Cherished Stranger

Who had taken the picture?

. . . her hand trembled as she stared again at the photo of Eddy and his best friend. Lucy's skin prickled with cold. A thought lurked outside her grasp. Something familiar. What was it?

Dorin's hand covered hers briefly as he lifted the picture and replaced it on the shelf. Where is the reading material you mentioned?

His eyes held a gentleness she wanted to cling to. The few times he'd looked her direction without resentment was all it took to make her pine for more. She had to get control of her senses. One moment she felt unreasonable fear and the next had her building a crush on a stranger.

. . . After the door closed, Lucy gathered her pen and paper. As she pulled out her chair, her cell phone beeped signaling a message.

Nice picture of you this morning! The text came from her sister.

What picture? Lucy mumbled. She clicked onto her Facebook page. At the top, in the ribbon of photos, was a shot of her walking toward her herb garden.

Who took this? Fear laced her whispered concern.

Books by Regina Tittel

Abandoned Hearts

The Abandoned Hearts Study Guide

Unexpected Kiss

Coveted Bride

A Self-Publisher's Journal

Love For Lenore

Coming Sequels by Regina Tittel

Devoted Mission

Cherished Stranger

Regina Tittel

The Ozark Durham Series vol. 4

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

CHERISHED STRANGER

Published by Hawse Pipe Ministries

Copyright © 2012 by Regina Tittel

Cover design by Regina Tittel

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 9781301098132

All rights reserved.

Smashwords License Statement

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

Regina Tittel's books are written to uplift and encourage each individual while also entertaining them with a great story. She hopes Cherished Stranger will bring awareness to the needs of others and also aid individuals in their search for a church to call home.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

–Matthew 25:40

Thank you, Jerad, for your charitable heart. You're an inspiration in so many ways.

To our lovely daughters, and supportive family and friends, thank you.

And to our extended daughters and their families, Miriam and Manasa.

Chapter One

Lucy Durham gripped the steering wheel and stomped the brake to the floor. St. Louis traffic had come to a dead halt. "Oh, just what I don't need."

Her dry, overworked hand flipped the radio on as she tuned it to the local news channel. East bound on I-44, a tractor trailer has jack-knifed causing a five-car pile-up . . . Anxiety mixed with guilt churned her insides. Her guests had never before set foot on American soil, and now she'd be late.

She groaned out loud and slapped the steering wheel. If only one of her cows hadn't caught her hoof in the fence. The barbed wire left a nasty cut requiring stitches, which meant waiting for the vet to arrive. Lucy sighed. If she'd left earlier she wouldn't be stuck in dead traffic.

With her head out the window, she strained to see ahead. No body moved. Another driver, frustrated at their predicament, pressed on his horn. Perhaps he didn't realize what had happened. Rather than give into similar aggravation, she accepted they were better off than those in the pile up. Bowing her head, she prayed for their souls and health, then for the wisdom of the emergency workers.

Two hours later Lucy hurried through the airport. She hoped Dorin and Anika's plane had been delayed. If not, maybe they'd waited for her at the baggage claim, otherwise she had no idea how they'd find each other.

The clopping sound of her boots against tile echoed in the nearly empty corridor. Though usually a busy terminal, the lack of people only emphasized the late hour.

Ripples of excitement coursed through her the closer she drew. Life was about to take a drastic turn, one she couldn't wait to embrace. She rounded the corner and her heart swelled to fill her chest. The only occupants at the baggage claim, a man and a young woman, sat side by side. It had to be them.

Anika?

The girl jumped to her feet with a jubilant smile and raced into Lucy's arms. At fifteen, she was as tall as Lucy. Anika pulled back enough to exclaim, I knew you would come, even though Tata voiced his doubts. Her clear speech made it almost impossible to discern an accent.

Lucy looked at the man Anika called Tata, Romanian for father, and didn't miss the tightening of his jaw. He stood at least a foot taller than her. Sandy blonde curls framed stormy gray eyes that did nothing to hide his discontent. When he spoke, his voice was soft but stern. I was told you would be here two hours ago.

No smile. No hello.

To say he was intimidating would be an understatement. Her nerves had her tumbling out excuses. A tractor-trailer jack-knifed on the freeway. It caused a five-car pile-up and all we could do was wait.

