Chapter 10
Ten
T he light tinkle of a little boy’s laughter drew Esther’s attention. She glanced up from helping Daphne with her Bible craft to see Bryant King giggling at Asher, who had a streak of glitter on his face. Asher’s tongue poked out from between his teeth as he attempted to line up the holes and poke yarn through them. The booklet Esther had the kids make looked tiny in his big hands.
He aimed a bright smile at Bryant as the piece of blue yarn slid through the holes. Esther’s heart stuttered as she took in the sight. He was so gentle with the kids. And hands on. When she explained the craft, he’d rolled up his sleeves and jumped right in to help. It really wasn’t fair that a man so pretty was also so kind. She needed to resist him; there was no future for them—not that he’d even give her a second look—but he was making it damn hard.
Movement at the door brought Esther out of her thoughts. She looked over and saw Leila Kite come into the room and frowned. What was she doing here? She didn’t have any children.
The woman glanced around the room, quickly zeroing in on Asher.
Ah. It suddenly made sense. One of the moms must have mentioned Esther’s helper.
A predatory smile slid over Leila’s face.
Esther looked at Daphne. “Excuse me a moment, sweetie.” She stood, heading Leila off before she could get across the room. “Hi, Leila. What can I do for you? Did you come to help the kids with their Bible study craft? You’re a little late if so. It’s almost time to pack up.”
Leila paused, her smile turning down as Esther stepped into her path. “Oh. Um, no. I came to welcome our new member.” She tipped her head toward Asher.
“He’s just visiting.”
“I still believe we should make everyone feel welcome here.”
“I agree. But he’s busy helping Bryant. You wouldn’t want to interrupt a child learning to love Jesus, would you?” Esther knew she was playing dirty, but she didn’t care. Leila wasn’t here to help. She was only here to make a play for Asher, and it was an interruption Esther’s class didn’t need. And while she also knew it was rather un-Christian of her, she didn’t like Leila Kite. The woman came to church because her family expected her to, not because she truly believed. And she never missed an opportunity to flirt—with single or married men.
“I’m sure you can wave and maybe say hello as we leave later.” Though Leila and her family would likely be long gone before Esther and Asher left. They still had to clean up the room after the kids rejoined their parents.
“But—”
Esther walked forward, extending an arm to turn Leila around. “You should go find your parents. They’re probably getting coffee to go, I imagine. I need to help the kids finish their projects before their parents arrive. Thanks for stopping in. Next week, come earlier. I never turn away help when we’re in the thick of crafting.” Plastering a wide smile on her face, she ushered the woman out the door.
Leila tossed a glare over her shoulder but left without incident.
Esther puffed out her cheeks as she released a breath. Some women had no boundaries.
Turning around, she went back to help Daphne, but the girl had figured things out herself and was putting the finishing touches on the front of her booklet. Esther glanced around, looking for anyone else who needed help tying their pages together. This group was rather young and hadn’t mastered that skill yet, so she helped a couple more, then clapped her hands to get their attention.
“Everyone, put your last stickers on and color your last spots. Your parents should be here any moment.” Most of the parents visited in the lobby for a few minutes after the service before they collected their children.
While the kids added more stickers and colored in the last of their pictures, Esther started gathering the yarn and construction paper they didn’t use.
“Thank you for saving me.”
She glanced back at Asher, who’d come up behind her while she sorted the paper by color into the file organizers on the shelf. “Oh. You’re welcome. Leila’s an opportunist and only interested in you because you’re pretty. Besides, I didn’t want her disturbing my classroom.”
That crooked smile that made his dimples pop made an appearance. The glitter decorating his cheek only enhanced his adorableness.
“You’re a good teacher, Essy.”
“Because I don’t want interruptions?”
“No. Because you care about the kids. Sometimes, that care is all the kid ever gets. The world needs more teachers like you.”
Esther felt her cheeks heat. “Oh, well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a quick glance around the room. “What do you want me to do?”
“Make sure all the kids have everything they showed up with and that they all have their booklet. Then just start putting things away. Although you don’t have to be quick. Leila will linger as long as her folks will allow, so the longer we take to clean up, the less likely we are to have a second encounter with her.”
