Desperate Rescue by Barbara Phinney Page B

felt safe. Who was he to rob her of that on a suspicion he couldn’t confirm?
    And being here was by her good graces. He’d seen Officer Reading eyeing him from across the aisle. Kaylee would only have to say one word to the man and he’d be asked to leave town.
    Yet, if he told her what he suspected, she’d most likely take off, probably go home. On the surface, it sounded like a good idea, but what about Noah? What would he do?
    And he suspected that Kaylee was closer to leaving than she appeared. She had friends and an aunt in Nova Scotia, people in her hometown that cared for her. He’d heard her talking about them to one of the other parishioners, admitting that it was past time to visit them.
    “Hello again!” A voice blasted out from behind him. Eli turned. A tall, thin man with a shock of white hair and a ready smile grabbed his hand and pumped it. “Good to see you here. Did you find the provincial walking trail? You really can’t miss it.”
    Confused a moment, Eli frowned. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
    “Well, we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Hec Haines.”
    Eli peered at the man, still unsure why he’d asked about the trail. “I’m Eli Nash. I’m staying up—”
    “Yes, up at the motel. You told me.”
    “I did?”
    “Yesterday. So, did you find the trail?”
    Eli felt his frown deepen. “I didn’t ask for directions to the trail yesterday.” Kaylee had told him flat-out that she was planning to sleep in and then do housework all day. He’d taken the opportunity to sleep in himself. The only time he’d been out was for a short drive to the local deli.
    “Of course you didn’t ask for directions. I offered them. You were looking for a shortcut through town.”
    Eli watched Kaylee assist an elderly lady out of the last pew. She was well out of earshot. “When?” he asked.
    “Thursday night, late. My dog’s getting old and she has to go out at the oddest times. It had started to warm up with that storm on its way, so I didn’t mind as much. Hate going out in the winter. But then again, I think I told you that.”
    Eli straightened and walked out of the pew. “I think you have me…”
    Oh. His stomach flipped. He’d been halfway out when he turned back to stare at the man. Someone who looked like him was in town….
    Noah.

NINE
    “I know I’m not mistaking you for someone else, if that’s what you’re going to say. Not too many men your size around here with that blond of hair.” The man peered at his head. “Mind you, did you get it cut? I thought it was a bit longer.”
    Eli swallowed. “How much longer?”
    “Not much. A little bit.” The man frowned. “I was sure it was you I spoke to. I don’t usually forget a face. Terrible with names. What did you say yours was?”
    “Eli Nash.”
    Hec’s face lit up and he nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, of course. That’s what I thought you’d said. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself, but the dog was pretty excited.”
    Eli started. “Did your dog get upset?”
    “Yes! You remember! Sorry about that. Sheba usually likes everyone. I don’t know what got into her. She was quite snappy at you. She must not have liked the smell of your clothes. Very odd, indeed.”
    “I hope she’s better now,” Eli murmured.
    “Oh, she was fine after you left. Crazy old dog. Maybe she’s getting senile. After you mentioned that I would definitely be seeing you again, she just let loose, didn’t she?”
    Eli stared at the man. “I don’t remember. I’m sorry.” His heart pounded hard in his chest and he could feel the blood draining from his face.
    “Oh, nothing to be sorry about. I feel badly that she acted so nasty. But you probably made it worse by laughing at her.”
    Laughing? “Um, that was rude of me. I don’t know what to say.” He didn’t. He had no desire to tell this man someone had impersonated him. The guy probably wouldn’t believe him, anyway.
    “Don’t worry about it. I’m just