Race Against Time. Christy Barritt

“Kayla’s been a lifesaver.” She glanced back at Lincoln, who still played a video game, oblivious to anything that had happened. “We’re all hanging in, doing as well as can be expected.”

       His eyes caught hers, and he seemed to search her gaze for evidence of truth in her words. She looked away, afraid he’d seen her fear and exhaustion.

       He seemed to take the hint as the warmth left his eyes and an aloof professionalism replaced it. “I wanted to let you know that the crime scene has been cleared. You’re free to return home whenever you’re ready.”

       Kayla placed her hand on Madison’s arm. Compassionate eyes met hers. “You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need.”

       Madison nodded, relief filling her. She wasn’t sure she was ready to face her house yet. Though Bonnie had also offered them the chance to stay at her place, Madison knew that Bonnie’s ailing mother also lived there. Madison didn’t want to place any more pressure on the woman. Kayla’s place would be perfect, though, especially since Lincoln already felt at home here. “I appreciate it. I think I’ll go back to my house tomorrow after Lincoln is at school and try to straighten up. I don’t want him to see it in its current state.” The noose wrapped around the fan flashed into her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the image.

       A firm hand came down on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw that Brody had closed the distance between them. The warmth returned to his gaze.

       “That’s probably a good idea.” His voice sounded kind and assuring. Her racing thoughts slowed. “How about if I pick you up in the morning to help out? You’re going to need a new front door. I’d be happy to help replace it, especially since I was the one who knocked it down.”

       Madison felt her eyes widen against her will. Was this the same man who’d given her the cold shoulder since he’d moved in? Again she reminded herself that he was just doing his job—though fixing her door probably wasn’t written out explicitly in his work description. “I don’t want you to go out of your way…”

       “I don’t mind.”

       She swallowed, her throat dry. “Thank you, then. That would be a huge help.”

       His hand dropped from her shoulder and she instantly missed it. Was she this desperate for someone to help take care of her? She’d never thought of herself as a needy woman. Instead, she’d thought she’d been strong and independent. Based on her reactions to Brody today, maybe she was wrong.

       Brody gave her a tight smile before nodding at Kayla. “Good night, then. Call me if you need anything. And lock your doors tonight.”

       Madison shuddered. Did locked doors even keep people safe? Today had proved otherwise.

      * * *

       As Brody drove home, he wondered why he’d volunteered to spend more time than necessary with Madison. He told himself it was because she might remember more details about her attacker and Brody wanted to be there when she did. He even told himself that it was his job to keep her safe, although in actuality his job was to solve the crime more than act as bodyguard.

       Brody knew there was more to his offer. He’d known from the moment he set eyes on the pretty blonde that she was the type of woman it would be easy to fall for. If he was smart, he’d still keep her at a distance. He’d let her find someone from church or work who could help her with the door. He’d interact with her only enough to get the answers he needed, he decided as he pulled up in front of his house.

       But if he didn’t help her pick up in the aftermath of the attack, who would? The woman seemed so busy that he rarely saw her take time for social visits at her home. Not that he was paying attention to who came and went.

       He glanced over at her house, unusually silent and dark without Madison and Lincoln inside. Okay, maybe sometimes he did pay attention to what went on at his neighbor’s. He couldn’t help it. Anyone coming or going did have to pass his home first since the street dead ended past her house.

       Keep your distance, he warned himself again.

       He let himself into his quiet home, one so very different from his apartment in Brooklyn. He’d never dreamed he’d be in a place like Seaford or that he’d enjoy the small town as he did. Still, he didn’t plan on being here forever. It was better if he didn’t get to know his neighbor—or anybody else, for that matter—too well.

       The last thing he wanted to do was to ruin someone else’s life. He already had a long enough of list of people whose lives he’d messed up. Especially Lindsey…

       Just the thought of her made a heaviness settle over him. It happened every time she crossed his mind. He’d never forgive himself for his past mistakes. Never. Yet here he was thinking about his pretty neighbor.

       That settled it. Tomorrow he would do as he’d promised and fix her door. But after that he’d do his job and nothing more.

      * * *

       Madison shook off her chills as she stood on the front porch of Kayla’s house the next morning. The August heat felt stifling, yet still she shivered. Her gaze traveled from side to side again, searching the shrubs decorating Kayla’s flower beds. It would be a while before she stopped looking around every corner for an intruder. Experiences—traumas—like yesterday would take months, maybe years, to get past. Or would she ever get past it? She shook her head. Of course she would. With a little bit of trust in God she could overcome anything, even this enormous mountain before her.

       Kayla had left thirty minutes ago for work at the preschool and had taken Lincoln with her. Brody had told Madison he’d pick her up this morning and go with her into her home. She was incredibly grateful for his support. The idea of facing her home alone made her stomach roil. Even if it was just Brody and if he was just doing his job, having him there would ease her apprehension some. She’d take whatever she could get.

       She swatted away a gnat and glanced at her watch again. She still had five minutes until he arrived. Five long minutes. She looked around the porch once more, making sure she hadn’t missed any creepy indications that she should be on guard. Nothing. She should feel relieved. Why didn’t she?

       Madison had stayed inside Kayla’s home for the first twenty minutes after her gracious hostess had left for work. But every creak and groan of the house had made her practically jump out of her skin. She’d decided that being out here on the wide, open porch would allow her to feel safer.

       But would she ever feel safe again? Why did that question continually come back to her? Why couldn’t her logic and emotions work hand in hand? Instead, they often seemed at odds with each other.

       She shook her head, which started to ache. She had to put those thoughts out of her mind. Life was going on and for Lincoln’s sake she had to keep up. There was no time to feel sorry for herself.

       A truck coming down the road caught her attention. She straightened, held her breath a moment. Brody? Why did the thought of seeing him cause a tingle of excitement to race up her spine? She scolded herself for even feeling anything. She had so much to worry about already. She had no room in her life for romance.

       Brody’s broad frame filled the government-issued vehicle. In a few minutes, that same imposing frame would help her to feel protected when she ventured back through the scene of her attack.

       The truck pulled to a stop at the end of Kayla’s driveway, and Brody stepped out. A tense smile greeted her. She didn’t wait for Brody to reach the porch. She started toward him, ready to get this over with.

       “Morning,” he mumbled.

       She only glanced at him long enough to nod her hello. “Good morning, Brody.”

       He opened the passenger-side door for her and waited for her to slide in. Once seated and buckled in, Madison scrutinized the interior of the vehicle. It was everything she’d expected from Brody—orderly, neat and without any bells or whistles.

       He slid in beside her a moment later