“Good.” April squeezed her upper arms and then dropped her hands, passing by her a beat later to talk to Journey who was still visibly unhappy with the no ceremony thing.
“Could we talk for a second?”
Caroline would know Beck’s voice anywhere. The low timbre of it, the smooth way he spoke with very little accent.
“Sure.” She turned to face him, unsure if they were talking as mutual friends to the happy couple or Kinder employees.
He pointed over his shoulder. “Maybe somewhere a little more private?”
So maybe it was none of the above. “Um, yeah, okay.”
Beck guided her forward, his hand a small press on her lower back. Tingles danced everywhere he touched. Worse than before because it was the first time they’d had physical contact since the day they played arcade games at Pirate’s Cove.
They continued walking through the dining room exit, down the hall and past the lobby where more brunch tables were set up to cater to waiting golfers.
At the entry, Beck pushed open one of the glass doors, then stepped aside to create a path for her. He followed as soon as she passed the threshold and let the door slowly close behind him.
The outside was warm, but not uncomfortably so. Trees surrounded the massive brick building casting most of the walkways in shade.
“There’s a nice picnic area on the second hole if you’re okay with a little walk?”
By force of habit, Caroline took a quick survey of her surroundings. Noting parked cars and areas where different groups gathered. Though no longer critical, she preferred to have witnesses within hearing distance.
“I make you uncomfortable now, don’t I?” Beck’s question came with remorse, and Caroline had to begrudgingly clear her throat before she could answer.
“Not necessarily. I just don’t know where we stand anymore as friends, so I’m a little careful, I guess.”
“Yeah. I can see that. I haven’t exactly made these last few months easy on you.” Beck shoved his hands into his pockets. He was in a blue polo, khaki pants and was put together enough to be a catalogue model, but something in the slump of his shoulders made him seem highly vulnerable.
The tension in her stomach eased. Maybe this was their second chance after all. “A walk sounds nice,” she offered, hoping it would show him her willingness for a fresh beginning.
One corner of his mouth edged up, and Caroline immediately felt tongue-tied. She’d seen many smiles from Beck, but that one was the most genuine and endearing one so far.
He took the first step and she mirrored it, both walking in tandem down the winding flagstone walkway.
“So, I was thinking about your trip to Baton Rouge next week.”
“You were?” She felt an emotional whiplash that took her a second to reconcile. So this little walk was about work after all. The fact that she felt more disappointed than relieved would have to be analyzed later. “Is there a change I need to make?”
“Maybe one. I’d like to go with you, if that’s okay?” She stiffened and he immediately interjected. “Not because you can’t handle it. You’re more than prepared. I just thought we could go as a team.” Beck rubbed his neck and when he looked over at her, the sadness in his eyes caused a lump in her throat. “I’m sorry I got so upset about you and Ty. That wasn’t fair to you when I’m the one with the issues to work out.”
“It’s okay.” She watched her feet as they walked. “That whole situation was unique, so I can understand how you got the wrong idea.” She looked up and searched his warm brown eyes. “I hope you now realize that Ty and I are only friends.”
“Are we only friends?”
She let out an unsteady breath, stopping because he had when he asked the question. To say yes would be a lie. Ty felt like family. Beck was an overwhelming mix of anticipation and longing and fear. “Honestly, I don’t know what we are, but it’s… different.”
A gust of warm wind blew a few strands of her hair across her cheek. Beck reached out and gently tucked them back behind her ear.
“Can we start over?” He asked just as gently, his eyes holding onto hers in a plea. “I won’t push this time.”
The frantic beating in her chest should have been enough to make her run. Instead she smiled up at the man she’d missed far more than she expected to. “I’d like that. Very much.”
Epilogue
Jeremiah watched Beckham Kinder’s hand caress her cheek, tarnishing the soft, perfect skin. He’d scrub away his touch until her face was raw. Unblemished.
His fingers pressed into the supple leather wrapped around the steering wheel and he envisioned doing the same around her neck.
But not yet. There were still possibilities, still a chance they’d be together.
The clothes would need to go too. Scorched until that man’s scent was completely removed from her memory.
His grip on the wheel tightened, the need to jump from the car almost more than he could bear. But he’d bear it because he’d waited too long for retribution. Set too many things in motion to break protocol now. Every mistake had a price, even for him.
The time would come… soon. And when he was finished, no one would ever touch her again.
— The End —
Don’t miss Caroline and Beck’s story in After We Say Goodbye
Coming 2019
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
One of the greatest limits to our faith is our unwillingness to believe that we are treasured possession of God’s. We search for ways to satisfy the void, working tirelessly for things in this world, yet never reaching the mark. I pray this story helped you see that love does not have to be earned. God gave it freely, sacrificially, and all He wants is our surrender.
Now to thank those who constantly lift me up in this writing process:
To my multi-talented agent, Jessica Kirkland, for all the many things you do, often behind the scenes and without praise. You are one of God’s many gifts.
To my editor, Kristin Avila. Your praise and encouragement on this story was so very needed and timely. Thank you for always giving me truth and for caring about my story as much I do.
To my fabulous plotting sisters, Christy Barritt, Amy Matayo, Connilyn Cossette, and Nicole Deese. How privileged am I to have you inspiring me, pushing me, and giving me such great ideas and twists for my stories. Every one of you is a reminder of God’s perfect love.
To my sister, Angel, for being my very first beta reader and never caring that you get the “worst” version. You are my champion and I love you so much.
To my faithful writing critique partners—Dana Red, Lori Wright, Ashley Espinoza and Laurie Westlake. Thank you for listening, for being committed to faith-based writing and for letting me share in your talents and stories. I am so incredibly grateful for all of you.
To my wonderful proof reader and launch coordinator extraordinaire, Rel Mollet. Your talent and creativity are awe-inspiring. Thank you for taking meticulous time with my stories and career. For always giving me your best work and for the friendship we now share.
To my magnificent readers—you have allowed me to share my life with you, and in turn have shared yours with me. I call some of you friends now, and appreciate all the ways you lift me up and push me forward. Thank you for your e-mails, notes of praise, and consistent reviews. You are the reason I write.
And last, but absolutely not least, to my incredibly patient family—you give me lots of material for my books. Your sense of humor, crazy stories, and never-ending affection make writing about unconditional love very easy. You are my greatest joy in life and my heart. Love you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2015 Karen Graham
Tammy L. Gray lives in the Dallas area with her family, and they love all things Texas, even the erratic weather patterns. She writes modern Christian romance with true-to-life characters and culturally-relevant plot lines. Often lauded for her unique writing style within the inspirational genre, Tammy believes hope and healing c
an be found through high quality fiction that inspires and provokes change. Her characters are real, relatable and deep, earning her a 2017 RITA award in the Romance with Religious and Spiritual Elements category.
Tammy has lots of projects going on. For all the latest info, visit her website at:
tammylgray.com
or join her on Facebook at facebook.com/tlgraybooks
and twitter and Instagram @tlgraybooks
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