told him I’d think about it.”

Her mother’s mouth gaped open for a blessed moment of silence. “Really? Oh, thank you, Jesus!” She clutched her hand to her heart. “Maybe you could invite him to the benefit dinner next weekend? Oh, wouldn’t you look so nice on his arm—”

Sadie bit her tongue but couldn’t contain her growl.

“Ehh.” Her mother threw her hands in the air. “A lady does not growl!”

“Yeah, well, I have all the girl parts, but I never claimed to be a lady. Gotta go.” Sadie dropped a kiss on her mom’s cheek to soften the blow and skirted away before enduring any more torture.

While she drove home, she thought about Eric and the reasons she’d half-accepted his invitation. Sure he seemed pleasant and he was nice looking, but if she was being honest with herself, it probably had something to do with trying to diffuse the certain spark drawing her to Agent Hayes. She’d been granted a breather the past few days, but apparently it hadn’t been long enough to shake him from her mind. It really wasn’t healthy how often she thought about his intense camo-colored eyes—how she was secretly hoping he’d use them to strip her of her defenses. Or how she fantasized about his full, firm lips, and how they’d make her shiver if he stripped her of something else, and dragged them over the skin of her—

Oh, for the love of Godiva! She could barely breathe just imagining it.

Sadie forced a deep breath, tried to remind herself that even though she was no proper lady, she was a good girl.
Whew
, right now, her thoughts were neither proper nor good. And if she couldn’t rely on being good, she’d have to fall back on being smart. Time to rally the brain power, because somehow she needed to get that man out of her head.

Yeah, that’s it. Mind over matter.

Chapter 14

Archer Hayes

I
t should be over by now. Archer’s fingers drummed the steering wheel of his Suburban.  He hated this part of the job. Questioning the bereaved at a wake or a funeral always made agents out to be heartless drones. But the quest for justice called for impropriety more often than not. The fact that so much of his job revolved around lies, deception, and secrecy made it difficult to see if he’d crossed the line, and by how much. A necessary evil he tried not to think about most days. Why was this case any different?

Checking the time, he decided he’d waited long enough. He entered the building, the reverent silence suggested the service was over, but there were no people milling around.

Just then, music unfolded from behind the doors. Something sweet and alluring tinted the airwaves. Someone was singing, and it drew him in a way he couldn’t explain. The captive trance propelled him into the crowded sanctuary where he was instantly transfixed by the sight and sound of Sadie.

The piano obstructed most of his view, but he could still see her face. Her eyes were closed, and the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard floated effortlessly from her lips, surrounding him in an intoxicating haze of jazzy melody.

“All I do is pray that the Lord above

will let me walk in the sun once more.

Can’t go on, everything I had’s gone, stormy weather,

Since my man and I ain’t together,

Keeps rainin’ all the time.”

After the last note tapered off her eyes remained closed. The look of contentment on her face evoking a strange emotion he didn’t dare identify. His eyes held their ground, imprisoned by a force stronger than even he could control.

When she stood and started down the stairs she spotted him and faltered. She steadied herself on the handrail, descended the steps, and strode with purpose past the crowd to where he stood. Without a word she grabbed his arm and tugged him out the door to the lobby.

“What are you doing here?” Her eyes were wide and glittering like some animated princess. Pink rode high on her cheeks. Her lips, pursed with her annoyance, looked soft and kissable. She was so insanely beautiful he actually felt a little dizzy just looking at her.

“Sadie,
that
was the most incredible thing I’ve ever heard.”

Her face flamed a few degrees hotter. She tucked her arms around herself, accentuating assets he forced himself not to look at as she glared up at him. “Agent Hayes, what are you doing here?”

“Archer.” He took a step forward.

“Excuse me?”

“I think we’re past the whole ‘Agent Hayes’ thing, don’t you?” He couldn’t believe the boldness of his words and the intention behind them even as they spilled from his lips—the warning that blared in his head about professionalism went unheeded.

Her expression softened and a timid smile caressed her mouth. “Archer—”

A woman’s voice called Sadie’s name from down the hall.

Before he could turn to see, Sadie let out a panicked squeak, grabbed the lapels of his jacket with both hands—and impressive force—and yanked him around a corner.

