For All Eternity by June Foster
A slow grin crossed Joella's lips. She grasped both his hands. "Good idea."
JD swallowed. He'd never do this with anyone but Joella. "God, we are so worried about Tannon right now. Please lead us to him, if you can." His voice faltered in his throat, his emotions so strong. He turned his back to Joella hoping she didn't see the moisture in his eyes.
A warm hand trailed down his arm to his elbow. "Amen, I agree in prayer with JD."
For the next half hour, they hiked the trail toward the glacial lake exploring the side of the trail. As far as he could see, meadows filled with boulders and low lying bushes covered the area for at least fifty feet out.
A couple of fallen branches made good walking sticks. He passed one to Joella. Nothing seemed different or out of place. Tannon couldn't have left the trail here without someone noticing.
If his brother were anywhere near, he might be able to hear their voices. JD grasped Joella's arm and stopped. "Tan...no...n."
The breeze whisked through the trees generating a quiet whirl. JD squinted and moved his head to pick up any noise from the side of the trail. A whimpering sound. Like an animal in pain. His heart pounded. Could it be his imagination? He whispered. "Can you hear that?"
Joella shook her head and angled an ear in the direction he pointed.
Ahead, two hemlocks grew on the far side of a rocky ridge. At the end of the ledge, a drop-off of about thirty feet spanned the distance to the canyon floor.
"Down here." JD craned his neck and peered to the ground below, covered with undergrowth, rocks, and low bushes. Dropping to the edge on hands and knees, he stretched his neck as far as he could.
Underneath the outcrop, a shallow cave lay to his left. Hidden under the ledge at the opening of the cave, something looked different from the rest of the landscape. A wounded animal? No, wait. A boy in a brown shirt and green shorts raised up, supporting his weight on one arm.
His heart soared. "Let's go down."
An opening through the hemlocks led to a steady decline and the area below. Scooting down on his back side would be the easiest way to traverse the twenty feet to where the ground leveled out near the cave.
Inching down behind him, Joella squeezed his arm. "JD! It's Tannon. Thank God."
As if his brother had died and come back to life, JD raised his hand to the sky. "Thank you." But who did he thank? Exalted Father or Joella's God. He couldn't think of that now.
Tannon whimpered as they neared. Tears slid down his cheeks, burrowing a trail through the dirt covering his face.
Joella dropped to her knees and tore off her jacket, placing it over him. "Tannon, I'm your brother's friend. Thank God, we found you." She slid her arms around his shoulders not moving the rest of his body. His eyes closed, and he seemed to melt in her embrace.
JD squatted down to examine his brother, noting the odd angle at which his leg rested on the ground. "Hey, buddy. Are you okay? Don't worry, you're safe now."
Joella cradled Tannon gently moving a strand of hair off his face. "Thank you, Lord," she whispered.
JD ran his hand down his brother's shoulder. "What happened, bro?"
He shifted in Joella's arms and winced. "I was on a hike, and I looked back to pick up a rock for my collection." He groaned. "I saw two and couldn't decide which one I wanted."
"Poor little guy." Joella gasped. "He's only a few years older than …" She coughed and shook her head, obviously not wanting to finish the statement.
JD peered at his brother. "How did you get down here?"
"Before I knew it, the other boys had moved forward. I lost my footing, and slid down. It happened so fast. I hollered, but nobody heard me. I was so scared."
"It's okay, now, honey." Joella arched an eyebrow in JD's direction.
"I tried to hike back up to the ledge but couldn't. I think something's wrong with my leg. It hurts really bad."
Tannon's blood-stained leg shook JD back to reality and the necessity of getting help and quickly. He peered at Joella. "One of us needs to go back. Hopefully search and rescue has arrived by now with a stretcher. Do you want to stay here with him?"
Joella's eyes lit her face. "Yes, and please hurry. He's probably lain here for hours. If he were my own child, I couldn't feel worse for the little guy."
Tannon moaned as he tried to prop himself up on his arm.
