Kaleidoscope Eyes Read online

  Maybe that same sense of familiarity made her confident they’d be okay together. That Kodi would recognize him as … what? As a figment from her dreams?

  Oh, Annie, you’re losing it!

  She stepped forward. “Hang on—”

  But Jed was already holding out his hand, letting Kodi sniff it. And before she knew what was happening, Kodi was up on her hind legs, paws planted on Jed’s chest, licking his face as though he were a long lost brother.

  “Whoa!” Jed laughed, giving Kodi a hug, then taking her paws in his hands and nudging her back on all fours. He slanted a smile at Annie. “Now that’s a friendly dog.”

  Annie took hold of Kodi’s collar and tugged at her. But the animal was almost wiggling herself into a frenzy trying to reach Jed again. “I’m so sorry!”

  “It’s okay. Really. I like dogs.” He took the Frisbee from Annie’s hand and jogged off, Kodi on his heels, barking and grinning like a canine fool.

  Annie followed more slowly, mind numb, utterly and completely speechless. But her mind raced with one pointed question:

  God, what in the world are You up to now?

  An hour later, Annie watched as the Frisbee she’d just thrown sailed across the dog park, Kodi racing after it in hot pursuit. She turned amazed eyes to Jed. “You, sir, are a miracle worker.”

  “You just needed some pointers on technique, that’s all. Face it, Annie, you’re a natural.”

  An unladylike snort escaped her. “Hardly. I can’t count the trees and bushes I’ve assaulted with rampant Frisbees. And poor Kodi spent more time picking them up off the ground than catching them.”

  Speaking of Kodi, Annie turned just in time to see the shepherd leap into the air and snag the still soaring Frisbee, then turn and come loping back. Annie held her hand out, and Kodi came to press the Frisbee into her palm. “Good girl.”

  Kodi’s response was to crouch, ready for action.

  “Does she ever get tired?”

  Annie laughed, launching the Frisbee again, delighting in its smooth flight and in Kodi’s unadulterated joy as she chased it. “I think I’ve seen her tired once, after we were on a callout all day” She smiled at Jed. “But she may have just been trying to make me feel better.”

  “Callout?”

  For a second, Jed’s question surprised Annie. She felt so comfortable with him that it was like they’d known each other forever, heard each other’s stories at least a dozen times. But the curiosity puckering his brow reminded her that not only did she not know anything about him, he had no clue who she was or what she did.

  “Kodi and I are involved in search and rescue. A callout is when someone gets lost and the sheriffs department calls us to help find them.”

  Interest sparked in Jed’s eyes. “Very cool.” He knelt as Kodi loped back to them, holding out his hand for the Frisbee. She came to him without hesitation, sitting and offering the Frisbee as sweet as you please.

  No doubt about it. Annie’s dog was in love.

  Not that she blamed the beast. Jed was an appealing guy. Or as appealing as someone could be when you’d only known him for an hour.

  “So … do you live in the area?” As silly as it was, Annie had to force herself not to cross her fingers.

  Jed glanced up at her, then straightened. “I grew up here, went to school here, but no, I don’t live here any longer.”

  She should have known. Pushing aside the sharp pang of disappointment, Annie reached down and took the Frisbee from Kodi. “Okay, girl, that’s enough. Time to head home.”

  Kodi trotted alongside her as she walked to the picnic table. Jed followed, standing next Annie as she loaded everything in her backpack. He reached out for the pile of large papers and spread them out on the table.

  “Did you draw these?”

  She glanced at the sketches she’d made of Kodi. “Yes.”

  Jed picked one up, looking at it in silence. Just when Annie was about to crawl out of her skin, he turned impressed eyes her way. “You’re an artist.”

  Just that simple. Complete acceptance of who and what she was. No question in his statement whatsoever. “I am.”

  “And a good one.”

  Warmth started somewhere down in her toes and traveled to the top of her head. “Thanks.” She took the sketches and slipped them into the backpack. “So you’re just here for a visit?”

  Jed gave a slow nod. “Sort of. I’m actually going to be in town for a little while.”

