Homecoming at Hickory Ridge

Kyle must have worn some protective armor to shield him from his brother’s comments. At least it seemed that way since he wasn’t watching the door through which his brother had disappeared but instead continued to stare at her as if daring her to look away. Did he think she was the kind of person who would go screaming in the other direction at the word ex-con?

Okay, he couldn’t know what kind of person she was, and the term did make the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, but she didn’t long for her running shoes. That Kyle worked at Hickory Ridge Community Church made this new information easier to digest. Reverend Bob and Andrew Westin would never have hired Kyle if his crime made him a possible danger to church members or their children.

With a silence in the room so profound she could hear her heartbeat in her ears, Julia waited while those eyes continued to study her. Sage eyes that had probably seen far more than she had in her twenty-seven years. He seemed to search inside her for something more than she could give. She wanted to believe she was above judging a person for his past, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

Still, Kyle looked away first. He glanced at the exit and then strode toward it, his hands striking the handle with a bang as he passed through the doorway. The door fell closed behind him.

Glancing around her, Julia found other church members watching the door as if they expected Kyle to reemerge through it. She doubted that would happen. He didn’t know many people here. And from the scene they’d all just witnessed, he didn’t even have a decent relationship with his brother, the only person in town he probably did know well.

Did he feel alone? She knew what that felt like. After her parents’ deaths, despite her faith, she’d felt adrift while the rest of the world appeared solidly anchored. But Charity had been there for her. The half sister she’d barely known had reached out to her, even encouraging her to move to Milford so what remained of their family could be together. Who was there for Kyle? Who would draw him into a circle of friends? The answer was clear: he had no one.

Before her mind had the chance to rethink her plan, Julia hurried to the door. She didn’t glance back, knowing curious eyes would follow her. Kyle needed somebody, and it didn’t look as if anyone else was volunteering for the job. Even someone as apprehensive as she was had to be better than no one at all.

Her cross-trainers tripping along the carpeted walkway, Julia reached the outside only to find the parking lot quiet, the cars of families attending the prayer meeting and choir practice filling half the spaces.

Disappointment filled her. Maybe it was true what her father used to say about her: he’d called her a champion for underdogs, a collector of strays. Injured birds, lost kittens, new kids in town—they all ended up in a warm box inside the door or at their kitchen table.

This time none of that would be enough. Not enough to help a guy as scarred as Kyle likely was behind his armor. Rubbing her bare arms and wishing she’d remembered to grab her sweater, she started back toward the church entrance.

Somewhere behind her an ignition turned over, but the vehicle didn’t start. Its driver tried a few more times, and the engine roared to life. An older model sedan backed out of its space, rolling toward the exit. As the car passed, Julia recognized Kyle in the driver’s seat.

“Kyle. Wait.” She rushed out so that he could see her waving her arms in his rearview mirror.

When she’d decided either he hadn’t seen her or was pretending he hadn’t, he stopped the car.

She hurried to the driver’s-side window and waited until he lowered it. At first he stared straight ahead instead of at her. The breeze lifted a few strands of his tousled deep-brown hair. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, and when he rested his elbow on the open window, his bicep strained against the cuff of his royal-blue polo shirt.

Finally he turned to look at her. “What do you want?”

“I wanted to see if you were okay.”

“I’m great. Now you’d better get inside or you’ll be late for prayer meeting.”

She brushed away the suggestion with a wave of her hand. “I thought you might need someone to talk to.”

“Didn’t you hear enough inside?”

She didn’t know how she expected him to react, but the hard set of his jaw surprised her. Well, she didn’t know much about Kyle Lancaster, but he had a stubborn bent as firm as his jaw.

“I guess I didn’t,” Julia said. She could be pretty stubborn herself when challenged.

His gaze flitted to her face and he pressed his thin lips together. “Then you weren’t listening closely enough.”

Julia rubbed her arms again, the chill this time coming from the man in the car rather than the spring breeze, but she refused to take his hint to back off. At least he hadn’t closed the car window yet or pressed the gas pedal to the floorboard.

