Storm Clouds

“We’ve got to get rid of them!” the woman ordered working to twist back around.

The lady was good at keeping her balance as fresh bullets whizzed by them. He said a prayer that God would protect them.

That’s when an idea came to him. “I think I know a place we can lose them,” he called out.

“I’m open to suggestions,” she shot back.

He nodded, not understanding what she meant, since he was the one driving. “We’re coming up on these canyons.” He nodded to where the terrain was rising up on each side of them. “I know a path through…”

“They’ll follow,” she argued.

He glanced at her and thought that for someone in trouble, she was pretty argumentative. She had turned and was putting her seat belt on.

“Trust me,” he said.

She glared at him. “I don’t trust anyone.”

He wasn’t sure how to take that. He concentrated on the curves instead of the woman. The shooting had stopped for the time being since the other car couldn’t get a clear shot. “When we get around this next corner I need you to hold on,” he called out.

She nodded and braced herself.

He took a deep breath and prayed he didn’t kill them both.

A sharp U-turn and he took a path opposite to the way he’d been going and continued, right to the edge of the road—and then over.

The woman screamed.

He couldn’t help but let out a shout as adrenaline rushed through his body.

They crashed down over the side, rattling him from his feet to his teeth. He slammed on the brake and the woman slid forward.

With quick agility, David shoved the gear into Reverse and backed up until he was inside one of the numerous caves in the area. He kept going until they were back beyond anyone’s ability to see inside to where they were.

Above them, they heard the car racing past.

He held his breath, waiting, but didn’t hear them returning. He could only hope they’d bought it.

Turning toward the woman, he started to say something, pausing when he suddenly realized she was awfully calm considering what he’d just done. His curiosity turned to alarm when he realized the woman was lying back against the seat, still and quiet. “Lady?” He reached over and touched her cheek.

It was wet. And she didn’t respond to his touch.

Cold fear shot through him as he realized the passenger was injured.

He opened the glove compartment and found his flashlight. Flipping it on, he saw instantly she’d hit her head. Blood trickled from just below her hairline.

He released his seat belt and turned to grab the first aid kit he kept in the Jeep. It was too easy for things to happen out there so he always kept a kit with him. Fishing through it, he found what he wanted.

Heartened when the woman next to him groaned and moved, he asked, “Can you hear me?” He pulled out some gauze and bandages.

She groaned again.

He reached up to push her long dark hair back behind her ear so he could examine the wound more closely.

She grabbed his hand and nearly broke his fingers.

He jerked back and she pulled him forward.

Immediately he leaned into the fight and pinned her. “Calm down, my little wombat,” he whispered.

It must have been his voice or maybe she was finally regaining consciousness completely because she stiffened and then relaxed, releasing him. “Sorry,” she muttered and in the dim light, he saw her wince.

“Be still. Let me bandage that head.”

It was cool in the cave and he felt the woman shiver. He reached behind her seat and grabbed the jacket he’d worn earlier. “Here, sweetheart, wear this.”

“I’m no one’s sweetheart,” she objected.

He smiled slightly. “Still feisty.” Tearing open the gauze, he pulled it out of the package and then placed it over the small laceration. Taking the second one out of the package, he started wiping up the blood from her face. “I don’t think this is as bad as it looks.”

“You’re not the one with the pounding head.” Her deep voice echoed, a bit put off at the moment. He would be too, he reminded himself, if he’d just been hurt as she had.

As he wiped her face, high cheekbones revealed themselves on a long angular face. She was quite beautiful. And those deep-brown eyes…

“Done yet?” she grouched at him.

Pulled back to the business at hand, he tossed the bloody gauze and grabbed the roll of first aid tape. Firmly taping the fresh gauze over her wound, he paused to reach out and pull her hair from behind her ear.

Her gaze shot to his as if he’d done something of which she didn’t approve.

He admitted it was a very intimate gesture, but he’d had to touch the soft hair once again.

Sitting back, he studied the woman carefully, working to break the intimacy of his gesture. “I’m David Lemming. And you are?”

