The Encourager

By D. K. Graham

Katie Clark discovered her parents’ bodies when she returned home from a late night session going over college applications at the high school where she worked as a counselor. They had been shot to death by an unknown assailant.

In total shock and grief, she quit her job at the end of the school year and moved to Snow’s Lake, a small town several hours west of the city. She moved in with her aunt and uncle, and was befriended by handsome Jeff Shores during her first week in the small town.

The story follows Katie and Jeff during their quest to find out why a newcomer to the small village had seemingly targeted Katie with terrifying messages. As the couple built their relationship with each other, they found out that several people in Katie’s former life were not who she thought they were. The murderer of her parents came as a total shock and surprise to her. The surprising ending gives the reason for her forgiveness and encouragement of the assailant.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D. K. Graham
• Release date: Dec 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311246400

D. K. Graham

Working with words has been a major part of D. K. Graham’s career as she worked as a proofreader and classified advertising salesperson for several newspapers across the nation, and as a temporary line editor for the Petoskey (Michigan) News Review.She holds a certificate of completion from the Parish School of Classified Advertising, where she learned copywriting for successful advertising.She was also the editor and publisher of the school district newsletter for the Hiawatha, Kansas Unified School District 415, where she was secretary to the Superintendent of Schools for sixteen years.During her junior high and high school years, she had poems published in the local (Camarillo Daily News) newspaper, was the historian for the Horizon Club (senior Campfire Girls) Camarillo, California chapter, and was responsible for having the monthly meeting articles published in the local newspaper. She was senior class editor of her high school year book.She spent one year at Ventura (CA) Junior College, where she majored in English.She is retired from her position as an administrative assistant for a geotechnical engineering and construction testing firm in Reno, Nevada.K is an active member of the St. Joseph Writers Guild in St. Joseph, Missouri.She has three grown daughters, three sons-in-law, and two grandchildren. She lives in Hiawatha, Kansas with her husband Walter. Her friends and family just call her K.

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The Encourager

by

D. K. Graham

Copyright 2013 by D. K. Graham

Smashwords Edition

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Dedicated to my daughters Heather Reed, Margaret Goodman and Reannin Tungett, to my mother Mildred Elaine Sanders Graham, and to my husband Walt, who made it possible for me to retire and devote my time to writing.

Table of Contents

The Encourager

About the author

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CHAPTER ONE

Ouch! Ow Ow Ow! Katie sat on the pavement next to her overturned bicycle and checked out her elbows and knees. All four of them had been scraped and her right elbow and knee were bleeding. Dammit, I knew I shouldn’t have bought this stupid bike, she muttered to herself, and then turned bright red when she looked up and realized that someone had witnessed her fall.

Excuse me, Miss. I saw your accident. Can I be of any help? She found herself staring into gorgeous bright blue eyes framed by sandy red lashes that were looking down at her with concern.

Um, no, I’m okay. Just a little skinned up. Thanks, anyway. I’m fine, really, Katie was clearly flustered and having a hard time keeping from crying. Her fair-skinned cheeks were blushing a bright crimson.

I’m Jeff, Jeff Shores. I live just down the street, he pointed down the street in the direction where Katie had been headed when she hit the pothole and lost her balance.

Here, let me help you up. He reached out and helped her to a standing position.

Katie continued to blush as she allowed him to grip her upper left arm as he hoisted her to her feet.

Thanks. I appreciate it. I’m Katie Clark. She held out her hand to shake his.

I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you new to town? Jeff was making small talk, trying to keep her from climbing back onto her bike and riding away.

Um, yeah. I just moved here. I live down there, around the block on Elm Street. She pointed to the area from which she had just come. I’m staying with my aunt and uncle for a while until I can find a job and my own place.

Look, I’m not working today. Would you like to go for a soda or some coffee or something? My treat. He really didn’t want her to disappear so soon. He rather liked what he saw: a beautiful girl with a chestnut ponytail, big brown eyes that had a wary look in them, and a slim figure. And what he noticed most of all was that she wasn’t wearing any makeup. He liked that. Girls with too much makeup on their faces were a real turnoff for him.

Uh, yeah, sure, I guess it would be okay. You are a neighbor, after all. Thanks. She picked up her bike and followed Jeff down the street for a couple of blocks. When they arrived in front of a big Victorian style house, he announced that was where he lived, and suggested she park her bike in the garage. He said that they could pick it up later when she was ready to go home. Katie agreed that it sounded like a good idea, and wheeled it inside.

My mom’s a nurse, and I think she’s at home. Why don’t we go in and have her clean your wounds before we head out. She would love to meet you, I’m sure!