“I listened well enough to know that you’re not getting much support from your one relative in town.”

His hands gripped the steering wheel. “Thanks for coming out here, but I don’t need your pity.”

Julia lifted a brow. “Pity? I don’t see anybody here pitying anyone else.” She braced herself and steadied her voice. Doing God’s work wasn’t coming as easily to her as she would have expected. “I just thought you might like to go for coffee or something. You’re new in town, and I thought you might need a friend.”

He was shaking his head before she even finished her offer. “I’m not worth the trouble. Didn’t you hear Trooper Lancaster?”

“I’m sure Brett didn’t mean what he said.”

“I’m sure he did.”

His vehemence reminded her how little she knew about this family drama, and she felt properly put in her place. Her need to defend Brett didn’t surprise her, as he’d always been kind to everyone in the years she’d known him. What did surprise her was the sudden impulse to defend his younger brother, as well. She barely knew Kyle, and what she knew for sure about him didn’t inspire much confidence.

Still, Kyle Lancaster was a child of God, and he seemed awfully alone.

“I’m sorry.” She rested her hands on the edge of the open window. She would have reached inside and patted his shoulder if she thought he would have let her.

“No big deal,” he said, though it clearly was. “I don’t need Trooper Lancaster or any of the Lancasters.” He turned his head to stare out the windshield. “I don’t need…”

He let his words trail away, but Julia still heard the word he hadn’t spoken. Anyone. He didn’t believe that, did he? As if he recognized her surprise and saw it as his opportunity, Kyle shifted his car into Drive and settled his hand over the automatic window control.

Taking his hint, Julia lifted her hands away from the window and stepped back from the car.

“Good night, Kyle. It was nice meeting you.”

“Yeah, you, too. Goodbye.” He glanced at her once more, a strange expression lining his features, before he pulled the car down the church drive and onto the road.

Julia watched his car, a sense of loss building inside her. I don’t need… His words invaded her thoughts again, as unsettling as when he’d spoken them. Her heart ached that anyone would have let him believe that was true.

Rubbing her chilly arms, she went back inside, but instead of joining the prayer meeting, she retrieved her belongings and headed out to her car. She wasn’t in the mood to be in a social setting now.

Only after she’d parked in her one-car garage and had headed up the walk to her tiny but wonderful house on Union Street did Kyle’s words came back to taunt her. He hadn’t said “Good night” as she had. He’d said “Goodbye,” as if he never expected to see her again.

The thought grated on her. Of course she would see him again. It was a small town. The village covered only a few square miles. And Kyle worked at the one place she frequented almost as often as her classroom at school: her church.

She hadn’t planned to return to Hickory Ridge until Sunday services, but she decided as she turned her back-door lock that a visit to the church office tomorrow afternoon just might be in order. If she suddenly took an interest in working with the foundling prison ministry, she would raise a few eyebrows, but no one would be surprised to see her starting her Homecoming celebration work.

Okay, she would be getting a few weeks’ head start on the search for former members, but it never hurt to be ahead of the ball, did it? If she happened to cross paths with Kyle Lancaster while she was there, then so be it.

Julia didn’t want to wonder why she was trying so hard when he’d made it clear he didn’t want anything from her. She might like to nurture others, but she’d never met someone who wanted her help less. He eschewed it and her. There were so many others she could help—her students, her church friends, others in the community—and they might even appreciate her efforts. Most of them didn’t have an unspecified criminal record for her to be concerned about, either.

So why Kyle? The question reverberated in her thoughts. But he’d given her the answer even as he’d tried to push her away. She couldn’t turn her back on him now even if she wanted to. Someone who didn’t think he needed anyone might just need someone most of all.

Crouched on his hands and knees beneath his new desk, Kyle threaded computer cords through a hole in the back. He reached up to rub his aching neck that had no business being squeezed into that uncomfortable position.

He wasn’t sure why Reverend Bob and Andrew had insisted on putting one of the brand-new computer monitors on his desk. It wasn’t as if he would be doing computer spreadsheets and video presentations in his job. At least, he hoped not.

