Run to You
Page 28
“You…you’re moving here?”
“I’m currently bunking on the sofa in my new office, since I arrived only yesterday. But yes, starting tomorrow, I’ll be looking for a flat. Somewhere in the vicinity of Moscow University.”
Near her flat. “You’ve been doing your homework.”
He nodded. And took a step closer to her. Wow, he was a handsome man, with incredible eyes and wide shoulders, and the way he looked at her, it had her forgiving him, over and over.
“Yanna, I love you. And I can’t live another day without you. I’ve loved you for years, but I didn’t want to get in the way of God’s love for you, which I know now was…maybe stupid. But I believed that if I let you down, you’d think God let you down, which I know really sounds arrogant, but most of all, I thought it was more important for you to know that God loved you. And I was willing to wait for it. But what you said at Kwan’s place really hit me. Something about me helping you believe that God loves you. And that’s what I want to do. Show you how much God loves you by loving you the best I can, every day for the rest of my life. It’s not as good or perfect, and I am going to let you down, but I want to try. Really try. Please, forgive me?”
Forgive him for breaking her heart, and then putting it back together? For seeing more for her than she saw for herself? For loving her enough to die for her?
Well, maybe.
She smiled up at him. “I love you, David.” She’d been waiting to say those words, honestly and without fear for most of her life. “I really love you. And yes, I want to figure it out. I have waited my entire life to be with a man like you, and we’ll make it work. Even if I have to go undercover.”
“Oh, please. No.” But he smiled as he cupped her face with his hand. He wove his fingers into her hair, then ran his hand around the back of her neck. “I love your hair,” he said in a voice she could barely hear.
“I love your smile.”
He rubbed his nose against hers. “I promise not to leave you, ever again.”
She lifted her face to his, and he kissed her. And this time, didn’t pull away. In fact, he put his arms around her and held her tight. And kissed her some more.
And she knew, way down deep, where he’d taught her to believe, that David Curtiss would keep his promise.
SUSAN MAY WARREN
Run to You
Global Guardians series
Ebook: ISBN: 978-1-943935-48-2
Print: ISBN: 978-1-943935-49-9
Copyright © 2020 by Susan May Warren
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of SDG Publishing.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents, and places are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. While the author was inspired in part by actual events, none of the characters in the book is based on an actual person. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and unintentional. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
This edition published by SDG Publishing.
Epilogue
“What took you so long?” Gracie stood before the mirror, smoothing out her dress, the one she’d brought all the way from America. She glanced up as Yanna shut the door behind her. As new director of something technical and important with the FSB, Yanna always looked smart and well-groomed. But well, one look at her and Gracie knew something had changed. The woman glowed.
Then again, perhaps she did too. Especially since, right now, Vicktor was putting on a tux, thinking that he and Yanna were going to attend the ballet.
Gracie loved surprises. And so did Mae, who’d helped her concoct this plan. And David, who she found out yesterday when he’d responded to her email, that he would already be in Moscow, with bells on. Roman and Sarai had to be the biggest liars—and Vicktor nearly spotted them as they snuck into the hotel this afternoon. Sarai loved her cloak and dagger story of hiding behind a giant spray of flowers with Roman as Vicktor left for his interview with his boss, the Director of Special Services. Which meant, according to Vicktor, that he’d work international cases, here in Moscow. Just down the hall from Yanna.
He’d had mixed feelings about moving to Moscow…something Gracie hoped would change in the next hour. And, they’d have an entire year to figure out the legalities of her visa, their permanent living status, because according to Gracie’s visa, her work with Children of Hope ministries in the orphanage system could last, well, a conveniently long time.
“You’re beautiful,” Yanna said, fluffing her veil. “I saw Roman outside. He’s looking pretty nervous, as if he might be getting married soon or something.”
Sarai, who looked gorgeous in her black, floor-length gown, turned and zipped up Mae’s midnight blue dress. “Yeah, well, this is practice for the big day. Probably Roman sees his future flashing before his eyes.”
“Oh, Roma has been dying to marry you for nearly as long as I’ve known him,” Mae said. She ran a hand through her red hair. “Almost as long as David’s wanted to marry Yanna.” The way she said it, with a smile and a tilted head, it was more of a question than a statement.
And well, Yanna definitely had something to say because she grinned big.
“She’s turning red,” Sarai said, laughing. “David found you, didn’t he?”
Gracie saw the answer in her eyes. “David found her.”
“Listen, we have only one wedding to focus on today, and it’s starting in about three minutes, so, Gracie, get your groove on,” Mae said.
Gracie smoothed her dress one last time. Outside this room, in a tiny ballroom, her mother and father had flown all the way to Moscow, and Vicktor’s father—thanks to Roman, had made the trip from his rehab center. He walked without a cane now, and although Gracie still couldn’t figure out what he said exactly, everything shone in his eyes.
It gave her a taste, a small taste of what Vicktor might look like when she met him at the end of the aisle.
Yanna’s pastor had agreed to marry them, although Gracie would have liked it in a church, like Vicktor said. But Moscow Bible Church still rented space in an old grocery store, and well, some things she’d have to sacrifice.
She’d been planning this for five months. Applying for her visa, packing her things, moving to Moscow. Falling more and more in love with Vicktor every day.
