The Lies We Believe: A Christian Suspense Novel Read online

  I needed God's help and His forgiveness for what I did to Jim. Slugging him like that wasn't right. I knew that. I needed God's help to not only contain the anger, but to take it from me. I didn’t realize my anger for Jim was still there until I laid eyes on him. It had been so many years since the affair happened. Lowering my head, I prayed. Forgive me, Lord. Help me to not have those feelings that I've held onto for so long. I never truly gave it over to you, and I am doing that now. Help me to forgive Jim, and help me to forgive myself as I am forgiven. It's through Your Son's blood I am washed white as snow, but help me to have a pure and clean heart. You command me to be holy, for You are holy. Help me better live that truth. I pray all these things in Your heavenly and precious name. Amen.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  OUT ON THE BALCONY OF the Clinkerdagger a little later, an exquisite view of the Spokane River kept my eyes entertained a few minutes past the said one o'clock Emily and I had agreed on. Checking my watch again, I saw it was now ten after the top of the hour. Taking a drink of my water, I saw the edge of a shadow move past me and I turned.

  Another few minutes went by, and then I heard her voice come up behind me.

  "Dad." Emily leaned down, kissing my cheek, and then took a seat across from me.

  "Hey, Kiddo."

  She smiled and undid her napkin, placing it in her lap. A waiter came over and flipped her glass, filling it with water. Emily looked over his arm at me. "Sorry about being late. I was stuck talking to my boss for what felt like forever. I love my job, but sometimes, those lawyers just don't when to stop yipping those jaws! I guess that’s why they charge by the hour."

  Letting out a chuckle, I said, "What about?"

  "I can't tell ya, or you know, I'd have to kill you." She laughed, winked, and then shook her head. "Honestly, though, I can't talk about that case. It's high-profile."

  "Ahh, I see." I took a drink of water and then motioned over the waiter. "Could you get me a few slices of lemon?"

  Emily eyed my water. "You're acting strange, Dad. What's going on? Dropping by my work, taking me out to a fancy restaurant . . . something is up."

  I shook my head and shrugged, playing dumb. The real reason I was acting odd was because of her choice to join a cult. I didn’t want her to pursue it, and I was hoping there was some way to stop her. Thinking of Teresa, I used her for an excuse so I wouldn’t upset Emily more by talking down Lighthouse so early into our lunch. "I did meet a woman."

  "You met someone?" Her mouth dropped open, almost hitting the table.

  "Yeah." My face reddened. I hadn't been with anyone since her mother.

  "You didn't mention this earlier. What's her name?" She leaned in, excitement evident on her face, inquiring more about the mention of a mystery woman.

  "I didn't think it was really important. It's Teresa. We had dinner, and she's coming to church with me on Sunday. You know what? You should come too, Ems. Give you a chance to meet her."

  "Church?" A reflexive memory must've taken her away for a moment as she looked away toward the Spokane River and leaned back in her chair. A moment passed and then she looked at me. "I don't know about that, Dad. I have my own church now. On Sunday, instead of service, we're going to work out of the community soup kitchen. I'll be meeting the leader that day. His name is Henry."

  "The leader?"

  "Yeah. He's the promised one. His name is Garrett, but he changed it to Henry after he spoke with God and received the truth. From what I've heard, he's an amazing person. A true heart for loving people."

  Raising an eyebrow, I nodded and took a roll from the basket on the table between us. Chomping out a big bite of the roll, I knew it'd keep me muzzled from saying something I might soon regret. My spirit yearned to speak out against the community, against this false religion, but I knew if I pushed too hard against it right now, it'd only cause my daughter to stop talking to me. I didn't want that. These new age religious groups weren't Christian or real churches. They were cults attaching themselves to Biblical truths and principals. It wouldn't take long for the truth of this Lighthouse church to come out, and then I prayed my Emily would be wise enough to run.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  WHEN I ARRIVED HOME THAT evening, I found my voicemail inbox bursting at the seams with messages from a very frantic Maria. The first few were threatening lawsuits, then a few of her just crying over the pain she had caused by cheating on me with Jim, then the last one was just a hang up. Guilt overtook me as the last one clicked off the voicemail. I rubbed the stubble on my chin and shook my head.

