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Her heart thumped harder. She wanted to be with him. That was all. No. She wanted to kiss him and admit she loved him. “I’d like to work on shooting more.”
“Done.”
She smiled. “And I’d like to learn self-defense.”
His gaze sharpened. “Has anyone hurt you, Liz?”
“Not like you’re thinking, but I felt empowered shooting the gun. I’d like to feel I could protect myself.”
“Okay.” His eyes pierced her. “How have you been hurt?” At this moment, maybe Easton was right. Hays looked like the bad boy Aquaman instead of the mild, hidden-strength Superman. Hays was ready to avenge her every pain.
“The control and manipulation my father and mother used, the things they’ve made me do, made me watch, have killed my soul.” She blinked. Had she just admitted to that?
Hays didn’t waste any time. He stepped in, gathered her close, and held her. It wasn’t a demanding hug. This touch was all about comfort. Elizabeth let out a breath and leaned into him.
The moment stretched. She was safe and loved and every joy could be theirs if only they’d stay together.
Hays eased back enough to meet her gaze. “Liz, I’m sick about what you’ve been through, but please believe your soul is intact and full of goodness and light.”
She yanked away from him and pressed her back against the doorframe. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” She didn’t appreciate him lying to try to make her feel better.
Hays’s eyebrows rose, but he remained calm. “I haven’t been in your situation,” he admitted. “My parents were loving and my home happy, but I have been in darkness. I have taken lives and lost friends in battles. I’ve been betrayed, manipulated, and tortured.”
She flinched at his words. No! She wanted Hays to be happy and relaxed. Had he really been through all of that? “Torture?” she squeaked out.
He nodded. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through and how it’s damaged you, but there is hope. There is light you can turn to. Our Savior has blessed, strengthened, inspired, and protected me in more ways than I could ever relay. He’s healed me emotionally, spiritually, and physically many times.”
“Please don’t.” She held up a hand, shaking her head. “I’m grateful that you can turn to heaven, but no greater power is helping me. I can’t trust in heaven. I tried when I was young and only darkness came for me.”
This disparity between them was exactly why they couldn’t be together. Even with all he’d seen, all he’d done in the military, how powerful and even lethal he could be, Hays was light and goodness. She wouldn’t drag him into the pain and misery that swirled in her soul.
Instead of looking disappointed or telling her she was wrong, Hays said, “If you ever change your mind, I’d love to talk to you more about your Savior and pray with you.”
Her heart beat high and fast. She studied him. “Do you pray for me, Hays?”
His gaze was full of meaning as he stepped closer again, lowered his voice and said, “Every single prayer, Liz. Every one. Since I fell in love with you fourteen years ago.”
Now her heart raced out of control. Oh, Hays. His devotion to her ran deep. “How often do you pray?”
He smiled slightly. “Morning, noon, and night, and sometimes every hour in between.”
Liz swallowed hard. She had no response. He prayed for her every prayer, and he prayed often.
Hays’s large palm wrapped around her hand. She was instantly comforted, safe, and soaring. How could she resist him?
“Knock knock,” he said.
“Who’s there?” she squeaked out of her very dry throat.
“Luke.”
“Luke who?”
He moistened his lips and leaned toward her. She could smell his sea salt, citrus, and musk scent. She was transported to the beach, a vacation she’d never known, happiness and joy.
“Luke into your heart and see if there’s room for me.”
Elizabeth sucked in a breath. He was already in her heart. Did she dare admit that to him?
