Page 87 of SEAL of Valor

“I made a promise.” He climbs out, then comes around and opens my door.

“To whom?”

He points up toward the sky. “I keep my word.” Reaching out, he takes my hand and helps me out of his truck, then walks behind me as we head up the steps. I don’t miss the way he watches our surroundings as if he’s waiting for someone to jump right out of the shadows. And then I remember how Brenda did just that, and I’m so grateful he’s here.

After reaching around and opening the door, we step through and into the sanctuary. It’s funny; when I first got to town and came here, I had absolutely no clue I was minutes away from running into my ex. And now, here I am, walking through these doors right alongside him.

And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Pastor Reeves turns at the sound of the doors, a Bible in his hand. When he sees us, he smiles and waves in welcome. “Weston, Reese, this is a surprise.”

“Hey, Pastor Reeves,” I greet.

Weston takes a deep breath, and I can feel his nervousness even as we make our way down the aisle. How long has it been since he was here? Because I am getting the impression it’s been quite some time.

“I was hoping you had a few minutes,” Weston says. “If not⁠—”

“No, no. I have all the time in the world. Come, sit.” Pastor Reeves gestures toward a pew in the front.

“I’ll be back—” I start to pull away, but Weston grips my hand.

“Please stay,” he says, his tone soft. Nervous.

“Of course.” I cover his hand with my other one, then follow him over toward a pew, where I take a seat beside him. Pastor Reeves sits on my other side, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because he’s reading Weston’s nerves, too, and wants to give him space.

For quite a while, the three of us sit in silence, and I catch Weston’s gaze drifting toward the cross on the altar more than once. Lord, please give him strength. Please let him know that You are here.

Pastor Reeves remains silent, patiently waiting for Weston to speak first.

Weston releases my hand and runs both palms against his jean-clad thighs. “I’m not sure why I’m here, but I told God I’d come if He saved us, and He did.”

“Saved you?” he questions.

“We were kidnapped,” I say when Weston remains quiet. “Grabbed outside of Maverick’s place a week ago.”

Pastor Reeves looks away for a moment, then nods. “That explains the bruises.” He gestures toward Weston. “Are you both okay?”

“We survived,” Weston replies.

“Ahh, but there’s a difference in surviving and being okay, wouldn’t you say?” he asks.

How true that is.

“You said that you asked God to save you, and He did.” Pastor Reeves places his hand on top of the Bible in his lap. “Yet you sound unsure.”

Weston swallows hard, clearly battling with whatever he came here to discuss.

“Weston, I can go right over there if that would make you⁠—”

“No. I’m fine. Just…give me a minute.” He pushes to his feet and turns away from us.

I glance over at Pastor Reeves, who gives me a soft, understanding smile as if to let me know that it’s okay. That God is working right now, and it’s all in His time.

Weston turns around. “I begged God to save my sister. The whole time I was out looking for her, I was praying. Calling out to Him, and He ignored me. Then, when we lost—” He trails off.

“When you lost your baby?” Pastor Reeves finishes.

Weston’s gaze rapidly shifts to mine, and I chew on my bottom lip. Logically, I know he won’t be mad, but I really hope he doesn’t see it as a betrayal.