For the most part, though, he knew what he was doing with stringing the wires. He’d done his share of troubleshooting the last few years on the dozen or so aged machines in the prison’s computer lab. And before that he’d had some experience unwiring a few tasty electronics on the sly, but he chose not to remember those times now. He’d tried hard to put that life behind him, and it didn’t do him any good to keep ruminating on it.

The cable Internet offered a bit more of a challenge, though. The prison’s computer lab hadn’t been connected to the outside world, so he was just learning about things like networks.

Even if he wasn’t sure what to do with that blue cable, Kyle couldn’t help feeling impressed with the quality of his work today. Something had to be said for good, honest work on the outside. His plan involved stepping stones, and this job was a solid first rock. He liked the idea that his work, even if he planned for it to be temporary, would help other prison inmates.

Pulling the excess monitor cable through the slot, Kyle secured it with a plastic tie. Something outside the desk made a loud crack, making him whack his head on the metal above him. Pain pulsed in the back of his head and dots of color danced inside his eyelids as he backed out from beneath the desk.

“Oh. Sorry.”

The voice caressed his memory before Kyle even opened his eyes, so he had even more to frown about when he did. Julia grimaced as she stared down at him.

“You.” He rubbed his head where it ached.

With a sheepish grin, she righted the wheeled desk chair that she’d knocked over, causing the commotion. “An accident. Honest. I didn’t know you would be…” She let her words fall away, indicating with a sweep of her hand the boxes, wires and assorted tools of his project.

Coming up from the floor still rubbing his head, he sat on the seat she’d provided. “That I was a computer technician? Neither did I.”

“Looks like you’re handling the assignment.”

“Something like that.”

He tried not to notice, really he did, but Julia had this twinkle in her eyes and a smile that was impossible to ignore. As though she’d brought the sunshine right inside the building with her. That he could see that sunshine irked him even more. Neither spoke for several seconds, and Julia’s gaze lowered to the floor.

Gingerly, Kyle came to his feet as the colored spots subsided. “May I help you with something?” He asked it to end the awkward silence but he still wanted to know. Especially since he’d all but waved his arms and insisted that she run in the opposite direction only yesterday.

“Uh, no. I just stopped by after school to pick up some things from the church office. Committee stuff for the Homecoming celebration,” she was quick to add.

Noting her empty arms, he tilted his head to the side. “Did you get what you came for?”

She gripped those empty hands together, showing she hadn’t missed the double meaning in his words, but she answered as if only one of those meanings had come to mind. “No. Not yet.”

He leaned back in his chair and waited.

“Oh, and I thought I would stop by to see how you were getting on with your new job.”

“Worried I would make off with the collection plates?”

“Should I be?” She raised an eyebrow as if daring him to come up with another smart-aleck remark. When he didn’t, she continued. “I know how hard it can be starting a job in a new town where you don’t know many people. I did that a few years ago.”

It surprised him that he suddenly wanted to hear her new-girl-in-town story, but he didn’t ask. “I’m doing fine, but thanks for checking.” He indicated the mess of wires and tools. “One of the more glamorous aspects of my job.”

“I get to convince first-graders not to pick their noses and to wash their hands after bathroom breaks.”

“Sounds like fun.” He almost wished they could stay here a while longer, trading clever comments, but she hadn’t said what she really wanted. “I didn’t expect to see you again after last night.”

“Why not? You work in my church,” she quipped before becoming serious. “I thought you might need a friend.”

“I told you I didn’t need—”

“Kyle, everybody needs somebody.”

“Well, I—” Realizing how ridiculous he sounded, he stopped himself before saying the word don’t. Instead he crouched and started to pick up some of the computer packing material. Maybe he did need someone, but he wished he didn’t. It would make his life a whole lot easier.

“Will you be working late today?”

Instead of answering, he tilted his head to the side, lifted a quizzical brow and waited.

“I thought I would try again to see if you wanted to go for coffee later.”