What sacrifice was she making, exactly?
Yanna stood at the door. “Ready?”
“Go get him.”
The plan was for Yanna to meet Vicktor in the lobby, then steer him to the ballroom-slash-chapel. Where David and Roman and their parents waited.
Mae grabbed Gracie’s hands, rubbed them between her own. “You sure you’re ready?”
“Oh yes. I’m so ready.” She’d been ready that day, that horrible, wonderful day when she’d asked Vicktor to run away with her. And he hadn’t. And she’d known then without a doubt that he would marry her if he had to live in Zimbabwe, or Ecuador, or Haiti, or the middle of Iraq because it wasn’t about where they lived. But how.
As in, together.
A knock came at the door. Yanna, hustling by with Vicktor.
Gracie’s heart filled her throat. She blew out a breath. Surveyed her reflection one last time in the mirror. Her hair she’d kept down, because Vicktor liked it that way, and a simple veil covered half her face. And her dress she’d kept simple too, long sleeves, princess cut. The satin shimmered in the dressing room lights. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
Mae rested her chin on Gracie’s shoulder. “He’ll flip. I promise you, he won’t ever forget this moment.”
; Okay then. “Let’s do this.” Gracie gathered up her dress while Sarai opened the door.
Her father, resplendent in his tux, standing tall and smiling, stood in the hallway. He looked at her and nodded.
Sarai opened the door, and entered, and Gracie, from the crack between the doors, saw her slip her hand into Roman’s.
Mae gave her a wink and entered.
And then her father offered her his arm.
She stepped up to the threshold and for a second, before she caught eyes with Vicktor, she surveyed the room. Roman with Sarai, and David, his hand holding Yanna’s. Mae stood next to a tall man with curly brown hair, beaming at Gracie.
Cousin Chet. Gracie winked at him. He must have flown in with David.
And then she looked at Vicktor.
Who, most definitely, had flipped. She saw it in his eyes as soon as she entered the room. He stood there, next to an altar her crew must have imported from the church. And as he looked up at her, he shook his head, his smile quivering. Because, if she knew Vicktor, she’d really, really surprised him.
A tear ran down his face, dripped off his chin, and apparently he didn’t care if his best friends saw him cry because he just stood there, his hands clasped in front of him, looking every inch like the man she loved—tall, broad shouldered, incredible blue eyes, short black hair. His eyes never left hers as she walked toward him, and then she was crying too, just a little.
Her father gave her a little kiss, and handed her off to Vicktor, who took her hand.
“Surprise,” she said.
He gave a little laugh. “Yeah. Surprise.”
“I told you I wanted to marry you,” she said, giving her bouquet to Mae.
“I would have waited forever.” Vicktor’s eyes sparkled. “I’m glad I don’t have to.”
Oh boy. But Gracie smiled and turned to the preacher. “I do, already.”
And Vicktor said. “Me, too.”
So, standing there in front of all their friends, Gracie married the man she loved. The man who loved her.
The man who knew that she needed him.
Also by Susan May Warren
GLOBAL GUARDIANS
Watch Over Me
Never Say Goodbye
Run to You
* * *
GLOBAL SEARCH AND RESCUE
The Way of the Brave
The Heart of a Hero
The Price of Valor
* * *
THE MONTANA MARSHALLS
Book 1: Knox
Book 2: Tate
Book 3: Ford
Book 4: Wyatt
Book 5: Ruby Jane
* * *
MONTANA FIRE
Book 1: Where There's Smoke (Summer of Fire)
Book 2: Playing with Fire (Summer of Fire)
Book 3: Burnin' For You (Summer of Fire)
Book 4: Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful
(Christmas novella)
Book 5: I'll be There
(Montana Fire/Deep Haven crossover)
Book 6: Light My Fire
(Summer of the Burning Sky)
Book 7: The Heat is On
(Summer of the Burning Sky)
Book 8: Some Like it Hot
(Summer of the Burning Sky)
Book 9: You Don't Have to Be a Star
(Montana Fire spin-off)
* * *
MONTANA RESCUE
Prequel: If Ever I Would Leave You
Book 1: Wild Montana Skies
Book 2: Rescue Me
Book 3: A Matter of Trust
Book 4: Troubled Waters
Book 5: Storm Front
Book 6: Wait for Me
MISSIONS OF MERCY SERIES
TEAM HOPE: (Search and Rescue series)
Book 1: Waiting for Dawn (novella prequel)
Book 2: Flee the Night
Book 3: Escape to Morning
Book 4: Expect the Sunrise
NOBLE LEGACY (Montana Ranch Trilogy)
Book 1: Reclaiming Nick
Book 2: Taming Rafe
Book 3: Finding Stefanie
THE CHRISTIANSEN FAMILY
Prequel: I Really Do Miss your Smile
Book 1: Take a Chance on Me
Book 2: It Had to Be You
Book 3: When I Fall in Love
Evergreen
(Christmas novella)
Book 4: Always on My Mind
Book 5: The Wonder of You
Book 6: You're the One that I Want
THE DEEP HAVEN COLLECTION 1
Happily Ever After
Tying the Knot
The Perfect Match
THE DEEP HAVEN COLLECTION 2
My Foolish Heart
The Shadow of your Smile
You Don't Know Me