"All right. I'll be back as soon as possible." He started up the steep path where they'd hiked down. "Thanks, Joella."
"Tannon." A man's voice shouted.
"It's Dad. We're down here," JD yelled. The sounds of voices and crunching rocks met his ears, but he couldn't see anyone yet.
Two heads peered over the side of the rocky ledge—Dad and Jake.
Tannon cried out in between groans. "Dad, I'm here. JD and his girlfriend found me." He tried to sit up.
JD climbed back toward Tannon again when Dad scuttled down the same way they had. With Jake following, his father marched toward them. "Okay, I'll take over from here." He knelt next to Tannon knocking Joella backward with his upper arm.
*****
Pain stabbed Joella's shoulder blade. A sharp rock jutting out from the rocky surface behind her dug into her back. Surely Mr. Neilson hadn't meant to shove her. He didn't look in her direction or even noticed her. His concern was for his son, but the thought didn't take the hurt away. She reached her hand back to the wet tee shirt. Blood.
A look of horror covered JD's face. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, sure." Her injury didn't compare to what Tannon had suffered.
Ignoring her, Mr. Nelson peered at his younger son. "Let me take a look at you." He lightly touched the cut on Tannon's shin. "Hmm. Swollen and bruised." He whipped off his jacket and pitched Joella's to one side. It landed in a dirt-filled patch of ground. Then he covered Tannon with his. "Jake, I'm going to keep him warm if you'll go back to the pavilion and direct the rescue service here."
"I'm on it." Jake scrambled back up to the trail.
Once again, JD's father assumed the leadership role. He hadn't even acknowledged they'd found Tannon much less thanked them.
JD hung his head. "Since you've got everything under control, we might as well head on back." He spoke to his dad as if he didn't expect an answer.
Joella picked up her jacket from the ground and shook off the dirt, trying to ignore the pain in her back and the ache in her heart. She followed JD up the side of the ledge again and stepped onto the trail.
Did Mr. Neilson have something against her? She'd only met him today. Was it because she'd come with JD? The man probably hadn't been thinking.
JD hiked beside her up the steep path then paused. He gently touched her shoulder and peered around to her injured back. "I'm so sorry, Joella. He probably didn't realize what happened."
"No worries. I'm sure he didn't mean to." She took in a gulp of fresh, pine-scented air. She couldn't dwell on it. "Your brother's eyes are beautiful, like yours. He looks just like you." The words were out before she thought.
JD laughed. "Yeah, but there's a difference. He doesn't shave yet."
She gave him a soft tap on his shoulder. "He's an adorable little guy."
JD snickered. "I wouldn't call my brother adorable, but he's okay."
Sirens filled the air.
"Guess the fire department is here now."
The trail led through the evergreens to the campground. Jake escorted a procession of three men in blue tee shirts with El Camino Rescue Squad on the front, Mrs. Neilson trailing them. The first carried a stretcher folded into a canvas bag. "They'll bring him back safely. Thank God."
The remainder of the scouts climbed into two SUVs.
"Mom's heading down to be with Tannon." JD slipped his hand over Joella's and led her toward his truck.
When they paused by the passenger door, he studied her face for a few beats. "I wonder …"
She leaned back against the Ram. "Wonder what?"
His blue eyes twinkled. "If God really helped us find Tann
"I believe it with all my heart."
JD opened the truck door, and she slid in, protecting her wound. When he got in, he lifted his arm for her to come closer.
Her emotions had ridden a rollercoaster today. She exhaled a deep breath. At least Tannon was safe now and on his way for medical care—one thing off her mind. But the way Mr. Neilson had treated her stung almost as much as her back. What hurt worse was her suspicion he might not approve of her feelings for JD.
She nuzzled her way into the circle of his arm, careful of the throbbing ache. "The day we biked in Ormond Park … your words, I haven't forgotten them. I care about you, too. More than I can say." JD's wide shoulders drew her nearer. She gazed into the depths of his gorgeous blue eyes. Another kiss would bring assurance everything would be okay. She leaned in closer.
