by Marta Perry
“You—” Seth frowned, and his fingers tightened on hers. “Your job—you could do it anywhere, right? You don’t have to be in Baltimore all the time.”
“No, but—” It’s all I have.
No, she didn’t want to say that to him. She didn’t want to sound as if she was asking for his pity.
“You could stay here. Be a real part of Davy’s life. See him every day.”
And if she did that, she’d break her heart with loving Seth.
“I don’t think so.” She turned away, trying to blink back the tears that kept filling her eyes.
“Why not?” He grasped her shoulders suddenly, forcing her to look at him.
What she saw startled her. This wasn’t the calm, easygoing man who was everyone’s friend. This was a man filled with passion—a man ready to fight for what he wanted.
“I can’t lose you.” He said the words distinctly, as if determined that she understand exactly what he meant. “I can’t let you walk away from us, Julie. I want us to be a family.”
Her heart seemed to stop beating. She forced herself to look at him steadily. He hadn’t said the most important thing, and she had to have the courage to ask.
“Are you still looking for someone who’ll marry you for companionship, so you can give Davy a nice, safe mother?”
“You know that’s not what I mean.” His grip tightened, as if he’d hold her until she understood. “I never expected to love anyone again. That’s why I thought I was willing to settle for less.”
“And now?” It came out in a whisper.
“Now I want the whole thing. I want you. I love you, Julie.”
Her heart was beating so fast it felt as if it would fly out of her chest. She couldn’t possibly speak.
He touched her face, stroking her skin as if they were the only people in the room. “Tell me you love me, Julie.”
For once, she didn’t want to hide, even though she knew at least half the Flanagans had figured out what was going on by now and were watching them with bright, interested gazes.
“I love you,” she said softly. “I love you, Seth Flanagan.” She wasn’t afraid to say the words. Her heart was open now, and all the fear was gone.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Seth’s smile broke through, and he drew her into his arms. Davy, apparently realizing something was going on, ran across the room to launch himself at their legs.
“Julie, hug me, too,” he demanded.
Laughing, Seth lifted him into their arms, so that the three of them were entangled in an embrace.
A family. She felt their arms around her and knew this was true. They were a family. She’d longed all her life to have a real family, and now she did. She’d finally trusted all her fears to God, and He’d opened her heart to receive all He had to give her—love, abundant, overflowing love.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0493-5
HERO DAD
Copyright © 2005 by Martha Johnson
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*Hometown Heroes
†Caldwell Kin
**The Flanagans