Protective Custody (17 page)

“You've come a long way in a short time, haven't you?”

She gave him a look. One she hoped conveyed the love bursting inside of her. “I've been working on it.”

 

“Then what do you think of marriage?”

Marriage?

Had he really said that?

Warmth suffused his face, and he found himself grateful for the low lighting. Then he decided, why not? It's what he'd been thinking. “I've missed you,” he started over.

Now she looked up. A smile spread across her lips, and the tears in her eyes dried up. “Good.”

“Good?”

“Real good. Because I've missed you, too.”

“You got under my skin. I can't seem to shake you.”

A chuckle escaped her. “I think that was a compliment.”

He grasped her hand. His thumb smoothed over her skin. She had tough hands, calluses on her palms, a bruise near the base of her pinkie. He smiled and lifted it to kiss it. Enough dancing around the subject. “Carly, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

She gasped, blinked and stared at him.

He rushed on. “I know it's fast. It may be too soon for you, but in all the time we spent together, day in and day out, I think I got a pretty good picture of who you are. And I like that picture a lot. It was hard to keep those feelings at bay while the danger was surrounding us. I couldn't act on them, and I knew you couldn't, but I don't want to lose you. That being said, would you marry me?”

 

Shock shook her. Rendered her speechless. Had he really said that? “Did you just really say that?”

He gave a slow nod. “I did. I mean, we don't have to get married tomorrow or anything. We can have a long engagement if you like, but I just…I don't want to let you
get away. You've brought something into my life I never thought I'd find again.”

That knot in her throat just wouldn't go away no matter how hard she swallowed. Was this really happening? “I'd given up on finding you.”

A puzzled look crossed his face, and she laughed. “You know. Mr. Right.”

Relieved, he squeezed her fingers. It dawned on her that no one had bothered them since delivering their drinks.

Suspicious, she looked at him. “Wait a minute. Where's our waiter?”

“We don't need him just yet.”

Leaning over, he placed his lips on hers, and she froze—then melted. Finally, he pulled back and murmured, “You didn't answer me.”

“Yes, I'll marry you.”

“Whoo-hoo!” Cheers from the booth behind them made her jump and look around Nick.

Lindsey and Christopher popped from around the end, and Christopher crawled under the table to wedge his way between Nick and Carly. Lindsey plopped down opposite them and beamed. “This is totally awesome!”

“I get to be the ring bearer,” Christopher crowed. Then he frowned.

“What is it, Chris?” Nick asked, concerned.

“I was just wondering. Is being a ring bearer anything like bearing children?”

Carly choked, Nick coughed and Lindsey howled while Christopher looked on, confused.

Thankfully, they were in the back of a nearly deserted restaurant, so they didn't disturb too many people.

When Nick caught his breath, he said, “Uh, no, nothing like it, Chris.”

“Oh. Then what does it mean?”

Nick rubbed the boy's head. “It means you get to be a special part of our special day. Come on. Now, let's celebrate.”

Chris grinned. “Okay, cool.” He raised his water glass. “To the best aunt and uncle ever.”

“The best,” Lindsey echoed.

“Kiss her again, Uncle Nick,” Christopher said, laughing.

Nick grinned down at her. “Now, that's one order I'm happy to follow.”

So he did.

Dear Reader,

It always amazes me that I actually get to this point—the Dear Reader letter. Because my letter to you means that I've finished another book. I still can't get over the wonder of that feat. I'm guessing at this point that I'll continue to surprise myself each time. LOL.

I hope you enjoyed Nicholas and Carly's story. I had a great time introducing Carly in
A Silent Pursuit
and knew immediately she needed her own story. Carly had a hard time trusting God to be who He says He is. Tough times and a lot of loss knocked the fight from her and hardened her heart against God. But through Nick's example of stubborn faith, she came back to her faith and the God she'd once trusted. I know how Carly felt. Sometimes it's so hard to trust that God knows what He's doing and that He's in control, when it seems as if evil is winning and the good guys are losing. But God is who He says He is and He always keeps his promises. We just have to believe that—in good times and bad. My childhood pastor once said, “Faith unable to be tested is faith that stands strong.” I want to be able to trust that faith. I pray that whatever tough times you've been through—or are going through—you stand strong in your faith and realize that joy will come in the morning.

God bless!

1. When Carly found out she'd been protecting someone she didn't respect, she had to put aside her own feelings and focus on doing her duty. Have you ever had to do something like that? If so, what?
   
2. Carly had a bad experience that made her turn her back on God. Nick had an experience that made him trust God even more. Which side are you on? Give an example.
   
3. Nick gave in and accepted protection from the marshals because of the kids. He did it because it was the responsible thing to do, even though it inconvenienced him. Have you ever had to “be responsible” although you didn't really want to? Tell us about it.
   
4. Which scene did you like the most?
   
5. Which scene could you relate to the most?
   
6. What do you think about the marshal occupation?
   
7. Carly watched Nick live out his faith in an amazing way, and she was greatly influenced by it. Have you ever watched someone go through something terrible and keep trusting God? What did you think about that? Did it change you?
   
8. Little Lindsey does quite the turnaround from spoiled brat to wise child. Why do you think this is? Did you find it realistic?
   
9. Were you surprised when you found out who the villain was? Why or why not?
   
10. Nick was totally betrayed by his best friend. When he realized who had caused all his suffering, he was devastated. Have you been betrayed by a close friend or family member? How did you react? Have you forgiven that person yet?
    
11. If you had been in Carly's shoes, would you have stayed on the case or excused yourself? Do you agree with the fact that she decided to see it through to the end? Why or why not?
    
12. What do you think about Nick's fervent prayer and Carly's response to it?
    
13. What did you think about Nick's decision not to give in to the pressure to recuse himself from the case? Even after the kidnappers had his nephew, he still didn't want to give up the case, although he agonized about it. What would you have done? Did you respect his emotional and spiritual struggle?
    
14. Which character had the most impact on you and why?
    
15. Did this book impact you spiritually? If so, how?