11. BRODY
Brody stared at the waves, his heart heavy. He had lied to Naomi’s father. How would Naomi ever forgive him? How would he forgive himself?
“Brody,” Naomi called out softly. As he turned to face her, he noticed her eyes were red and puffy. “My father . . . he went to the local church to pray for me.”
She was wearing a long black dress with a black headwrap, and she looked so serious that he prepared himself for the worst: she was about to break up with him. Just when things had become so good between them. Just when Brody had felt a sliver of hope for the first time since his injury.
Just when he had fallen head over heels in love with her.
“Naomi,” Brody began, his voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.” He reached for her hand, but she pulled away, still avoiding his eyes. “I shouldn’t have lied. I was trying to help, but I know I made things worse.”
“What’s done is done,” said Naomi with a sigh.
“Maybe I should tell him the truth,” Brody suggested. “Whatever it takes to put this right, let me do it.”
“No!” she exclaimed, her eyes finally meeting his. The pain in her gaze cut through him like a knife. “The truth will only make things worse.” She sat down on the sand, hugging her knees. “Brody, my father is deeply concerned for me. He feels like I’m giving up my Nigerian heritage by marrying a white man without considering my roots.” She turned away from him as she spoke, staring out at the ocean. “He’s afraid that I’ll lose touch with who I am and my Christian faith.”
“Naomi, I want you to know that I respect your heritage and your faith,” Brody said earnestly. “And whatever we decide about our future together, I promise to support you in preserving both. Plus, I wasn’t lying about my wealth. I received a large sum from the Navy after my injury. It enabled me to buy the lighthouse, and it would enable me to look after you, too. Very well, in fact.” He reached for her hand again, hoping this time she would let him hold her. But instead, she pulled away once more, leaving him with an icy void where her warmth had been moments before.
“Maybe my father is right,” she said. I lost myself while I was here. It all felt so good, so natural, but what if my father’s right and I’m nothing but a sinner?”
“I can’t answer that question for you,” said Brody. “You need to listen to what’s inside your own heart. I support whatever you decide to do.”
The salty breeze rustled their clothes as they sat on the beach in silence.
Just then, Pastor James stormed across the beach, his face contorted with anger. “Naomi! Brody!” he bellowed, his voice cutting through the peaceful air. “I went to the local church and searched for your marriage records. There was nothing to be found!”
Brody paled, his grip on Naomi tightening involuntarily. “Pastor James, I can explain—“
“Then I contacted Mayor Cooper,” he continued, ignoring Brody’s attempt to speak. “And he confirmed it—you two are not married at all!”
“Father, please!” Naomi cried out, stepping forward to face her father. “We can sort this out.”
“Sort this out?” Pastor James scoffed, glaring at Brody. “You lied to me, to all of us, and now my daughter is caught up in your web of deceit.”
“Sir, I never meant for any of this to happen,” Brody said, squaring his shoulders. “My actions were wrong, and I’m willing to make it right. We can go to the courthouse tomorrow, we can get married and—“
“Married? To you?” Pastor James snarled, his disgust palpable. “I have spent my life protecting my daughter from people like you, who would use and discard her because of her heritage.”
“Father, don’t talk about Brody like that,” Naomi protested, her voice strained with emotion.
“Naomi, stay out of this.” Pastor James’ command was firm, his gaze locked on Brody. “I want you to understand something, Mr. Walker. I raised my daughter with the strictest principles and values so she could face a world that judged her and mistreated her. I did everything I could to give her a strong sense of identity, and I will not let some reckless nobody destroy that.”
“Pastor James,” Brody pleaded, desperation evident in his voice. “I love your daughter. I made a mistake, but I want to make it right. I want to be a part of her life—of your family.”
“Enough!” Pastor James roared, his fury boiling over. “My daughter deserves better than someone who lies and manipulates others for his own gain. You have proven yourself unworthy, and I will not stand idly by while you ruin her life!” He paused. “Just to be clear, Mr. Walker—you are not and will never be good enough for my daughter. And if you go near her ever again, I’ll beat the living daylights out of you.”
Those words stung. They sounded all too familiar to the kind of thing Brody’s own father used to say.
Naomi sobbed. “Maybe it’s best if I leave,” she choked out, wiping away her tears. “I don’t want to cause any more damage than I already have.”
“Naomi, no,” Brody protested, reaching for her hand.
“Brody,” she sighed, pulling away gently, “I don’t want to bring pain into your life. I need to go.”
“Please,” Brody pleaded, desperation evident in his voice. “Don’t walk away from me.”
“Goodbye, Brody,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. With one last glance at her father, who stood rigid with disapproval, Naomi turned and walked away, leaving Brody standing there, feeling as though his world was crumbling around him.