Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
A soothing warmth spread through Paul’s chest, calming his nerves as he made his way toward Sweet Bloom Community Church. The sun shone brightly over the small town as people bustled about their morning. A smile played at the corners of his lips, his heart light with the progress he had made with Emily. After weeks of trying, she had finally accepted him as a friend. But Paul wanted more than that—he wanted to be more to her, and he was determined to prove himself worthy if given the chance. As he approached the quaint church with its white steeple reaching toward the sky, Paul couldn’t help but feel hopeful for what may come next in his journey with Emily.
As he stepped into the church, his brown eyes scanned the congregation, searching for that familiar face. A wave of relief washed over him when he spotted her in the third row, recognizing her willowy frame instantly. Her beautiful green eyes sparkled with emotion, and her brown hair framed her face like a halo as he approached. Paul couldn’t help but feel drawn to her.
“Hey, Emily,” he said softly, with a friendly grin. “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not, Paul,” she replied, returning his smile as she gestured to the empty spot beside her. “I’m glad you made it.”
“Me too,” he told her as they took their seats next to each other, and Paul felt a sense of belonging he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. As the congregation sang, their voices melded together in a seamless harmony. Paul enjoyed the simple pleasure of being next to Emily. It felt natural —as if they’d been friends for years.
“Your voice is lovely,” he whispered to her during a pause between songs.
“Thank you,” she blushed. “I’ve always enjoyed singing.”
“Me too, though I don’t mention that to many people,” he admitted, feeling a warmth in his heart that seemed to grow with every shared moment between them. “I used to sing in a boy’s choir at the church around the street from the group home I lived in.”
“That sounds adorable,” she told him with a squeeze of her hand on his arm. “I would have paid to see you back then.”
“No, I had a bad habit of eating my feelings. I was a chubby kid,” he confessed.
“Again, adorable,” she insisted right before the next song started.
As the service continued, Paul couldn’t help but observe Emily, noting how her lips curved into a gentle smile when she sang certain lyrics. She seemed so at peace in this setting, surrounded by faith and fellowship.
As Pastor Petrie took the stage, everyone took their seats. “Today’s message is about allowing yourself to be vulnerable,” the pastor began. “About not allowing fear to dictate your actions, but rather, embrace the unknown with faith.”
Paul felt his heart pound in his chest. The words resonated with him—it was as if the sermon had been tailored to his current situation. He risked a glance at Emily, wondering if she could feel the same connection to the message that he did.
“Remember,” the pastor continued, “it is in our moments of vulnerability that we best open ourselves up to God’s love and guidance. We must trust in His plan, even when it seems uncertain or frightening.”
As the pastor’s voice echoed through the church, Paul found himself lost in a sea of thoughts. His mind drifted to Emily, and the way her smile lit up the room or her laughter that might be one of the sweetest sounds he’d ever heard. He knew he needed to take a chance and show her how he felt, but fear gripped at his heart like an iron fist. What if she didn’t reciprocate his feelings? The uncertainty gnawed at him, and he wasn’t sure what to do about it.
“Let us pray,” Pastor Petrie concluded, and the congregation bowed their heads. Paul sent up a silent prayer for courage and guidance—the strength to follow his heart and be vulnerable with Emily so he didn’t end up living with regrets.
“Emily, would you like to grab some lunch at Lucy’s diner?” he asked as they exited the church. “I’d love to continue spending time with you today.”
“Sounds wonderful, Paul,” she replied, her smile lighting up her face. “I’m glad you asked.”
As they strolled toward the diner, Paul’s nerves subsided, replaced by a newfound determination. He would take the message from the sermon to heart and show Emily just how much she meant to him.
Upon entering the cozy establishment, they were greeted by Lucy Belmont herself, her friendly, outgoing demeanor shining through. “Well, if it isn’t Paul and Emily, two of my favorite customers. It’s so good to see y’all. Come on in and grab a booth.”
“Thank you, Lucy,” Emily said, her green eyes sparkling with appreciation. She led the way to a booth by the window where they could watch the people passing by.
“Can I get y’all something to drink?” Lucy asked as she handed them menus.
“Two iced teas, please,” Paul answered, instantly knowing Emily’s preferred drink from all their time together at work.
As Lucy hurried away to fetch their drinks, Paul looked into Emily’s eyes, feeling the warmth of her presence wash over him.
“Wasn’t that sermon amazing?” Emily asked, her eyes shining with enthusiasm as she took a sip of her iced tea. “I feel like it was exactly what I needed to hear.”
“Me too,” Paul admitted, his fingers drumming against the side of his glass. “It’s so easy to let fear hold us back, but sometimes we need to take risks to find happiness.”
Emily nodded, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been trying to work on being more open and vulnerable lately. It’s not always easy, but I think it’s important for personal growth.”
Paul couldn’t help but smile at her honesty. “I agree. And I think it helps to have people in our lives who support and encourage us along the way.”
With a quick, efficient stride, Lucy made her way back to Paul and Emily’s table. She smiled brightly as she approached, pulling out her notepad. “What can I get y’all?”
“I’ll take the meatloaf,” Paul told the diner owner.
“And I’ll have the chicken sandwich and fries,” Emily told Lucy.
After jotting down their order with practiced ease, Lucy turned on her heel and hurried away, weaving effortlessly through the restaurant tables.