Standing toe-to-toe, he watched her suspicious perusal of the hallway. He was smiling when she finally looked up at him. She unclenched his jacket and smoothed her palms down his chest, flattening his now wrinkled suit. Her touch lingered, and it took all his strength to keep his hands at his sides. As if catching herself acting out, she jerked away and wobbled back on her heels from the overreaction.

Without thinking he pulled her against him. To, uh, steady her. Her soft, petite body sank into him, wiping his mind of his better intentions. Heaven help him, he was on duty, he was in a
church
, and he was tempted to slide his hands down her arms and haul her up by her sweet little—

The woman’s voice called for her again, saving him from himself.

I got it, Big Man. Hands off in your house.

He needed to get his head in the game, but her nearness, that subtle hint of citrus, teased him like the lure of forbidden fruit. His mouth couldn’t catch up to his racing heart.

As the voice faded, Sadie released a huff of air and stepped away, the nervous flutter in her neck betraying the calm demeanor she forced to the surface. “My mom. Don’t ask.”

He invaded her space again, breathed her in. “Why are we hiding from your mom?”

“I said don’t ask.” She pushed against his chest, a playful grin tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Okay fine, where were we?” He arched an eyebrow. “Oh that’s right, you hauled me out here to yell at me for doing my job, again.”

“I just … I wasn’t expecting to see you, that’s all.”

“That may be true, but you know what I think?”

“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

He issued her a scolding look. “I think you’re embarrassed that I heard you sing.” He paused, challenging her denial. “What I don’t understand is why?”

She wrapped her arms around her cream-colored crocheted dress in that same distracting way, clearly attempting to put up a barrier between them. “Isn’t it some sort of breach in the code of ethics or something that you came to question people at a memorial service?”

“I waited till it was almost over. And besides, we’re looking for a killer, if you haven’t forgotten. Sometimes that means defying the decorum.” 

Someone rounded the corner. “Sadie! There you are. Mom is freaking out. She thinks you’re really upset or something.” Becoming aware of a male presence, motorcycle boy turned his attention to Archer and stood a little taller, sizing him up. “I’m Finn, Sadie’s older brother. And you are?”

Archer noted he was only slightly taller than Finn, though the man was just about as big—definitely a force to be reckoned with. The overt overprotective act was amusing. And he found he liked Finn instantly.

Before he could speak for himself, Sadie stepped in front of him—her body brushing up against his in a way that made him clench. This woman would be the death of him. “Finn, this is Agent Hayes with the FBI. He’s on Charlie’s case.”

Finn stayed in intimidation mode, knotting his brow and narrowing his eyes. “What are you guys doing out here?
Alone
. The service is almost over.”

“Arch—” She stopped herself, glanced over her shoulder at Archer’s smirk and restarted. “Agent Hayes and I were just going over a few things. I told you I was helping out with the case, ’member?”

“Hmm.” Finn nodded his head, but his expression said “I’m not buyin’ it.” That and “Step away from my sister before I rearrange your face.”

“Fine, but you better get back in there soon.” Finn stuck out his hand and Sadie moved aside. As Archer took Finn’s overly firm grip, Finn looked him in the eyes and said, “Nice to meet you, man.” But he communicated something else entirely.

“Likewise.” Archer nodded and Finn left.

For several long moments they both seemed at a loss for words. She was still close enough to touch, but Archer didn’t dare. That didn’t mean he could stop his eyes from raking over her from head to toe. She looked incredible. His emboldened stare crossed the line in so many ways. But while he probably should be ashamed at his behavior, the heat igniting in her eyes like a wild blue flame assured him he wasn’t the only one fighting for control.

Sadie finally broke the silence, a hint of a shiver in her voice, “Any new developments on the case?”

“Yeah, but I really shouldn’t talk about it here. If you wanna grab a coffee or a bite after this I could run a few things by you—see if you remember anything new?”
Whoops.
He couldn’t decipher the look on her face, so he rolled back the conversation to make sure he hadn’t offered to take a bite out of her. His professionalism was already hanging by a thread. He didn’t need to make it worse with blatant innuendo.

“Okay.” Her coy reply caught him by surprise.

The rising sound of chatter signaled the service had ended. “I need to get back in there. Are you gonna stick around?” Her eyes were on anything but his. “There’s a dinner downstairs in a few minutes, I’m sure there will be plenty.”

