15

 

The humid summer air pressed close as Jacob drove to the sheriff’s office that afternoon. He hadn’t heard from the sheriff or Mark Grey since the barn fire, and it was time to get caught up with the investigation.

The men he’d come to see were gathered around a conference table covered with maps and photos. He exchanged greetings and handshakes.

“I don’t have to ask what brings you by,” Sheriff Miller said. “You want to know if we found anything at the barn.”

“And if that threatening note gave you any leads.”

Mark poured coffee into a white foam cup and handed it to Jacob. “We didn’t find any prints on the paper and the lab is still working on the soil samples we sent in. But the black smoke tells us it was gasoline. That’s been the most common accelerant used in the church arsons.”

“So you think it’s the same people?”

“Maybe. You know how hard it is to build a case based on maybes. What we really need are some eyewitnesses who won’t be afraid to testify.”

Special Agent Lawson nodded to the maps. “The arsons have all been in a three-county area. That narrows our focus to the hate groups that have home bases nearby.”

Jacob sipped the hot, black coffee. “Any more on that group you told me about? Hunters United?”

“No, but they’re up to something.” Lawson opened a folder and handed a pamphlet to Jacob. “Seems as though Hunters United is proud of their accomplishments. We found these at a bar in Sabine County. As you can see, they have photos of the churches on fire.”

Pain darted through Jacob’s head as he remembered his futile attempt at getting information from Lee Buchanan. The FBI had managed what he couldn’t. “There aren’t any firefighters or firefighting equipment in the photos. Could be the arsonists took the pictures before we got there.”

“That’s what we’re thinking,” Mark confirmed.

“I’ve been reviewing the video from the cameras we set up at the Beecham place,” Lawson continued. “There’s nothing out-of-place except two ladies who visited the church. One of them took some photos and the other went in.”

“I need to talk to Miss Robertson about it,” Mark said. “She was with the ladies.”

“Yeah, Judith told me about them,” Jacob said. “They were from some local historical society and they wanted to see the old church.”

“Nothing special about that old building.” Mark looked at the sheriff. “It doesn’t have any historical significance, does it?”

“Not that I know of,” Sheriff Miller answered. “It was built about forty years ago. Hardly historical.”

Jacob ran his thumb around the rim of his cup. “Have you talked to the ministers of any other African-American congregations?”

“Yes,” Mark answered. “Some of them have agreed to meet in other locations until we find the arsonists, but most of them are determined to go on with services as they’ve always done.”

“Any plans to put cameras on those churches?” Jacob asked.

“Already done,” Lawson answered. “I review the video as I can, but, like I said, so far nothing’s been out of the ordinary.”

“So where do we stand?”

“You know how it is, Jacob,” Sheriff Miller said. “We gather evidence and wait.”

“Lawson and I are here for the long run,” Mark added. “The head of our district office has ordered us to stay until we gather enough evidence to make some arrests.”

“Do any of you think Judith is in danger?”

“Not any more than she was before,” Sheriff Miller answered. “We know the arsons always happen at night and, so far, there’s only been property damage.”

“But Judith has decided to let Henry Washington’s group meet in her grandfather’s church despite the destruction of her barn,” Jacob said. “Someone wrote ‘the next fire will be closer to home’. I think that means Isaiah Beecham’s church. Do you agree?”

“It’s possible,” Mark said. “Miss Robertson’s not sleeping out there by herself, is she?”

“No, she’s staying with her closest neighbor.” Jacob studied the serious faces of the men. “So we just wait for the arsonists to make their next move.”

“Unless we get a break on the identity of the members of Hunters United,” Lawson said. “We could always bring them in for questioning, but usually the members provide alibis for each other.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky with the videos,” Sheriff Miller said.

“Or maybe we’ll get really lucky and find a witness,” Mark added.

Jacob said his good-byes and headed back to Piney Meadow. He’d found little comfort at the sheriff’s office. It was impossible to build a case with so little evidence, but waiting for the arsonists to make a mistake was like waiting for the guillotine to fall.

A few years earlier, his hesitation had caused the death of an innocent hostage. The night replayed in his mind as he drove along the winding highway. He could still see the terror in the teenager’s eyes. He remembered with startling clarity how the boy’s knees had buckled as his body slumped to the ground. He could still hear the boy’s father wailing over his son’s limp body.

