Guardian of Justice
Page 17
Jimmie’s leathery face brightened and tears welled in his eyes. “I’d like that, before I have to go back. I wanna tell her I’m sorry. And you, too. Real sorry.”
“Time’s up,” the warden bellowed.
Jimmie stood, shuffling his feet. “You take good care of Kira, Dallas. I’m real sorry for hurting her.”
“I’ll tell her that, Jimmie,” Dallas replied, struggling with his conflicting emotions. He’d never had much of a connection with a prisoner before. Not on the personal side, anyway.
Dallas and Garrett waited while the guard and Jimmie filed out of the room. “I see why Kira’s so determined to help the kids now. You think she knew he was in prison?” Dallas asked.
“I didn’t even know she was searching for him,” Garrett said as he stood to leave. “I’ll probably see you tomorrow.”
Dallas stopped at the hospital to tell Kira what had happened. She’d fallen back to sleep, and her parents had gone home since Sorento was out of the picture now.
She had a peacefulness about her as she slept. Dallas was relieved for that.
“The doctor gave her a strong pain medication, Mr. Brooks, so she could sleep through the night. If you’d like to go home and get some rest, I’ll call you when she’s awake,” a nurse told him.
“I’d really rather stay with her, if that’s okay.” He wasn’t leaving until he’d told her about her brother and found out how soon she’d be released.
“I’ll roll in a recliner for you, then,” the nurse said with a smile.
Kira woke with pain shooting down her arm and aches from head to toe. She vaguely recalled what had happened and why she was here. She remembered Kent’s visit, telling her that Sorento had arranged for her brother, Jimmie, to break out of prison.
She felt tears start again. My own brother was sent to kill me,she thought. What a sick, sick man you were, Sorento.She blew her nose, then startled to see Dallas jump to his feet.
“What’s wrong?” he said as he searched the room. “Kira, honey, are you okay?” He grabbed another box of tissues from the sink, pulled one from the box and gently wiped the tears from her face.
“Sorento,” she sobbed, “got my brother out of prison…”
“I know. And he’s never going to hurt you again. I talked to Jimmie last night. He said he’s sorry for scaring us. He didn’t know it was you, but he never planned to hurt anyone, especially not you.” Dallas took hold of her hand. “He’d like to see you, if you’re willing and we can work it out.”
She was silent for a long time, wrestling with her tears. “This isn’t exactly how I imagined seeing my brother again.”
Dallas nodded, not rushing into platitudes just to make her feel better. She appreciated that. “It won’t be easy for either of you. This time it will be a short visit, which may be best. You’ve grown up in different worlds, and it will take time to get to know each other.”
She nodded, tears flowing. “He must have had a terrible upbringing with his uncle. He got into a lot of trouble.”
“Yeah, but he’ll have another chance. He’s up for parole in a couple of years. A lot of people turn their lives around in prison, come out with a stronger grasp on life and a purpose. God didn’t allow you two to find each other like this by coincidence. Maybe if Jimmie knows we’re all going to be here for him, maybe he can realize his past is just that. I’ve overcome PTSD and you’ve overcome a difficult start in life. We’ll get you through this, too. Together. And then Jimmie will be able to see that everyone has their hurdles in life. We just jump them one at a time. Let go of the past, and reach for what’s in front of us. Let God handle the rest.”
She raised a hand to his shirt and pulled him close. “I don’t think I’ve said I love you today.”
His eyes darted to the clock on the wall. “It’s four in the morning, so no, I don’t think you have,” he whispered as he brushed a kiss across her forehead.
“I love you, Dallas, and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “I—” he said as he kissed her chin “—love—” he kissed her earlobe “—you—” he paused and looked dreamily into her eyes “—too.” Finally, his lips met hers. It was a kiss for her tired soul to melt into.
Chapter Twenty-Two
TWENTY-TWO
Three weeks later, Kira turned to watch Cody bringing Betsy up front for the children’s sermon during church. As she did so, an incredibly handsome police officer sitting in the back pew caught her eye. Dallas looked surprisingly awake for someone just coming off a ten-hour shift. School was out and he was back on his street patrol for the summer. She’d begged him to get off early today, but he’d said no one was able to cover for him.
But he was here. He hurried up the aisle while the kids were filing up front, and slipped into the pew next to Kira. He smiled, and Kira felt herself relax just having him next to her.
So much had changed since the night they’d met. Betsy and Cody were happily settled in with the Woods family.
She’d seen her brother Jimmie, and though he was back in prison, they were getting to know each other again through letters.
She held on to a ray of hope not only for his future, but for hers, as well.
She slid her hand over to Dallas’s and held it tight as the minister talked about God sending others to help when we need it most. He talked about helping others and learning to let others help us sometimes, too. A few minutes later his sermon got into a deeper discussion about finding unexpected blessings in our darkest hours. She felt at peace knowing that God had sent her Dallas.
Dallas focused on the minister, while his hand played with the diamond engagement ring he’d placed on Kira’s finger just a few days earlier. She smiled, feeling the light of God’s love pouring over them both.
Thank You for your bountiful blessings, Lord. For protecting us. For bringing Dallas into my life, opening my eyes to help me find the love of my life. And thank You for guiding us both as we go about our jobs. Teach us to follow your example in love, in forgiveness and in administering justice. Forgive me for thinking I can fix everything, and help me learn to turn to You first.
When the service was over, they stepped into the line of exiting parishioners next to her. “You didn’t think I would make it this morning, did you?” Dallas asked.
“To be totally honest, no, I didn’t. Did you hear them announce our engagement?” She longed to snuggle up to him, but rules were rules, after all, and he was still in uniform.
“I got here right before he announced it. I was relieved that no one objected. How many more chances does the pastor give the congregation? I thought that was just at the wedding.”
They were interrupted by the pastor’s greeting. “Hello, I don’t think we’ve formally met.”
“Dallas Brooks, Kira’s fiancé.”
“It’s nice to have you with us. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better,” Pastor Stephenson added. “Morning, Kira. Are you both ready for our meeting this afternoon?”
The line was long this morning, and Kira didn’t like to take too much time to chat. They’d have time later.
“One o’clock still work?” Dallas asked.
“That should be good,” the pastor confirmed as he took hold of Kira’s left hand, pausing to admire her engagement ring as he did. “The ring is almost as beautiful as the bride-to-be, isn’t it, Dallas?”
“Not even close,” Dallas said, his hand on Kira’s waist.
“Wise man,” the pastor said with a chuckle. “How is your shoulder doing, Kira?”
“Every day it’s a little better,” Kira said as she and Dallas walked out into the warm summer morning.
“So, you really think we can pass the pastor’s muster?” Dallas asked.
“Of course,” she said. “If you can pass my brothers’ test, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“How about if you give me a minute to change out of my uniform, and we’ll go out for brunch?�
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Kira smiled. “At a real restaurant, or…”
“I know, I know. Fast food doesn’t qualify as a date. I meant to court you properly, Miss Matthews.”
“Think you can really take four more months of this?” she teased.
“Piece of cake. I’ve got my eye on the prize,” Dallas said with a smile. “Besides, who says the courtship has to end when we say ‘I do’?”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1180-7
GUARDIAN OF JUSTICE
Copyright © 2008 by Carol Steward
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