All around her, the townsfolk were reacting the same way as her aunt’s companion. Indeed, it was a shock that someone could murder a young man and bury him in the sand. The only two men Tabitha knew who had been murdered had not been good men at all, and in her mind, they’d deserved what fate had brought them. She highly doubted David’s death was the same. She could tell this young man was well-liked.
“Oh, such a tragedy,” Mrs. Stiles muttered brokenly into her handkerchief.
Just as Mr. Burris finished his speech about how he would continue to look for the person responsible, the front door opened and out walked Nic. She really should not want to laugh right now, but seeing him in his clergyman clothing and holding a Bible, just made her want to chuckle to her heart’s content. If these people only knew…
Taking a deep breath, she tried to rein in her humor. If she even cracked a smile, the townspeople would think she didn’t have a heart.
Nic stood against the outer wall until Mr. Burris was finished, and then Nic stepped up. Although his shoulders were straight and his chin was lifted slightly, she could see there was something amiss about him. Almost as if the color of his face had a green tint to it. She blinked, thinking that the sun must be playing with her vision.
“My dear friends,” Nic began solemnly, “please know that God is with you…with all of us during this terrible time. He knows what is in our hearts, and he wishes to comfort us, as eh…um, like a…” He paused, his expression clouding with panic.
Tabitha held her breath, hoping he would finish his thought and not do anything to mess up right now.
He took a deep breath and dabbed the tip of his finger to the corner of his eye. She knew he wasn’t crying, but she was happy to see he at least wanted to appear like he was grieving. “The Lord wants us to come unto Him in prayer. I beseech every one of you to keep the Lord in your heart at this time, and keep David and his family in your prayers as well. Let us also remember that death is part of God’s plan, and that…uh…”
Panic tightened in her throat. Where was he going with this? He should have just shut up after saying what he did about David and his family. She glanced around the group and noticed confusion on their expressions as well.Oh dear!Nic was muffingthis up greatly, and if he didn’t close his mouth now, he’d only make things worse.
“Well, you see,” he continued, stumbling over his words, “it’s part of His plan. We live, we die…”
Groaning, Tabitha frowned. He was digging himself a deeper hole to crawl into any minute. And why didn’t anyone do anything to stop him, or to offer him any words of encouragement? She couldn’t be the only person who was embarrassed for him right now. Was she?
Clearing her throat loudly, she moved toward him—which thankfully, was only five steps away. Those close around her turned their heads and watched her as she stood beside their clergyman.
“Mr. Woodland,” she frowned and stroked his arm, “we know what you mean. We shall keep praying for David’s family.”
“Uh, yes.” He nodded, dabbing his finger to the invisible moisture in his eyes. “Forgive me,” he said louder, “I’m very distraught over all of this. I suggest we all return to our homes to be with our families. I assure you I will be able to comfort you better on Sunday.”
Relief washed over the faces of the townspeople as they turned and headed back to their houses. When Tabitha met Nic’s gaze, he also appeared relieved, but there was something else in his eyes that she couldn’t quite put a name to. He looked grateful, but it was more than that.
“You saved me again,” he whispered and squeezed her hand. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Well, I knew that if I didn’t do something, you would be showing them who you truly are sooner than planned.” She pulled away, but kept her gaze locked with his as she stepped toward Mrs. Stiles and Sally who still waited for her. “And do me a favor?” she asked quietly.
“Anything for you.”
Her heart tripped, making her stomach flutter. She really wished he wouldn’t say things like that, especially because he didn’t mean them. “Please listen more carefully to your cousin’s sermons. I fear you have a lot to learn about playing a man of the cloth.”
He smiled and winked. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“Yes, I do.” She nodded, and then finally turned her attention to her maid and Mrs. Stiles.
They waited for her until she reached them, and then without a word, they turned toward the lane leading to Aunt Clara’s home. The further away she walked, the more she wanted to peek over her shoulder to see if he was still watching her. Yet, she could feel his gaze upon her as if it had a touch all its own, because warmth cascaded over her back, stirring awareness inside her body. She held strong, but soon felt like screaming. Oh, drat! She must look back!
Slowly, she rolled her head and peeked over her shoulder. Sure enough, Nic hadn’t moved from the porch, and his focus was on her. Quickly, she looked back at the road ahead. Giddiness danced in her chest, and she quickly scolded herself for feeling this way. Lord Hawthorne was a rogue, and he’d never change. He was trained in wooing women and charming them until they swooned in his arms. Yet knowing this didn’t stop the pitter-patter of her heart from speeding up.
Blast him for doing this to her!
“Didn’t you think Mr. Woodland was acting strangely just now?” Mrs. Stiles asked after a few minutes of silence had passed.
“Yes, I did,” Tabitha answered. “But I think he’s still in shock for finding David’s body in the sand.”
“Oh, that poor man.” Mrs. Stiles dabbed the handkerchief to her wet eyes. “And poor David. What could possibly have happened to make someone want to murder such a kind boy?”
Sally shook her head. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“I’m certain,” Tabitha added, “that the constable will find the killer soon.”
Mrs. Stiles’ hand fluttered to her throat. “But it’s unsettling to know there is a madman running around our town. What if he’s not satisfied with killing one person? What if he wants more?”
