 |
| Faith Creek Mysteries |
“Cam, I’m flying out tonight. I’ll be in Faith Creek by morning.” Tessa said into her Bluetooth headset.
“Damn. Do they know who did it?” Cameron asked.
“No. Not yet. He’s in surgery. The family is at the hospital.”
A beat of silence.
His voice softened. “ You know in all our time together, I’ve heard more about your cases than your family.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. She sighed. “Faith Creek stopped being home the day I left. If Dad wasn’t fighting for his life, I wouldn't set foot in that town again."
“Do you need me to come with you?” he asked.
“No. You’ve got that conference this weekend” She paused, swallowing hard. “I’ll only be there until Dad stabilizes. Just…don’t forget about me while I’m gone.”
Cameron's voice softened through the speaker. "I'll be right here waiting, Tess. Just a phone and screen away.”
Tessa chuckled. “We’ve been here before.”
“Yes, we have. And listen—don’t forget about that partner interview. You’ve worked too hard for it.”
“And I deserve it.”
She could hear Cameron smiling on the phone. “That’s my girl.”
***
Tessa yanked open the closet and pulled several suits from their hangers, draping them across the bed before reaching for the suitcase tucked beneath it. She tossed in a pair of jeans, a sweater, her toiletry bag, then paused with a framed photo of her and Cameron in her hands. The apartment that had felt so orderly an hour ago now looked as if a storm had blown through it.
Zipping the bag shut, she took a deep breath.
***
Tessa's flight touched down at Little Rock Regional right on schedule. After collecting her bags, she navigated the small terminal and completed the paperwork for her rental car—a nondescript sedan that smelled of artificial pine.
On the highway to Faith Creek, billboards for local churches and news channel punctuated the landscape. Faith Creek wasn’t as small anymore, it had built up quite a bit since she’d left; strip malls and subdivisions now stretched where empty lots once stood.
Tessa’s heart raced as she drove through the familiar streets of the town where she had grown up and left behind in pursuit of her dreams. The quaint buildings and tree-lined roads seemed both comforting and suffocating, a reminder of the life she had worked so hard to escape.
As she pulled into Faith Creek Regional hospital parking lot, her hands trembled on the steering wheel. Thoughts of her father, lying wounded and vulnerable, flooded her mind, drowning out the noise of the bustling town around her. The scent of antiseptic and the hum of machines greeted her as she entered the sterile hospital corridors, the urgency of her steps echoing in the empty hallways.
Her heels clicked against the tiled floor as she approached the reception desk, her voice steady but her heart pounding in her chest. "I'm here to see Jonah James. He was brought in late last night.”
The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, nodded sympathetically. "Room 214, dear.”
Tessa thanked the receptionist and pivoted toward the elevators, but froze mid-step when a voice from her past called out behind her. "Tessa James? Is that really you?”
She turned to find herself face-to-face with Mason Ford. The sight of those familiar dimples sent her back to their college days—to that Italian restaurant where they'd shared a bottle of cheap wine, realized neither could cover the bill, and fled hand-in-hand into the night, breathless with laughter and the thrill of getting away with something.
She couldn’t help but smile. Her lips curved upward despite herself. “Mason Ford,” she said her voice catching slightly on his name. “ What are you doing in Faith Creek?”
Mason's face broke into a warm smile. "Ten years and that's all I get?" He stepped forward, arms extending. "Come here, Tess.”
Mason pulled her into a hug, and for a moment, Tessa felt herself melting into the familiar warmth before stiffening. Focus, she reminded herself. Her father was the priority.
"You're here for Jonah?" Mason asked, stepping back.
Tessa nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I came as soon as I heard.”
"Just left his room," Mason said, his voice softening. "He’s out of surgery—The doctors said it missed all the vital organs.”
Tess arched a perfect eyebrow. Her voice held a slight hint of surprise and curiosity at the mention of her father and Mason's relationship “You and dad are still close?”
“Yes, we are. I'm the assistant pastor at Faith Creek Community Church. Your dad began coming to services since I moved back.”
Tessa smiled despite herself. “Mason Ford. In the pulpit. I distinctly remember you telling me ministry wasn't in your future."
Mason's laugh came soft and easy, his dimples deepening. "God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He? I never planned on coming back here, but some callings find you when you least expect them. He gestured at her tailored suit. “ Seems like you've done well, though."
Tessa straightened her jacket. "I've been fortunate in New York.”
"I'd love to hear about it over coffee," Mason said, his voice warm. "How long are you in Faith Creek?”
"Just until Dad's out of the woods." Tessa glanced toward the elevator. "The firm's considering me for partner, so I need to get back as soon as possible.”
Mason's smile dimmed. His gaze dropped to her left hand, lingering on the diamond that caught the fluorescent light. "And I'm guessing someone's counting the days until you return.”
Tessa twisted the ring with her thumb. "His name is Cameron Fletcher. He’s an investment banker.”
Mason's smile returned, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. " Of course he is. Sounds like you've found someone special.”
"We complement each other well," Tessa replied, the words practiced and polished.
Mason checked his watch. "I will let you go see your father. But that coffee offer stands—I'd love to hear about your life in New York.”
"How do I get in contact with you?" Tessa asked, surprising herself with how quickly the question came.
"You know the church. Sunday mornings, eleven sharp," he said with a gentle nod toward the ceiling. "God and I will save you a seat." He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the sterile corridor.
Tessa watched him disappear around the corner before turning back toward the elevators.
She took one slow breath.
Then pressed the button for the second floor.
KEEP READING…
No comments:
Post a Comment