Page 21 of Guarding Truth
Caleb shrugged. “I’d do anything for her. Zach’s parents are still in Ivy’s life, and we get together at holidays.”
She noticed the wince at the reference to Ivy’s grandparents. Her heart fractured into a thousand pieces. She understood all too well the loneliness that shredded a person’s soul when a loved one died.
“I remember when my brother, Joe, died in combat. I was twelve. He was my hero, and I still miss him every day. And I remember your parents are both gone too.”
“We’ve both had our share of loss. Ivy’s the only family I have left.”
This man was a professional griever. But Caleb’s faith had always carried him through the difficult times. Despite his analytical mind, he’d always found a peace that defied logic. He’d always encouraged her to reach out to God because, according to Caleb, relying on her own instincts would only get her so far. But trusting in someone besides herself was the one risk she’d never been willing to take.
She shoved her emotions aside.
“The last thing I want to do is insert myself into your and Ivy’s lives. I just want to make sure you’re safe. I’m not sure what to do. I agree that you don’t need a bodyguard. But you need to watch your back, because it really could be connected.”
Caleb nodded. “I’ll work from home today and then see how it goes. I’ve emailed my assistant to gather some files so I can pick them up on the way home.” She didn’t miss the stress that created an edge to a normally stoic Caleb. She’d noted the disarray at his house and his slightly wrinkled T-shirt. And not having shaved? That wasn’t like the Caleb she remembered.
“Is there something else going on?”
“No, just work stuff. Co-owning a tech start-up is a lot harder than I thought it would be. And raising Ivy always has its challenges.” He took a deep breath, indicating the subject was closed. “I’m glad we ran into each other, although I wish Ivy hadn’t tried to hire you. I’ve missed you and have always prayed that we’d reconnect one day.”
Juliette tried to hide her shock at his brutal honesty. The one thing she’d admired most about Caleb was that he was a straight shooter. He said what he meant. She swallowed. “Imagine my surprise this morning, seeing her waiting for me.”
Would this be the last she’d see of Caleb Styles? She opened her mouth to ask the question, but a café employee came and collected the remainder of their cups and plates. Thankful for the interruption, Juliette stood. As predicted, Caleb hadn’t touched the sweet treat, so she grabbed a to-go bag as they made their way out of the café.
Tourist season had ended, but the streets still beckoned to a few out-of-towners ready to unravel the mysteries of Savannah. Somehow, they fell into a comfortable rhythm of walking side by side toward the corner parking garage, not saying anything. They didn’t need words to fill the space between them, something Juliette relished from the past.
If only they could rekindle that kind of relationship.
A chill crept down Juliette’s spine, spiking her bodyguard instincts into high alert. She scanned the area around them, unsure of what she was looking for. While she didn’t want to dismiss Ivy’s concerns, there wasn’t any proof that Caleb was a target.
They stood at the corner of the street to cross to the garage. A family of four stopped at the curb, ready to head toward the waterfront district for a day of sightseeing. Several other people approached the crosswalk and waited. Juliette caught movement from the corner of her eye and tracked a man in a black hoodie, cutting his way through the pedestrians toward them.
She could only make out the man’s profile under the hood, but was that a gash on his cheek? The man turned and made a beeline for Caleb.
“Caleb, watch out!” she yelled.
The stranger bumped Caleb hard, causing him to stumble off the curb and into the street.
Right in front of an approaching trolley car.
FIVE
TUESDAY, 1:00 P.M.
Caleb’s hands scraped across the asphalt, but he righted himself and sprang to his feet. A hand grasped his arm and yanked him back to the curb seconds before a blur of green-and-orange metal from the trolley flashed by.
The gasps of a few bystanders mixed with the rush of wind from the passing cable car. He wobbled and Juliette tightened her grip.
Cell phones hung in the air, consuming every detail of Caleb’s tumble.
Only, he hadn’t tripped. Someone dressed in all black had rammed into him. He scanned the street. “Did you see who knocked into me?”
Juliette loosened her fingers from around his bicep and shook her head. “I lost him when I saw you stumble into the street. He’s gone. But are you injured?”
Caleb did a mental self-assessment and brushed the grit from his hands onto his jeans. “Aside from my pride being a bit wounded, I’m not hurt.” He put a finger through a hole in his favorite T-shirt and cringed. And his glasses were missing. He’d have to wear his contacts when he got home.
Juliette rolled her eyes. “I can buy you a new T-shirt, Caleb. Maybe we can find you an even nerdier one.”
Her eyes grew serious. “I’m taking Ivy’s case,” she said. “I’m your new bodyguard. That man intentionally pushed you in front of that trolley.”