Um, sure, that would be nice. Are you sure she won’t mind? Katie followed him into the house through the garage door.

I’m sure. Mom, where are you? I have someone for you to meet, and I think she could use your help.

Marge Shores walked into the kitchen with a smile on her face. She was a plump motherly-looking woman, and seemed really pleased to meet Katie. It was fairly obvious where Jeff got his coloring; his mother was a strawberry blonde, but had large brown eyes. He must have inherited his blue eyes from his father, she thought.

Hi! I’m Marge Shores, the friendly older lady wiped her hands on her apron and held one out to shake Katie’s hand.

Mom, this is Katie Clark. She’s new to town, and she just had an accident on her bicycle. He reached over and held up her arm so his mother could see the skinned elbow.

Oh, my! I’m happy to meet you, but so sorry you got hurt. Come with me, she turned and led the way to a powder room off the hallway. Once inside the small room, she retrieved a washcloth, towel, antiseptic and bandages from drawers under the sink. She helped Katie wash the wounds on her elbows and knees, and expertly applied antiseptic and bandages to the open sores. There, that should do you for a while.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Katie looked down at her bandaged limbs and offered a sheepish explanation. I’ve never really ridden a bike before. It’s harder than I thought it would be! I hit a pothole and lost control. The rest is history, she said, shaking her head.

That’s okay, sweetie! I’m glad I could help. Now, tell me a bit about yourself. Where are you living? Let’s go back out to the kitchen, Mrs. Shores seemed genuinely interested.

Katie followed her and explained, Well, I just moved here this past week. I’m staying with my aunt and uncle, Laura and Bob Smythe. Do you know them?

Oh, my yes! I’ve known them for quite a few years now. They go to our church, and Laura is the local librarian, while Bob runs the IGA. Are you going to be staying here a while?

I hope to be able to find a job soon. I’m only staying with them until I find employment and can move into my own place. Do you know of any open positions? Katie was hoping that someone, somewhere, would be able to tell her about a job listing.

No, Sweetie, I’m afraid I don’t know of anything, but I’ll keep my ears open. I’m sure something will open up. Will Jeff know how to contact you?

Yes, I will give him my cell number, and you both know where I’m staying.

Just then they arrived back in the kitchen where Jeff had been waiting, so the conversation was cut short.

Thank you so much for helping me, Mrs. Shores. I really do appreciate it, Katie smiled at the older woman and offered her hand in friendship.

Oh, think nothing of it. I spend most of my days binding up people in one way or another. I’m glad I could be of help. Are you two going out? She noticed that Jeff was holding the kitchen door open, and Katie was making her way toward it.

Yeah, Mom. I’m taking Katie to the café for a soda and snack. I’ll be back in a bit. Jeff kissed his mother’s cheek and then headed back out to the garage.

He held open the passenger door of his truck and helped her to climb in.

I don’t usually get into vehicles with strange men, she said. This was totally out of character for her. She had been raised in a variety of large cities, and she was usually extremely wary of strangers of either sex. Somehow Jeff seemed different, safe, and she had a feeling that they were going to become friends.

Jeff laughed, I’m sort of the local Welcome Wagon. We don’t have a real Welcome Wagon group here, and I try to make it my business to get to know our newcomers. It’s good for business!

Katie tried to not show her disappointment. She had thought, evidently in error, that he was being nice because he was attracted to her. Hmmmmph! He was nice to everybody, at least that’s what he said, she thought, not that it really mattered to her. She definitely had no plans of getting involved with anyone, at least at this point in her life. She had some problems and issues to work through before she gave any thought to a commitment to anyone. She swallowed her pride and asked, You said you are off work today. What do you do for a living?

I run the local hardware store and lumber yard. I trade off working Saturdays or Sundays with another guy on my crew, and this week I drew the Sunday shift. It’s Saturday, so I’m off! he explained. Climbing into the driver’s seat he asked, What type of job are you looking for?

Looking down at her hands briefly she answered, I was working, that is I have credentials for being a high school guidance counselor. I only held the job for one year, and then I quit. I don’t think I’m quite cut out for it. Those kids have problems that are way too serious for me to even attempt to try to help them. I guess I’ll take about any job available right now. I’m sure something will open up. She tried to hide the tears that had welled up in her eyes. She pretended to sneeze and grabbed a tissue from her pocket, dabbing her eyes as she attempted to blow her nose.