  She perked up at that, though she did her best not to let it show. “Oh?” She zipped the backpack shut and lifted it, ready to slip it over a shoulder. “Well, that’s nice.”

  Jed reached out and took the backpack. “Actually—” he slipped it over his shoulder—“what was nice was this.”

  Annie tried not to react to his steady gaze or the sincerity in his tone, but she couldn’t keep a hint of warmth from brushing her cheeks. She clipped Kodi’s leash onto her collar, then led the way to the gate. They exited, and Annie hesitated. If she were sensible, she’d just ask for her backpack, tell him it was nice to meet him, then say good-bye and go home.

  If she were sensible. “Lead on.”

  Understanding shone in Jed’s eyes. He didn’t seem any more eager to part than she was. “I’ll walk you to your car if that’s okay.”

  “Sure. Fine. Uh … ” She bit her lip. “I’m parked over there.”

  They walked in silence for a few moments. Then Jed’s voice broke the silence.

  “You’re parked by the Dairy Queen?”

  Annie glanced at him. Why was he talking so loud when she was right next to him?

  “Me too.” The volume increased again. “So I’ll just walk over there with you.”

  What on earth? “Okay.”

  “To your car.”

  Annie started to ask Jed if everything was okay, but the question died in her throat when something suddenly rustled in the trees along the path. Kodi jerked to a halt, her hackles rising, and issued a deep growl. Annie just had time to tighten up on Kodi’s leash before a form burst through the needle-laden branches of the trees and came stumbling out.

  At that point, two things happened simultaneously.

  One: Kodi crouched, ready to jump between Annie and what seemed to be a homeless man stumbling toward them. But the shepherd didn’t get the chance to protect her mistress because two: Jed’s arm circled Annie’s waist, and tucking her close against him, he sidestepped, putting himself between her and the man.

  Almost without missing a stride, Jed swept Annie past the still staggering man, and she dragged Kodi along. The shepherd strained at her leash, pulling behind them, still growling. But that didn’t impede Jed’s progress one iota.

  He all but carried Annie across the bridge over Bear Creek, not slowing until they’d crossed the street and stood in the parking lot. Only then did he look down at her—and two bright spots of red blossomed in his cheeks as he apparently realized he still held her close against him.

  His arm dropped away, leaving Annie a bit breathless. Said breathlessness, she told herself in her best stern schoolmarm inner voice, was because of their hurried pace. It certainly was not because of the unexpected pleasure that had flooded her at being tucked in the protective circle of Jed’s arm.

  Certainly not.

  She stepped back, smoothing her jacket. “Well … ” She looked down at the ground, suddenly quite fascinated with the blacktop. “That was … um … interesting.”

  Jed rubbed a hand behind his neck. “I’m sorry, Annie. I didn’t mean to manhandle you—”

  “I didn’t mind.” Oh, good grief. Could she possibly sound any more desperate? “I mean, I appreciate you grabbing me … ”

  Okay. Yes. She could.

  “That is, I appreciate why you grabbed me.”

  Stop, Annie. Just stop talking. Now.

  But she needn’t have worried about Jed’s reaction to her babbling. He was too immersed in apologizing to notice that she’d just made a tota
l fool of herself.

  “I don’t usually do that. You know, grab women I’ve just met. Or women I’ve known a long time. I’m not usually a grabber—” He clamped his mouth shut, eyes lifting to the sky. “What I’m saying is, and … uh, that guy—”

  “He was probably homeless. They tend to camp behind those trees along the creek.”

  “Right, that homeless guy caught me by surprise. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t see him.” His eyes widened a fraction. “I mean, you know, that you didn’t have to deal with him coming up and asking for a handout. Or whatever.”

  Silence fell between them for a moment, and they stood there, staring at each other.

  The laughter started with Annie. It was just a ripple at first, a giggle triggered by her frayed nerves and the images that flitted through her mind as she pictured what they must have looked like as they hotfooted it over the bridge, poor protective Kodi in tow. When Jed’s deep chuckle chimed in, the ripple expanded into full-blown laughter.