He shook his head, rubbed his forehead, and shifted back to the driver's side. The front window captured his attention as if some notion invaded his mind. "I'd better get you back on campus to your car."
A biting doubt harassed her. What had changed? One minute they talked about God and the next he drew away.
After the silent drive to campus, JD dropped her off at her car in the east parking lot. "Thank you for helping find Tannon today." He coughed. "I'm sorry about the cut."
"I'll see you soon."
He shrugged. "Bye, Joella."
She rubbed her forehead, got into her car, and started the ignition. What had gone wrong? What thought had run through his mind when he morphed into an iceberg?
*****
JD sank down onto the couch at the family home. When Joella said she cared about him too, the truth penetrated his brain. She had feelings for him and that made everything too complicated.
He'd realized his mistake the minute he asked her to go with him to search for Tannon, but it was too late.
He'd seen the look in Dad's eye when he introduced her—didn't have to be a mind reader to understand what he thought. Now his father knew he was seeing someone outside Exalted Brethren. Could he convince him she was an acquaintance? Doubtful.
Dad paced the living room floor in front of JD.
He held his head in his hands. Though he wanted to grow wings and fly to another continent, he had to listen to his father's words. Dad could direct a serious black mark on JD's Scale that would take years to pay for. Though EB allowed fathers the privilege, few exercised it, though many used it as a threat. But would Dad make the strike against him if he became angry enough?
With Tannon back from the emergency room and resting quietly in his bedroom, JD breathed out a long ribbon of air. But Dad's presence made his chest tighten. Anything to distract him. "So how long does a fractured shinbone take to heal? Mom said the cast would be on for about eight weeks."
"That's right. But don't try to sidetrack me."
JD scrunched lower on the couch. If he could crawl under the carpet, he would. He knew what was coming.
"Is this woman someone you're dating?"
JD steeled himself. "No, just a friend." He hoped the answer would suffice, but he doubted seriously Dad would believe it. The Book of Wisdom lay on the coffee table. He picked it up with both hands and gripped it until his fingers ached.
"Look, JD. I could always tell when you're lying. You know what that does on your scale." He rubbed his mouth. "Do you have any idea what going out with that Jezebel means? This has got to stop."
The leather volume fell from his hands onto the couch. He covered his face, leaning his elbows on his knees. He couldn't close his eyes without seeing Joella's image: Joella and Champ, Joella in heels dressed for work, Joella in hiking shorts. He moaned. "I understand."
But JD realized something else—not his father's words. He acknowledged he couldn't have a woman he'd probably love the rest of his life—a woman who wasn't among the flock.
Every beat of his heart spoke the syllables of her name. She'd been so willing to help him find Tannon, so polite to his mother and father.
He exhaled and his groan surprised him. What was he going to do? He couldn't leave his religion, and his father would disown him if he knew the extent of his involvement with Joella. She would never convert to EB. Not when she spoke of her God with such fire in her eyes. He was stuck in a hard place and didn't know where to turn.
Chapter Fourteen
JD traipsed out The Palms and onto the sidewalk. If he walked to work today, maybe the sunny spring morning would lift his outlook. All last night he hadn't been able to forget the truth, he'd worked his way into a jam.
His mistake had become crystal clear. What a fool to try and convince himself he and Joella could merely be friends. Why had he been so naïve? If he'd left her scarf at New Trend and politely refused her invitation to visit her office, his life wouldn't have taken this turn.
Saturday when Joella said she cared more than she could say, it had dawned on him. He had to back away knowing it would probably hurt her. If he'd given in to what he really wanted, to hold her in his arms and get lost in a passionate kiss, he'd have exacerbated the problem. Sometimes his own willpower amazed him—doing the opposite of what he desired.
Three blocks farther, JD pushed open the glass door to the four-story Ormond Building and turned toward the elevators. One thing about his job, when he got his mind on clients and off himself, he felt better. Hopefully the workload would be heavy today.
Passing the conference room on the right and the employees lounge on the other side of the hall, he could avoid the crowd which usually congregated over the coffeepot first thing in the morning.