  I knew I needed to make things right between me and her or I could end up with a lawsuit, or worse, she could try to kill me again.

  Grabbing my keys, I left my house and headed down to Emerson Street in Spokane. I prayed on the way, and God helped settle my nerves and relax my fears. I didn't want a lawsuit with Maria. I didn't want another courtroom appearance with her or anyone.

  Parking, I was glad to see her Lexus parked in the driveway alongside her house. That meant she was home and I could sort this whole thing out. Giving the door a few knocks, I took a step back and shoved my trembling hands into my pockets.

  Jim answered, an eye patch covering one of his eyes. My chest tightened at the sight of it. He hurried to shut the door, but I grabbed it with a hand to stop him.

  "No!" I said. "Wait. I don't want to hurt you again, Jim."

  He stopped but left the door closed a fraction still, his good eye peeking out. "What do you want, Ron?”"

  "Oh, man. I'm so sorry about hitting you. I had no intentions of that happening. I have never hit anyone out of anger in my life. I’m here because I wanted to come over and apologize to you personally."

  Jim didn't say anything, just nodded slightly.

  My eyes tried to pry the door open as they looked past him and into the foyer. "Maria around?"

  "She's upstairs in the bath, trying to soak away the annoyance."

  "Oh. She might be a while."

  He didn’t laugh but you could see the corner of his mouth trying to hide that he wanted to. "What'd you need from her?"

  "She left a lot of . . . angry voicemails on my machine."

  He held a hand up. "Don't worry about it, Ron. I already got her to agree not to sue you. I have no interest in that." He sighed and shrugged, letting the door open more. "Honestly, I deserved to be punched for what I did to you. I broke up your family. I know this seems kind of weird, but it felt good that you finally did something about it. Like I needed it after the guilt of it all these years. Sure, Maria and I are happy, but it wasn’t right the way it all happened."

  "That is a weird thing to say." I chuckled, relaxing and pulling my hands out from my pockets as they had finally settled down. My eyes went behind him again and then found his eyes again. "If everything is okay with you two, I'll leave it alone. Again, I'm sorry."

  "No problem, Ron. Thanks for coming over." My once enemy stuck his hand out to shake mine. As I peered at his battered face and then to his hand, I was moved with gladness and thankfulness, for I knew God was here with me. This man's reaction was nothing short of a miracle. I shook his hand and then headed home.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  THE DRIVE OUT TO LONG Lake was not only scenic but breathtakingly beautiful as the road hugged the Spokane River like a snug pair of socks. The sky was blue, not a cloud in sight that day, and gorgeous pine trees dotted both sides of the river and up and down the road leading out to Suncrest. Leaving my window down on the drive, I let the fresh country air and the smell of summer fill my truck.

  When I came within only a half mile of the property I was meeting Teresa at, I came over a ridge and then descended toward the lake. There in my view was Long Lake. The top of the water shimmered like pieces of a broken mirror were scattered across the surface. The water’s color was a deep blue, and seeing it almost sent a chill up my spine thinking about dipping a toe in.

  She was right about this view, I thought to myself. Arriving at
the driveway of the house, I pulled in and parked next to a BMW but couldn’t help noticing the ’72 Cutlass parked on the other side of the beamer. Parking, I got out and hurried my steps over to the baby blue Cutlass.

  “You like her?” A man’s voice carried from behind me.

  Turning, I smiled and flashed the guy a nod and smile, extending a hand. “She’s gorgeous.”

  We shook hands and his eyes gravitated toward my truck. “That must be yours over there. You collect?”

  “Sure is, and yes.” My eyes kept drinking in his car. It was marvelous in every way, and before I could ask, he started to answer the questions I had as I looked in the driver side window.

  “All original interior and original miles. Just picked it up the other day down in Newport. Just shy of 9,000 miles on it.”

  “Newport, Oregon?” I asked, turning to him.

  “Yes.”