  They leaned against Annie’s Jeep, laughing until they were weak. Kodi paced back and forth between them, and the worry puckering her black brow—probably that her mistress had gone right ’round the bend—just made Annie laugh even harder.

  When she could finally breathe again, Annie laid a hand on Jed’s arm. “Thanks, Jed. I needed that.”

  Gold lights twinkled in those laughing brown eyes. “You needed someone practically hauling you off your feet and dragging you and your dog across a bridge?”

  Annie giggled again. “Well, that too. But no, the laugh. I needed the laugh.”

  “Yeah.” Jed leaned his head against the Jeep. “So did I.” He stared at the sky then closed his eyes. “It’s been a tough couple weeks.”

  The rough emotion in those simple words tugged at her heart, and before she could stop herself, she put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”

  He looked at her, and it was as though a cloud drifted across his features. Something was troubling him, and Annie wanted to help. More than she’d ever wanted to help anyone before.

  “Jed, what can I do?”

  Raw emotion flickered in the depth of his eyes, and his jaw tensed.

  She’d offended him. Or upset him. Oh, why hadn’t she just kept her mouth shu—

  He stilled her inner recriminations when he took her hand in his. “‘Lady you bereft me of all words.’”

  The ragged edge to those soft words tore at her, confusing her even more. Who was this man? And what was going on inside him?

  He squeezed her hand, then released her, but the warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “Thanks, Annie. This was great. Really I mean, I know you don’t know me from Adam, but I enjoyed spending time with you and Kodi.”

  She didn’t even try to hide her agreement. “Me too.” She tipped her head. “I mean, I enjoyed spending time with you.”

  He straightened, his expression sobering. “So, what do you say we don’t let it end here?”

  “I’d like that.”

  They shared a smile. “Great. How about coffee?” Hesitation puckered his brow. “You do drink coffee, don’t you?”

  “More like mainline it.”

  “Perfect. So how about we meet for coffee tomorrow? You name the place and time.”

  “Melello’s. Behind Costco. Twelve-thirty”

  Approval shone in his eyes at her ready reply “It’s a date.”

  She unlocked the Jeep, letting Kodi jump in and settle down. Jed held the driver’s door open for her, waiting as she buckled her seat belt and lowered the window before closing the door. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow.” Amazing what a wonderful word that was. Annie hadn’t ever realized it before.

  She started the Jeep, backed out of the parking spot, and waved out the window as she pulled onto the street. As she turned the corner on the main drag, she took one last look in the rearview mirror—and felt her heart jump.

  Jed stood there, hands in his pockets, watching her. And even from this distance she could tell that his face bore a broad, goofy grin.

  The very same grin peeking back from her reflection.

  “I gotta admit it, you’re one smooth dude.”

  Jed swiveled. “Andy! What the heck did you think you were doing back there?”

  He held his hands up. “Hey, it’s not my fault. If I’d known you were going to play Mr. Frisbee Coach for an hour, I would have snuck out and gone back to the car. But I had no idea how long you’d be or if it was safe to come out, so I stayed there. And you know how late we got in last night. And how early we got up … ”

  Jed eyed him. “You fell asleep.”

  “I fell asleep.” Andy hunched his shoulders. “So when you hollered like that, it scared the bo-diddly outta me. I jumped up so fast I got dizzy, but I knew you guys were comin’ so I tried to get outta sight.”

  Jed fished in his pocket for the car keys. “And stumbled right in front of us.”

  “What can I say. I’m a master of timing.” He gazed after Annie’s Jeep. “So you’re meeting her again tomorrow, eh?”

  Jed wasn’t so sure he liked Andy’s tone. Like he thought Jed was doing something wrong. “Yeah. I’m meeting her. That’s the plan, remember?” He punched the remote, unlocking the car doors.

  “So we’re still working the plan?” Andy pulled the door open and slid inside the car.

  Jed followed suit, glancing at his friend sideways as he started the engine. “What else would we be doing?”

  Andy rested an elbow on the glass of the passenger side window. “I dunno, man. You just seemed kind of … involved out there. I mean, if you coulda seen the look on your face when you watched that woman drive away.”