“Hurting from head to toe,” she answered. “Got any painkillers in that box?”

He lifted a brow at the way she’d avoided answering then reached in and pulled out some medication, which he handed to her. She didn’t blink, but slipped it into her mouth and swallowed without water.

He swallowed, his own throat dry. He felt a bit like choking as he watched her.

She glanced ahead and then finally cut a quick glance at him. “Angelina Harding.”

He nodded. Turning around to face the front as she did, he stared toward the bright dusty exit to their inner sanctum. “You were unconscious when they passed, but they have long since gone on down the road.”

“They’ll be back,” she warned.

He thought about that. Curious, he asked, “Why are they after you?”

She sighed and leaned back against the headrest. “I honestly don’t know, but I’m afraid it might have something to do with my brother.”

Though that made no sense to him, he didn’t ask for more information. “I need to call the authorities.” He snagged the radio in the car to call in—and saw the bullet holes. Consternation forced a temporary scowl to his face. “Well, that’s out.”

“Don’t you have a cell phone?” she asked. “I need to check on my brother.”

Incredulous he turned to look at her. He shook his head. He wasn’t even going to answer that one. “Where is your brother?”

“Wallabee.”

Surprised, he said, “Here in Australia? But you sound American.”

She nodded and raised a hand to her sore head obviously regretting the action. “He lives here. A missionary.”

David felt shock down to his toes. She’d said her name was Angelina Harding. Harding. He knew that name well, at least the last name, but until she’d said what her brother did, he hadn’t made the connection. Still, he couldn’t believe this beauty might be connected to the sweet quiet and yet homely man he knew. “Not Marcus Harding?”

She glanced at him and there was acknowledgement in her eyes. “You know my brother?”

Slowly, he nodded. “He led me to the Lord just about ten years ago.”

Her face twisted up as if she’d just tasted something sour.

“Great.” She looked him up and down. “So you’re one of those Christians too.” She leaned back into the chair and muttered “Just great.”

Surprised, he sat back. Marcus didn’t mention his sister much. Only that she’d moved, not keeping in touch with him and that he only heard about her occasionally. Things of that sort. “You’re his sister.”

“We’ve already established that.”

“What were you doing in that car?”

She sighed again, definitely in a worse mood than only a moment before—and all because he’d said he was a Christian.

“Okay. Here’s the quick version. My brother called me yesterday and insisted he needed me over here as soon as possible. It was some national emergency or something. We don’t talk much,” she added acidly. “Anyway, I rushed over here. Instead of him meeting me at the airport, these two goons show up and say my brother has sent them. Obviously, my brother hasn’t taken a hit out on me so he didn’t send them. Which means something must have happened to my brother. I need to get in touch with him as soon as possible.”

He watched the fluctuating emotions in her eyes and felt for her. Though she sounded angry and sarcastic, there was an underlying edge of worry in her voice and hurt in her eyes.

Compassion flooded him. “I can get you there. First thing first, however, sweetheart. I think we should get your head examined.”

She shot him a look.

He lifted his hands. “What?”

“That’s not a good way to say that. And I don’t need this small bump examined anyway. I need to see my brother.”

He frowned. “We’ll need to call the authorities.”

He could tell she wasn’t thrilled with that idea. “Fine. But we’d better get out of here before those men find us.”

He nodded. Reaching for the key, he turned it—and nothing happened.

“What’s the matter?” Angelina asked immediately.

David shrugged. He turned it again and there was only a low grinding sound. Battery light showed fine, temperature was okay…“We’re out of petrol,” he said and stared at the gauge.

“You’re kidding!” She scoffed and then leaned forward to peer at the gauges. Impatiently she tapped the glass over the gauge. It definitely registered empty.

“I just filled up this morning.” He shook his head. “That’s impossible.” He thought about tapping it himself but resisted the urge.

“Yeah,” the woman muttered and then groaned when her movement caused fresh pain in her right arm.

He turned the key off and got out of the Jeep. Going around to the side of the vehicle, he reached to open the gas tank and saw the problem.