His crooked smile widened. “Be a snail. Got it.”
Esther chuckled. He turned to step away, but she snagged his shirt sleeve. “You’ve got—” She lifted a hand and motioned to the spot on her face where he had glitter on his.
Frowning, he raised a hand and swiped at his cheek, then looked at his fingers. Gold glitter shined on them. He sighed. “Why am I not surprised?” Using his sleeve, he wiped at his face. “Did I get it all?”
There were a couple of sparkles left in his short beard, but nothing crazy. “Yes.”
“Great, thank you.”
“Of course.”
Backing away, she returned to helping the children pack up. Fifteen minutes later, all the kids were gone and the room was back in order.
“Are you ready?” Asher asked.
“I think so.” She took another quick look around, but everything appeared to be back where it belonged.
“Let’s go, then. I’m ready for lunch.” He waited for her to exit, then flipped off the lights
“Is that part of your ‘planned activities’ for us this afternoon?” She turned her head, a curious smirk sitting on her lips.
He gave a low chuckle. “Actually, yes. We can grab a bite somewhere, then we’re going shopping.”
“Shopping? For what?”
“A doorbell camera.”
Esther’s shoulders sagged at the reminder of why he was here. “Oh.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to rain on your mood.”
“You’re fine. I just forget, you know?” They headed down the hallway toward the lobby. “Not enough has happened to make it something that’s always on my mind. I still think you and Edie are overreacting, but I can see the merit of a doorbell camera. Even if all this wasn’t happening, I should probably still have one.”
“You should. Or a peep hole. Cameras are easier to install and safer.”
They reached the main lobby, where a few people still milled around talking. Thankfully, Esther didn’t see Leila.
“Looks like your mom and dad left already,” Asher said.
Esther breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t want to have to put up the fa?ade with them again. “Yeah.” She waved at a couple of people but didn’t stop on her way to the coatrack. They quickly donned their jackets and left.
Outside, she let herself relax a bit. They could just be themselves now.
“So, what’s a good place for lunch?” Asher pulled the car keys from his pocket and hit the button on the fob to unlock his vehicle as they approached.
“Depends on what you’re in the mood for.”
He opened her door and stepped back so she could slide in. “We’re on the coast, so how about fresh seafood?”
Esther didn’t even have to think about where to go. “I know the perfect spot.”
Asher got in, and she directed him to the beach where a local man with a food truck parked.
“Now, this is my kind of place.” Asher set the brake and shut off the engine. “Some of the best food I’ve ever had has been at a food truck.”
“Me too. And Jimmy makes some of the best.” Smiling, Esther climbed out.
“I see we aren’t the only ones who had the same idea.” He nodded to the line four people deep.
“Yeah. We’re actually not that late. There will be a longer line in about ten minutes or so.”
True to her word, the line that stretched behind them when they finally got their food was three times as long.
“This is a nice spot.” Asher commented as they sat down at a picnic table.
“It is. The tables are fairly new. Some locals petitioned the city to put them in. Before, it was just the trails down to the beach.” She gestured toward the sign markers. “There are plans in the works to add some bathrooms and a foot wash station. All because one man parked his food truck here.”
Asher popped a crab-stuffed fried ravioli into his mouth and immediately his eyes bugged out. “And can make amazing seafood. Holy crap, that’s good.” He shoved in a second bite.
“Right? He makes all his own pasta and never uses frozen ingredients. It’s incredible.” She speared her plastic fork into her chili-lime crab-stuffed baked potato. Savoring the taste, she glanced up, letting the sun warm her face. It had been a while since she’d seen it.
“Do you ever get tired of the sun in Costa Rica?”
He paused, a piece of ravioli just inches from his mouth. “Why would I get tired of the sun?”
She shrugged. “I just wondered if it was like the rain and people could get tired of it. I, for one, am glad to see it today.”
He tipped his head and shrugged. “I don’t mind the sun. But I spend a lot of time in my lair.” He dipped a ravioli in the sauce that had come with his meal and ate it, rolling his eyes once more in ecstasy.
Esther looked down as her cheeks heated. She could imagine other ways he’d make that face. Sending a quick glance at him through her lashes, she speared a bite of potato. “Your lair?”