  “You made it.” Teresa’s voice tickled my ears and interrupted our conversation. I had almost forgotten I had come to look at a house, not a car.

  Smiling as she approached the two of us, I couldn’t help but notice the stunning black and white dress she had on. It fit perfectly and made her look like some sort of celebrity. “You look great.”

  She smiled and stopped, eyes gravitating to the cutlass beside me. “I have the sneaking suspicion you said nicer things about that car over there, Ron.” Her expression was playful. I could tell she was only joking.

  We all laughed.

  “Let’s go inside, and I’ll show you around the house.”

  Following behind her, I went into the house with the guy and we took the tour. I wasn’t going to buy the place, but I wanted to be supportive in any way I could to her. She said on the phone earlier when she called to give me the address that if I showed up and acted interested in the house, it’d encourage others who were there. Standing around and supporting her was easy. Keeping my eyes off that outfit was not.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  PEOPLE FUNNELED IN AND OUT of the open house, making for an extremely busy afternoon for Teresa. She gave tours, answered questions, and made sure to laugh at all the dumb jokes. Watching her work was something like watching an artist paint. She was good and she made it look easy. I found myself for most of the afternoon right in the living room near the large sliding glass door that led out onto the balcony that overlooked the lake.

  Popping a piece of cubed cheese into my mouth at almost five o’clock, I stared out at the water and a passing boat as it floated by about four hundred yards out.

  “I think that’s everybody,” Teresa said, joining me as I stared out to the water.

  Turning to her, I smiled. “Yeah? Some bites on the place?”

  “I’m sure I’ll have a few offers come in. That younger couple really seemed eager to find a place. Then Corey, that guy with the nice car, seemed semi-interested. I think overall, it went really well.”

  “Good. Makes me glad to hear it.”

  She touched my arm and smiled. “Thanks for coming out and helping.”

  “I’m glad I could help.” Recalling her conversation with the younger couple I overheard, I asked, “I heard you mention a hiking trail nearby.”

  “You want to see it?”

  “No, no. I was just making sure that was what you said.” I broke into a grin, and she shoved my shoulder, laughing along with me.

  “Let me go change into my shorts and shoes from my trunk and we’ll go.”

  She changed and then we walked down the driveway. We continued down the road another two hundred feet and came to the entrance of the Long Lake Community Park. Going past the boat docks and swimming area, she took me onto the trail.

  “How’d you learn about this place?” I asked, stepping over a downed log on the path.

  “I used to come here when I was girl. My older cousin, Melanie, would take me and my sister, Gail, down here to the park when we stayed at Melanie’s dad’s house.”

  We continued along the trail. Trees hung above our heads and shaded our way. The path weaved up and down along the side of a hill. Birds chirped, and wildlife felt only inches away. It was about a fifteen-minute hike, then we came to an opening that led to the water.

  My eyes saw a rope swing dangling out above the water as it hung off a leaning tree, and I remembered my youth. I’d go out with my dad to Bear Lake and we’d use the rope swing every summer.

  Teresa continued over to the tree and rope swing and then looked over her shoulder at me and raised her eyebrow. “You coming?”

  “To swing off a rope swing?” I laughed and shook my head.

  “Suit yourself, old man.” She went over to the tree and climbed up the side of it and grabbed the rope, pulling it to her. Shimmying off the tree, she backed up and paused. Seeing her hesitate, I thought, she’s not going to do it. She’s just as old as I am. Then, as soon as I thought it, she ran forward and jumped, pulling herself higher up the rope.

  Over the shimmering waters of the lake, she let go and let out a youthful scream.

  Splash!

  Vanishing beneath the surface, she sprang up moments later, splashing and swimming in place. “Come on, Ron! Do it.”

  My eyes gravitated to the rope again. It was still swinging slightly through the air. This time, it wasn’t just a rope swing. It was a youthful symbol of my past, and I wanted it.

  “Okay.” Taking my keys and wallet out of my pockets, I kicked off my shoes and peeled off my socks, then hurried down to the rope. Grabbing it, I backed up.

