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  Rescue My Love

  Lynn Story

  Newport News, VA

  Copyright © 2020 by Lynn Story

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

  Lynn Story

  PO Box 469

  Newport News, VA 23607

  www.stitchesandstories.com

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Rescue My Love/ Lynn Story -- 1st ed.

  To Larry, with love.

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you to my wonderful husband, Larry for his willingness to discuss endless ideas and plot twists. My editor, Heather August without whom none of this would be possible. And William Heavey at Bold Fox Designs for his wonderful artwork.

  Chapter One

  Ethan

  We had just wrapped up a fugitive warrant case, it had been one of those inter-agency cooperation things that always gave me a headache. Now, I just wanted to relax, listen to some good music, and maybe have a bourbon or two before going home to an empty house. The Ironclad promised me the comfort I was searching for tonight. The Ironclad sat close to the banks of the southernmost point of the James River where it met the Chesapeake Bay. The area was recently revived attracting of lot of micro-breweries, trendy restaurants and shops. The Ironclad was a bar and grill known for its bourbon and featuring local and nationally known blues artist. And while I avoided the trendier establishments in the area, I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Ironclad, lately it was becoming my home away from home.

  My wife, Diane, had called earlier to say she would be out late with friends at a book club meeting or something, honestly it didn’t matter we hadn’t been spending much time together lately. It seemed that after sixteen years of marriage we had drifted too far apart to drift back together again. The end was inevitable.

  The sign out front announced Charlie Pickens was playing tonight at nine o’clock. Charlie had gotten his music career started here in Gates Point before he was discovered and found national fame with his unique style of blues. I found a seat at the bar, ordered a drink and scanned the room, an occupational hazard; my eyes stopped at a table in the far corner. It was so deep in the shadows that most people probably wouldn’t even know it was there. I wouldn’t have paid any attention to it myself if it weren’t for the woman sitting there alone. She looked oddly familiar; I couldn’t place her. Over the years I have traveled to one conference or other, been part of too many task forces to count, and even taught a few classes at Quantico. Hell, maybe I had just seen her in here before. As, the warm-up band ended their set the music was replaced by the din of the bar. There were snippets of conversation, glassware clinking together, cheers, and laughter all blending together as the setup on stage was rearranged.

  As soon Charlie Pickens took the stage, the crowd cheered and I cheered right along with them. I remembered the woman in the corner and glanced in her direction. She sat motionless focused on the stage; she wasn’t cheering. Something about her tugged at my brain, I pushed it away. I had come here to relax, and I didn’t need to be creating more headaches than I already had.

  The music made me forget about the woman in the corner hidden in the shadows, and instead I thought about my failing marriage. The woman I had loved with all my heart was someone I didn’t know anymore. Charlie’s songs had a way of making you think about such things and tonight it was hitting too close to home. We didn’t fight like so many couples do these days, we were more like roommates than soulmates. The kicker was my daughter. I didn’t want to turn her life inside out. I still loved my wife, just not in the same way, I harbored no ill feelings. I had very few feelings at all. I felt sad for the loss of the relationship it felt like a tragedy in one of Charlie’s songs.

  Charlie played for an hour and a half before calling it quits. I turned my attention back to the woman in the corner. She was still there quietly sipping her drink. A local band was taking the stage now and would carry the crowd until closing time. I decided I had to know who she was, it was really annoying that I couldn’t place her.

  Before I could get off my barstool a young man approached her table. I had no idea what was being said, one minute the man was standing there with his back to me blocking my view of my mystery woman and the next minute his back was on the floor. The woman was settling herself back into her chair, her attention was no longer on her drink. Sensing there might be trouble I rushed over.

  “Anything I can do to help?” I asked the woman.

  “Not unless you’re in charge of waste disposal.” She never took her eyes off the man who was now getting to his feet.

  He looked like he wanted to say something to her as she cocked an eyebrow at him, and he stood there as if he was trying to make a decision. I had to admit I was pretty impressed. Even more curious now than I had been before.

  “It might be best just to walk away.” I said in a low tone to the young man. He nodded and left. Then turning my attention back to her I asked, “How do you like that self-service?” She almost smiled. “May I?” I asked cautiously I didn’t want to end up on the floor.

  She nodded silently.

  “My name is Ethan.” I held out my hand.

  “Kennedy, my friends call me, Kay.” She took my hand.

  There was a surge of electricity up my arm and straight to my heart when we touched. By the way she pulled her hand back she felt it too. At that moment I realized that it wasn’t that I recognized her from somewhere, we had never met before, it was that somehow, I had known her all my life without having met her. We were somehow linked. The moment I touched her I knew it. Some might call it love at first sight, but it was so much more.

  “What’s your poison?” I indicated her empty glass.

  “Bourbon.”

  I turned to get the attention of a waitress who nodded and appeared at the table with fresh drinks. “Have you always been a fan?”