One second. If Jacob had fired just one second earlier, the boy would still be alive. He’d be in college or dating the girl of his dreams. But one second’s hesitation had taken away the boy’s future and given his parents a lifetime of grief.

If the sheriff and the FBI needed a witness, he’d provide one. Jacob wouldn’t hesitate again.

 

****

 

Jacob grinned at Chloe.

She squirmed with excitement as he drove her to Judith’s cabin. She chattered away about birthday cake, presents, and dragons while Jacob thought of just one thing.

Judith.

It seemed as though the Lord was trying to open Jacob’s eyes to how life with Judith would be. She was infinitely patient with Keneisha and Chloe, and no one could doubt her courage, but something was holding her back. She took one guarded step at a time, as though testing for hidden traps behind every embrace. Yet every time he kissed her, he felt the rightness of it. Kissing Judith was like a prayer, hopeful and exciting and reassuring at the same time.

As soon as he stopped his truck, Chloe jumped out and ran through the front door. Her squeals of laughter rang through the summer afternoon and Jacob entered to see his niece’s arms wrapped around Judith’s waist.

“Where’s your sling?” he asked Judith.

“Good afternoon to you, too.”

She raised her face and Jacob gave her a quick kiss in greeting.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine. And, to answer your question, I don’t need the sling any more. The doctor said I just have to be careful about how I move my shoulder.”

“Can we paint now?” Chloe asked.

“You bet. But Keneisha wants to help. Is that OK with you?”

“Can I get her?” Chloe bounced on her toes, unable to contain her excitement. “Can I, Jacob? Can I run and get Keneisha?”

“Sure,” he answered, but the word had barely left his mouth before Chloe sped away.

Judith laughed as Jacob gathered her close. “Does your shoulder hurt when I squeeze you like this?”

“No. It doesn’t hurt when you kiss me, either.”

Jacob knew a hint when he heard one. She sighed when their lips touched and he pulled her even closer. Within a few seconds, he felt his body responding to her nearness and ended the kiss. Some things should wait until they’d committed themselves in marriage. “I sure hope you don’t want a long engagement, Judith.”

“There you go again. Talking about a wedding like I’ve agreed to something. I don’t remember being asked.”

“Oh, I’ll get around to asking. Once things have calmed down around here and I’ve had time to shop for a ring.”

She laid her head on his shoulder. “When things calm down? When will that be?”

Jacob didn’t have an answer. He knew once Henry’s congregation was back in its own church, Judith would stop being a target. Maybe then, she could worry about wedding plans rather than potential arson.

Judith met his gaze. “If the sheriff can’t arrest the arsonists, how will the hate crimes ever be stopped?”

Jacob eased her head back onto his shoulder, liking the way she fit so perfectly there. “No matter what happens, the arsonists won’t win. They can’t stop Henry Washington’s congregation and they can’t stop the good people in Piney Meadow from helping. I had a talk with the sheriff and the FBI this morning.”

Judith looked Jacob in the eye.

“They think your grandfather’s church is the next target,” he continued.

“I told Henry and Beverly the same thing.”

“And we know the fires are always started at night. So,” he said, “I’ve decided to spend the night here for as long as it takes.”

“You wouldn’t do anything foolish, would you? Like try to catch the bad guys and maybe get hurt?”

Jacob laid his palm on her cheek. “Worried about me?”

A whisper of a grin crossed her mouth. “Who says I’m worried?”

“We can have dinner and breakfast together every day,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close for another kiss.

“Oh?” she asked, with a twinkle in her eye. “You cook?”

“If you marry me for my cooking, you’ll be disappointed.”

“If I agree to marry you, it’ll be for your kisses, not your cooking.”

Kisses. There was no doubt Judith liked his kisses. Jacob covered her lips with his, treasuring the way she settled into his embrace.

The sound of giggles broke them apart. One pair of blue eyes and one pair of brown eyes gazed at them in curious wonder.

Jacob froze, searching for an explanation, but Judith appeared unruffled.

With a quick squeeze to his hand, she stepped towards Keneisha and Chloe. “Who’s ready to paint?”

 

****

 

Beverly rubbed her daughter’s freshly washed body with a towel. “From all the red and yellow paint, I’d say you had a good time today.”

