by Alexa Verde
He tapped on the brakes and touched her arm. “It’s only a bad dream.”
She opened her eyes and looked wildly around her.
“Only a bad dream,” Ivan repeated, doing his best to sound as comforting as he could. “You’re okay.”
“I saw my father. The way I found him then.” Her voice trembled.
“I’m sorry you had a nightmare. Maybe Mrs. Gallagher should’ve let sleeping dogs lie.” Julia’s distress bothered him. He wished he weren’t driving at the moment so he could draw her into his arms and help her calm down.
“There was some truth to her words, don’t you think? I’ve learned the hard way that suicide notes can be false.” Her voice became firmer but was still full of misery. “I don’t think I can fall asleep now. Let’s trade places.”
“Is it about my bandaged hands again?” He sped up.
“That’s one of the reasons. But remember the stalker in the black sedan? If someone tries to attack us now, I’m useless in the passenger seat. I don’t have a weapon to shoot. And I’m not a good shot anyway. But I can drive.”
“Julia…”
“Please?” A pleading note was in her voice.
He surrendered. “Fine.”
A shadow of doubt made him remember his father’s words. Did Julia really manipulate people easily? No, of course not. His father didn’t know her the way Ivan did. Ivan made a mental note to talk to his dad when he got back to Rios Azules. His father was a reasonable man. He’d see for himself how much Julia was misjudged.
Ivan turned on the blinkers, pulled over to the shoulder, and he and Julia traded places. She turned the key in the ignition, and they took off.
For some time, everything was quiet, besides the hum of the motor. Ivan’s eyelids grew heavy. Little shut-eye the previous night combined with the rhythm of the moving car lulled him to sleep.
He woke up from a tap on his shoulder.
“I hate to wake you up, but a car is following us.” Julia’s voice was full of worry.
Feeling a sting of guilt for dozing off, he glanced in a rearview mirror, expecting to see a black sedan. But it was an SUV instead. He tensed, wishing now he was behind the steering wheel.
Julia seemed to press on the gas pedal as the car moved forward faster. Judging by the speedometer, she was going twenty miles over the speed limit. Her fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel, but there was no trace of panic on her face. As during the fire at the inn, he admired her ability to keep her cool under pressure.
But this wasn’t the time to think about how amazing she was.
Ivan reached for his gun.
The SUV sped up.
A shot split the air. Then another one.
Chapter Twelve
Julia did her best to bottle down panic as gunshots thundered in the air. A chill raced down her back. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ivan shoot back out of the window.
At the same moment, the car shook, and the steering wheel seemed to jump out of her hands. Before she knew it, the vehicle was out of control.
“The tire is blown!” Ivan’s words registered as hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
Gathering her willpower, she fought the sheer terror that claimed every cell in her body. She applied the brakes and desperately struggled to stay on the road. But it was in vain. Her throat dry, Julia couldn’t utter a single word, couldn’t even scream, as the tires lost purchase with the asphalt. Ivan’s truck jerked to the right and down into the ravine.
No!
She wasn’t ready to die. And she needed Ivan to live, too. Never in her life was she as scared as she was in that moment.
God’s got this.
Dear Lord, Your mercy is limitless. Please save us. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen.
A large tree loomed ahead. Julia bit into her lip and gained at least minimal control of the vehicle. Somehow, at the very last minute, she managed to avoid driving into the tree, but a part of the bumper on her side did connect with the tree’s trunk.
God’s got this.
The words sounded in her mind again.
A shower of glass shards covered her, but she didn’t feel cuts. Instead, she felt numb. Her fingers stayed wrapped around the steering wheel as if they were glued to it even after the vehicle stopped.
They were alive.
They were both alive.
“We need to get out of here!” Ivan’s voice pulled her out of her stupor.
It took an enormous effort to take another breath and even a bigger effort to unpeel her fingers from the plastic surface.
We. Need. To. Get. Out. Of. Here.
Breathing fast now, she clicked her seat belt open and reached for the handle. Her brain sent her a signal that something was wrong. It was difficult to think rationally. It was difficult to think, period. Then it hit her exactly what was wrong.
“Why are you not leaving?” She was sure she shouted, but the question came out in a whisper.
“My seat belt is stuck. The vehicle can explode. Not to mention that whoever is after us can find us here. You must get out. Now!” His voice was firm. It wasn’t a request. It was a command.
“No.” Horror chilled her to the bone.
Ivan handed her his gun. “This way you can protect yourself. I’ll call the police. I’m sorry, Julia.”
Eyes wide, she stared at him. There was no way she could leave him. She couldn’t imagine her life without Ivan. Her mind whirled. She reached into her purse, grateful for keeping her manicurist scissors there.
“Listen to me. You have to leave.” His tone dipped.
“No.” Her voice trembled as she started cutting the thick fabric of the belt, but her hands were steady.
Ivan shook his head as if in disapproval but didn’t argue with her anymore. He called 911 and reported the incident.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Julia prayed continually while the scissors moved excruciatingly slowly along the fabric. At last, the seat belt was cut.
Thank You, Lord!
“Now!” Ivan growled.
