by Robin Caroll
“SOUND LIKE I MISSED a great time.” Lincoln shifted against the hospital bed in his private room.
Brannon laughed, relieved her friend had come through the surgery well. “I don’t know about that. I’m just glad it’s over.”
Lincoln sobered. “Me too. I’m even more glad the congressman didn’t hurt you.”
Tears she couldn’t blink back welled in her eyes.
“Hey.” He reached for her hand, gripping it in his cold one. “It’s okay. We’re fine.”
“But your knee. If I’d acted faster, maybe you wouldn’t have gotten shot.”
Lincoln squeezed her hand. “Don’t think like that.”
She sniffed, but the tears demanded release.
“Aw, Brannon. You have no control over stuff like that. ‘Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.’”
Smiling through her tears and fighting her tumultuous emotions, Brannon wiped her face. “Book of James.”
“Chapter and verse?”
She grinned, never able to stand firm against Lincoln’s infectious positive outlook. “Four, fourteen.”
“Very good.” He adjusted his IV before leveling her with a parental stare. “Now, talk to me about Roark.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “He took the congressman back to the courthouse for processing.”
“That’s not what I mean, hon, and you know it.”
She let out a long breath, then forced a yawn. “Don’t you need your rest?”
“Oh no. You don’t get off that easy. I don’t care that you look like you need to be poured into bed. I want to know what’s happening with you. And Roark.” He winked at her. “Come on, spill.”
“How do you know something’s going on?” She jabbed him gently in the side. “You think the surgery gave you ESP or something?”
“No, Ms. Smarty, I just know you. I can read you like a book.”
“Can you now?”
“Yep, and whenever you mention his name, you blush, and your eyes get all misty.” He pointed at her. “So you can deny it all you want, but there’s something between you two, and I want to know what.”
Busted. She dipped her head, the heat spreading across her face just thinking of Roark. Remembering their kiss. The feelings it sent flooding through her.
“Brannon?” Lincoln’s tone turned serious. Dead serious.
She raised her head and met his stare.
“This is it, isn’t it? He’s the one.”
“No. Maybe. I don’t know.” How to answer such a loaded question? She really couldn’t explain. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to Roark after he’d stormed onto the scene with the congressman. She’d been whisked off to give another statement to the FBI, then rushed straight to the hospital. Brannon didn’t know what to make of their kiss. Of her feelings for him.
“Honey, I know. I can tell.”
Misery weighed on her shoulders like an iron shawl. “Is it that obvious?” What if Roark’s feelings didn’t run as deep?
“Only to someone who knows you like I do.” Lincoln took her hand again. “Talk to me, Brannon.”
“I don’t understand why I’m so hesitant. He’s given his life back to Christ, he’s not involved with anyone else, and he’s a good man. Why am I so reluctant?” She shook her head. “And no, I don’t feel like I’m still committed to Wade, so don’t give me that lecture.”
“I know you’re not. But, hon, it’s not doubt holding you back.”
“Really? Then what is it, O Wise One?”
Lincoln didn’t give in to her joking. His expression remained somber and tense. “It’s fear.”
“Fear?” Just saying the word made something resonate inside her. Lincoln was dead-on.
“Fear of loving again. Fear of losing.”
“But I didn’t feel so reserved with Wade.” Saying his name aloud didn’t hurt this time. The first time ever. But what would Lincoln think of her falling for someone else? Wade was his brother. Did he feel like she’d betrayed him?
“Because Wade was your first love. Everything was roses and candy. You thought y’all had forever. But then you lost him. Now you’re scared to love again because you don’t want to chance getting hurt again. Of losing someone else you love.”
Lincoln nailed her feelings exactly.
He squeezed her hand. “Brannon, Roark isn’t Wade. He isn’t supposed to be. He won’t replace what you felt for my brother.” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “Roark’s a new love for a new stage in your life. He’s the promise of your future.”
Silent tears tracked down her cheeks. “But I haven’t known him that long.”
“And you didn’t know Wade more than a few weeks before you were sure.” Lincoln sighed. “Sometimes God puts that special someone in your path and you just know. Your heart recognizes the person as the one.”
“But only after a week?”
“Tell me where there’s a time line written for a heart to open up to love?” He shook his head. “I’m not telling you to run off and elope anytime soon, but closing off your heart to the possibility of a lasting love relationship . . . Well, I don’t think that’s healthy.”
“What should I do?”
Lincoln grinned. “I’m not an expert in relationships, obviously. Only you can decide where to go from here.” He pressed her hand to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss. “I just don’t want you to let fear stop you from being happy. God wouldn’t want that, either. Scripture tells us over and over that fear is not of God.”
As always, Lincoln spoke the truth in love. She squeezed his hand back. “Will you pray with me to discern God’s will for me with Roark?”
Thursday, 5:30 a.m.
Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center
Sevierville, Tennessee
BRANNON SLEPT IN THE chair in the waiting room, hair splayed across the cheap vinyl. Her lips were slightly parted as her chest rose and fell rhythmically.