“I dedicated a room in my house to my computers. It’s dark and cold, like a cave.” He rolled a hand. “My lair.”
Esther laughed. “All I picture is you as an evil genius, controlling the world from your desk.”
He tipped his chin down and looked up, a wicked grin covering his face. “You’re not far off.” He lifted his head, his smile turning sunny. “Except I’m not evil. Well, not unless I have to be. Some people deserve everything I do to them.”
She had no doubt. After what her sister went through in the spring and the stories she’d heard about the human trafficking ring Asher and the others broke up recently, she was glad there were people like him in the world. Because there were others who were truly evil.
Clouds scuttled in while they ate, threatening to hide the sun by the time they finished their meal. After disposing of their trash, they hopped back into the car, and Esther directed Asher to an electronics store in Coos Bay.
Inside, he led her to a section devoted to home security.
Her eyes widened as she took in the array of equipment. “I think I’m glad you’re here. I wouldn’t know what to get.”
“We just want a basic doorbell camera. One you can wirelessly connect to your phone and with some decent cloud storage.” He studied the shelves, then pointed. “That one.”
Esther held up her hands. “Whatever you say.”
He glanced at her, devilish merriment in his eyes. “Is my wish your command?”
A choked laugh bubbled up her throat. “What?”
He let loose a low laugh. “I’m kidding. Though it might be fun.”
Esther’s cheeks heated again. Was he flirting with her?
“Hi. Can I help you folks with something?”
Esther turned to see a man around her age approaching.
“We’d like to get that doorbell camera.” Asher pointed at the display.
“Certainly.” The man took a set of keys from his pocket and unlocked the case. He removed a box. “There you go.” He handed it to Asher.
“Thank you.”
“Can I help you with anything else?”
“Actually, do you have any motion-sensitive lights?”
“We do. Battery-powered or hard-wired?”
“Hard-wired.”
Lights? Esther frowned. What was he talking about? “Asher!” she hissed. “Why are we looking at lights?” She followed him as he trailed behind the sales associate.
“I got to thinking. There isn’t much lighting on the outside of your house. Motion-sensitive lights would be a good deterrent.”
“We agreed on the camera.” She couldn’t afford a pricey system. Not to mention installation costs. He’d said “hard-wired” lights. That meant an electrician at the very least.
“I know, but you need better lighting.”
The sales associate stopped in front of a display. “This is what we have. If we don’t have the quantity you need, I can order them in.”
Esther smiled politely. “Thank you. Could you give us a minute?”
“Sure. Just wave at me when you’re ready.”
“Perfect, thanks.” Esther’s voice trailed off as the man wandered away. She turned to Asher, her smile falling off her face. “I can’t afford a bunch of extra security measures. I can do the camera.” She glanced at the lighting display and the prices. “Even buy the lights. But the cost to have an electrician come out and install them is something else.”
“I can do that. We just need to stop at a hardware store so I can buy the supplies. It shouldn’t cost too much. And, you might not like this, but I’m buying it whether you pay me back or not.”
“Asher.” Her voice dropped with a low growl.
“Don’t ‘Asher’ me. This is about your safety. I can’t go back without telling your sister?—”
“Don’t you bring her into this.” She stuck a finger in his face. “I will not have you guilt me into all the things.”
“Essy—”
“No. I’ll get the camera. But the lights…” She glanced at them again. They really weren’t that bad in price. She could easily afford two if he put them in.
“Scout’s honor, a hundred bucks in materials,” he said.
His choice of words pulled a smile from her. “We’ve already covered you weren’t a Boy Scout.”
“But I’m still telling the truth.”
Esther sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “Fine.”
A bright smile split his handsome face. “Let’s go, then, before you change your mind.” He lifted an arm and waved at the sales associate.
Minutes later, they walked out with the camera and two lights—one for the front and back of the house. She had a feeling Asher had wanted one for each corner, but she’d told the sales guy two lights before he could say anything. Asher hadn’t contradicted her.