"Who is we?" Anika's father looked past Lucy as if expecting someone else.

"We means me and all the other drivers. We all had to wait for . . . the weary lines around his eyes drew her explanation to a halt. Never mind. Let's get your bags and go. It's another two hours to home."

Home. The word came easily for her. But for two people who'd just left their native country and all they knew, it probably held little meaning. Still, he had to think it was better than being stuck in the airport.

They both reached for the small bags holding his and Anika's meager possessions. Dorin grabbed them before she could help. It is a man's job to carry luggage. No?

His light reprimand made her feel like a child. She fought the urge to roll her eyes and instead turned her attention to Anika.

Although Anika's eyes showed the effects of jet-lag, her weariness didn't slow her conversation as they made their way to the parking garage. In fluid English, taught through three generations of the Comaneci family, she told all about their trip and what it was like to fly. But once seated in the backseat next to her father, she quickly succumbed to sleep.

Lucy accepted their silence. She remembered feeling much the same way when she'd flown to Romania. After four years of saving, she'd signed on with a short-term mission trip to meet her sponsor child. She'd only been eighteen at the time while Anika had been eight. The meeting was everything she'd expected only Anika's father had been absent. His wife's frail health kept her from earning an income. Thus Dorin spent more time away trying to earn a living for his family.

Lucy had often imagined what he would look like. With him being almost twelve years her senior, she'd expected him to look old. Of course, her eldest brother, Ethan, had ten years over her and he didn't look old. She'd stolen glances in his direction while in the airport, knowing it would be too dark to see once they were in the car. Though he was thin, she could tell from their initial meeting he possessed a rugged quality that piqued her interest.

Traffic thickened and provided the light she desired. One look in the rearview mirror reaffirmed her first assessment. He was attractive, and his eyes were definitely his best feature.

He turned his head and their gazes locked. Lucy froze from his intense stare. It seemed in that one small moment he was able to turn the pages of her past, seeing and knowing everything about her. She averted her gaze to break the connection.

Left unnerved by his penetrating stare she returned her attention to the road. What thoughts would cause him to look so intense?

It was probably resentment for being late. Or worse, her sister's prediction about Romanian pride might be true. Maybe his was already bruised.

If so, she was in for a long summer.

She pressed the brake pedal again. Why is traffic so slow? Her mumbled concern was answered by a flashing sign. Road closed. Oh no, this can't be good.

What do we do? Dorin's alertness, after such a lengthy flight, surprised her.

We follow the detour signs. Lucy tried to keep the worry from sounding in her voice, but St. Louis wasn't a place where she wanted to get lost. Following the cars ahead, she veered off the main highway and looped through side streets, trying to keep up with the large orange detour signs and the other vehicles from the highway.

A couple miles later, she hoped the drivers ahead of her knew where they were going, as the street lighting became less and the signs all but disappeared. She chewed a nail until it bled. A nasty habit, but one she wouldn't be quitting under this amount of stress. The car she'd been following turned into a residence and she no longer knew which direction was home.

The streets became less and less maintained until Lucy knew they were nowhere near the highway. Dorin sighed with irritation from the back seat. Anika slept slumped against the door. He leaned forward. Do you have a map?

Lucy stopped chewing her nails long enough to answer. Yes. She pulled into a semi-lit parking lot and fished through her glove box. All the while, she kept a nervous eye on their surroundings. Here it is. Give me a minute to find where I am.

Dorin leaned over to look and muttered something unintelligible. He opened the door on his side and before Lucy could panic over his actions he was beside her in the front seat. Give me the map. He tore it from her hands and turned it upside down.

You have it wrong–

His look of disgust told her she was the one who'd held the map in error.

She bristled in defense. Who was he to judge her? I get nervous driving in the city, especially at night.

His voice calm, Dorin replied, I will direct you. Just drive.

Fine, I'll drive. Isn't that what I was already doing? Lucy chewed another nail and pulled back on the road. The interior light remained on as Dorin studied the map. Take a left at the next light.