Julia leaped out of his truck and was relieved to see Ivan leave it, as well. Even though her legs seemed to be made out of dough and didn’t want to obey her, she dashed forward. Somewhere on the way, Ivan grabbed her hand, and they rushed away from the vehicle.
A heat wave pushed her in the back.
She probably would’ve fallen if Ivan’s strong hand didn’t keep her up and moving forward. The roar of an explosion reverberated through her. The stench of burned rubber and plastic reached her nostrils as the wail of sirens split the air.
When Ivan and Julia finally stopped and he embraced her, her body was shaking.
“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” He stroked her hair, his voice soothing to her raw nerves.
She hid her face in his shoulder, breathing in his calming scent of aftershave instead of the stench from the vehicle. Her trembling stopped. Even with a fire burning nearby and someone out to kill them, she felt safe in Ivan’s arms. How was that possible?
They’d survived.
As Ivan let her go, she looked up in the sky.
Thank You, Jesus.
The next hour passed in a blur. After Ivan and Julia gave statements, the police were kind enough to drive them to the nearest town, where Ivan and Julia rented a car.
Before getting inside the rented vehicle, he hugged her, and she leaned into him. His embrace offered warmth, comfort, and so many sweet memories.
Julia couldn’t lie to herself. She wanted another chance with him.
“Are you okay?” He let her go way too soon and looked into her eyes.
She liked his dark brown eyes, the expression of them compassionate and honest, and tiny honey specks lighting up when the sun reflected there. She’d always loved the way he looked at her, like he truly cared.
“I’m a little shaken, but I’ll be fine,” she whispered.
“I admire your courage and resilience.”
> “Oh, no. I can’t take the credit. Grandma taught me how to deal with fear. You see, when I was little, I was afraid of darkness. After dad’s death, I couldn’t sleep without the light on. I was afraid of sounds at night. And if I finally managed to fall asleep, I’d wake up screaming after a nightmare. Grandpa took me to a bunch of pediatric specialists, even drove to Dallas for an appointment with one who was supposed to be great. Nothing helped.”
“I’m sorry.” Ivan hugged her again.
She drank in his strength, but after a moment, she eased out of his embrace. “We have to go. I’ll tell you the rest in the car. We’re in danger while standing here.”
He nodded and opened the door for her.
Soon they were back on the road, with Ivan driving this time.
“When I started living with my grandparents, Grandma was the one who’d calm me at night. I remember her often saying, God’s got this. God is bigger than this.
“I believed her. It helped me to be at peace. It took me a long time to be scared less. But after a while, I stopped having nightmares. I didn’t shake while lying in bed at night. Though for a long time, I still needed the light. Grandma bought me a weird nightlight, with numbers and formulas floating in it. I started doing different mathematical problems, and it helped me fall asleep. But what helped first and most of all was repeating my Grandma’s words. Now, when I’m scared out of my wits, I repeat them in my mind over and over again.”
“God’s got this.”
She nodded. “God’s got this.”
Julia stared out the window while the adrenaline started wearing off and fear and anxiety took its place. And nostalgia. She missed her grandparents.
A light touch to her hand made her glance at Ivan. Concern was etched in his features.
“I almost lost you.” His voice was full of emotion as he laced his fingers through hers. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
Just like his embrace, his touch had a calming effect on her. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you, either.”
She couldn’t deny that she’d been attracted to Ivan in her teens, but now she was drawn even more to him. He was kind, honest, brave, and strong, and would risk his life for her in a heartbeat.
As Julia listened to the purr of the motor, his quiet strength transferred to her through his touch and even through his mere presence.
It pained her that Ivan had lost his faith after his brother’s death. But maybe she could change that.
Dear Lord, please help me lead Ivan back to You. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen.
“I thank God that I met you,” she said. “I pray for you often.”
Ivan drew in a sharp breath. “I prayed for the first time since Seth’s death.”
“I’m glad.” Joy filled her.
“But something is stopping me from praying more. You see, I’ve made some mistakes. Horrible mistakes. I’ve let people down. I don’t know if I’m worthy of redemption.”
Her eyes widened. “Of course you’re worthy of redemption. You’re one of the bravest, kindest, sincerest people I’ve met. Okay, I don’t know what mistakes you’re talking about. But God’s mercy is limitless. God sent His only Son to take away our sins and give us the gift of salvation.”
Ivan kept quiet for a moment. “When I was in the army, we were jumping from an airplane with parachutes. I had a fear of heights. My friend Jake went before me to give me time to gather my courage. Jake was a great guy. Always ready to support another person. Seeing him jump out of the airplane helped me do the same.” Ivan’s face darkened. “To this day, I don’t know what happened, but for some reason, he waited too long to open the parachute. He died. All because I was a coward and was afraid to jump.”
Her throat constricted from compassion for Ivan. “It wasn’t your fault. It would’ve happened even if he jumped after you.”
“It’s not just Jake. I was too late getting to Seth’s place, and I let my brother get killed.”
“Again, don’t blame yourself. Following your logic, I should carry half of the guilt in this case. I was too late getting to Seth’s place, too.”