  “It was an act.”

  Doubt lifted Andy’s brows. “Pretty convincing act.”

  “That’s the point, isn’t it? To be convincing? To get her trust so I can convince her to do the show?”

  Andy propped his feet on the dashboard. “Whatever it takes, huh?”

  Jed clenched his teeth. “That’s right.”

  “No matter who it hurts.”

  He shoved the car into gear. “Nobody’s gonna get hurt, Andy”

  “Uh-huh.” He slumped down in the seat, closing his eyes. “I’ll bet you even tell yourself you believe that.”

  “I do believe it.”

  Though slow in coming, Andy’s reply was succinct. “And that, my friend, is the most disturbing fact of all.”

  TWENTY

  “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed

  by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

  So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.

  Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

  MARK TWAIN

  “‘You don’t understand now … someday you will.’”

  JOHN 13:7

  OCTOBER 6—A-DAFFODIL DAY (YELLOW)

  He should be asleep. Why wasn’t he asleep?

  The grating sound of a buzz saw with a sinus infection reverberated through the room, and Jed cast a baleful glance at Andy’s sleeping form. The fact that he’d forgotten to buy earplugs didn’t help. But if he was fair—which he really didn’t feel like being at this point—he’d have to admit that Andy’s snoring wasn’t the problem.

  Jed rubbed his gritty eyes, then went back to the vigil he’d been keeping for the last four nights: staring out the hotel window at the darkness, the weight of exhaustion pressing him down, totally—infuriatingly—wide awake.

  He lay his head back and closed his eyes. Willed himself to fall asleep. Instead, images and sounds filled his head. As if a miniscule movie projector were tucked at the back of his cerebellum, a scene jumped to life on the screen of his closed eyes. The same scene he’d been seeing for weeks.

  Fire. The house. Ken’s triumphant smile. Never lets me down …

  Jed pushed himself out of the chair, going to the bathroom sink. He turned the faucet and scooped wat
er over his face, letting the cold slap him, shocking the last remnants of the images from his mind.

  He had to get a grip. So what happened was bad. Fine. It was over and done with. It wasn’t his fault. Wasn’t anyone’s fault. It just was.

  All he had to do was convince himself of that.

  Yeah. Right.

  Wiping an arm over his dripping face, he made his way back to his bed. Sitting on the edge, he leaned down, reaching under the bed and pulling out the book he’d slid there the first night they arrived.

  Ken’s Bible.

  With those words “Don’t let Kenny down” embedded deep in his soul, Jed hadn’t been able to leave the Bible anywhere. He’d thought about it. A lot. Maybe he’d give it to someone who’d actually read it.

  But every time he considered the options, the conclusion was the same. Ken gave him the Bible.

  So though he’d held true to his word and hadn’t cracked the cover again, Jed carried it with him wherever he went. Of course, he was careful to keep it out of sight.

  Last thing he needed was Andy seeing him with this thing. Jed squinted through the darkness, making sure his friend was still asleep. Even if he hadn’t been able to see the rise and fall of Andy’s breathing, the buzz saw would have been evidence enough.

  The guy was dead to the world.

  Envy slithered through Jed, and he pushed it aside. He’d be able to sleep again soon. Shoot, a few more nights like this, and he’d flat pass out. That’d get him a little rest.

  He looked down at the book in his hands. The feel of it was so familiar. When he was a kid, how many nights had he spent poring over these pages, reading, pleading, seeking the magic words that would make his world right again?

  But there were no such words. And when Jed had finally accepted that, he thought the disappointment would kill him.

  He slid the book back under the bed, then sat there, staring at the floor. And he knew. The time had come. He couldn’t put it off any longer.

  He stood, tempted to launch the last of his pillows at Andy’s head. Jed had spent half the night throwing pillows at Andy, trying to get him to turn over. They lay scattered, some on top of Andy, some on the bed, some on the floor. They’d done the job for a short while, but the rat always ended up back where he started: on his back, mouth hanging open, doing his level best to shake the plaster from the walls.