  She glanced up at the stage and nodded. “Yeah.”

  The corner was dark, and it was keeping most of her features hidden. What I could see, I could tell she was beautiful in that dark, smoky sort of way you normally only see in those trendy ads for perfume or expensive cars.

  “Are you a local or just visiting?”

  “Both.”

  Okay, I could see she wasn’t a talker, this was going to take a little work on my part. That was okay getting people to talk was sort of my thing, so I was up for the challenge.

  “Home for a visit then.”

  She made eye contact with me and gave me a small, appreciative smile.

  “Exactly.”

  “Well, then I can see why you love the blues if you’re from here. It gets in your blood at an early age.”

  “Yes, it does.” She looked at some point off in the distance and I wondered if it was the music taking her away from me or the bourbon.

  “And what about you Ethan? Are you a local or just visiting?”

  “Local.”

  She nodded and sipped the fresh drink.

  I watched closely and I had so many questions. I had this urge to know everything about her even though I felt like I already knew the answers.

  We sat enjoying each other’s company, the bourbon, and the music until Charlie called it quits. Another band took the stage to carry the crowd to closing time. She frowned up at the stage, the band wasn’t bad, but it was hard to follow someone like Charlie Pickens.

  “
Wanna take a walk?” I asked, thinking I would risk the rejection.

  To my surprise she nodded. I looked around for the waitress. The same one that had brought us refills appeared.

  “Thanks, Emily.” Kay said the waitress. “I’m going to call it a night.”

  “Okay well let me bring you your change.”

  “No, keep it.”

  “But…”

  “Keep it.”

  “At least let me pay for mine.” I offered.

  “No, I prepared, when I came in tonight, so you’re covered.”

  I didn’t pretend not to be confused, but the waitress looked happy so I went along with it. Kay let me hold her elbow and guide her through the crowd out on to the sidewalk.

  I took a deep breath of the fresh night air. It was humid and promised rain.

  Under the glow of the streetlights I could see she wasn’t just beautiful she was exquisite. The full lips and the high cheek bones. I could tell her hair was dark and thick despite being pulled back at the base of her neck in a clasp. Her eyes were dark too, although I couldn’t see the exact color. It didn’t matter because it was the way the light danced in her eyes that held my attention.

  “Where to?” she asked.

  “This way.” I thought a walk along the water in the moonlight might be nice and I would be able to learn more about her without having to shout. It took a minute for my hearing to adjust.

  “So, what brings you home for a visit?”

  “Oh, just had to take care of some family business. It can be difficult to try and do things long distance at times.” Although her tone was casual, I could tell it was forced. Whatever had brought her come was anything but a casual visit.

  “I understand. I’ve tried that myself a few times it never really seems to work.”

  She nodded in agreement and we walked on. I wondered about the family business.

  “Where do you live when you are not here in Gates Point?”

  “Pretty much everywhere and nowhere.”

  Again, she was trying to sound casual and not give too many specifics. I didn’t blame her; we had only just met, and it is never a good idea to give too much personal information to a stranger.

  “You’re pretty good and not answering questions, aren’t you?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be evasive.” She looked over at me. I could tell she was sincere in that.

  “It’s okay. We just met and I don’t blame you for not wanting to tell a stranger your life story. It’s just that most people will talk without thinking twice.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning either you have had some training in evasive tactics or you’re an extremely private person.”

  She laughed out loud. It was an honest laugh and one that sounded like crystal windchimes. It was light and the warm breeze carried it away.

  “I guess I’m just a private person. I’m a photojournalist so I’m more about telling other people’s stories, not mine.”

  “Now that makes sense.” I smiled; I was relieved to know she wasn’t in some sort of law enforcement. It was refreshing to talk to someone that didn’t involve an investigation.

  “And what about you Ethan, what agency does that badge on your belt represent?”

  I was surprised that she noticed it. I wasn’t trying to hide it but, I wasn’t flashing it either.

  “FBI,”

  “Really? I had you pegged as an NCIS man.”

  “I know a few of them and they are good guys.”

  “Yeah, they are.” She agreed.

  “Has your family always lives in Gates Point?” I asked changing the subject back to her. She smiled. It was a loaded question and she knew it. Gates Point prided itself on first families and old money.

  “As far as I know they have. And what about you?”

  “Oh, at least a few generations.”

  We reached the Chesapeake Bay. It is an impressive site I don’t care how many times you see it. Tonight, the moon was full and reflecting on the water.

  “So, you’re a photojournalist and home for family business, where are you working right now?”

  “The Middle East,”

  “That must be tough,”

  “It’s the job.” She shrugged.

  “Wanna sit?” I pointed to a bench.

  “What’s your favorite thing about the city?” I looked back over my shoulder I was determined to get her to open up to me. I had to know more about her. She smiled a little and I congratulated myself.

