She was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen.
He smiled. “I’m amazed you convinced them to let you stay in here.” He realized she was still in the wheelchair.
Dimples came to life. “Let’s just say I didn’t leave them much of a choice.” She sobered. “I’m sorry for what happened to you.” Her voice broke and a tear escaped, leaving a glistening trail behind it. She brushed it away. “I wish…”
Joel tried to sit and clenched his fist in frustration when he wasn’t able to. “Don’t. Look at me, Anastasia.” She did as several more tears fell. “I’m not remotely sorry. The nightmare you’ve been living for months is over. You’re safe.”
“But your arm!”
“I still have it.” He shifted and groaned again. “Trust me, I know it’s still there. I can feel it throbbing.”
She chuckled through her tears.
Her laughter did a world of good for Joel’s heart. “I’m going to be fine. It’s going to heal. And if not? Well, I’m pretty sure I can fix a burger one-handed.” He winked at her and was rewarded with another little laugh.
Anastasia used both of her hands to wipe away her tears. She sniffed. Then, as if she realized what she must look like, her hands flew to her hair. She used her fingers to rake the strands into some semblance of order.
“You are beautiful. Always.”
She ducked her chin and when she raised it again, a smile lit up her face.
“Thanks for believing in me, Joel. For saving my life.”
Joel exhaled. “I wish I could hold you right now.”
“Me, too.”
He raised his hand to her face and gently guided her towards him. Their lips touched briefly before she laid her head on his good shoulder. He groaned. “That kiss was…painful.”
Anastasia shook with laughter then cradled her head with her hands. “It sure was.” She lifted her chin, mischief glittering in her eyes. “But it was worth it.”
“Oh yeah.”
~
Three weeks later…
Anna stood with one shoulder leaning against the wooden fence in her backyard. The April sun sank below the horizon, leaving a sea of amber clouds in its wake.
She heard the back door open. Moments later, a muscular arm came around her waist. She breathed in Joel’s woodsy aftershave as it drifted to her on the spring breeze.
“Did you just get here?” she asked.
“Yep. As quick as I could. I knew Brooke wasn’t going to hold movie night for me much longer.”
Anna relaxed against his chest, her eyes still on the rapidly-changing sky. “I wish you’d waited another week before going back to work. And I should have insisted on helping you close the diner tonight.” She should be thankful he’d agreed to wait another month before going forward with plans to open the diner for breakfast.
“I’m fine. You know sitting around my house is driving me crazy.”
“Oh, Chess has been telling us all about it tonight.” She tried to contain her laughter. By the way he tightened his arm around her waist, he heard it.
“I’ll bet he has.” He kissed her cheek and settled his chin on her shoulder. “What are you still doing out here?” His voice was husky as he spoke near her ear.
Goosebumps traveled up Anna’s arm. She motioned towards the clouds. “Pretty, isn’t it?”
“The second prettiest thing I’ve seen tonight.”
Anna’s breath caught. He loosened his hold and she turned to face him. “You’re sweet.”
“You make it easy.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “How’s your evening been since I last saw you?”
“I got the call we’ve been waiting for.” She bounced on her toes and grinned. “The investigators not only tied the agency fire to Liam, but all the evidence needed to prove he embezzled money from his own company was on that thumb drive. Add in the attempted murder and they’re putting him away for a very long time.”
Joel hugged her to him. “I’m glad. Though that’s too good for him, if you ask me.” His eyes traveled to her forehead and the wound that was still visible. He lightly ran a finger over the scar. Epic barked. “See, he agrees with me.”
Anna shook her head in amusement. “We’d better go inside. Brooke’s probably getting impatient. We’re messing with the movie start time.”
“She’ll survive.” Joel dipped his head and captured Anna’s lips with his.
She melted into his embrace as he kissed every last thought from her mind. They were here together. That’s all that mattered.
Brooke’s voice carried through the backdoor. “You two want to come up for air and get your butts in here sometime tonight?”
Anna let her forehead rest against his chest which shook with laughter.
Joel waited until Brooke disappeared. His lips brushed against her ear. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Warmth flooded her heart and traveled to every cell in her body.
“Give it to God, Anna. He’ll see you through.”
Grandma had been right. Anna shook her head in amazement as she thought about the way God protected her and brought her here.
Joel put an arm around Anna’s shoulders and hugged her close. He led her back to the house and the rest of the family.
Their family.
Thank you!
I appreciate you for taking the time to read Safe In His Arms. I hope you enjoyed it and that you’ll consider leaving a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. I like hearing what you think about it and it’ll help other readers discover new books as well.
Acknowledgments
Doug, Xander, and Sydney, I can never express how much the three of you mean to me. I love you!