When they pulled into her driveway after stopping to get the wire and tools he’d need, Esther was done with shopping. And with her heels. She didn’t normally wear heels this high; she was tall without them. But with Asher by her side, his height had given her the confidence to wear them. She knew she should have it anyway, but as a bookish introvert with flaming red hair, she tended to minimize the amount of attention she drew to herself. She had plenty of self-confidence, but that didn’t mean she liked to be the center of attention.
“I probably should have asked before we left the hardware store, but do you have a ladder that’ll reach above your doors?” Asher put the car in park and looked at her.
“I do, actually. And the attic has a pull-down staircase in the upstairs hallway.”
“Awesome.” He opened his door and climbed out. “I’ll probably need your help, if you don’t mind?”
“That’s fine. So long as you let me change first.”
“You don’t want to climb ladders and walk around in your yard in pointy heels and a skirt?”
Smiling, she fished out her house keys. “No.”
“I don’t want to wear a tie and do it, either.” He flicked the maroon silk.
An image of what he could do with that tie besides wear it struck her. Heat suffused her cheeks, and she turned away, thankful they’d reached the front door and she had to concentrate on letting them in.
Pushing the door inward, she hurried inside. With a quick detour to leave her purse on the island, she headed for the stairs. Asher was ahead of her. Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how she looked at it—there was enough sunlight streaming through the windows to see the globes of his perfect butt move beneath the thin fabric of his trousers as he climbed the stairs. She could imagine how it would look, flexing with each step, sans the pants. She hoped he put on jeans, though she wasn’t sure that would be much better. She’d seen his jeans. He liked the kind that clung to his hips and thighs.
Why couldn’t he be one of those computer geeks who liked the baggy grunge style?
They reached the landing, and she turned into her bedroom, thankfully shutting the door on the sinful deliciousness that was Asher Horn.
Esther wandered into her closet and stripped out of her skirt and blouse, kicking her heels into a corner. She’d put them away later; when she did laundry. Grabbing a pair of jeans, she stepped into them, then took a long-sleeved shirt off a shelf and slipped it over her head. Back in her bedroom, she found a pair of socks and slid them onto her feet. She’d put on her gardening shoes, which she kept downstairs in the laundry-slash-mud room.
Dressed, she left her room. Asher emerged at the same time and they went down together, but she made sure to go first. She was sure she’d get her fill of staring at his denim-clad butt while he was on the ladder.
Her inner wild child rolled her eyes, saying no, she wouldn’t. Esther bit back a snort, knowing she was right. She’d never get enough of staring at his rear. At any of him, really.
“Can you get out your drill, a tape measure, and a sharpie while I grab the boxes from the car?” He glanced back at her as he walked toward the front door.
“Sure.” She detoured toward the garage. Stepping through the doorway, she turned on the lights, then opened the overhead door, figuring it would be easier for him to just come through that way. The electrical panel was on the back wall.
Asher walked into the garage with an armload of boxes and bags. “All right. Let’s start by marking where we want to put everything. Then I’ll get the lights up. We’ll do the camera last. It’s the easiest.”
“Sounds good.” She followed him out front.
“I’m thinking on the corner of the garage, there, for the light.” He pointed. “It covers the walkway and the drive. I’m not sure it’ll cover your front windows, though. It’ll be close.”
“Wherever is fine. I’m just here to hand you things.”
He tossed her a smile. “Let’s go around back.”
They rounded the corner of the house and repeated the process of staring at the fa?ade. Asher picked a point in between the back door and the door that led out of the garage. Once they had locations figured out, he opened the electrical panel.
Esther hung back, not having a clue what to do. “How do you know how to do this? I thought your forte was computers.”
“It is, but there’s an electrical component to computer science. I’ve rewired buildings so they have the infrastructure to run high-tech systems. Not often, but I know how to do it. A couple of lights are simple.”
“If you say so.”
Mouth twitching with a suppressed smile, he shut the panel door. “Come on. Where’s your ladder?”
For the next hour, she followed him around with boxes and tools, passing things to him and even crawling up into the attic to help as he threaded wires down the walls.
“I’m glad it’s not hotter.” Esther fanned her face as they closed up the attic. It had been warm up there, and she was sweaty. And itchy from the insulation. They’d worn masks to keep from inhaling any they kicked up, but it stuck to her sweaty skin. She needed a shower. It would have to wait, though. They weren’t done yet.
