A Bolder Version of Me (The Destiny Clark Saga Book 3)
Page 10
“Well, I… felt something,” he said with wonder.
I wanted to let loose a girly squeal, but I kept still. I had to let him finish.
Isaac stared into the concourses of stars above us in the chilly night sky as he spoke. “Do you remember the day we went to Aspen’s house, and her grandpa talked to us about his Mormon friend?”
“Yes, I’ll never forget it. I was expecting him to say something nasty about Mormons, and then he was super nice about it.”
“I got to know him pretty well this past summer. He’s probably the most genuine Christian I’ve ever met. I can’t believe Aspen’s related to him.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t believe it either.
“Anyway, I thought back to what Pastor Gordon said about his Mormon friend, and I finally understood what he was talking about. Dad’s the one who’s been misled.”
“Isaac…” I was so overcome with emotion, I couldn’t form words.
“Destiny,” he said with conviction. “I know you’re a true Christian. I didn’t always know, but I do now.” It was beyond amazing to hear him say those words. “For a long time, I thought you were going to Hell.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “I can’t tell you how many sleepless nights I’ve had worrying about it.”
I couldn’t imagine how he must have felt. I’d never felt that way about him. I believed, as a Baptist, he wouldn’t go to Hell. He could still be with Jesus, but he wouldn’t be able to be sealed to his family or live with God the Father.
“It was awful,” he said. “The wall of hatred I built inside myself was awful, too. I hated Mormons for years.”
“Why? I don’t understand. Was it because of your dad?”
“Michael was my best friend when you converted. When they took him from me—”
“Nobody took Michael. He came all on his own.”
“I get it now, but that’s how I felt. Don’t forget, I was only ten.”
“I can see how a ten-year-old would feel that way.”
“Especially when my dad kept me from him like that,” Isaac said in a bitter voice.
“Your dad was the one who kept you from Michael? Michael thinks you hate him. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know. He’s coming around, though.”
“He might have been at the paintball game. I’m not so sure now. He’s a little worried about us being together.”
“I guess I can’t blame him too much for that,” Isaac admitted.
“If you were so upset over Michael joining the church, you must’ve really been upset when Hannah started learning more about it.”
Isaac shifted away from me and sat up. “I was terrified.”
“I could tell. You seemed freaked out when she took the Book of Mormon.”
“Yeah….” He plucked a blade of grass and split it down the middle.
“And then I came into your life, but the Mormons had me, too.”
“I was angry at the Mormons for a long time,” he admitted. “But today I realized I’m okay with it. I think it’s why you came into my life. You’re changing me.”
“I can see that. Now we know why your dad’s freaking out so much.”
Isaac laughed a little. “Maybe there’s something to this Mormon enticement he was talking about.” He rolled back to face me. Even though we’d been dating for a few weeks, I still marveled at how stunning he was, even in the wan moonlight. He brought his lips to mine and kissed me tenderly. He pulled away just far enough to say, “If this is what it feels like, then I say sign me up. I’m ready for more.”
I wriggled under the weight of his torso. “Uh… Isaac, maybe you’d better take me home now.”
He leaned back off of me. “Dang, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Yeah, right,” I chuckled. “You lie.”
“Okay.” He laughed. “Maybe.” He ran a hand through his hair. “But I would never act on it. I’m a wait-until-I’m-married type of person.”
“Good,” I said, snuggling back into the spot on his shoulder and inhaling the scent of sandalwood. “So am I.”
“But your rocking body aside, I really am feeling enticed.”
“By me or by Mormons?”
“Mostly just you, but I’d be open to learning more. I can’t understand you until I know what you believe.”
“Really?” I kissed him until my heart burst with joy. I rolled onto my back and gazed up into the magnificence of the night sky just in time to see a shooting star zoom across the sky.
“Wow! Did you see that?” Isaac asked in wonderment.
“Yeah.” I settled deeper into his embrace. “I did.” I breathed a contented sigh. I wasn’t sure what the future held for us, but as I lay there with Isaac beside me, I knew together we’d be able to face anything the world threw at us.
Want to find out what happens next? Grab the next book in The Destiny Clark Saga, A Smarter Version of Me. It’s available for purchase on Amazon and free to read on KindleUnlimited.
Dear Reader,
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About the Author
Cindy Ray Hale loves writing Young Adult Contemporary Romance and Clean Romance.
She was born and raised in the hills of Tennessee and has moved all over the United States. She’s finally settled down with her family in Utah, but she loves to return to her roots by setting her books in the South.
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Read All of Cindy Ray Hale’s Books
How to Begin Again: A Hannah Miller Short Story (FREE!)
The Destiny Trilogy
1. Destiny
2. Synchrony
2.5 Complexity
3. Harmony
The Destiny Clark Saga (expanded rewrite of The Destiny Trilogy)
1. A Braver Version of Me
2. A Better Version of Me
3. A Bolder Version of Me
4. A Smarter Version of Me
5. A Stronger Version of Me
6. A Steadier Version of Me
7. A Healthier Version of Me
8. A Happier Version of Me
9. A Higher Version of Me
Celebrity Sweet Romance Series
Dating the Actor