Eric Camden stomped to the door. It was Saturday night and he still hadn't finished his sermon. He opened the door. "Myron. What's going on?" he motioned for him to come in.
Myron stood in the doorway. "First it's obvious that your daughter didn't want to be discovered. She doesn't have a job, she hasn't rented an apartment, nor has she used credit cards. But I finally found something."
"What?"

"A hospital in Greeley, Colorado treated her for injuries she got from a horseback riding accident."
His worst fear...
"She was released in October. It seems a Kevin Kinkirk filed against his liability insurance."
"Kevin Kinkirk?" He couldn't remember the name. It didn't mean anything.
"I'm scheduled to fly out tomorrow. I'll call the moment I know anything sir."
"Thank you for coming."
Myron nodded. "We'll be in touch." He turned to leave. But Eric stopped him.
"Myron, could you keep this between us?"

"Yes sir." He closed the door behind him.
Eric leaned against the door. Kevin Kinkirk. Was it possible Lucy ran away with another man? Unlikely.
What had he done? Why had she left? He began to reconsider. Should he tell Myron to stop his search, and leave her alone? Hospital injuries. He was certainly entitled to answers. And he truly missed her.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lucy sighed as Kevin pulled the door open. This was home. The smells and familiar shadows of the pine wood house. Kevin rubbed his palm over her back. "Feel good to be back?"
She smiled. "Yes."
"Why don't you go fix us some coffee and I'll get the bags."

She went to the kitchen and began making them some coffee. She noticed the pile of mail sitting on the counter. Maybe more of her paintings had sold in Boston. As she began sorting through it, a business card fell to the floor. She turned it over and her heart sunk. Myron Robertson, Private Investigator.
"What's the matter?" Kevin asked walking over.
She showed him the card and almost started to cry.
"You know him?"

"Yes. My dad uses him as a private investigator. They know where I am."
"No problem. We're calling your father in the morning anyway."

"What!" Lucy was shocked. She felt betrayed. Why?
"Lucy, I'm going to ask his permission-."
"You won't get it, so don't bother."
"Well I want him to at least know."
She sank to the chair. Why was Kevin always so honorable? She should have expected this. She was back in his house and he made all the decisions. "What does it matter?"
He poured her a cup of coffee. "It matters."
"No-."

"Lucy, you can't keep blaming him for what Jeremy did. He didn't know. How could he?"
How could he? He ruled her life. He chose him. He approved Jeremy. She shuddered. Kevin took her hands. His touch made her feel safe. He brought her comfort. She leaned close and kissed him.
He hadn't expected it. His surprise led her to a sense of power. This was an important step. She didn't have to wait to be kissed. She kissed him again.
He took her and shifted her away from him. "You're sure aren't making this any easier. But we're still calling your father."
They were back to that subject. He wasn't as easily distracted as she had hoped.
"After all, someone has to walk you down the aisle."

"I can do that myself. I'm a big girl." She smiled.
"And I'm old-fashioned."
"Then let Hank." She moved to kiss him again, but he fought her lure.
"No. Your father will get his chance."
She sighed. "You have no idea what you're doing."
"Oh yes, I do."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Jeremy stood in the foyer of Mrs. Hinkle's house again. He had been over there every day this week. She always claimed to have an important spiritual question to ask him, but when he got there she suddenly forgot. He figured she was just lonely and wanted some company.
He stopped in front of an eight-foot oil abstract. It was ugly even to his eye. "I just have to ask, Mrs. Hinkle, why do you like this painting so much?"

"I see it's zeal, energy, and obsession."

"Really. I don't know about all that. I just see an artist that's lacking in talent and skills."

Mrs. Hinkle chuckled. "Well how else would you paint passion? I have something that you might like in the hall. Come on and I'll show you."
She led him into the hall and stopped at a painting of mountains. The detail in the painting was amazing. Jeremy could almost feel like he was there. "Now this is art. Where did you get this one?"
"It was a present, but I could find out for you."
Jeremy bent closer to the frame.
"Jeremy what's wrong?"

His eyes fell to the bottom corner. Lucy Camden. At last.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lucy lay in bed that night and was awoken by Kevin and Marta's voices. She went to the door and cracked it. Yep, they were talking in the hall.
Marta shrugged. "He seemed like a nice gentleman. He just said her father was worried and he wanted to know where she was."
"What did you say?" Kevin's voice was low.
"I simply told him you two were in Iowa and I had no idea when you would be back."
"All right, it's no big deal. We're taking care of it in the morning."
Maybe she could talk him out of this. If she could just explain. But she didn't have the chance. Kevin had the phone sitting on the kitchen table the next morning and he held it up as soon as she walked in.
"What? No good morning?"

He walked over and kissed her. "Good morning. Now let's get this done."
She sighed loudly and dialed. She wanted to just get this done. "Dad?"

"Lucy! Where in the world are you?"
She didn't answer.
"What are you doing? Why didn't you call?"

She still sat in silence.
"Lucy, talk to me!" He was getting angry, she could tell.
"What do you want me to say?"
"Tell me you're okay."
"I'm fine dad. And I have someone I want you to meet. I want you to come here."
He forced a calm tone. "Where are you?"
This time she had to answer. "I'll tell you, but please don't tell Jeremy."
He didn't ask why. "Fine. I have a pen."
She made all the arrangements and hung up. As soon as she got off the phone, there was a knock at the door.
Kevin answered it. Lucy looked out from behind him. "Hello Myron."
She pointed to the phone. "I just called my dad, he'll be here this afternoon."
"Always one step ahead Lucy." He smiled.
"Myron, this is my fiancé Kevin. Would you like to come in?"

"No thank you. I need to be getting back home."

"All right. I'm sorry you came all the way out here."

"Don't worry. I'm just happy you called your father." He turned and left.
Kevin smiled. "That's it? That was easy."
"Sure." Lucy sighed as she crossed the room to the couch. They sat in silence. Kevin had never seen her like this. She had been cool, almost smug with Myron. She obviously knew him.
"I'm sure he's called my dad by now. Nice place. No, it's nothing like the rectory. Yes, the man seemed nice, and she called him her fiancé."
Kevin sat beside her. Why was she doing this? She was acting cold. But just last night she had almost been seductive.
"I'm looking forward to meeting your dad."
"For some reason, I don't think he feels the same way."
He raised her hand and kissed her fingers. "We'll deal with him when he gets here, but now why don't you make some breakfast."
"Your kidding me!" She had such a superior look he wanted to shake her.
Instead he lifted her over his shoulder, growling, "Have woman, want food."
"Stop it!" She wiggled free. "I don't see why your so happy, this could be the worse day of your life."
He laughed, but his patience was wearing thin. "It'll be great. I promise."
"You can't promise me that. No one stands in my dad's way."
"Lucy, God brought you to me. Do you think he can stand in His way?"

She shrugged. "It'll be an even match."

A/N: Next time, Eric meets Kevin for the first time. Please review!