Hidden in Shadows (20 page)

A
s Krista set the tables for the first of many Christmas teas, she realized that Christmas at the tea shop was her saving grace. Preparing for the event gave her purpose and distracted her from the ache in her chest.

Three weeks had passed without any word from Luke. A part of her didn't expect to ever hear from him again.

But that other part, the idealistic part that believed in love, taunted her with hope. She said special prayers for Luke every night before bed, prayers for his safety and self-forgiveness.

That's all she could do. Well, that and mend her own broken heart.

She'd spent many hours consoling Natalie, trying to make sense of how everything had fallen apart in her friend's life. But it would be months, maybe even years before Nat would fully understand and recover. The man Natalie had given her heart to had been seduced by evil and Natalie had no clue what was going on. How did someone recover from that kind of betrayal? Krista wasn't sure, but she'd do her best to help her friend.

“How many do we got tonight?” Tatum Sass said, strolling into the dining room from the back.

“How many do we have,” Krista corrected.

“That, too.”

Krista smiled. “Twenty-four.”

“We're short on sugar cubes.”

“Rats, I meant to stop by the grocery store last night.”

“I can go,” Tatum offered.

“You sure?”

“No prob. I'll be back.” Tatum breezed out.

Krista had been a little off, a little distracted since everything happened. Her friends knew it. They were doing a good job of taking care of her, picking up the slack and checking on Krista.

For the first time in a long time Krista didn't mind being taken care of instead of taking care of others. She didn't see it as people trying to control her or tell her what's best. She understood it was about friends rallying to her side because they loved her. Their love was appreciated, but she wanted another kind of love, a kind of love only Luke McIntyre could give her.

“Stop it,” she scolded herself. She had to pick herself up and move on. Twenty-four people were coming for dinner, for crying out loud.

Krista clicked into gear and raced around the shop setting tables, lighting candles and brewing tea.

An hour later Krista carefully set the rose petals on a high tea tower and slid it to the side where one of the girls could grab it.

Except for a stubborn whipped creamer and leaky faucet, they'd avoided any major catastrophes tonight. The roomful of customers seemed joyful and content as they nibbled tea sandwiches, sipped tea and enjoyed Christmas music.

Suddenly Tatum slid into the kitchen.

“Tatum, no sliding,” Krista reminded.

“We've got a problem.”

Tori slid in behind her. “A major one.”

“What?”

“There's some guy out there with a badge, I think he's with the health department,” Tatum said.

“He needs to talk to you,” Tori added. “Right now.”

“In the middle of an event?”

“He said now,” Tori punctuated.

“Fine. Tell him I'll be right out.”

The girls disappeared back into the dining room. Krista grabbed her coat thinking maybe she'd convince him to talk code violations outside. She was strict about following the rules and had no idea what could warrant a visit from the health department.

She stepped around the corner into the quiet dining room. All chatter had stopped as the ladies stared at a man standing by the fireplace. It looked like…

Luke turned around and shot her an apologetic smile.

Krista froze, unable to speak or even think straight.

Luke walked over to her and took her hand. “I've missed you.”

“I'm having a Christmas fantasy, right?” she said.

“If you are, it's about to get better.” He got down on one knee. “Krista Yates, will you be my wife?”

It felt like they were completely alone, no customers, no staff, even the music faded into the background. He pulled out a black box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a beautiful solitaire diamond ring.

“I don't know what to say,” she said.

“There's a first,” Tatum joked.

“Shh,” a customer scolded.

“What do you think?” Luke pressed. “It's beautiful.”

“I mean about my proposal?”

She looked into his warm blue eyes and her heart filled with love. “Of course I'll marry you.”

The group of ladies applauded. Luke stood and put the ring on her finger. A little embarrassed, she led him out to the front porch and closed the door.

“I'm—I'm,” she stuttered.

“You're the most amazing thing that's happened to me, Krista.”

“But your case—”

“The strangest thing happened.” He put his arm around her and looked up at the dark sky dotted with stars. “I was at the airport about to board the plane to Mexico when I reached into
my pocket for change and instead pulled out this.” He opened his palm to reveal her charm. “And that hole in my heart opened up and was filled with something more powerful than anger or revenge.” He grazed his thumb across her cheek. “Your love and your love of God brought me back, Krista. It saved me from myself. I never want to spend another day without you in my life.”

They kissed and it felt like a dream. He was here, holding her, loving her.

They broke the kiss and she narrowed her eyes at him. “Why did it take you three weeks to find your way back to me?”

“I had to wrap things up at work, put my condo on the market, find a job.”

“You quit the agency?”

“I did. You're looking at the new security supervisor for Andmark properties. They run Michigan Shores and a handful of other resorts in the area.”

“You're kidding.”

“What, you don't think I'm qualified?” he teased.

“No, I mean, how did you do that so fast?”

“I guess I've got friends in high places.”

“You mean the chief.”

“Him, too.”

Meaning Luke had done his share of praying for guidance and help. And it led him back to Wentworth.

To Krista.

She wrapped her arms around him and glanced up at the sky. “Isn't it beautiful?”

Out of the corner of her eye, she could tell he was still looking at her. “It sure is.”

1. Although Krista has experienced trauma in the past, she's able to draw on her faith to keep her steady. How do you use your faith to get through challenging times?
   
2. Luke carries a heavy burden because he feels responsible for the death of his partner. Have you known someone who carried a heavy burden of guilt? If so, how can we use our faith to help these people heal?
   
3. Krista didn't like being smothered by her mom and grandmother, so she became a very independent woman. In some cases can being too independent push people away? Do you think some people use their independence as a defense mechanism? If so, how do you get through the defense mechanism?
   
4. Luke didn't feel that he was worthy of Krista's love. Do you think self-worth comes from messages we get from family and friends? Or is self-worth something you find through God and your own heart?
   
5. Krista initially wouldn't allow herself to like Luke because he's in a violent career. Have you known anyone in a violent career? Did that color your opinion of him or her?
   
6. Krista liked Alan, but didn't consider him as a romantic interest. Do you think God wants us to choose our life partners with our hearts or our minds?
   
7. Krista could have blamed herself for her father's death but did not. Do you think her faith had anything to do with that? Also, how does family and community help you process through the loss of a loved one?
   
8. Have you lost someone close to you, and if so, how did you find peace through God's word?
   
9. Luke is determined to arrest the man who killed his partner. At what point does revenge overshadow duty? Have you ever felt the need for revenge?
   
10. Growing up, Luke resented the church community's efforts to help him and his mom. Has your church helped a family in need? If so, how do you offer the gift in a way that does not make the receiver feel ashamed?
    
11. When Krista discovered the identity of the local connection, she challenged his decision to work with the drug dealers. Has anyone in your life made a bad or harmful decision to either themselves or others? If so, how did you challenge them to change, without making them shut down?
    
12. Luke felt he wasn't worthy of Krista's love. Have you known someone with low or little self-confidence like Luke? If so, how do you help them realize their full potential? Are there passages in the Bible you'd refer to?