Page 13 of SEAL of Valor

Attached is a picture of her and Jeremiah sitting together. Her smile is bright as she looks toward the camera, while Jeremiah’s focus is purely zeroed in on her.

The guy has been in love with Ash since he started working at the clinic two years ago, and it’s been painful watching him try so hard to get her to give him a chance.

Me: It’s about time!

Ash: Yeah, yeah. How about you? Did Mr. Mysterious follow you to town?

I laugh and type my response.

Me: Not a chance. And if he did, it would be weird. Headed into church now. Call you later?

As those three dots appear again, I raise my gaze toward the church. Dark thoughts swirl in my mind. Memories of a past I’ve been trying to outrun for far too long. But how can I face it when there was never any closure? Of course, that’s on me. I’m the one who ran.

He would have loved me until death do us part because that’s just who he is. Even if it killed him to do it.

Tears burn in the corners of my eyes, so I shut them tightly and breathe through the all-too-familiar agony of regrets.

My phone dings.

Taking a deep breath, I use one hand to wipe my face, then unlock my phone to read her response.

Ash: Fair enough. You’d better, girl! I have a date to tell you about.

With a soft laugh, I stick my phone back into my purse, then climb out and lock my car. The weather is humid and a little chilly, a bite of fall clinging to the breeze. The salty sea air mixes with the lovely aroma of the fresh rosemary growing in front of the church.

Scents of home.

I can’t help but smile as I make my way up toward the church. That is, until I notice the people standing just in front. Every single one of the five older women who were visiting just outside has stopped talking, their gazes trained on me.

“Hi, Mrs. Knox,” I greet, only recognizing her because of the time I spent at Zane and Anastasia’s house alongside my ex. My heart dips at that thought, but I push it aside.

“Reese. Honey, it is lovely to see you.” She rushes forward, a bright smile on her face, and pulls me in for a hug.

“You, too.” I release her.

“So, when did you get into town?”

“Just a few minutes ago. Hoping to surprise my mom.”

“She will be so happy to see you.” She smiles, though I do sense a bit of awkwardness between us. And why wouldn’t there be? Weston was like a second son to her. He and her son, Zane, were thick as thieves growing up. Inseparable.

“Thanks. I hope so. It was good to see you.” With one final smile, I climb the steps and pull the door open.

Rain soaks me as I race toward the front of the church. The pavement is slick, but I manage to keep my feet under me. How? I’ll never know. I rip the doors of the church open and rush inside, sealing the storm outside.

My chest is so heavy, the pain suffocating me where I stand.

The sanctuary is empty, illuminated only by a single light shining down on the cross straight ahead. My gaze lands on the broken chains at the base, and anger surges through me.

How is this fair?

How is this right?

Why is this happening?

I blink tears away as remnants of that night surge forward. The last time I was in this church was the worst night of my entire life. Yet here I am again, standing in the one place I swore I’d never come into again.

Of course, that was back then. I found my way back to God. Or rather, He found me. Broken and clinging to my grief and pain like a toddler clings to their favorite stuffed animal. I thought they’d brought me comfort in those dark days, but really they’d been chains around my ankles.