Roark stood over her for a moment, watching her sleep. She looked peaceful . . . angelic. Yet she still radiated that quiet inner strength of hers.
He slipped into the chair beside her, then eased her head onto his chest. She settled without opening her eyes. He let his fingertips stroke the sleek strands of her hair. The silkiness caressed his touch. Strange sensations, ones he’d never felt before, did odd things to him. Logic and reasoning fled. His mind warred with his emotions, and he hadn’t a clue how to call a cease-fire.
God, thank You for keeping her safe. I don’t know what I’d have done if McGovern had hurt her. I think I’m falling in love with her. We’ve only known each other for a week or so, but I’ve never been so sure of what I felt.
He dipped his head, planting a feathery kiss on her crown.
Her eyes fluttered, then went wide. She bolted upright. “Roark.”
“Brannon.” He grinned at her.
She wiped at her eyes and smoothed her hair. “When did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago.” She looked downright cute with the remains of sleep hovering in her expression. “Where are Jefferson and Steve? I thought they’d still be here.”
“I sent them home to get some sleep.”
He tweaked her chin. “Like you don’t need any, Wonder Woman?”
A tinge of pink dotted her cheeks. “I wanted to wait and see Lincoln one more time before I catch a few winks.”
Roark tucked an errant strand of her hair behind her ear. “How’s he doing?”
“Good. They gave him something for pain at 4:30, and it wiped him out.”
“What’s his prognosis?”
She lifted her nail to her mouth. He grabbed her hand and held it tight. She smiled. “No promises. They can’t tell
much until the swelling from the surgery goes down and he works through physical therapy.”
“That’s good. At least the surgery went well.”
“There is that.” She kept her gaze to the floor, her voice low even though they were the only ones in the waiting room.
“Brannon, what’s wrong?”
She met his stare. “I want to talk about that kiss.”
Heat burned within him at the memory. “What about it?”
“What do you mean what about it?” Her voice raised an octave. She looked even cuter when she was perturbed.
“Brannon, are you asking for another one?”
Her eyes widened and her face flushed. She opened her mouth, paused, then snapped it shut.
He couldn’t help it—his emotions took control of his actions. He wrapped his arms around her, turning her to face him. Roark pulled her close. When they were a breath apart, he put his hands on either side of her face. “I’m going to kiss you again. And this time you’ll understand what I mean by kissing you.”
Roark centered his mouth over hers, putting every bit of what he felt into the kiss. She clung to him, shocking him with her response. He kept his thumbs on her cheekbones but expanded his fingers into her hair, rubbing against her scalp.
She made little throaty sounds against him. Deepening the kiss, Roark let his emotions loose with tenderness.
When he felt as if she would consume him in heat, Roark pulled back but kept his hands firmly cradling her face. His erratic breathing matched her jagged gasps. He waited until his heart stopped racing to even try to speak.
“Do you understand now? Do you realize I’m falling in love with you?”
Tears shimmered in her eyes even while her brows knitted. “Oh, Roark.”
So serious, so determined to analyze his intentions and her reactions. He chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. We have plenty of time to figure out everything.”
He planted a kiss on her forehead and rubbed his thumbs over the delicate skin of her cheeks. “And I’ll give you lots of opportunities to understand exactly what my kisses mean.”
EPILOGUE
Thirteen Months Later
Howard Baker Federal Courthouse
Knoxville, Tennessee
“WELL IT’S FINALLY DONE.” Lincoln smiled at Brannon and Roark. They stood beside him in front of the courthouse, holding hands.
“I’m glad it’s over.” Brannon leaned against Roark, her face glowing with happiness.
They were so in love and had overcome great obstacles to find true bliss. Lincoln was happy for them, he honestly was, but witnessing their special relationship was a painful reminder of the loneliness in his own heart.
“I’m relieved the judge gave McGovern the maximum sentence. We won’t have to worry about him being eligible for parole anytime soon.” Roark untangled his hand from Brannon’s and rested his arm across her shoulders.
The sun tiptoed behind a large cloud. The wind picked up, reminding them winter hadn’t made its great departure yet. Lincoln knew it better than most. The cold weather played havoc with his knee. After a year of recovery and daily hard work, the physical therapist had finally released him. But he still walked with a limp, the cold weather making it more pronounced.
Instead, he’d ridden desk duty for the past year, praying for a full recovery. Now he had to face facts—that day would never come. He’d never return to 100 percent.
God, what do You have in store for me now? I know You have a plan for me and it will be good.
“We’re going to see Mai and Kanya at their new home. Want to join us?” Roark asked.
“I’m so glad the adoptive parents wanted both of them.” Brannon’s grin widened, if that was even possible.
After Child Protective Services contacted Fight Against Child Exploitation, FACE, based out of Thailand, some of the girls were returned to their families. But not Kanya or Mai. Kanya’s parents had been killed, and Mai couldn’t go back to her father’s home—not after he’d sold her.