Keneisha yawned noisily and nodded.

“Don’t worry,” Judith said from her place by the sink. “I made sure to buy washable paint. It’ll come off her clothes easily.”

A soft knock at the front door caused Beverly to frown. “Who in the world could that be? Too late for visitors.”

“It’s probably Jacob,” Judith answered. “Remember? I told you he’d be staying at the cabin.” She struggled not to run as she went to answer the knock. Her heart beat a little faster at the sight of him on Beverly’s step. She’d watched him drive away only a few hours earlier, but his smiling face warmed Judith’s heart. “Hey, you. What’s up?”

“I’ve got a blanket in the truck that’s just big enough for two. I thought you might be interested in some moon gazing.”

Judith sighed and imagined melting at his feet, but caught herself before her knees gave out.

“Who is it?” Beverly’s concerned voice burst through Judith’s fantasy.

“Just me,” Jacob said as he stepped inside. “Came to see if I could talk Judith into a walk.”

Beverly gazed from Jacob to Judith. “I don’t imagine it will take too much persuasion.”

“I want to go for a walk,” Keneisha said around a wide yawn.

“Oh no,” Beverly said with a chuckle. “The only walk you’re going on is from the kitchen to the bedroom. You know the way.”

“Night, Judith,” Keneisha called over her shoulder.

“See you in the morning,” Judith answered.

Alone in the brightly lit kitchen, Jacob reached for Judith’s hand. “How about it?”

She slipped her hand into his, felt his strength as he tightened his grip, and followed him outside.

As they stepped away from Beverly’s house, the summer night enclosed them in a veil of privacy. Jacob retrieved the promised blanket and led Judith into the moonlit forest.

The woods were alive with sound. Crickets and toads sang their timeless melodies while melancholy owls called to each other across treetops.

Jacob led Judith along the silvered pathway.

Her eyes drank in the wonders of moon shadows and spider webs that glowed like luminous lace. Just beyond the illuminated path, nocturnal beings watched with curiosity or caution, but Jacob’s hand was strong, his step confident, and Judith followed willingly.

As the pathway narrowed, they stepped out of the dense forest and into a grassy meadow.

Jacob let go of Judith’s hand long enough to spread the blanket, and then sat on the soft cloth.

Judith dropped beside him.

“I never knew the moon could be so bright,” Judith said.

“Do you know where you are?” Jacob murmured close to her ear.

“Is this the same meadow you showed me before? Where the orchids grow?”

“That’s right. We’re not far from your cabin.”

Judith took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll never sell this land. My grandfather wanted me to have it and I want to be a good steward.”

“To tell you the truth, leasing your land to Fraser Lumber is the answer to one of my prayers.”

“How?”

“I won’t lie to you, Judith. Bringing in new business is part of my job and I’d hit a dry spell. If I hadn’t gotten your property, we’d have been in a bind.”

“You should have told me.”

“Didn’t want to influence you. Plus, some land west of San Augustine has just become available. I have a good chance of getting that. Besides, business decisions should be made with a cool head, not one that’s woozy from kissing.”

“What makes you think I get woozy?”

“I don’t know if it was your glazed eyes or your rapid breathing that gave me the first clue.”

“Hmph. You wanted to buy my grandfather’s land before you knew I existed. Have you changed your mind?”

“Everything’s changed since I met you. There I was, happily going about my work, never knowing you were headed my way. Isaiah gave me much more than a few acres of timber. He gave me you.”

Judith’s heart quivered with the sweetness of his words. Had anyone ever cherished her the way he did? She touched his cheek with the tips of her fingers and gazed into his eyes. Even in the moonlight, she recognized the sincerity of his words.

Jacob stretched out on the blanket, one hand behind his head, his face towards the full moon.

Judith rolled on her stomach next to him.

“Look,” he said, pointing towards the sky. “Can you see the man in the moon?”

Judith flipped over and nestled her head on his shoulder. “No. I’ve never been able to make out a face. Can you?”

“Not really. When I was a kid, I used to imagine a giant bird. What about you?”

“A woman in an evening dress, stepping out for the night.”

“You’ll have to draw that for me. No matter how I squint, I can’t see a woman.”

