Stranger in the Shadows

“Then I don’t expect you to, either.” Opal slid an arm around Chloe’s waist and surveyed the room. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It is. You and Jenna did a great job.”

“So did you and Ben.” Opal cast a sly look in Chloe’s direction, her dark eyes sparkling. “So, what did you think of him?”

“Who?”

“Ben Avery. As if you didn’t know.”

“He’s helpful.”

“And?”

“And he’s helpful.” Chloe brushed thick bangs out of her eyes and limped a few steps away from Opal, smoothing a wrinkle out of a tablecloth, determined not to give her friend any hint of how Ben had effected her. “How was your drive?”

“You’re changing the subject, but I’ll allow it seeing as how I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished this morning. The drive was slow. I thought I’d never get here.” Opal adjusted a centerpiece, straightened a bow on one of the chairs. “But I’m here and happy to announce that Jenna had a bouncing baby boy fifteen minutes ago.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“Isn’t it? A wedding and a birth on the same day. You can’t ask for much better than that. I’m going to stop by the hospital after the reception is over. Maybe slip Jenna a piece of wedding cake if Miranda and Hawke don’t mind me bringing her some. Speaking of which,” She paused, spearing Chloe with a look that warned of trouble. “You’re going to have to attend.”

“Attend?”

“The wedding.”

“No way.” She had no intention of staying to witness the marriage of two people she didn’t know, two people who, according to both Jenna and Opal, were meant to be together.

Meant to be.

As if such a thing were possible. As if meant to be didn’t always turn into goodbye.

“I understand your reluctance, Chloe, but it’s expected.”

“You know I never do what’s expected.”

“I know you never did what was expected. You’re starting fresh here and in a small town like Lakeview, doing what’s expected is important.”

“Opal—”

“Don’t make me use my mother voice.” She glowered, straightening to her full five-foot-three height.

“I’m not ready for a big social event.”

“Well, then you’d better get ready. The entire church was invited to the ceremony and the reception. It’s a community event.”

“I don’t attend this church.”

“But Jenna does. You’ll be taking her place, offering support to the couple and representing Blooming Baskets.”

“I’m sure—”

“I won’t listen to any more excuses. I don’t like them.” The words were harsh, but Opal’s expression softened, her dark eyes filled with sympathy. “It’s been a year, Chloe. It’s time to move on. That’s why you’re here. That’s what you want. And it’s what I want for you. So, ready or not, you’re attending the wedding.”

Much as Chloe wanted to argue, she couldn’t deny the truth of Opal’s words. She did want to leave the past behind, to focus on the present and the future. To create the kind of life she’d once thought boring and mundane but now longed for. “Okay. I’ll stay. For a while.”

“Good. Now, I’m going to make sure everything is perfect in the sanctuary. You grab yourself a cup of coffee and put your leg up for a while.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“You’ll do exactly what I told you to do.” Opal bustled away, leaving Chloe both amused and frustrated. Opal was a force to be reckoned with. In her absence, the room felt empty, the hollow aloneness of the moment a hard knot in Chloe’s chest, the beauty of the flowers, the tables, the bows and ribbons reminding her of the wedding she’d almost had.

Almost.

All her plans, all her dreams had died well before the accident. Now her dreams were much simpler and much less romantic. She wanted to forget, wanted to move on, wanted to rebuild her life. Maybe with God’s help she could do that, though even here in His house, she felt He was too far away to see her troubles, too far away to care.

And that, more than the flowers and decorations and memories, made her feel truly alone.

THREE

Ben Avery’s attention should have been on the bride and groom, the wedding party, the guests who joked and laughed, ate and talked as the reception wound its way through hour three with no sign of slowing. Instead, his gaze was drawn again and again to Chloe Davidson. Straight black hair gleaming in the overhead light, slim figure encased in a fitted black pantsuit, she smiled and chatted as she moved through the throng, her limp barely noticeable. On the surface, she seemed at ease and relaxed, but there was a tension to her, a humming energy that hadn’t ebbed since he’d first seen her unloading the van.

He watched as she approached Opal Winchester, said a few words, then started toward the door that led outside. Maybe she needed some air, a few minutes away from the crowd, some time to herself. And maybe he should leave her to it. But he’d seen sadness in her eyes and sensed a loneliness that he knew only too well.

And he was curious.

He admitted it to himself as he smiled and waved his way across the reception hall and out the door. Already the day was waning, the sky graying as the sun began its slow descent. The air felt crisp and clean, the quiet sounds of rural life a music that Ben never tired of hearing.

He glanced around the parking lot, saw Chloe leaning against Blooming Baskets’ pink van and strode toward her. “It looks like the flowers were a big success.”

“Opal is pleased, anyway.” Her eyes were emerald-green and striking against the kind of flawless skin that could have graced magazine covers. Only a deep scar on the side of her neck marred its perfection.

“She should be. You worked hard.” He leaned a shoulder against the van, studying Chloe’s face, wondering at the tension in her. Opal had told him almost nothing about the woman she’d hired a week ago. Only that Chloe was recovering from surgery and working at Blooming Baskets. There was more to the story, of course. A lot more. But Ben doubted he’d get answers from either woman.

“So did you. Thanks again for all your help.” She smiled, but the sadness in her eyes remained.

“It was no problem. People in my congregation call me all the time for help.” Though he had to admit he’d been surprised by Opal’s early morning summons. Flowers? Definitely not his thing.

“That may be true, but being woken up before dawn and asked to do a job you’re not getting paid for goes way beyond the call of duty.”

“But not beyond the call of friendship.”

“If that’s the case, Opal is lucky to have a friend like you.”

“In my experience, luck doesn’t have a whole lot to do with how things work out.”

“You’re right about that.” She straightened, brushing thick black bangs from her eyes. “Opal came into my life just when I most needed someone. I’ve always thought that was a God thing. Not a luck thing.”

“But?”