Jeff tried to not let her know that he had noticed that she was crying. Crying women made him uncomfortable. He had a mother and three sisters, all of whom cried easily. He left the room whenever one of them turned on the waterworks. He never quite knew what to say or do. Here we are! He was glad that they had arrived at the local café and he could exit the truck and change the subject before his new friend burst into full-fledged tears. He parked in the small parking lot adjacent to the café, got out of the truck and went around to assist Katie.

Thanks! Ouch! I’m sorry, I bumped my elbow and I think it’s started bleeding again. I’ll just go into the ladies room and wash up a bit. I’ll be right back. She entered the café through the door that Jeff was holding open for her and headed down the hall toward the door marked Ladies. A few minutes later she emerged looking cleaner and less teary-eyed. Sorry. I was a bigger mess than I thought I was. She had used paper towels to wash her face, she had reapplied her clear lip gloss and had brushed her hair back into the ponytail that she had been sporting before she had her accident. A lot of her hair had escaped and she had looked very disheveled. Now she looked almost perky!

Jeff grinned his approval and said, It’s quite alright. That bike really did you in, didn’t it? He had waited for her inside the front door, and they followed the waitress to a table, accepting the menus she placed in front of them.

So, what’ll it be? You don’t need to limit it to a beverage. A snack, perhaps? Anything to keep her sitting with him longer. They make excellent pie and cake here, homemade, not store-bought or from frozen.

Thank you! I think I would like a piece of cherry pie and a cola, if it’s okay with you? She really was hungry. Her accident had drummed up an appetite she hadn’t had for quite a while. She studied Jeff as he looked at the menu. He sported neatly trimmed sandy blonde hair, almost red, she decided. His shoulders and arms suggested that he worked out, and he had a nice tan.

He looked up from the menu and signaled to the waitress. Lila, I think we’re ready to order. Make it two colas and two pieces of cherry pie a la mode, please. He folded up his menu and handed it to the waitress, who reached down and retrieved the one that was lying in front of Katie.

So, how long have you been in our fair town?

I just got here on Wednesday. I brought the bus down from the city right after school closed for the semester. How long have you lived here? she asked innocently. She really didn’t know much about small-town living, and the fact that most of the residents had been here most or all of their lives was intriguing to her.

Jeff gave a short laugh, I was actually born here! I’ve never lived anywhere else. Pretty boring, huh?

No, not at all. I think it’s wonderful. My dad was in the military up until he retired a few years ago, and we moved around a lot. Most of the time we lived in metropolitan areas or on military bases, all over the globe. I never really had any roots anywhere.

So, what brings you to Snow’s Lake? Not too many people move into our little town! Most of the younger group can’t wait to leave here, in fact! I’m one of the few who elected to stay after high school and settle down here.

Katie took a deep breath while collecting her thoughts. She wasn’t sure how much of her former life she should reveal at this point. Well, my folks passed away recently. I’m an only child, and although I’m a fully-grown adult, my aunt and uncle still think of me as a child, I guess. They are my only living relatives, except for their daughter, my cousin Lexie and her family, and they insisted I move here and live with them after I told them that I had resigned from my job. I’m still trying to find my way around, and I bought that stupid bike thinking I’d save some money by not having a car. I wasn’t factoring in broken bones and hospital bills, though. She stuck out her bottom lip to show she realized her error in judgment.

Jeff laughed. Well, to tell the truth, you probably don’t need either a car or a bike around this town. We really aren’t all that big, you know. I use my truck because I have to haul stuff from the store and lumberyard to people’s homes and businesses. Most of the time when I’m off duty I just walk to wherever I want to go. I’m thinking it might be a safer way for you to go, too. And, if you do need a ride and can’t get one from your aunt or uncle, give me a call. Here, he scribbled down his cell phone number on a napkin and gave it to her. Please, don’t hesitate to call if there is anything I can help you with.

Katie accepted the napkin, folded it and put it into her purse. Thanks. As you probably heard me tell your mother, my aunt and uncle are Laura and Bob Smythe. Aunt Laura is my mom’s older sister.

Yes, of course everyone knows them! Your aunt works at the library, and your uncle runs the grocery store here. I believe they moved here about fifteen years ago when he was transferred from somewhere upstate. Isn’t that right?

That’s right! I’d forgotten that they moved here because of the transfer. I was still in middle school when they moved, and wasn’t paying too much attention to what was going on in the adults’ lives, I guess. Yes, Aunt Laura is the librarian here, and Uncle Bob does manage the IGA. I’ll have to mention to them that I met you.

She looked at her watch, which had gotten scratched during her fall, and noticed that it was getting late. When she had her accident, she had been on her way