Midnight Caller - By Diane Burke Page 0,54

moved on the pads of her feet as silently as a cat. She paused in the foyer. Every light was lit. Several police officers moved through the house, busy doing one task or another. She almost turned around and went back to her room when she heard someone call.

“Hey.” In seconds, he was at her side. He tilted her face and studied her red-rimmed eyes. “Are you okay? The bath was supposed to make you feel better.”

“I’m fine.” She offered a weak smile. She was anything but fine. Moisture still clung to her eyelashes and her lower lip quivered as she fought back more tears.

He slid an arm around her shoulders and led her into the living room. They sat on the sofa and he cradled her against his side. He looked down at her. “Penny for your thoughts.”

This time her smile was genuine and an unfamiliar tightness filled his chest. She looked so…vulnerable. He wanted to make all the bad things that had invaded her world disappear. No phone calls. No threatening notes or warped gifts. No grief or pain.

Erin gently clasped his fingers. “Thanks, Tony. For everything.” Her touch sent a powerful surge of emotion through his body. He wanted to protect this woman at all costs. He imagined he would volunteer to don armor and slay dragons if it meant he could keep her and her family safe. He breathed in sharply and stood up to put a safe distance between them.

Safe distance? Who was he kidding? China wouldn’t be far enough away.

The scent of spring flowers still clinging to her skin followed him. He inhaled deeply and tried to diffuse the escalating tension building between them.

Her body visibly shuddered. He didn’t know if it was a chill after her bath or fear over what had happened this evening. He wanted to gather her in his arms and hold her close. But if he did, would she be able to feel the pounding of his heart? Would she sense that when she was near he couldn’t draw a deep breath? Then he saw it in her eyes. Complete and total trust. After all, he was her friend, her confidant. Good guy Tony. He didn’t need to be adding to her stress by letting her know how his feelings for her had changed. Particularly now.

Father, help me do the right thing. This woman needs my help, my friendship, nothing more. Maybe in another time and place I can let her know what she’s come to mean to me…but I know, Lord, not this time and not this place.

His gaze fell to the Bible in her hands.

“What are you reading?” He rested a hip on the arm of the sofa.

She opened the book, removed a cloth bookmark and stared at the pages. “When the minister read the twenty-third psalm at Carol’s grave, a certain verse kept pulling at me.” She smoothed her hand over the page and then read, “‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.’” When she looked up at him, her eyes shimmered with tears. “Do you think it’s true, Tony? Do you think God was with Carol when she died?”

Tony slid to the floor and knelt on one knee so he could look directly in her eyes. “Didn’t you tell me Carol had a strong faith?”

Erin nodded.

“Then she would have turned to God in her hour of need. I believe the instant she reached out in prayer He wrapped her in His presence. Evil may have claimed her body, but God held tight to her heart and to her soul.”

Erin nodded and began to sob.

Tony continued to kneel in front of her and offered a silent prayer that God would help heal her broken heart.

When her crying slowed, Tony clasped her hands in his. “Give all the pain and fear to God, Erin. Let Him help you through this.”

She lifted her head and looked at him. “I’m trying, Tony. But sometimes my prayers seem like mere whispers in the dark.”

Tony smiled. “God hears whispers in the dark, Erin. It’s His specialty.”

Friday, 4 a.m.

You’re letting him ruin everything.

He pressed his hands against his forehead. “Shut up!”

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

“No, I’m not. Leave me alone.” He whimpered and rocked back and forth. The crushing pain in his head escalated. He squeezed his eyes closed as hard as he could. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t do anything with this pounding pain.

You should have taken her