“Well, we did meet at the hospital.”
She laughed. “That we did.”
“So, I guess the thought of spending the rest of your life with a cop doesn’t make you want to run away?”
“No. Not much anyway. The cop culture is as much a part of my life as the medical one.”
He kissed her temple. “That gives me hope.”
“About what?”
“That we could make it. Too many law enforcement marriages end in divorce.”
“I know.”
“But your parents have done it. Izzy and Ryan, Chloe and Blake. They all are willing to take the risks.”
“Yep. Cops marrying cops. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Could get volatile in their households.”
“They’ll be fine. They just have to work out their priorities.”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I don’t understand how cops who take the oath to honor the badge and everything else can simply turn their back on that.”
“I think, sometimes, officers just get so sick of seeing the bad guys win that their focus becomes shifted. They lose sight of the fact that they’re doing good and get overwhelmed. Mindset can be a powerful thing.”
“True.”
“That’s not an excuse for criminal behavior, though.” He paused and looked up at the sky. “I love this.”
“What?”
“Sitting here with you. Being surrounded by the darkness, holding you in my arms with the stars as a nightlight.”
Ruthie’s love for this man took her breath away. While she couldn’t breathe, she might as well take advantage of that. She leaned over and kissed him.
With no hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted one hand to cup the base of her head. Ruthie lost herself in the moment and the man, while a tiny part of her thanked God for the good that had come from such evil.
Isaac lifted his head and pulled her closer. “Will you marry me, Ruthie?”
“When?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Okay.”
His laughter rumbled against her cheek and she grinned. Then sobered. “Wait. Are you going to be okay being married to a trauma surgeon? Someone who has to work all hours of the day and night?”
“You mean like a detective? I think I can handle it.”
“What about kids?” she asked.
“I want them. Do you?”
“Yes. Very much so.” A pause. “Just maybe not as many as my parents had.”
Another chuckle. “Then we’ll work out the details. God’s brought us together. As long as He’s in the midst of us, we’ll be fine.”
“We’ll have to work to keep Him there,” she said softly. “It’s not easy when life and distractions get in the way. I’ve watched my parents, and while they love each other, they’ve had their ups and downs. It takes real commitment to stay together through it all.”
He hugged her close. “I know. No marriage is perfect.” He kissed her temple, then chuckled.
“What?” she asked.
“I’ll probably get on your nerves.”
“Probably. And I’ll most likely cause you to pull out a few hairs.”
He rubbed a hand across his full head. “I think I can spare a few. I’m game if you are.”
“Yeah,” she smiled. “I’m game.”
“Hey!” Derek’s voice reverberated behind them.
Ruthie jerked and turned to shoot him a glare. He stood in the doorway that led back to the den where the rest of her family sat watching football. “What?”
“Are you two lovebirds going to stay out there all night? We’re getting ready for a rousing game of Phase Ten. Now, move it. Please.” That last word was tossed over his shoulder as an afterthought.
Ruthie groaned and dropped her head back against the swing.
Isaac laughed. “What is Phase Ten?”
“The most frustrating game on the planet. I stink at it, or rather my cards always stink. That’s the only reason Derek wants to play. So he can beat me. Because”—she raised her voice—“he can’t beat me on the shooting range.”
“I can beat you. You just cheat.”
“Do not, brat!”
“Do too, bigger brat!”
Ruthie ducked her head while Isaac laughed. Then he kissed her again. “Come on,” he said. “I’ve got to see this.”
“We won’t scare you away?”
“Never.”
“All right, then. You can protect me from them.”
“Who’s going to protect me?”
“Good point.”
Yet, he followed her willingly—almost eagerly—to the family dining table, and they slid into their chairs. Ruthie couldn’t keep the smile from spreading. “Just know that Derek stacks the deck.”
Derek scowled. “Do not.”
“Do so.”
“Here,” Isaac said, “let me deal.”
“Yes,” Ruthie said. “Let Isaac deal.”
“But I always deal first,” Derek said.
She crossed her arms and glared. With an offended huff, he passed the deck to Isaac, who began to deal the cards.
Ruthie sighed with contentment. She loved her life. She picked up the first three cards.
She loved her family. Grabbed the next three.
And she loved Isaac. She snagged the last four while she pictured herself in a white dress walking down the aisle of the church she’d grown up in. Of course, her father would walk arm-in-arm with her, ready to give her away.
With another prayer of thanksgiving, she picked up her hand . . .
. . . and groaned.
About the Authors
Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Threads of Suspicion, Traces of Guilt, Taken, Undetected, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O’MALLEY series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Learn more at www.deehenderson.com or facebook.com/deehendersonbooks.
Praised by New York Times bestselling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than 400,000 copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today). Her ALASKAN COURAGE series and CHESAPEAKE VALOR series have received praise from readers and critics alike and spent multiple months topping the CBA bestseller lists.
From her early years eagerly reading Nancy Drew mysteries, Dani has always enjoyed mystery and suspense. She considers herself blessed to be able to write the kind of stories she loves—full of plot twists and peril, love, and longing for hope and redemption. Her greatest joy as an author is sharing the stories God lays on her heart. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com.
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the WOMEN OF JUSTICE series, the DEADLY REUNIONS series, and the HIDDEN IDENTITY series, as well as Always Watching, Without Warning, Moving Target, and Chasing Secrets in the ELITE GUARDIANS series. She is the winner of two ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. She has a master’s degree in education from Converse College and lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.
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The Cost of Betrayal Page 32