AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s hard not to. Between Sadie’s death and my mom’s and the training drilled into me every day from seven years old until I graduated high school and could join the Army… Most of my army training backed up what my dad believed—sacrifice, selflessness—essential characteristics that my dad took to the extreme.” He shrugged. “Sometimes I’m not sure who the real me is, the bionic boy my dad trained or the Christian protector I want to be.”
Silence reigned for a few beats. Then Myra said, “Ike. Are you really wanting to risk a relationship? Maybe you need to figure out what you believe first.”
Ike felt the sting of her words, but he knew there was a lot of truth there. While he had her in his arms, the doubts and fears couldn’t win. He pushed away his dad’s voice and cradled her closer. “I want to take the risk. You make me feel like the man I want to be. I don’t know the last time I laughed and teased and felt lit up with warmth and tingles.” He smiled slightly. “If you repeat any of this to Aiden when you meet him, I’ll deny it all.”
Aiden would love her and be supportive of Ike, even if he thought he was making a mistake again.
She smiled, but her lip trembled. “Am I going to meet Aiden then?”
“I hope so.” He looked her over. “Are you willing to take the risk on me? I’ve obviously got a lot of emotional junk to work through.”
“I am,” she said. “This is scary for me too, changing my life plan and hoping to include you in it.”
He understood and hoped it would work too.
“But I’m afraid something will happen and you’ll revert back to your closed off shell.”
Instead of trying to claim that wouldn’t happen, he softly kissed her and admitted, “I’m scared too, Myra. That’s why it’s called a risk.”
She cuddled into him and didn’t respond.
Ike didn’t know what to do except hold her and pray.
Chapter
Eighteen
Beau surprised Myra and Ike Sunday morning by suggesting they go to church and out to his favorite restaurant for lunch. They made the arrangements and Myra found herself sandwiched between Beau and Ike on a pew. Beau had his arm around the back of the bench, perpetrating them dating, and Ike held her hand down low where nobody could see it. The other two security guards were in the back of the church.
This protection detail was her favorite because of her and Ike connecting and how fun Beau was, but she was tired of ‘pretending’ to date Beau, and nothing happening with the Star Stabber.
The service had started, and she tried to concentrate on feeling the Savior’s light through the song while still being aware of any danger to Beau.
Beau squeezed her shoulder, and she glanced up at him.
“She’s here,” he whispered in her ear—a really loud whisper that about burst her eardrum.
Sure enough, Bermuda Gray waltzed in. She and muscle head Donavon settled into a row in front of them and half a pew to their right. Great. Bermuda glanced back at them, and her eyes narrowed.
Myra looked up at Beau. He was giving Bermuda a winning smile, which only appeared to annoy her more. She faced forward and leaned into Donavon. The guy grinned and quickly wrapped his arm around her, giving Beau a taunting look.
Oh, boy.
“I can’t believe he dares show his ugly face after Ike thumped him and it went viral,” Beau said, not even trying to whisper.
A few people whipped around, more people snickered, and Donavon’s neck went red. Bermuda’s shoulders were tight and she stayed facing forward.
“Beau,” Myra whispered harshly, giving him a slight shake of her head. “We’re in church.”
Ike squeezed her hand and tilted his head to the door. She focused on him and could easily read his question. Should they get out of here before Donavon or Beau caused another scene?
She nodded and turned to Beau. “Let’s go,” she whispered in his ear.
“I’ll be good,” he whispered back. “Please. You wanted to get me to pray. My mama will be so happy.” He gave her the puppy dog eyes.
Myra almost laughed. He was a conniving little boy sometimes. She leaned closer to Ike. “He’ll be good.”
Ike’s eyebrows lifted in that way she loved. She had to hide a laugh.