His lips found hers in the moonlight. The butterfly-wing softness of his kiss drew an ache of longing from her heart. For a moment, all Judith’s doubts were eased. Of course she’d marry this man. She wanted to belong to him, to entrust her life and her heart to no one but him.

“I’m thinking about a September wedding,” he whispered and kissed her again.

The nearness of Jacob’s body, the promise of more kisses, and the enchantment of the moonlit night sheltered her from the misgivings that had troubled her. She could have love with Jacob. A home, a family, and a blessed life were hers for the taking.

 

****

 

Judith stepped into her cabin the next morning to the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of the shower running. Jacob certainly was making himself at home.

Beverly had sent muffins, and Judith set the foil-wrapped goodies on the kitchen counter before sitting at her work table.

The bathroom door opened and Jacob stepped out wearing a towel around his waist.

Judith took in the sight of his broad shoulders and muscular arms, the light hair that covered his chest.

He was rubbing his head briskly with another towel, but he froze when he saw Judith. “When did you get here?”

“Five minutes ago. Something wrong?”

“Next time, let me know when you come in. I might’ve walked out completely naked.”

An unbidden image formed in Judith’s mind and her face grew warm. “It’s my cabin, you know.”

But Jacob wasn’t interested in arguing. He sauntered over to her work table and looked over her shoulder. “I looked at your sketches last night. I can’t wait to see how this picture will turn out. By the way, I love that portrait of Henry.”

He was too close. The scent of his soap and the way his skin glistened in the sunlight had her heart bouncing. “Don’t you need to go to work?”

“Brought my work with me. I’m about a month behind in my paperwork and my brother’s been on my case. Thought this would be as good a time as any to get it done. Have you had breakfast?”

“Yes, and you’re dripping on my canvas.”

“Am not.” Jacob braced one arm on the back of Judith’s chair and the other on her work table, lowering his face parallel to hers. “What did Beverly fix for breakfast?”

Judith closed her eyes to shut out the sight of his bristly cheek so close to hers. “Eggs and bacon. Why don’t you walk over there and ask her to fix you something?”

“You’re not trying to get me out of your way, are you?” Jacob asked, his mouth so close she could feel his breath on her ear.

“I’ve got work to do.”

“And I’m distracting you?”

Was he ever.

His low chuckle let her know that he knew exactly what kind of effect he was having. “Are you warm, Judith? Your face is mighty pink.”

“That’s it,” she said as she stood. “Get some clothes on right now, mister.”

He made a playful grab in her direction but she sidestepped his reach. “Mess with me and I won’t give you the muffins Beverly sent.”

Jacob perched his hands on his hips, centering Judith’s attention once again on the towel that protected whatever modesty he had. “Did she make the ones with the chocolate chips?”

“No more information until you’re wearing clothes.”

“All right,” he said. “I’ll get dressed.”

Jacob’s smile was playful and confident. He gave her a quick kiss and walked into the bedroom.

Judith blew out a long, unsteady breath. She was either going to have to marry that man or move far away. The temptation alone would kill her.

 

****

 

Jacob was still grinning as he sat at the small kitchen table looking over the unfinished reports. It may have been wrong to tease Judith the way he had, but he’d always been in control. She’d always be safe with him. He would do everything in his power to make sure of it.

She’d been working steadily for several hours, her concentration so fully on the canvas that she didn’t seem to be aware of him, or of Pumpkin who dozed on the nearby windowsill.

He’d never seen anyone work with such intensity, frowning over the painting, grimacing with dissatisfaction or nodding her approval.

She’d downplayed her talent earlier, referring to herself as an illustrator rather than an artist, but the difference was insignificant in his eyes. If Judith wasn’t an artist, then no one was.

He wondered if their children would inherit her talent, then smiled widely at the thought of children. He was blond, she dark-haired. His hair was straight, hers a mass of beautiful curls. She could draw whatever she saw, he could barely sketch a legible map. Their children would probably be a mixture of looks and talents.

He pictured Judith holding a baby, himself at her side, while they stood in front of the congregation to christen their child.

Maybe it was time to buy that ring he’d promised. Last night she’d lowered whatever roadblocks she had around her heart. She’d been receptive and playful, full of love and good humor. Yes, she would marry him, live in Piney Meadow, and they’d have beautiful, healthy children. Children who would be raised in love and security.