“What is it?” Angelina asked lowering her hand from her eyes as the pain eased.

She knew already, he thought. If she was used to this, she surely knew. She was simply mollifying him. “Petrol tank was shot up. Our petrol is all on the ground—what was left, that is.”

She sighed. “Figured as much. Well, we can’t stay here.”

He disagreed, but then thought, if those guys had any brains they would come back looking. He nodded. “Very well. I know the cavern system here. It’s a bit cool, but we can follow this for two kilometers and come up away from here which might give us a safer chance to hitch a ride back on the main road.”

She shifted and pulled herself out of the Jeep.

David went around and helped her out. Catching her arms, he steadied her as she lowered her feet to the rocky ground. With concern, he asked, “The question is—can you make it, sweetheart?”

She glowered at him. “I can make it, but if you call me sweetheart one more time, you just might not.”

He found himself grinning. “A feisty sheila is better than an unconscious one. Follow me, stay conscious and we’ll be okay.”

She grunted something under her breath, and his smile widened. Despite the fact that this normal day had turned crazily upside down, he thought he might just enjoy the next hour or two with this woman.

Chapter Three

“Thank you.” Angelina nodded to the driver who had given them a ride to her brother’s mission. Evidently, many in the area knew her brother.

And as she stepped out of the vehicle, she could see why. This was the first town they’d come to since exiting the caves several miles back.

It stretched on for what seemed like forever. It sure hadn’t been like this years ago. A simple broken-down house had been all that’d existed. The house was still there, repaired and bigger. But along with that were two huge buildings nearby and a yard, a green landscaped yard that covered the entire area. Cemented walkways led off toward some other buildings and then past those were two large structures that reminded her of college dorms. Though not as nice, they were still impressive. She could see horses running in the distance and what looked like a small golf-cart-type vehicle, not in the best of shape, going down a dirt path between two of the far-off structures.

“Those are men’s and women’s dorms off in the distance. The three buildings over there are teaching rooms and the barns are over there. This is the house Marcus lives in.”

David Lemming was still with her. Her mouth twisted. “I knew that.”

He’d asked her why she was here and probed a bit, but when he’d figured out she wasn’t in the mood to talk, he’d left her alone. Obviously, he wasn’t going to leave her, though. Turning, she asked curiously, “Why are you still here?”

He shrugged. “Marcus is a good friend. It wouldn’t be right for me to leave his little sister to fend for herself.”

She gaped. Surely, he was kidding. Leave her alone to fend for herself? How sexist. She shook her head. Without a word, she turned on her heel and headed toward the house surrounded by a wooden fence with no real gate. The old-fashioned poles set in an upside down U denoted the entrance to the area.

It was pretty empty looking. The grass in the front yard and a few small flowerbeds added a touch of homey atmosphere, but there was also a watering trough set next to the house and a makeshift separate structure that provided shade for a parked vehicle. She wondered why, if David had fixed up the rest of the campus, he hadn’t built himself a new house as well.

The sound of horses in the stables reached her ears. In the distance, she could see students ambling from one of the buildings toward the dorms. Under trees, people young and old rested, chatting, some with books opened or in close discussion.

This was a mission?

“Can I help you?”

Angelina turned her head back toward the house to see a man close to her own age walking forward.

“I’m Angelina Harding. Who’s in charge?”

“I’ll get Steve.” His gaze traveled over her curiously before he turned and strode back to the building. Almost immediately, an older man appeared. Dressed in scruffy pants and a button-down top, boots and a hat, he came forward. He was as dark as midnight, yet had the kindest eyes.

“David!” The man tipped his hat. “I’m Steve Hawkins,” he said to Angelina. “You’d be Marcus’s sister, wouldn’t you?”

She shook his hand, shaken by how nice the man seemed. Forcing her professionalism to the forefront, she nodded. “I received a call from him yesterday. What’s going on? Where’s Marcus?”

The older man frowned. His gaze darted to David and then back. “I’m afraid I have some bad news, miss.” He took his hat off and held it respectfully before him. “Your brother has gone missing.”