  “I love the music.”

  I nodded. “Do you play?” I asked.

  “I play a little guitar now and then.”

  I had a feeling she was being modest.

  “What do you play, Ethan?”

  “I play the piano from time to time and sometimes the harmonica.”

  “I bet you’re good. I’d like to hear you play sometime.”

  I wanted to take her back to my place and play something for her, it might be hard to explain to Diane. It was weird though, I should feel more guilty about going for a walk in the moonlight with a beautiful woman, I didn’t.

  “I’d like that.” We both smiled. I felt like we had a bit of a breakthrough.

  “Tell me a little more about you.” I leaned in a little. “Do you have siblings?”

  “No, and that’s okay. I don’t mind it. Big families seem to be too complicated. I like things simple.”

  I smiled. “How’s that working out for you?”

  She laughed a little. “Not so well, the rest of the world seems to like things complicated.”

  “You are not wrong, there.” I agreed.

  I watched her eyes crinkle into a genuine smile. I wondered what she looked like with her hair down instead of pulled back. I had the urge to reach out and loosen the clip that was holding hair and watch it cascade over her shoulders. We talked about music some more, debating the best live performances and the best albums.

  “It’s getting late.” She said looking sad.

  “Can I walk you home?”

  “It’s an awfully long walk. I’ll catch a cab.”

  “Are you sure. I’d like to know you made it home safely.”

  She smiled a soft warm smile. “How about I text you when I get in.”

  “Deal.” I smiled and gave her my phone number.

  “I’ll text you and then you will have mine.”

  “Okay.” I nodded.

  We walked back to the street and she whistled for a cab and waved to me as it pulled away from the curb. I felt deflated and walked to my car and drove home. About thirty minute later my phone buzzed.

  “Home safe. Thank you.”

  “Glad you’re safe.”

  I wanted to say more but didn’t know how to say it or if I should, so I left it at that.

  ◆◆◆

  The next day, I felt more alive than I had felt in a long time. Even Diane noticed.

  “You look like you finally got some sleep,” she said as she poured coffee.

  “Yeah, I did. I’m sorry I didn’t wait up.”

  I actually hadn’t thought about what time Diane had gotten in. It had to have been past midnight. I wondered if she had the same kind of evening I did. I smiled to myself because I genuinely hoped that she had.

  “That’s okay. We sort of got sidetracked from the book and drank more wine than we read.” She laughed.

  My daughter bounced into the kitchen. Madelyn was a morning person. I have no idea where she got that from, it certainly wasn’t from me or her mother.

  “Morning, don’t forget Mom, you said I could spend the day with Angie.”

  “I didn’t forget, just check in with me or your dad once in a while so we know you’re okay.”

  “Wait,” I interrupted, don’t you have school today?”

  “No, it’s a teacher workday so, Angie and I were going to hang out.” Madelyn smiled and popped bread into the toaster.

  “Hang out where?”

  “Oh dad!�
� She sighed.

  “I’m serious.”

  “At her house, mostly her mom doesn’t work so we’ll probably get a ride to the mall or something.”

  Diane touched my shoulder sensing I was about to ask more questions.

  “That’s fine, I’ve already talked to Ms. Harper, you still keep in touch today, okay?” Diane instructed as she moved about the kitchen putting necessities into her briefcase.

  “Okay.” Madelyn smiled plucking the toast out of the toaster and plopping it onto a plate.”

  “Careful, don’t burn yourself,” I said.

  Madelyn just rolled her eyes at me and started to add jelly to the toast.

  “Okay, okay.” I said putting my hands up in the air. I concentrated on my coffee and the headlines in the paper.

  Just as Madelyn was finishing her toast the doorbell rang.

  “Oh, that’s Angie.”

  “Wait.” I said putting my hand up. “Finish your toast and put the plate in the sink. I’ll get the door.”

  Diane nodded to her and she took the last bite of her breakfast.

  “Good Morning Mr. Craddock.” Angie was standing on the porch beaming at me.

  “Morning, Angie.” I said stepping aside to let her in. I waved to her mother sitting out in the car.

  “Okay, see you later!” Madelyn said as she and Angie headed back out the door.

  I bent down and Madelyn kissed my cheek. It made me smile.

  “Have a good time and behave yourself.”

  “I always do.” She said and ran to catch up to Angie.

  I shut the door behind her and walked back into the kitchen. Diane had her keys in her hand.

  “Where are you off to?”

  “Work.” She looked at me with concern. “Aren’t you working today?”

  “Yes.” I was actually looking forward to it. I’d even considered walking to work and enjoying the fresh air.

  “Okay, have a good day.”

  I watched as the women in my life left the house each with their own independent lives to lead. I turned off the coffee pot and headed to work. I knew Charlie Pickens was playing a second night at the Ironclad and I thought about going after work just to see if Kay would be there.