Out back, Asher set the ladder against the house and climbed up to attach the light, before they moved around front to do the same. Once both were up, he flipped the main breaker back on.
“Go wave your arms at the one out front. Once we know they work, I’ll change the setting so they don’t come on unless it’s dark.”
Esther left the garage. As she broke the plane of the garage door and rounded the corner, the light turned on. “Well, that was easy.” She went back inside. Asher was coming in through the back door. “It works. Does the one out back?”
“Yep.” He closed the electrical panel. “Let’s get the doorbell camera up.”
“Why don’t you set up the Bluetooth and the cloud stuff? I can attach the bracket.”
“Oh. Are you sure?” Asher tipped his head to the side.
“I can handle a doorbell.”
“All right, then.” He shrugged and walked over to the workbench along the wall and picked up the doorbell box, opening it. “Here you go.” He handed her the mounting bracket and some screws. “You’ll need the drill.”
She nodded once, then picked up the tool.
“What email address do you want me to attach this to?”
She told him.
“Do you have a specific password in mind, or do you want me to make up something?”
“Just make up something.” Tools and parts in hand, she left the garage.
Standing in front of her door, she studied the doorframe. She wasn’t quite sure how high to put it. It needed to be high enough to catch people’s faces, but not ridiculous. The fisheye lens would help with that.
Esther set her things down, then walked up to the door like she was going to knock. Closing her eyes, she raised her hand to where she thought the doorbell would be, then opened them. That was a good height.
With the sharpie from her back pocket, she marked the spot on the frame, then set about screwing the bracket into place. Once she had it mounted, she stepped back to admire her handiwork.
Not bad.
“Are you ready for this thing?”
Esther jumped slightly, not having heard him approach. She spun around, forgetting about the flowerpot behind her. At the last second, she saw it and tried to avoid walking into it, but failed. She kicked it and lost her balance.
“Oh!” Arms windmilling, she lurched to the side.
“Whoa, there.” Asher’s arms clamped around her and his hands splayed over her back, hauling her into his solid chest.
She grabbed hold of his biceps. “Thanks.” She looked up.
Hello.
Deep, dark brown eyes stared back at her from a face that was closer than it had ever been. Her gaze flicked to his full lips, then back to his eyes.
Color stained her cheeks, and the heat spread south, warming the rest of her.
“Are you all right?”
“Um, yeah.” She pushed against him, needing some space before she let her inner wild child do what she wanted to do and kissed him. “I’m good.” She turned to the bracket she’d installed. “Does that look okay?”
He walked toward it. “Looks fine.” Raising the camera, he slid it onto the mount. It clicked into place. “Do you have your phone? You need to download and log in to the app.”
Esther pulled her phone from her back pocket. He walked her through the process, and soon she could see what the camera saw.
“That’s cool.” She glanced up. “Thank you.” And she meant it. Until now, when she actually saw it in action, she hadn’t given much thought to how having the camera would make her feel. But it gave her a small sense of security to be able to know who was at her door before she opened it. If Asher hadn’t come— hadn’t hauled her to the store and picked it out—she probably never would have installed it.
“You’re welcome.” He winked, then turned and leaned over, moving the flowerpot she’d kicked back into place.
Esther picked up the drill and empty packaging.
“Esther?”
“Hmm?” She glanced at him. “What are you doing?” He was leaning down, looking at the ground on the other side of the porch, behind the shrubs.
“Did you step into the flowerbed while you worked?”
“No. Why?” She moved closer.
“Someone’s been in here. There are footprints.” He pointed.
“What?” She walked to the edge of the porch and looked down. Sure enough, man-size footprints compacted the dirt.
The blood drained from her face. She leaned against the house. “How old are they? Could it have been the guy in the hoodie?”
Asher squatted to get a better look. “If it was, he came back. These look fresh. It’s rained since then. Heavily. They were probably made yesterday or this morning.”
Which meant whoever it was, came up to the house with Asher in it.
Esther glanced down the street and hugged herself against a sudden chill. That scared her even more than the guy staring at her on the sidewalk. If the person wasn’t afraid to get close with Asher around, what would they do if he wasn’t?