“No, you two go ahead. I have some things to take care of.” Like spending time with the Father, seeking His guidance.
Brannon touched his arm. “Lincoln?”
She knew him too well. She was like a piece of him. “I’m good. I promise.” He started to chuckle, but the sun broke free of the clouds and shone down brightly. A prism shot from Brannon’s left hand on his forearm.
His heart tripped as he peered into her face, then at her hand, then back into her eyes. He grabbed her hand. “Brannon?”
She giggled—Brannon Callahan actually giggled. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
An engagement ring. A promise of Roark and Brannon’s love and commitment. Excitement for them thickened Lincoln’s tongue.
“We’ve set the date. April 10th. Isn’t it wonderful?” She snuggled against Roark, beaming.
This was wonderful news. She’d come so far in pushing beyond old pains to embrace the goodness God provided her. Roark, too, had to deal with issues of his past to move toward a promising future.
But Brannon hadn’t told Lincoln that Roark proposed. He’d had to notice the ring. Lincoln tried to hide his disappointment and awareness that he was no longer her confidant. “It’s great.” He extended his hand to Roark. “Congratulations.”
Roark shook his hand. “Thanks.”
Brannon looped her arm through his. “And I want to ask if you’ll give me away.” Tears floated in her eyes.
His chest tightened into a knot. “Of course. I’d be honored, hon.” And he would.
She hugged him so hard he lost his breath. Laughing, she let him go and returned to her fiancé. “We’ll discuss details soon, okay?”
“You betcha.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go with us?” she asked.
“Positive. I’ll catch up with you at the station later.”
“Okay.” Brannon gave him a quick hug, then she and Roark headed off toward the parking lot, arm in arm.
Lincoln’s feet refused to move. He was so glad for Brannon. She deserved every happiness in the world. And he was honored she had asked him to give her away. But that hurt, too.
He’d be giving away his best friend. Giving away the final link to his brother.
Lincoln took a stiff step toward his own car as realization hit. Brannon had Roark to love and Jefferson as her partner at work. Maybe Lincoln’s whole purpose in being a ranger had been to help her. Now she no longer needed him.
Lincoln stared heavenward, anxiety thrumming through his veins.
What now, God? Where do we go from here?
READER’S GUIDE
1. Brannon and Lincoln were loyal friends. Lincoln helped Brannon get through a personal tragedy, using Scripture and faith to strengthen her resolve. Many times in life, we need a friend to speak to us in truth and to encourage us. Looking at your own friendships, how can you be more of a biblical blessing to your friends? (See Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 18:24; and John 15:13.)
2. The loss of loved ones can have a profound effect on people. Brannon chose her professions based on an emotional need to save people. This need was brought on due to losing loved ones. Roark’s loss of the little girl triggered a physical response of claustrophobia. Have you ever lost someone you loved? What effect did it have on you—physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
3. It’s no secret that parents’ attitudes rub off on their children. Congressman McGovern lost his mother at a vulnerable age and had to live with his militant father, who had strict ideas about living life to a particular code. Reflect on how your own parents’ ideals (good and bad) affected your childhood. What about this would you have changed if you could? How has this followed you into adulthood?
4. Child trafficking is a serious and real tragedy. In the story Roark has a
n opportunity to bring those involved to justice. Do you think our current laws are too easy or too harsh on those involved with exploiting children? Discuss how you can help with this issue. (See Psalm 127:2–4 and Matthew 19:14.)
5. Brannon was afraid to open her heart again after losing the man she’d loved. Fear can paralyze people, yet what does Scripture tell us about fear? (See Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:1; and Isaiah 41:13.)
6. Mai and Kanya were children, innocents, but in a horrible situation over which they felt they had no control. Yet they were determined to improve their quality of life. Have you faced a situation you felt you had no control over yet struggled to improve your life despite the situation? What did you do?
7. Lincoln and Brannon not only had deep faith but lived it. Why should we live according to our faith? How can we exhibit our faith in everyday life? (See Proverbs 14:25; Isaiah 44:8; and Acts 1:8.)
8. When Brannon meets Jefferson, she is annoyed and frustrated that she must train him. Yet she didn’t really know him. How can we avoid judging others without getting to know them? What does the Bible say about judging others? (See Matthew 7:1–3 and Luke 6:37.)
9. Roark had chosen to move away from God because of something bad that happened in his life. Have you ever felt disappointed or angry with God because of your circumstances? How did you deal with your emotions? What did you do to move back into a relationship with God?
10. While the congressman’s motives were greed and power, Jonathan Wilks’s participation in the child-trafficking ring was a means to provide special medication for his wife. Do you believe doing something wrong for the right reason is okay? What does Scripture have to say on the subject? (See 1 Kings 15:11 and Isaiah 1:17.)
11. Brannon witnessed to Roark, and Lincoln questioned her motives. (See Philippians 1:18.) Why do you think God can use selfish motives to further His purposes?
12. Roark and Brannon felt a quick emotional connection to one another. Do you believe people can truly bond that quickly? Why or why not?