Lucy obediently turned and half hoped he got them lost, too. Then at least they could share the blame. She slowed at the following stop light and held her breath. They were definitely on the wrong side of town. Voices caught her attention from the building beside her. Two people were in a heated argument. Ahead, a man crossed the street and stopped by the open convertible in front of her. Right before their eyes, a packet of white was exchanged for a fold of money.

Lucy's mouth dropped open. Her hand reached for the phone in her cup holder. They were dealing drugs. The police needed to be informed. Suddenly Dorin's hand covered hers. Do not put the phone to your ear. They will know what you are doing. Keep driving.

She tried to pull away but he tightened his grip. Please do as I say. My daughter is in this car. Think of her safety.

He was right. She couldn't risk endangering them any further than she already had by getting lost. Dorin's hand relaxed over hers but still he didn't remove it until the convertible turned a different direction. His touch had stirred something inside. Instinctively, she stuck another nail between her teeth to ward off her unsettled feelings.

Dorin reached for her hand again and moved it away from her mouth. We have much farther to go, no? Stop or you'll eat your finger.

Lucy gave him a sharp look and turned back to the road. He'd been in her presence for less than an hour and he'd already started doling out commands. Men!

Turn here.

Lucy slowed at another stop, hopeful to find their way to the highway and soon. Rundown housing units closed in on either side. A door banged beside her. She glanced out her window and saw a gang of unruly men toss another man down the steps followed by shouts of obscenities. The man in the lead pulled a gun from under his shirt.

Lucy whispered, They're going to shoot him. Instinctively, she laid her hand against the horn. The men turned her direction as the victim scrambled to his feet and took off.

Beady eyes peered at her from the man in charge. The aim of his gun followed. Something familiar pricked her memory before Dorin's foot crashed down on hers. The car's tires squealed as they shot through the intersection. Lucy screamed as she tried to pull her foot out from under his.

Dorin released the gas pedal. Turn. Turn here and do not stop.

Lucy did as told, too shaken to object. Within a couple blocks, the highway came into view. She didn't speak until they were safely on the way home. Then she turned her full attention on him. Why did you do that? We could've wrecked!

He turned toward her. A silent anger emanated from his face.

Chapter Two

After one stony glance at Lucy, Dorin set his jaw and stared straight ahead. They had traveled all the way from his homeland for this? At least the little woman beside him had quieted. Between her nervous chatter and her constant need to have a finger in her mouth he was ready to take over the driving, license or not. But if what they saw affected her this deeply, perhaps the place she was taking them would be different. For Anika's sake, he hoped so.

Thank you, God.

He turned at the sound of Lucy's voice and saw her signal. She had done better than him. While he stewed over her obvious inadequacies she had prayed for help. Do you know your way from here?

She set her mouth in a tight line. Yes. Don't worry, we won't get lost again.

It would seem she was upset with him. So be it. He wasn't sorry for stomping her foot. If he hadn't taken action, they would have been shot.

He sighed audibly. The decision to leave Romania had been made in haste. The organization that helped provide for his family encouraged him by saying it was a rare opportunity that wouldn't come again. He knew he needed help. He glanced at his driver. But having help come from this particular individual didn't make it easy to accept.

He turned to the window and relaxed against the headrest. Their journey had tired him more than he'd like to admit. Perhaps rest would ease his building resentments.

***

Lucy woke with a start. The sun barely peaked over the horizon. Who would be banging on her door at this hour? Still foggy headed with sleep she stumbled toward the front door. Already unlocked as usual, she pulled it open and stood, blinking from the daylight, right into a man's chest.

What work do you have for me?

Lucy rubbed her eyes and covered a yawn. Dorin Comaneci?

Unless you were expecting someone else, yes.

Go back to bed. We don't work until after breakfast. Did she actually just say that to a man whose very presence intimidated her to the ninth degree?

I am here to work. He bent his face toward hers. Tell me what needs done.

Lucy took a step back. Fine. Unload the rocks from my truck over by the herb garden. She pointed between the trailer where he and Anika were staying and the barn. But don't bother me for more work until after breakfast.

She closed the door before he could object. And coffee, she mumbled.

After last night's events, her body begged to spend the day in bed. Something she could have done before. But that was because life had been lonely, with only herself to care for.

She cast a glance toward a picture that hung over her living room chair. From here she couldn't make out her late husband's expression but