“Yeah, I need to stay and ask around a bit. I shouldn’t eat though, that wouldn’t be right. I’ll get something later.”

“All right, well, I need to get things started downstairs but we can go shortly after that.”

“Sounds good.”

She hesitated, her teeth dragging at the corner of her bottom lip before she turned and headed back, leaving him with no other choice but to admire her as she walked away.

And that’s when reality struck. He had just asked Sadie out on a date. Panic hit him like the rule book dropped on his head. Too bad it hadn’t knocked any sense into him before he tossed it out the window.

Questioning at a wake was tricky. Most often you got nostalgia and blubbering over anything useful. Charlie’s service was no exception. All of the attendees had moved to a banquet area for the meal. Archer had no intention of intruding any further, so he wandered into the empty sanctuary, perused the pictures displaying a life well lived.

His attention lingered on a recent shot of Charlie and Sadie during a service. Leaning in closer, he absorbed every detail, intrigued by the candid emotion. Sadie and Charlie stood next to each other amid a mass of people, their eyes closed, completely immersed and abandoned at the same time.

Archer had seen something similar on Sadie’s face during her song. It was more than just a peaceful reflection of a moment, it was pure joy in its rarest form displayed so plainly and perfectly that Archer wanted to weep. The last time he’d seen that look was on Jimmy’s face as he held him in his arms and Jimmy’s soul left his body.

Some measure of understanding clicked in his brain, and his magnetic draw to her made a bit more sense. Like he was reaching for something he’d lost. But as much as he ached for that feeling, that joy, he wasn’t sure if anything could fix the devastated remains of his shattered faith. Or if he was even worthy of a second chance.

Wrapped up in thought, he didn’t hear Sadie until she appeared next to him, taking in all the memories displayed. They stood there for several minutes, and when he looked over his heart sank.

She was crying—a shimmering trail of tears wetting her cheeks. He’d been so obsessed with his own guilt, trying to find an answer that freed him from any responsibility, that he hadn’t given a second thought to the fact that this wasn’t just a case to Sadie—Charlie had been a friend. It had been so long since he’d been there for anyone else he was at a loss for how to be a comfort to someone in need.

“Are you all right?” The words tasted inadequate and stale.

She nodded, swiping her curled knuckle under her eye before she turned and started to walk away.

Archer stood by the pulpit, watching her retreat, wondering if he’d done that all wrong. He took great pride in being the best, and dealing with grieving people was a huge part of his job. So how was it that he was just now seeing how lousy he was at it?

Sadie was about halfway down the aisle when she turned back to face him. The setting sun cast a beam of golden light through the stained-glass window and illuminated her where she stood. She looked radiant in her short cream-colored dress cinched at her waist with a black ribbon, her hair swept back in a loose bun.

All the oxygen ripped from Archer’s lungs. His heart tripped over itself, thumping in his ears when he realized where they were standing and what it suddenly felt like.

“Do you still wanna go?” She beckoned softly.

He tried to reorient himself to reality, but he was trapped in her tender gaze and the surreal feeling of the moment. His heart treading dangerously close to a place it had no business entering, he found his voice, a coarse whisper, as he walked down the aisle to meet her and said, “I do.”

By the time they finished appeasing a few appreciative guests and made it to the doors the sun had tucked away and a storm had whipped in. Lightning flashed in the distance but the pressurized deluge of rain was right on top of them. They stood under the awning of the church entrance, ready to get pummeled on the way to their cars.

“It’s times like these I wish the Camaro had a remote lock.” She took the black cardigan draped over her arm and held it over her head. “Where am I meeting you?”

“What do you feel like?” The conversation felt oddly commonplace.

“Pizza, almost always. You?”

“Sounds perfect. I think I saw a place right down the street.” Archer pointed.

“Okay, I’ll race ya.”

Before he could react she had removed her kitten heels and sprinted out into the rain to her car. He laughed to himself, excitement overriding his caution as he rushed to meet her there.

When he walked into the pizza parlor a few minutes later, the place was deserted. An old John Denver tune crooned low and depressing from a neon juke-box against the far wall. There were no scents of baking crust or hot cheese wafting from the kitchen, but the bartender slung a sloppy rag over the long mahogany bar and said she’d be with them in a minute.