“You don’t give up easily, do you?”

“My dad always said I was as stubborn as a mule, but I’d like to think I’ve got the old gal beat.”

He had to give her credit: she was tenacious to a fault. “If I agree to go later, will you let me get back to work? I want to finish this before I leave today.”

“Then you might want to plug in the Ethernet cable for the network and turn on the router.”

“I’ll get around to it.” And he would after she left because he needed to go ask Andrew how those two particular items worked.

“Great. Do you want to meet downtown at about eight?” She fiddled with the keys dangling from her fingers.

“Sounds good. Don’t forget your committee stuff. I didn’t think you’d be starting on that for a few more weeks.”

She shrugged. “You know. Early bird and all.”

With a wave, she turned out of his office, heading toward the stairs. The paperwork she’d come for could probably be found in the main office downstairs anyway.

Kyle went back to work, wrestling a mess of wires into some order. As much as he focused on the task, though, his thoughts kept returning to Julia’s visit.

He didn’t know what to make of that, other than the obvious that she was a do-gooder in search of a project, but he didn’t want to think about it right now. Analyzing it would make the whole coffee thing a bad idea. The anticipation flexing deep in his gut should have already given him a warning. Just coffee; it wasn’t a real date, though his definitions might have blurred in the last few lonely years.

Those negative thoughts rankled him. Why couldn’t he enjoy the fact that he was about to go for coffee with the most beautiful woman he’d seen this side of the television in more than three years? Why did he worry about Julia’s motives instead of just enjoying the moment?

He should have said no when she asked again. It had been hard enough asking his cop brother for a job reference. Now he had a woman turning him into a charity project. How much could a man’s pride take?

Yes, he should have turned down Julia’s offer, and there was still time to cancel, though he wouldn’t kid himself by saying he would. A smile pulled at his lips as he realized she probably would talk him into going again, anyway.

The smile transformed into a frown as soon as the next thought crossed his mind. Sure, it was only coffee, only an opportunity to let Julia become the friend she so obviously wanted to be. That’s where the trouble came in. Already, he could picture her sitting across from him with those shining eyes and warm smile. It would be hard to spend time with Julia, a woman who was too good for him on his best day, and not to wish the date were real.

Chapter Three

Julia took her first sip of vanilla latte, closing her eyes and letting the sweet foamy milk at the top rest in her mouth before swallowing. “Hmm.” Maybe if she focused on the drink instead of the company across the table from her, she could convince her hands to stop trembling. Why had she thought it would be a good idea to invite Kyle out for coffee? Who was she trying to convince that his ex-con status didn’t bother? Kyle or herself?

“You say that now, but you’ll be saying grrrr later tonight when you can’t get to sleep.”

When she opened her eyes, she caught Kyle grinning at her. “I ordered decaf, remember?” she told him.

Julia attributed her hurrying pulse to nerves rather than that potent smile.

“Never understood the point of decaf.” Kyle took a long drink from his own double espresso.

“You’ll understand when it’s three in the morning and you’re wide awake and reading your Bible instead of sleeping.” Julia stiffened and looked at him sheepishly. She couldn’t go around assuming that everyone got into Bible study, ex-cons or not. “Sorry.”

“Why? Because I’ll be missing all those ZZZs?” He studied her for a few seconds before adding, “Julia, I read the Bible. They allow the ‘Good Book’ behind prison walls. The wardens think it’s better than Uzis or machetes.”

“I didn’t mean—”

But he brushed away her comment with a wave of his hand and took another sip of his coffee.

Julia frowned at the insulated cup in front of her. Great, now she’d insulted him by questioning his faith, based only on a criminal record. Kyle probably wished he’d stuck with his earlier refusal to go for coffee. She was fumbling for a way to backpedal when he set his cup aside.

“There were a lot of people at the prayer meeting dinner last night.”

Relief filled her that he’d let her off the hook. “It was a nice crowd. Reverend Bob seemed pleased.” She paused long enough to take another sip.