  My eyes on Teresa, I laughed as I grinned and looked up the rope into the tree. What am I doing? I thought to myself with a laugh.

  Running, I jumped and launched off the solid ground. Flying out above the water, I glanced down and then let go of the rope.

  “Whoa!” I shouted, then I dropped into the water, splashing into the depths below. The cold water rushed all around me and washed over me, making me feel like a kid again. Springing up through the surface, I let out a deep breath and looked over at Teresa.

  We laughed and I swam over to her. I felt amazing, young, and energized. Coming closer to her, she moved backward closer to shore, causing me to laugh. Her eyes stayed on me, and she backed up more. Soon, my feet were touching the rocks. My eyes stayed on Teresa’s, and she stopped moving away from me. I came in closer and pulled her into my arms. I kissed her deeply, and warmth radiated through me. I felt alive.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  SUNDAY WAS TWO DAYS LATER . I was beyond excited to see Teresa again. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since that kiss at Long Lake. The whole experience with her down in the water made me feel twenty years younger, and I loved it.

  The more I thought of Teresa, the more I could keep my mind off Emily. I didn’t like her activities with Lighthouse, but at least I had a lovely distraction.

  Spotting Teresa in the church parking lot that morning, I started to walk toward her when I saw a woman approach and stop her. They began to speak with one another. Scratching my head, I wondered who that could be as I continued toward them. The woman she was speaking with had a blonde ponytail, a pair of sunglasses, and a notepad. The woman was jotting something down as I finally arrived at the two of them.

  Turning, the stranger shoved the notepad into her jacket pocket and left, going straight for a car.

  "Who was that?"

  Shooing a hand, Teresa glanced toward the black Acura the blonde was getting into. "Just a pesky reporter doing a story on my dad."

  "Your dad?"

  She nodded, then we began walking toward the church. "He owns the Honey Do Well factory in the Spokane Valley. They've been the leader in honey production for the last fifty years in Eastern Washington. That little reporter right there has been caught more than once sniffing around the factory, wanting to know our secrets. She must have followed me here. I'm so sorry."

  Shaking my head, I stepped closer and placed a hand on the small of her back. "No worries. I’m sorry that’s going on."
/>
  We arrived at the front door of the church, and I shook hands with Fred, the main greeter and a close friend. "What's good, Fred?"

  "The Lord and gas prices. Too bad the latter will probably change as I saw the price of a barrel on its way up at the end of day Friday." He paused and glanced at Teresa once, then twice. "Who's this young pretty gal?" He asked as he reached a hand out to shake hers.

  "Teresa," she replied with a warm smile.

  "She's with me, Fred."

  He laughed and glanced back to me with a wink as he continued. "She must not know you."

  We all laughed, and Teresa and I continued inside. Leaning into Teresa's ear, I said, "He's a jokester."

  "I could tell." She flashed an understanding smile my way as we kept walking.

  We made our way into the sanctuary and sat where I always sit, third row back, right side. Getting comfortable, we both glanced at the bulletins we picked up on the way in. Seeing the men's study I was involved in last summer kicking up again in just a few weeks, I made a mental note to attend. The Kennedy twins, a couple of older ladies, came over and said hello to the both Teresa and me.

  "You new in town?" Heidi, the self-proclaimed older sister, even though it was only a minute and forty-two seconds, asked, eyebrows raised.

  "Nope."

  It was a very short answer, but Heidi wasn't one to let shortness stop her from a pursuit. "You know, we have a ladies’ lunch every Saturday afternoon at The Onion. You should join us sometime. Just fellowship with church ladies. We have blast and would love to have you."

  Teresa nodded. "That sounds nice. I'll think about it."

  Drums began playing, along with a couple of guitars up front, and the sisters left us. Leaning over, I came close to Teresa's ear. I was close enough to smell her hair, and I did so without letting her in on the fact that I was doing it. It smelled of wild fruits and I grinned. Then, I remembered what I was doing and knew it could be weird if I didn’t hurry and say something. "Those ladies can be a bit overwhelming if you don't know them. They're rather nice once you do though."