Protector's Honor

Tabitha drew in a slow breath. His request was simple and fair. Most women would have been flattered by it. After all, he had no way of knowing her past and the complications it threw into his request. But she did. A date with him meant facing her buried fears. It meant having trust and being honest. And Tabitha didn’t know if she could do it. Not now. Not ever.

“My answer to one of the questions is no.”

Rory’s head titled. “No, you’re not dating anyone? Or no, you won’t go out with me?”

Tabitha turned to him with a grin. “I’m afraid that’s more questions, Agent Farrell.”

“So it is.” He gave a half laugh then closed the door, shaking his head as he walked to the driver’s side.

On the way back to the inn, he let her steer the conversation over a variety of impersonal topics. He couldn’t know how much she appreciated that.

Rory knew better than to press Tabitha about seeing him again. It was obvious she was exhausted and emotionally drained. Perhaps he’d only imagined the connection he’d felt with her. Had he become that clueless with women? Probably.

He parked in front of the inn and led Tabitha up the long staircase and into the lobby.

“Tabitha.” A tall and thin reddish-blonde jumped forward the second they stepped inside. The woman flung her arms around Tabitha, forcing Rory to step back.

Her roommate from Charlotte. Already arrived. The disappointment that Tabitha would be out of his life in less than five minutes hit him like a concrete block in the chest.

“Oh.” The woman made fast, nervous gestures as she spoke. “This must be Agent uh—”

“Rory Farrell.” He extended his hand, which she grasped with tremendous strength.

“Sasha Bristow.”

Bristow. Rory felt his smile return. The other hotel room had been for her roommate. Not a boyfriend. A little of the pressure lifted from his chest. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Bristow.”

“Nice of you to save Tabitha and keep her company until my shift ended.” Sasha grinned. “I would have been here for the race, if I hadn’t had to work.”

There was a particular lilt to her accent. Rory couldn’t quite place it. “You’re a nurse, right?” he asked.

Sasha nodded.

“Well, I don’t have any bags, so let’s go,” Tabitha said quickly.

“Right. I—uh. I need to…” Sasha eyed the interior.

“Ladies’ room is over there.” Tabitha pointed to the doors next to the boutique. Sasha spun away.

“She has an interesting accent,” Rory said.

“Irish, but it’s faded since we met in college.”

“Ah.”

Silence fell between them. But Rory held her gaze, searching for some sign from her. Some indication that he hadn’t imagined what he’d felt earlier. Tabitha gave him nothing but a tired expression.

“I know you have to go. But here.” He pulled out his wallet, grabbed a card and placed it in her hand, letting his fingers linger over her palm a little longer than necessary. “This is my cell number. I want you to call me if you have any more trouble. I hope you don’t, but I’m going to get your address from Terri and have a Charlotte patrol car drive by your home.”

She started to reject his idea.

“Don’t say no. I’m going to do it anyway. Just for the next few days…Tabitha, you need to be careful. This may not be the end of those men.” He brushed a finger down her cheek and lifted her chin. She pulled away and Rory wanted to kick himself for once again making her uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”

“No,” she interrupted. “It’s just…I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. I’m glad God chose you to help me.”

“God?” He didn’t want to talk about God. He wanted to kiss her. He felt the frown form across his face.

“Yes. God,” she said, scrunching up her nose at his doubtful look. “When those men grabbed me, I prayed for God to send someone. And He did. He sent you. And I’m so glad.”

Rory looked up at the ceiling and remembered his prayer—his own acknowledgment that God had used him. But he couldn’t think on it. Too many unanswered questions, too many doubts, too much pain.

“I’m glad He answered your prayer,” he mumbled, hoping she couldn’t hear the anger laced in his words. He sighed and ran his hand over the top of his head. This was not how he wanted to end the evening. “I’m glad I was there, too. But those men are serious and they might come back. You won’t be alone tonight, will you?”

“No, Sasha will be there,” she answered.

“Good,” he said, but he wanted more. A promise to see her again. But that was something he couldn’t have. Tabitha would forever connect him with this terrible day and that was that. He had to back off and forget his attraction to her.

Sasha returned promptly and the two ladies headed out. He tried to help, but Sasha moved beside her friend and took over.

“I got it,” she said.

Rory followed them out of the inn, feeling lost and alone. His time of helping Tabitha had ended. As the two women drove away into the darkness, he walked to his truck with his head down. The sound of their car faded into the night and the solitude of the mountain overwhelmed him.

SIX

“Goodbye, girls. See you next week.” Tabitha waved as the last two teenage girls from her Sunday-school class headed to their car.

“Goodbye, Miss Beaumont. Thanks for the pizza.” They hopped inside the compact, revved the engine, then wove a bit recklessly through the busy parking lot of Joe’s Pizzeria.

Tabitha held her breath. Lord, please keep them safe.

Earlier that morning, she had been ready to dismiss her usual Sunday-morning routine and stay in bed. But she remembered her promise to take the girls to lunch after the Sunday service. She smiled inwardly, knowing the sacrifice of a few hours’ sleep had been well worth the fellowship. Fellowship she’d needed as well as provided.

But now Tabitha stood alone on the sidewalk. Her intention had not been to be the last one at the restaurant, but the lunch hadn’t taken as long as she’d planned. She had half a notion to run after the girls and ask for a ride. No. She was being silly. She had to get over what had happened on the mountain yesterday. Put it behind her.

Clutching her purse under her arm, she checked her watch. Sasha would be along soon. Still, a feeling of helplessness washed over her. She hated not having a car or a cell phone.

A small green sedan pulled into the parking lot and Tabitha backed away from the curb as it passed. She told herself not to be so edgy, but for the next ten minutes, each time a car passed or pulled in, she flinched. Every time a patron exited the restaurant, she skittered.

She remembered Rory’s warning for her not to be alone. But he’d meant at home. Right?

She checked her watch again. Sasha was late. She pulled nervously at a lock of her hair. Could her friend have forgotten? She didn’t see how. They’d just seen each other at church. Sasha had said she had a few errands to run. Then she was going to join them at the restaurant. So, where was she? Sasha was never late.

Tabitha shook her head at her nervous thoughts. What could happen to her in broad daylight, two feet from the front door of a crowded restaurant?

Nothing.

And still, she couldn’t shake the strong feeling of unease.