Being warned of someone’s presence when he thought he was alone, he cautiously leaned forward and settled his forearms on his thighs. With his back bent and shoulders hunched, he stared in the direction of the sound and held his breath, hoping to hear it again. There was something out there; only he didn’t know what. Chalking it up as a raccoon or some other wooded creature, he began to settle, his posture relaxing a few degrees.
Emily, convinced that he’d spotted her, resumed her exit. Feigning confidence she didn’t have at the moment, she moved up one more step. Her goal was to be casual. She believed that if this man was, in fact, dangerous, then smelling fear in the air would only incite him more, so she concentrated with all her might to put one foot in front of the other without tripping.
Now that she was out of the shadow that had protected her from sight, he noticed the silhouette of a young woman climbing the stairs one at a time, chin down, long hair covering her face. “Hello?” Curiosity laced his booming voice as it reverberated off the back of the church.
As if the thrashing of her heart had called to the stranger, he scooted off the step, dragging his bottom along the rough stone before pulling himself to his feet. Neither spoke. Nor did either one make a move. They both stood there, statuesque-like, and stared at each other.
“Hello?” he called out again, this time with slightly less curiosity and more apprehension. When she still didn’t respond—or move—his voice deepened into a rolling, rumbling grumble, filled with trepidation and panic. “Are you all right?”
That was all Emily needed to break free from the fear that had held her captive since the moment he appeared alongside the church. To her ears, he didn’t sound threatening—more concerned than anything else. And that had allowed her enough relief to speak.
“Oh, I’m sorry…yes, I’m fine. I was just leaving.” Her voice shook just as much as her hands, which seemed to match the leaves rustling along the grass in the breeze. “I’m sorry,” she repeated and then lowered her chin, chastising herself for appearing weak and timid.
Hearing the fear in her tone, he crossed the back of the building until he stood in front of her, blocking her exit. His concerned demeanor surprised her—nothing at all like the aggressor she’d assumed him to be. It was enough to settle her nerves somewhat, though not enough to make her completely comfortable.
Emily tilted her head back to look up at him, realizing how tall he was. Granted, he was on the next step up from her, but even taking that into consideration, his height was impressive. Lowering her sight to regard the rest of him, she noticed that he wasn’t a very big guy, tall but lanky. Aside from that, though, there wasn’t much else she could discern without proper lighting.
“Are you okay?”
Snapping out of the daze his presence had put her in, she hugged herself and nodded.
“Where did you even come from?”
Emily briefly glanced over her shoulder and said, “I was right there, waiting at the end of the steps for my friends to show up. We’re meeting here and then going to Main Street together.”
He knew as well as she did that the mention of her friends coming was on purpose, to let it be known that she wouldn’t be alone for long. It wasn’t that he made Emily feel threatened; it was more of a precautionary move than anything.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his words barely audible past the grit in his voice. “I didn’t know there was anyone else out here. I couldn’t see you, and you were quiet. If I scared you, I apologize; I didn’t mean to.” His genuine concern did not go unnoticed.
Suddenly, this dark, lean, tall figure no longer seemed frightening.
He glanced around and asked, “Are your friends here?”
“No, not yet, but they will be any minute.”
“Well then, stay and wait for them. Don’t leave on my account. I can either stay and wait with you, or I can sit all the way over there”—he pointed to the far end of the church—“to make sure you set off safely. I won’t bother you, though.”
Emily nibbled on her lower lip while contemplating his offer. He seemed nice enough, and she assumed that if he were to do anything to her, he would’ve done it by now. Considering that he hadn’t been aware of her presence prior to her making it known, it was safe to say he didn’t go there prowling for her. However, she still wasn’t sure what his intention was for being at the church in the first place.
“I’m here to meet friends; what’s your excuse?” she asked, hoping to sound bold and unafraid. “Do you like to hang around dark and empty buildings all alone at night?”
Roaring laughter, so deep it resembled boulders tumbling down the side of a mountain, echoed around them. Shadows danced across his body, jumping along with his shoulders as humor seemed to pour out of him. Meanwhile, Emily stood still, quietly wondering what he found so funny.
“No, I don’t. While I get how you might’ve come to that conclusion, I promise, that’s not why I’m here.” His voice settled as the laughter dissolved. “I came because I needed a minute to myself. I haven’t had one of those in a while, so when I saw the church, I decided it’d probably be a good place to stop. Think. Maybe say a prayer. Wish upon a star.”
“Why? What happened?” The second those words fell from her tongue, she took a step back and waved her hands between them, shaking her head vigorously. “I’m sorry, that was rude. You don’t even know me, so don’t answer that question. Pretend I never asked.”
He laughed again, the same deep rumble that vibrated his entire chest as he let it out. “I’m Andy. And you are…?”
His reaction, as well as his introduction, stunned her for a moment. Even his outstretched hand left her speechless, her mouth opening and closing before she could finally rein it in. “Nice to meet you. I’m Emily.”
The second her palm slid against his, heat pooled in her stomach. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. Her fingertips tingled as though she’d stuck a fork in an electrical socket instead of shaking his hand.
Andy had felt it, too, although he refrained from showing it. Instead, he twisted his body at his hips, appearing to glance around, and then gestured to the ground with his free hand, offering her a seat.
Needing to gather herself without the worry of her wobbling knees gaining his attention, she agreed and lowered herself until the chill of the stone met her bottom through the thin fabric of her skirt. He followed, taking the space next to her.
“How old are you?”
His question caught her by surprise, though she answered anyway. “Seventeen. You?”
“Twenty.” The sound of tiny whiskers being dragged beneath fingernails chafed the quiet air around them as he casually scratched his jawline. “Are you done with school, or do you have one more year to go?”
“About to start my senior year.” That was something Emily had been excited about ever since the beginning of summer break. However, admitting to Andy that she was still in high school had left her unenthusiastic about it.
The sorrow that flooded her system was as unfamiliar to her as the man who’d elicited it. Confused by the entire exchange, she wrapped her arms around herself tighter than before. It was an inconspicuous move, but nevertheless, Andy noticed.