"JD, may I speak with you in your office?" One of the accountants followed him, a manila folder in her hand. Her blonde hair swept back from her face, a smile was absent from her lips.
So much for keeping a low profile. "Sure. Come in." JD unlocked his office and stepped back, allowing the woman to walk in first. "Please." He held his palm toward the spare chair.
She sat on the edge of the seat and slid a file on his desk. "I'm so sorry, JD, but I'm overloaded with clients today. Mary actually double booked me—both at ten. Mr. Grant suggested I give this one to you. The client previously worked with Mr. Tucker, but he's on vacation this week. Apparently, this man couldn't wait." She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. "It involves his personal and business taxes for this year."
JD picked up the file without looking at it. "Sure, that's fine." He couldn't complain. He'd wished for a heavy load today.
The corners of the accountant's mouth lifted. She stood and strolled toward the door. "I can't thank you enough."
"No problem. I'll look this over now." He picked up the folder and eased back in the black leather swivel chair.
Blinking, he glared at the file again. Dale Burchett. This couldn't be. A few more pages of the paperwork brought certainty. His ten o'clock client was the unscrupulous lawyer.
When he slapped his desk hard, pain shot up his hand and wrist. How could he deal with a man who tried to force himself on Joella? He filled his cheeks with air and forced it out. No way could he do business with this jerk. He shoved the papers back in the folder. He'd tell his colleague he couldn't take the appointment.
A knock on the door disrupted angry thoughts. He glanced at his watch, and his heart fell into his shoes. Nine fifty. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.
With deliberate steps, he marched to the door and yanked it open. A tall, dark-haired man in an expensive suit faced him.
The fool stuck out his hand. "Mr. Neilson, Dale Burchett. The secretary directed me to your office."
Against his will, JD shook his hand. Too late. He'd have to see the client. Now if he could only cast his thoughts of Joella from his mind. Burchett had taken advantage of the woman he loved.
Love. The thought scared him silly.
JD's tense shoulders ached. He pointed to the chair. "Have a seat." His spine straightened. "I just received your file and haven't had time to look it over. What can I do for you?" Other th
Burchett opened his briefcase. "I'd like to get my taxes filed as soon as possible." Three legal-size manila folders filled the first section of his briefcase. He placed them on the corner of JD's desk. "These are most of my personal tax documents."
Two large envelopes surfaced next. "My business information is in here." He folded his arms over his chest. "I ventured out a bit last year. Decided to diversify so I formed an LLC. Under it, I created Sierra Realty Company."
Maybe you need to diversify your tact toward women. JD stared at him a moment, then opened the first envelope and thumbed through. Hmm. A name he recognized appeared at the top of a document. Henry Rupert, Jr. Could it be his childhood friend? JD caught his breath. How many times had he played with Henry when he lived next door?
JD read on. Henry hired Burchett to liquefy his parents' assets after his mother's death, his father having died five years before that. Part of the will included the Ruperts' home at 228 Almond Drive.
JD ran a hand through his hair. That confirmed it. Burchett's client was his old childhood friend. No way would he share that with the lawyer.
"Let's see. It says here you purchased the home on Almond for Sierra Realty at a fair market value." JD scratched his head.
"Yes. Mr. Rupert lives in Sacramento now. I know he's glad to have these matters concluded." The woman-chaser puffed out his chest. "I've worked hard for this client, following his instructions closely. The man deserved every break. He's been through enough with both of his parents passing."
Though JD hated to see the home on Almond leave the Rupert family, he could understand how Henry might want to move on.
Using all his willpower not to tell Burchett what he thought about his character, JD avoided eye contact. "All right. You've given me plenty to get started on. I'll call you in a couple of weeks for another meeting—sooner if I need any more documentation." JD forged a smile.
The client stood and shook JD's hand. "I feel confident leaving my affairs with you."
The thought of this creep's hand on Joella, the one he now shook, made JD's stomach roil. "Thank you." Heat traveled from his neck to his face.