Angelina blinked. “Excuse me?”

The man glanced at David again.

Irritated she started to correct him but David spoke up. “Has someone called the authorities?”

The man nodded. He motioned with his hat. “Let’s get in outta this sun. You’ll burn fast down here if you aren’t used to it.”

He turned and headed to the house.

Numbly, Angelina followed.

After years of being angry with her brother, full of bitterness, refusing to see him, then she got news like this? She was furious with him, and yet…

“Are you all right?”

She glanced at David and realized he was carefully watching her reaction. She forced her neutral expression back over her features. “Fine. Where are the authorities?”

She stepped into the warm house and realized just how chilled she’d become. Her body immediately reacted to the warmth.

“Ted, get some tea please,” Steve called to the man who’d originally greeted them and now stood across the room, rustling through some papers on a table. He looked up, glanced at Angelina again, then nodded and disappeared down a hallway.

Another man stood up, a set of ledgers in his hands. Tall, distinguished, he wore a dark suit and boots.

“This is Frank Henson. Frank, this is Marcus’s sister.”

Frank nodded. “Sorry about the bad news, Ms. Harding.”

“He’s one of our financiers. He’s been in on your brother’s venture since nearly the beginning,” Steve explained to Angelina. Turning to Frank, he said, “Can we finish this up later, Frank?”

The gentleman nodded. “Of course. I understand.” He studied David curiously and nodded. “David.” Then his gaze went back to Angelina. He was probably wondering why she looked as if she’d been dragged through a drain pipe backwards, she thought. He nodded again. “I’ll be back later.”

He left, going through the back hall that Angelina thought might lead toward the kitchen. Though she’d been here before, she didn’t remember everything, some things had faded with time.

Steve led them into the spacious living room and motioned to the sofa.

Angelina didn’t realize David had followed until he seated himself by her. Why was he acting so protectively, she wondered.

“Is your head okay, miss, or do I need to get you medical attention?”

“I’m fine—”

“She needs medical attention,” David said at the same time.

She scowled at him.

Ted brought in the tea and Steve said something in another language to Ted who replied, then nodded and left. There certainly hadn’t been this many people either, back then, Angelina thought. Frank, Ted, Steve…all living here with her brother?

“Ted also helps manage the mission.” Steve nodded to the nice-looking man who had slipped out the front door. She saw him glance back one last time and then disappear from sight.

Steve handed a cup of tea to Angelina. “What did the authorities say?” she demanded as soon as Ted was gone.

She didn’t want to play tea party. She wanted to find out about her brother.

David accepted the tea and handed it to Angelina. She scowled, but took it, favoring her right arm as she did.

“I was gone last night,” Steve began and Angelina wondered if he was purposely trying to ignore her direct question.

Steve passed tea to David and then took his own. He added cream and sugar and stirred. Expressive eyes filled with anger when he finally looked back to her. “I had to run one of the students into town. She’d been feeling bad and the nurse was gone. It was our night out anyway so most of the students were away. Your brother told me to stop and pick up some groceries on the way back for the house, and so I was later than normal getting back—”

“And?” Angelina interrupted. She reached up for her head, realizing she was being rude but really only wanting an answer.

“Forgive me, miss. But I thought you’d want to know why your brother was alone. When I got back, well, the house was empty. Furniture was overturned and some of the lamps broken. We just now only an hour past got the house put to rights.”

Despite being separated from her brother for years, Angelina felt the blood drain from her face. Suddenly she was once again that little girl whose uncle used to drag her brother out of the room to talk with him. “Someone took him.”

David took her tea and set it aside, which snapped her back to the present. She shook herself.

“It looks that way, miss. I called the authorities immediately. They came out and looked around and I told them all that I knew, but…we’re praying.”

Her scowl returned. “Praying?” She stood. “My brother is missing and you’re wasting time praying?”

Steve reacted in shock. “Well we might not know where he is, miss, but God does.”

“Please!” She’d had all she could of this bunk. “What did the police say?”

Steve looked a bit nonplussed by her reaction.