Crystal, thank you so much for helping me work out the plot. It was a big undertaking and if it hadn’t been for your help, I’m pretty sure I’d have gone insane. I learned a lot through this process. Here’s hoping the next one will be less of a challenge.
Victorine, thank you for letting me talk through the suspense thread. Your insight was very helpful. And, as always, the cover is beautiful!
I appreciate the wonderful members of my critique group: Franky, Rachel, Victorine, and Crystal. I couldn’t do this without you.
Steph, Melissa, Denny, Sandy, Doug, Mom (Suzanne), CeeCee, and Faith, as my beta readers, you play a big role in this process. I’m very thankful for you!
Most importantly, I want to thank my Heavenly Father for all of His many blessings. My cup runneth over.
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About the Author
Melanie D. Snitker has enjoyed writing fiction for as long as she can remember. She started out writing episodes of cartoon shows that she wanted to see as a child and her love of writing grew from there. She and her husband live in Texas with their two children who keep their lives full of adventure, and two dogs who add a dash of mischief to the family dynamics. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, crochet, baking, archery, camping and hanging out with family and friends.
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Books by Melanie D. Snitker
Calming the Storm
(A Marriage of Convenience)
Love’s Compass Series:
Finding Peace (Book 1)
Finding Hope (Book 2)
Finding Courage (Book 3)
Finding Faith (Book 4)
Life Unexpected Series:
Safe In His Arms (Book 1)
Finding Peace
&nb
sp; (Love’s Compass: Book 1)
Police Officer Tuck Chandler is good at his job. He’s also good at holding women at arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not about to open himself up to hurt like that again.
Laurie Blake is a struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way.
When Tuck is assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her – if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another question arises.
Will the past get in the way of their future?
Finding Hope
(Love’s Compass: Book 2)
Cancer. That one word has rocked Lexi Chandler's life to the core. Her focus has always been to help others. She loves being a nurse and enjoys spending time with her family. Things had been going according to plan. Now she’s struggling to pick up the pieces and make sense of the changes in her life.
Lance Davenport has cared for Lexi since they were kids. Between their age difference and bad timing, he's turned burying his feelings into an art. Now, watching Lexi battle with cancer has made him realize just how much he's missed. He doesn't know what their future holds, but he's determined to not waste another minute.
The people closest to Lexi pull together as she tries to navigate her way down a path none of them ever dreamed she’d have to travel.
Finding Courage
(Love’s Compass: Book 3)
It takes courage to ask for a second chance…even more to accept one.
For Duke and Avalon McNeil, it was love at first sight. Married within months of meeting, their feet hardly touched the ground until the reality of their haste hit home with startling clarity.
Duke's heart shattered when Avalon vanished for nearly three weeks, fleeing their arguments and misunderstandings. Now she's back. He's happy she's home and safe, but he isn't ready to risk everything again when their bond was so easily broken.
Avalon's relieved to be home. She's desperate to make peace between them, but returns with a secret. She can't reveal anything to Duke until she proves to him she came back to restore their relationship.
As outside pressure continues to threaten Duke and Avalon's fragile foundation, they must find the strength to prove to each other their marriage is worth fighting for.
Finding Faith
(Love’s Compass: Book 4)
Single mom Serenity Chandler is determined to do anything to provide better opportunities for her son, Gideon. Moving away from her family support system so Gideon can attend a special school seems like the right choice, even if it means her entire life is about to change.
The satisfaction of helping children and being a part of their lives is one reason Aaron Randall loves his job as a music therapist. When Hope Academy instills a dating policy, he doesn't give it a second thought. Until the new coworker who'd caught his attention turns out to be the parent of one of his students.
Any relationship between them will put his job at risk. The more time Aaron spends with Serenity and Gideon, the harder it is to ignore what they could have together. With Aaron's job and Gideon's education hanging in the balance, they'll have to rely on faith to find their way.
Calming the Storm
(A Marriage of Convenience)
A marriage of convenience isn't exactly what Rachel Peters had in mind.
What else can she do if she wants to raise her young niece, and give her a more stable home than she and her sister grew up in? Rachel is at risk of losing custody of her last blood relative, and she needs to prove she can provide for her niece and raise her in a nurturing environment.
Professor Brandon Barlow is invested in his college students’ lives, wanting to ensure their success. When it is clear that Rachel is struggling, he takes a personal interest in trying to help her. But can he keep his heart from getting involved in the process?
Brandon reaches out to Rachel as he tries to break through the walls she has built up over the years. With love and patience, Brandon hopes to help Rachel realize that, even when she experiences storms in her life, she isn't always alone.
Safe In His Arms (Life Unexpected #1) Page 17