by Mary Manners
And stumbled...over a body. She shrieked as she tumbled to the ground. Hard.
She heard the brush of denim against concrete as strong arms encircled her. The woodsy scent of Cody’s aftershave was unmistakable, and she stifled a second shriek.
“Rena, I’m sorry. Are you OK?”
“Cody? Good grief, you nearly scared me to death. What on earth—”
He brushed her hair back and touched her cheek with gentle fingers. “I’ve been sitting outside you door most of the night, just thinking.” His blue eyes were shadowed with sleeplessness. “The house was dark, and I didn’t want to wake you. But I had to be close.”
“I don’t understand.”
Cody slipped his back to the wall and pulled her into his embrace. For a moment, they simply sat there, nestled together, and Rena felt his heartbeat quicken through her cotton T-shirt. A slight morning breeze lifted strands of hair that had come loose from her ponytail. On the horizon, shades of crimson segued into gold as the street came alive with the sounds of nature.
When he spoke, his voice held all the emotion she felt—regret, fear…desire.
“When I lost Caden, I thought I lost everything, Rena. He was my best friend. It tore me up inside, and I didn’t think I could ever put the pieces together again.” He nestled his cheek against her hair and sighed. “And watching Jeanne…seeing the pain she endured—continues to endure—in losing the only man she’s ever loved, well…it makes a person think hard about wanting to give their heart away, about taking a chance with that kind of heartache.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he quieted her with a finger pressed to her lips.
“Let me…get this out. I need to let it out.” He shifted his weight and drew her in closer. “When I met you, that first day at the building site, some of my broken pieces began to jostle back into place. And they’ve continued to…find their way back together. I feel whole again, with you.”
Tears filled her eyes and spilled over. “But—”
“No buts. Things happen…sometimes terrible, downright heartbreaking things.” He shook his head. “I don’t know why. But I do know good things can come of them—if we let them. You came to me, Rena, and I am so thankful for that.”
“I…you came to me, too, Cody.”
He dipped his head, and kissed her. “I love you, Rena Dunigan.”
Rena’s breath caught. A flush of warmth filled her heart and spread to the tips of toes.
“Cody, I—”
He cradled her face tenderly in his hands and kissed her again. “I love you. I should have told you a long time ago. I wanted to. I’ve known for quite a while. But I was...”
“Afraid?” Rena knew how difficult it was to admit. He opened himself to her, poured his feelings out like so many grains of sand, vast and infinite. His eyes were deep with the sacrifice, and her heart ached for him. She felt his pain as if it were her very own.
“Yes—afraid.” When his eyes might have strayed to hide his vulnerability, they held fast to hers. “But you should know. I want you to know.”
She sat there for a moment beneath the weight of his stare as her mind drank in his words, so honest and true. The knots in her stomach untangled, the sturdy wall of defenses tumbled down. Her own vulnerable heart was completely exposed. She drew in a breath.
“It’s not too late…to let go of the past. I know that now.” She pressed a hand to his cheek and felt the hint of whiskers. “I love you, Cody. It terrifies me, but I can’t deny the feelings I have for you. I don’t want to be afraid anymore.”
“Then trust me. Let me love you, share my life with you.” Tenderly, Cody kissed away tears that blurred her vision. “I just need to know one more thing.”
“Anything.” Rena basked in the warmth of his touch.
“Will you be my wife, Rena? Will you allow me the honor of loving you forever? Will you trust me with your heart?”
Tears splashed them both as she nodded. She threw her arms around him and held tight as their hearts beat as one. This was where she was meant to be—right here in Cody’s arms…forever. “Yes, Cody. Oh, yes, I will.”
Epilogue
“I can’t believe we’ve just dedicated our fifth house for the Shelter the Homeless program.” Rena took a bite of the traditional vanilla celebration cake, smothered in rich cream cheese frosting.
“The work goes a lot faster now, thanks to all the new volunteers.” Cody swigged sweet tea. The afternoon was warm with the hint of an Indian summer, but leaves on the oak trees were brightening to vibrant hues of orange and red. “Your parents are incredible, Rena. Your dad has an uncanny gift for building things, and your mom—well, her baking is out of this world. This cake is amazing.” He took another mouthful of the sweet confection.
“And don’t forget Erin and her mom. They’ve been out here practically every Saturday, too. Erin’s brother has even shown up a time or two during a break in his touring schedule.”
“Did you know he’s offered to do another concert to benefit a second rec center expansion?” Kyle dug into his own slab of cake. “We’re going to use the money to fund a computer lab and expand our athletic programs.”
“That’s right,” Kelsie added. “We’re considering the addition of an outdoor pool and possibly a walking trail. Rena’s been working on the bids with some help from her dad.”
“Things are really coming together.” Cody sighed as he looked to the double stroller nestled between Kyle and Kelsie, where he and Rena’s twin goddaughters slept. “You two make beautiful babies. Look at them, Rena. Aren’t they amazing?”
“Oh, yes.” She lifted Madi from the stroller and cuddled her. “It feels so right, holding her.”
Cody lifted Tori for a dose of cuddling, too. He smiled as Rena’s wedding band glinted in the afternoon sunlight. He’d placed it on her finger just the month before.
“I’d like to put in an order for one of these, Mrs. Jamison.”
Rena grinned. She loved the sound of her married name on his lips. She’d never tire of hearing it. “Well, Mr. Jamison, you only thought Kyle was the efficient one.”
His jaw dropped and his blue eyes deepened a shade as they flew wide open. “You mean...?”
She nodded. “You’re going to be a daddy. It’s official. I’m pregnant.”
“No way. Really?”
“Really.”
“Wow. How did this happen?”
Kelsie burst into laughter. “Isn’t it a little late to be asking?”
That elicited a round of laughter from the rest of the group. Cody handed off Tori and gathered Rena into his arms. He kissed the shimmering tears from her eyes, and then stroked her waves of hair while inhaling the familiar honeysuckle scent. “You’ve made me the happiest guy around. I love you.”
Rena pressed a hand to her belly, where the proof of their love and God’s all-powerful grace nestled. “And I love you, Cody Jamison...forever and always.”
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May God’s glory shine through
this inspirational work of fiction.
AMDG