The door opened then, and a group of teenagers in Milford High School track warm-ups shuffled inside, bringing their rambunctious energy with them. Though the coffee shop offered plenty of background noise now, an uncomfortable silence settled between Kyle and Julia. As always, Julia wished she shared her sister Charity’s easy way with people and fearlessness in social situations.

“So Hannah said you’re a teacher?” Kyle said.

“Yes. The kids are great. So excited to learn. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher.”

“It had to be great figuring out so early on what you wanted to be when you grew up.” He shrugged, a charming, boyish smile settling on his lips. “I’ve always been on the slow track in getting a clue.”

“But you’ve figured it out now, right?” She sounded like Miss Mary Sunshine, but his words made her uncomfortable, and she wanted to help him see the bright side.

“You mean, the job at the church? Helping build the prison ministry is fine work for now. A step in the right direction. But definitely not something I want to be doing forever. I don’t need the constant reminder.”

She nodded, trying to see the situation from his point of view. She could see how it might be important to him to leave prison life behind him, and no matter how much he wanted to give back, the ministry would trap him in the past.

“You have something else in mind? Maybe something at Lancaster Cadillac-Pontiac-GMC?”

“How’d you know?” he began, then shrugged.

He must have understood that information traveled quickly in churches, especially when someone was looking for it. Until today, Julia had never realized that Sam Lancaster, the owner of the Bloomfield Hills auto dealership who used to do his own TV commercials, was Brett’s dad, let alone Kyle’s.

“Dad has to retire sometime,” Kyle said. “And there’s something to be said for a job where you wear a suit and don’t have to get your hands dirty.”

“I don’t know. I think any job is fine as long as it’s good, honest work.”

She’d only meant to encourage Kyle in his present position, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wanted to cram them all back inside. His tight expression told her he’d taken her comment the way she’d hoped he wouldn’t: as if he were a criminal who needed to find honest work.

“Well, are you going to ask? Or have you already heard?”

“Heard what?” she asked, though she could guess since she’d led them right to this topic. Charity had given her some details about the Lancaster family’s auto dealership and let her know that Kyle was twenty-eight, the youngest of Sam and Colleen Lancaster’s three children. Even Charity hadn’t known the specifics about Kyle’s conviction, though. Brett always had been tight-lipped about his brother’s incarceration.

Because Kyle crossed his arms and waited for her to give him a better answer, she gave up pretending she didn’t understand what he meant. “I haven’t heard.”

“You have to wonder. I might be a danger to society. A murderer? Or terrorist? You’re probably worried now whether you should have met me here.”

She bristled that his guess was close to being on target. “If you were a danger, you wouldn’t be working at my church.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that one. But you still want to know.”

After a few seconds under his stare, so intense he could have been studying the capillaries beneath her skin instead of its surface, she shrugged. “I’m curious. But don’t tell me…unless you want to.”

Kyle picked up his coffee and swirled it around, though he hadn’t put anything in it that would require stirring.

“It’s a matter of public record, but I’ll save you the trouble of hunting it down. Felonious assault. Felony possession of stolen property. Felony possession of a firearm.” He ticked off his charges on his fingers as if he were used to repeating them. “The first two are five-year felonies, served concurrently, but the last one came with a mandatory two-year sentence.”

“You were in prison five years?”

“No. Just the mandatory two, plus another one for good measure. I’m on probation now, so if I mess up, I get to head back to the lovely Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer.”

“You’re not planning to go back, right?”

“Nah. Three squares a day were good, but—” He quit his joke mid punch line, becoming serious. “No, I don’t want to go back. Ever.”

“Is there a story that goes along with those charges?” She hoped it was a mitigating story. The thought of Kyle holding a gun wasn’t making her feel warm and fuzzy inside.

He studied her for several seconds and then shook his head. “There is, but it’s a long one. Another time.”

Julia nodded, pleased he’d opened up to her as much as he had. He might have wanted to say more, but they didn’t know each other well. She would solve that problem by getting to know him better, even if he did make her nervous.