Page 85 of Rescuer
Gus waved her away. “Don’t worry about me. Your young man went to sit on the porch swing. You go and join him.”
Mia didn’t protest. She kissed Gus’s cheek, then went into the kitchen. She took down a plate and piled four chocolate and peanut butter chip cookies on it, inhaling the sweet aroma. Nothing said comfort like these cookies. Then she grabbed two frosted mugs from the freezer and poured them each a glass of ice-cold milk.
Jackson saw her coming and opened the door for her. His gaze immediately went to the plate. “Are those…”
Mia grinned. He resembled a kid, the way his smile lit his whole face. “They are.”
He took the plate from her. “Oh boy. These are my favorites.”
“I remember.” She also recalled all the times they’d snuggled close or snuck kisses all around school and under the bleachers. Every kiss had made her heart race. Even now, years later, she could feel the touch of his lips against hers and on her neck. The feel of his hair under her fingers. No one she’d ever dated before or since, including her ex-fiancé, had made her feel like that.
Clearing her throat, she sat carefully on the swing. It sank a little when he joined her there. She didn’t think it was an accident that he sat so close to her. For a minute, they simply savored the cookies. The air was sweet with the smell of flowers. In the distance, frogs croaked in the pond. The sky had deepened; oranges and pinks and purples lined the horizon. It was almost seven fifteen.
“It was an awful day in so many ways, but that sunset makes me want to cry.” She kicked her foot against the patio stones and set the swing in motion.
“God does good work.” Jackson’s said.
“I’m beginning to believe He does,” she murmured. “When you said He’d protected me today, it really struck a chord. I’d gotten so used to thinking negatively, it never occurred to me to view that situation in a positive light.”
His arm edged behind her to lie across the back of the swing. She shivered.
“I never thought we’d be able to do this again.” She took his glass and set both empty mugs on the small table next to her. “Sit on a swing. Watch a sunset. Talk like we used to. I’ve missed it.”
“Mia.” His voice was velvet in her ear.
She turned her head. “Yes?”
“I know these past few days have been a whirlwind. Finding Dylan is my priority. But you are now a priority too.”
“I don’t know how it happened,” she whispered. “A few days ago, I still couldn’t say your name without bitterness. Now, I am so happy just to be with you.”
He turned his head in her direction to respond. They were too close. She could feel his breath on her cheeks. On her lips.
If he leaned in just a couple of inches, they’d kiss. She swallowed. Excitement swirled in her. But it was mixed with vulnerability. And fear.
He drew back and rose, then helped her stand. Her legs wobbled.
“I should go.” His voice sounded rusty. “I want to kiss you, Mia, but God has to be first in my life. I promised Him long ago that I’d never get into a relationship with someone who wasn’t committed to Him.”
Her hand rose to his cheek, feeling the scruff on his face. “I don’t want you to go, but you’re right.”
His eyebrows climbed his forehead. “Really?”
She chuckled. “Yes, really. I’ve watched you, Jackson. I know your faith is important to you. And I know I’m not at the same place you are. I want to be. Not because of you, but because I crave the kind of hope you seem to have.”
“I care for you, Mia. I do. But we jumped too far too fast before. I can’t do that again. I can’t get involved in a relationship that doesn’t honor God. That’s not the man I want to be.”
She stepped farther away. “Goodnight, Jackson. Thanks for coming to my rescue. And if nothing else, I’m glad that we can be friends.”
He said a quiet goodbye and left. She watched his vehicle back out of the driveway. Would they ever be more than friends? The thought scared her, even though part of her wanted it.
She’d been truthful. His faith was attractive. But if she decided to commit her life to Christ, it wouldn’t be because of a man. It would be because she believed with her whole heart.
Eighteen
Jackson left Mia’s house feeling confused. He’d never forget that hour spent on the porch swing. It had been glorious. Yet, he had to go. He knew he needed to rest up to continue the search for his brother.
And he needed to leave before he gave in and kissed her.