Ivan shook his head. “Julia, no. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I can say the same to you. But for anything else that you’ve done that you think is wrong, you can ask for forgiveness. Open your heart to God’s love. Open your heart to God’s mercy. Open your heart to God’s grace. You just need to take the first step. Our Heavenly Father loves you.”
“Will you pray with me?” Ivan’s voice was low.
“Of course! You don’t even have to ask.”
He kept silent for some time.
“Dear Lord, please help Ivan find his way back to You. In Jesus’s holy name. Amen,” she whispered.
“Amen,” Ivan said.
For several moments, he drove in silence. “Thank you, Julia,” he said finally. “It’s not only about forgiving myself. I just can’t understand why Jake had to die. Why Seth had to die.” Pain registered in his features.
Julia’s throat constricted. “I don’t have an answer to this. I don’t know why people die or why they suffer. I don’t know why my father had to die. When I was little, my grandma helped me believe there was a reason for everything, even if we didn’t know it. She taught me about God’s love and mercy. She taught me to pray, and I prayed every day. Grandma said that my dad was smiling at me from Heaven and that his love would always surround me, no matter what. And in time, God’s love healed me. I pray that God’s love will heal you, too.”
“I’d like to pray for my family,” Ivan said quietly.
Julia nodded, and they said a prayer together.
For some time after that, they kept silent.
Her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. Mari.
Julia swiped the screen to answer. “Hi, Mari.”
“Hi, Julia. Just checking to make sure you’re alive and kicking. I have Soledad, Lydia, and River here with me. River flew from Dallas as soon as she heard about the latest events. You’re on speakerphone.”
“River, you shouldn’t have. And yes, I’m alive and kicking.” The Danger Girls’ concern warmed Julia’s heart. She figured it was best not to tell her friends about the shots fired at Ivan’s vehicle and subsequent wreck into the ravine. At least not yet. Mari, Lydia, Soledad, and River might drop everything and rush to help her.
“How far are you from San Antonio?” Lydia asked.
Julia looked at the sign at the side of the road, announcing a small town, and ran quick calculations in her head. “About two hours.” She felt the car slow down.
“Say hi to Ivan. And be careful, very careful,” Soledad said.
“I will.” Julia studied the small town they were passing with a church, a few restaurants, convenience stores, and gas stations.
“Remember, we’re only a phone call away,” Mari chimed in.
“Do your best to stay alive,” River said.
“Y’all are awesome. I’ll talk to you soon.” Julia disconnected and glanced at Ivan. “Mari, Lydia, Soledad, and River say hi.”
“Say hi to them next time you talk to them. You have amazing friends.” He sped up as they left the town limits.
Julia smiled. “I know.”
The landscape outside changed to fields with occasional forests.
“I missed you, Julia,” Ivan said. “Even when I was away from Rios Azules, I thought about you every day.”
Her heart warmed. “You have no idea how much I missed you.” Then the memories became bittersweet. “Still, you haven’t reached out to me.”
“I heard… things. About you going out with different guys while getting your degree in Dallas. And when you returned to Rios Azules, about you and… my brother. I wouldn’t stand in the way of my own brother.”
Julia slowly moved her hand from his and immediately missed his warmth. The fact that he’d believed other people burned a hole in her heart that would take time to heal. And she was tired of trying to prove to him th
ere was nothing between her and Seth. Then there was the fact that his parents would never accept her. She hadn’t been good enough for them before, and much less now, when they obviously blamed her for Seth’s death.
It didn’t matter how much she admired Ivan or how much she was attracted to him. She was unwelcome in his family, his home, and his life. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, and she blinked furiously.
“I wish there was a second chance for us,” he said, his attention back on the road.
“I wish that, too.” It was difficult enough to let him go the first time. The second time, it would be heart-wrenching. But she wanted him to be happy, with or without her.
She said a silent prayer, asking God to give Ivan happiness.
***
Once they reached San Antonio, the clock on the dashboard showed nine o’clock at night.
“I’ll rent connecting rooms at a hotel,” Ivan said.
“Sure.” Despite her dozing off on the way, Julia had difficulty keeping her eyelids open.
Her stomach chose that moment to grumble.
“After I get us something to eat,” he added.
Julia peered ahead and pointed at a twenty-four-hour restaurant. “There! I think it has a drive-through.”
Her phone beeped four times with incoming texts. Julia opened them up. The texts were from Mari, Lydia, Soledad, and River, all with the same questions.
Are you in San Antonio? Is everything okay?
Julia sent a group text to all of them.
Yes, we’re in San Antonio. Everything is fine. Don’t worry. Go to sleep. I’ll talk to y’all tomorrow. Good night.
Her phone beeped again and again while Ivan pulled up to the restaurant. Four identical messages.
Good night, Julia.
Ivan got them hamburgers, fries, and sodas, headed back on the road, and soon parked near a hotel.
He took the usual precautions, leaving the car facing outward, checking the hotel room before Julia entered it.
She said grace, and her heart filled with joy when Ivan joined her.
After gulping down dinner and throwing away the wrappers, she caught Ivan staring at her. Heat crept up her neck.
