Chapter 19 #3
“Hold up a sec.” Hank stood, shuffled over to him, and placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “You did all you could, Butler. Now you just need to let God work on him.” Hank pointed his chin at their former supervisor. “He listened, now it’s up to Howard if he wants to accept the truth.”
Ethan exited the holding cell area, taking the elevator to the main floor of the courthouse. Oh, how he wanted a do-over. Wished he’d gotten out of his own head and been a better Christian when he was first assigned. He’d just have to leave Howard’s soul in God’s hands.
He pushed through the doors and into the bright afternoon sunshine and inhaled. Howard was a mess, but nothing that God couldn’t redeem. Ethan was a prime example.
He rushed back to his truck and headed to the hospital, glancing over at the two dozen pink roses arranged in a fancy vase—since the previous bouquet had ended up smashed on the floor in the scuffle.
The heady aroma filled the cab of his truck, reminding him of Aubrey. Bright. Beautiful. Perfect in his eyes, even though trouble regularly found her.
Ethan cradled the vase of flowers in his arms as he reached Aubrey’s room. Albright stood posted outside the door and gave him a brief nod. A couple of nurses at the station smiled and offered encouraging thumbs-ups as Ethan paused, drawing in a steadying breath.
He knocked once, and before he could enter, Kristen opened the door, her smile bright and familiar. She immediately tried to usher him in, but Ethan hesitated, his feet suddenly rooted to the floor.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Is she awake? Feeling okay? Is now a good time?”
Kristen laughed, so much like her sister it caught him off guard. “Easy there, cowboy. She’s fine.”
She tugged him inside. “Look who’s here to see you,” Kristen singsonged.
Ethan stepped fully into the room.
His gaze found Aubrey instantly, where she sat propped against white pillows with her hair pulled back, color finally returned to her cheeks. Bruised, tired, but alive. The knot he’d been carrying in his chest since the mountain finally loosened, just enough for him to breathe.
For the first time in days, he let himself believe they were going to be okay.
“Hey.” Ethan gave an awkward wave to Emily, Kristen, Aubrey, and an older man who had to be her father, Bill. He hadn’t felt this nervous in, well, a long, long time.
“I, uh, brought these for you.” He shoved the vase toward Aubrey, and she caught it with a laugh.
“They’re gorgeous.” She buried her nose in the fragrant blooms and inhaled. “How did you know I like pink roses?” she asked as she smiled at him over the bouquet.
“Just a hunch. You wear a lot of pink.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. All he could see was Aubrey. Her light. Her personality that filled a room and made you feel welcomed.
“Well, I guess we’ll be leaving now.” Emily tugged her purse over her shoulder and looped her arm through her husband’s. “Let’s go grab some dinner. Kristen, you coming?” Emily glared at Kristen. “I’m sure Aubrey would like to rest.”
“Fine.” A smile lit Kristen’s face as she flounced toward the door. She pivoted in the doorway and winked. “Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Her laughter faded as the door closed.
Aubrey’s face turned an adorable shade of pink, and she muttered something about talking to Jenna. “I’m sorry about my sister.”
“It’s fine.”
“She’s always been a tease. It’s great to have her back after all this time, even if she is annoying.” Aubrey cleared her throat and ran a finger over some of the delicate blooms. “Would you mind setting this on the window ledge?”
“Sure.”
Ethan resumed his seat, an awkward tension settling over them.
“So—”
“I wanted to tell you—”
“You go first.” They spoke at the same time, looked at each other, and then burst out laughing.
Ethan shook his head. “Please, ladies first.”
She glanced down at her clasped hands. “I’m grateful for your help. For finding me and saving me from Donovan. The situation could’ve ended a lot differently.” She exhaled, and when she looked at him, tears shimmered in her eyes. “If it wasn’t for you, I could’ve died.”
Seeing her near tears about ripped his heart in two. “Hey now, it’s okay. You’re safe.” With me.
He sat on the edge of her bed, and she curled into him, her arms wrapped around his waist.
This was heaven. He wanted this. Her.
She sobbed into his chest, and he hugged her close. He never wanted to let go.
One last shudder wracked her body, and she leaned back, a beautiful smile on her lips. “Thank you.” Her face was blotchy and tear-stained, but to him, Aubrey was the most beautiful woman in the world.
“For what?” He cupped her cheeks with his hands, his thumbs swiping away the last of her tears.
“For being you.”
He smiled. “Isn’t the man supposed to say that?”
She leaned back and then gave him a playful swat. “You’re quite the comedian.”
“I have many talents.” Ethan leaned closer, cupping the back of her neck with one hand. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He gently tugged her closer until their lips were a fraction apart. Aubrey’s minty breath fanned his cheek, and her eyes were almost closed.
“I do have one question for you.”
“Hmm? What’s that?” Her voice was a low hum, warmed by the afternoon sunshine.
“Finish our date?”
“What date?”
“The one from Renegade Days.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, then her cheek. All the tension left his body as he headed for her lips.
Her eyes flew open, and she leaned away from him. “That was a date?”
He tapped her nose. “Of course it was. I don’t cosplay for just anyone.”
“Well then.” She pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “I accept.”
“Good.” Ethan closed the distance and kissed her as he’d wanted to for a long time. The kiss was full of heat and a promise for their future. She melted into his arms, and he never wanted to let her go.
He’d been so caught up in his own grief, his own survival, that he hadn’t seen the gift God had placed in front of him this entire time.
They would navigate this life together, the highs and the lows, and lean not only on each other but on the goodness of God to pilot them on their journey.
Thank you for reading Guardian. We hope you loved the story. The action, adventure, and romance continues with Rescuer, the next thrilling adventure in the Heroes of Renegade series.
Some rescues require risking everything—including your heart.
Special education teacher Mia Turner never wanted to return to Renegade, especially not to face Jackson Stewart—the man who shattered her heart and abandoned her in her darkest hour.
But when her students start disappearing and a shadowy foundation's "youth camp" becomes ground zero for a dangerous plot, she has no choice but to trust the one man she swore she'd never forgive.
When the past collides with a deadly present, survival depends on forgiveness.
Paramedic Jackson Stewart will do anything to find his missing brother Dylan, even work with the woman who decimated his heart.
But as dangerous secrets surface in Renegade, Jackson must face the possibility that finding his brother means confronting not just his painful past with Mia, but a conspiracy that could destroy everything he's fought to protect.
Keep reading for a sneak peek…