As Paul and Emily returned to their conversation, it flowed effortlessly, sharing their thoughts on the sermon and relating it to their own experiences and hopes for the future. Paul realized he was ready to be vulnerable, to take a chance on making something real with her. He was about to tell her that when someone interrupted him.
“Excuse me, but is this Paul and Emily I see here together?” Marjorie Simms blurted out as she marched over and stood in front of their booth, her salt-and-peppered hair perfectly coiffed and her plump cheeks flushed with excitement.
“Hello, Marjorie,” Paul said to Sweet Bloom’s resident gossip queen as he forced a polite smile. “Yes, we were just discussing today’s sermon over lunch.”
“Ah, I see,” Marjorie replied, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied them. “So, are you two an item now? I must say, everyone in town has been wondering when something would happen between you.”
“Marjorie, we’re just friends,” Emily insisted, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “We enjoy each other’s company and wanted to talk more about the sermon.”
“Friends, huh?” Marjorie raised an eyebrow skeptically, clearly not buying their story. “Well, if you say so. But just so you know, I think you two would make a lovely couple.” With those parting words, she sauntered away, leaving Paul and Emily to exchange bemused glances.
“Marjorie means well, I suppose,” Emily said with a sigh. “But sometimes her imagination runs away with her.”
“Indeed,” Paul agreed, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
Lucy approached their table again with a hearty laugh and a pitcher to refill their teas. “I see Marjorie’s been stirring up her usual trouble around here. Don’t pay her any mind; that woman could start rumors in an empty room.”
Paul and Emily exchanged an amused glance. “Thanks, Lucy,” Emily said warmly. “We’ll keep that in mind.”
“I’ll be right back with your food,” the diner owner told them.
After finishing their meal and promising Lucy they’d return soon, Paul and Emily strolled out of the establishment into the bright afternoon sunshine.
“Today has been surprisingly wonderful,” Emily told him as they stood on the sidewalk.
“It really has,” Paul agreed wholeheartedly. Then, he glanced at his watch and sighed with a shake of his head. “Oh, would you look at the time? I have to go. I promised to get some new search and rescue procedures ready for the department tomorrow.”
“That’s okay. I understand if you have to get going,” Emily told him.
“Trust me, I would rather hang out with you some more, but I don’t want to disappoint Sheriff Hart.”
Emily nodded, understanding the importance of Paul’s work. “Of course. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble with the sheriff. We can always catch up another time.”
As they stood there, Paul felt a sudden surge of courage. The pastor’s words about vulnerability echoed in his mind. “Emily,” he started, his heart racing, “I was wondering if maybe...if you’d like to have dinner with me sometime this week? Just the two of us?”
Emily’s green eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and something else Paul couldn’t quite read flashing across her face. She hesitated for a moment, and Paul felt his stomach drop.
“Paul, I...” she began, then paused, seeming to choose her words carefully. “I really enjoy spending time with you, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
Paul’s heart sank, but he tried to keep his expression neutral. “Oh, okay. May I ask why?”
Emily sighed, her eyes darting away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. “It’s just...I have a rule about not dating guys with badges. I’ve been hurt before, and I promised myself I wouldn’t go down that road again.”
Paul nodded slowly, processing her words. He felt a twinge of disappointment but also a spark of determination. “I understand, Emily. I respect your decision. But I hope you know that I’m not like whoever hurt you in the past. I’d never intentionally cause you pain.”
Emily’s expression softened. “I know you wouldn’t, Paul. I can tell you’re a good man. It’s just...complicated.”
“Well,” Paul said, mustering a smile, “I hope you know that I’m here as your friend, no matter what. And if you ever change your mind about that rule of yours, I’ll be here.”
Emily returned his smile, a mix of gratitude and something that looked like regret in her eyes. “Thank you, Paul. That means a lot to me.”
As they said their goodbyes and parted ways, Paul couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. He was disappointed, yes, but also oddly hopeful. Emily hadn’t outright rejected him—she had a rule, a wall she’d built to protect herself. But walls could be dismantled brick by brick with patience and care.
Walking back to his apartment, Paul made a silent promise to himself. He would prove to Emily that not all men with badges were the same. He would show her, through his actions and his dedication, that she could trust him with her heart. It might take time, but Paul was nothing if not persistent.
As he reached his front door, his phone buzzed with a text. It was from Emily: “Thanks for a lovely day, Paul. Looking forward to seeing you at work tomorrow.”
Paul smiled, his spirits lifting. He responded: “Me too. Thanks for hanging out with me today.”
She texted back: “Of course. Talk to you soon.”
He placed his phone back in his pocket and headed inside. Maddox barked from his kennel, letting him know he wanted out.
“I got you, boy,” he told his partner as he undid the latch and let him out. Maddox rushed over to the back door and barked again. “Okay, here you go,” Paul added as he turned the knob and pushed it open.
Maddox took off, happy to be in the fenced backyard where he could play and use the bathroom.
As Paul leaned against the door frame and watched his German shepherd partner chase after a bird, he thought back on his time with Emily. Even though she didn’t want to admit, he could tell he was making headway with her. After all, tomorrow was another day, another chance to chip away at that wall around Emily’s heart. And he was looking forward to every moment.