Page 107 of Shadow of Deceit
“We have to go now, squirt.” Russ waited for Jessie to let go then led Eddie out the door.
“We’ll both be glad when Eddie is back.” Nikki knelt and took Jessie into her arms.
“Thanks for your help, Nikki,” Ryan said, “Mind taking Jessie out on the porch to wait for her dad?”
“Will do.” She took Jessie’s hand and led her outside.
Ryan remained in place, taking in the cool air that had followed Russ inside. God had come through for all of them. Big time. Saving lives and detaining Pope. But Ryan received a bonus. Freedom from his fear.
The pain of losing Cara would forever be with him. There was no way it could ever be erased from his life without erasing her, and he would never do that. But tonight told him to put aside his fear of losing someone else. Trust God again to control his life—to allow whatever was good for him.
Right now, he was sure that was Mia, and despite this traumatic situation, he had to tell her he was letting his fear go and wanted to pursue a relationship again.
He crossed the room to her. Their eyes met. Held. He opened his mouth to speak, but she launched herself into his arms.
“I prayed for God to send help,” she whispered through fresh tears. “And He sent you. My miracle. I want to trust Him with my life again. Just like I did as a kid, but I’ll need help. Your help.”
Ryan loosened his hold and searched her face. A radiant glow beamed back at him. A glow of contentment he’d never seen before but was certain came from letting go of her life and fully trusting God. That peace knew no bounds.
He didn’t want to scare her, so he smiled, keeping it lighthearted. “You think I’m a miracle, huh?”
“I do. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have even thought to pray.” She touched the side of his cheek.
He willed his mind from her gentle touch. “I have a confession to make. I haven’t been as trusting as I should’ve been.”
An encouraging smile followed, urging him to go on while she softly traced his jaw, driving him mad.
He captured her hand and held it tight to his chest. “You mean a lot to me. I was afraid to admit it and then lose you like I lost Cara. Tonight I came to grips with that.”
She wove her fingers with his and rested her head against his chest.
Why wasn’t she saying anything? Had he jumped the gun and scared her by his admission? Or worse yet, misread the signs that she might be feeling the same way?
He had to find out. “This is right. Like we’ve never been apart. We’re good together.”
“You think so?” She leaned back, a playful grin on her face. “Even when I try to take over and do things my way?”
“Even then.” He tweaked her nose. “But as you learn to trust God more that’ll change.”
“Trying to change me already, are you?” She jabbed him with a playful punch.
“Me?” He chuckled. “Seriously, no. You’re the perfect woman for me. Always have been. Always will be.” He clamped his arms around her. “Thisis perfect.”
A contented sigh slipped from her lips as she snuggled closer. Perfect?
Almost. She hadn’t actually admitted how she felt about him.
So what? Her body language told him everything he needed to know for now. He had plenty of time to convince her they belonged together. She wasn’t going anywhere for the next year. He was a very persuasive man when he set his mind to it, and his mind was set on making her his wife.
29
A week later, Mia stood next to Ryan for the worship service’s closing song. The service was so different from the ones she attended growing up. When her mom was alive, church had held a place of significance in their lives. When she died, Mia’s dad went through the motions of raising them in the church, but she saw the emptiness of his plan and that’s when her rebellion against her faith set in.
The song ended. More hope for the future than she’d experienced since her mom died rained down on her. Incorporating her newfound faith in her everyday life for just a few days had given her this peace. Would give her this peace on a regular basis. As long as she embraced it and didn’t revert back to her natural tendencies to run from and ignore her problems. Or to always insist on being in control of every little thing.
And on top of that, God heard their prayers for Chuck, and he would fully recover.
Ryan turned to her, a timid look on his face. “So how was it?”