“Angelina.” David’s voice drew her attention. “You might want to let Steve finish his story.”

He was another one of those Christians, but the gentleness in his eyes convinced her to hold her tongue. She was out of line.

Turning back to Steve, she took a deep breath and let it out. “I apologize, Steve. Can you tell me anything else?”

He nodded. “Your brother had contacts with all sorts of underworld types because of the life many of our students come from. You know, he’d hang out and meet them as he was helping others. They might not like his ways, but they respected him. He went into the cities and into the bush alike and was always hearing things. He’s rather a hero around here. He helped cut crime nearly in half. He’d been out making his rounds when he heard something disturbing. He didn’t go into any details with me, but I do know he mentioned you several times and decided he just might ring you up.”

“Did he say anything else?”

Steve shook his head. “The authorities asked me the same thing. No, miss. We’re hoping Jake might be able to tell us something if he regains consciousness.”

“Jake?” David asked.

Surprised, Angelina turned her attention to David.

Steve nodded to David. “When I got back from town, we found this place tore up, and poor Jake was lying in the kitchen unconscious. We think the person or people came in through the back because of the woods and conked poor Jake over the head.”

“Who’s Jake?” Angelina asked, then turned to David. “And just how do you know everyone here?”

David answered this time. “He’s the cook. When Marcus led me to the Lord, Jake took me under his wing. He’s a special friend. And I used to own all of this land.”

“Still do.”

David acknowledged the other man’s comment.

Angelina didn’t ask him to elaborate. Her mind still whirled with the fact that all of these people knew each other and they were all Christians like her brother. She didn’t like that.

Putting it aside, she turned back to Steve. “Did my brother ever keep notes? Anything?”

Steve sighed. “The authorities already asked me that and went through his study.”

Her brother wouldn’t have kept it there. At least not when they were kids. They’d hidden everything from their uncle. “Can I see his bedroom?”

“You need medical attention,” David said gently.

She sighed. He was right.

“Ted sent for the nurse,” Steve told David.

She bristled. “Then I can search his room while we’re waiting for the nurse?”

Her brother, gone. It was starting to sink in that her brother really was missing, and that whatever he’d called her about tied into his disappearance.

Unfortunately, searching his room was going to have to wait as the nurse walked in right then.

Frustration built. “I need to call the police too,” she blurted out.

David touched her hand.

She jerked.

“Look sweet—gelina,” he corrected. His look calmed her as she stared into his eyes. And the way he’d changed the “sweetheart” almost drew a grin—almost.

Still, that gentle touch anchored her. What had happened to her world in the last twenty-four hours?

“I’ll call the authorities and report what has happened. I need to let my boss know why I’m gone as well. You allow the nurse to tend you and then, when someone arrives to take our report, you can question them about your brother. Before that, however, you can search your brother’s room. Maybe you’ll find something that will help them. All right?”

She didn’t want to admit this man’s plan made sense. She tilted her head slightly. “How long have I known you now?”

He smiled, dimples appearing. “Too long, I’m afraid.”

She chuckled. The man had a sense of humor. “I suppose I should apologize for your Jeep.”

“That is going to be hard to explain to my boss.”

“I’ll be glad to elaborate for him.”

“Americans,” he said softly and chuckled.

She lifted an eyebrow in response, which reminded her of the injury.

“You go this way, miss, and Myra will examine you.”

She glanced at the woman who stood quietly off to the side. Large, wide features, but pretty, she had her hair pulled back, wore a pair of faded jeans and a top tucked in with a brown belt. She carried a knapsack in one hand.

Definitely not what she expected a nurse to look like.

Maybe if she got her alone, she could find out a bit more of what was going on, or what had been going on. She glanced at David. “Sounds like a plan.”

David nodded. “Go with her then.”

She stood and David watched her go. When she was gone, he turned to Steve.

“How are you feeling?” Steve asked.

David picked up his tea and drank some. The heat felt good going down his throat. “Like I’ve been run over by my Jeep,” he answered when he was done with the hot liquid.