Page 158 of Sheltering You

“Well.” Mom obviously didn’t know how to segue from that to normalcy. In her defense, what reasonable person would? “Now that that’s settled…the food is ready.”

Dad cleared his throat. “Let’s hold hands for the blessing.”

They circled up, the whole crowd of them. Derrick’s five brothers, their wives and future wives, Zoë, Jeremy, Levi, Mom, and Dad.

Derrick held onto Jasmine’s hand, and it all just…hit him. What had happened.

What could have happened.

What they’d gone through, not just today but over the past few months.

How much they could have lost. How much they had gained.

How good, how incredibly good, their God was.

Apparently, Derrick wasn’t the only one who had these thoughts because he saw a lot of moisture around the circle, mostly on the faces of the women. His brothers held their heads up, like they could shake the tears back inside.

“Well, God.” Dad swallowed hard, scanning the room. “I don’t think there are words big enough for this moment. Thank You doesn’t cover it. You did this. You saved us and…” He took a breath and blew it out. “We owe You…everything.”

Derrick kissed the top of Jasmine’s head, and she looked up at him with more wonder than even she’d ever held before.

And for the first time, he figured his expression mirrored hers.

Dad seemed at a loss. The rest of them were just nodding along, sniffing. Smiling and crying. He and his brothers pretending not to cry.

Then Daniel said, “I think that covers it. Amen.”

The room chorused, “Amen.”

They filled their plates and talked and laughed and stoked the fire and gathered at the oversize dining room table in the shadow of the Christmas tree and ate.

And all the while, Derrick couldn’t keep from watching the beautiful woman who was safe and healthy and maybe, God willing, might someday be his.

An hour later, Derrick crossed the yard from the cliff. He’d helped haul luggage to the dock. Even with both speedboats here, it would take a couple of trips to get everyone back to the mainland. Dad had headed across the choppy water with Mom, Grant, Summer, Bryan, and Sophie in his boat. Michael followed with Daniel, Camilla, Zoë, and Jeremy in the other.

The sun was already dipping in the west. It would be fully dark by the time Dad and Michael would be back to collect the rest of them. Not that it mattered. Traveling the few miles over the choppy water would be a piece of cake after the danger they’d endured.

Derrick climbed to the patio and crossed to the kitchen door. It opened before he reached it.

Jasmine must’ve showered because her hair was damp, hanging over her shoulder, her face scrubbed and glowing in the pale evening light. She wore a red dress that didn’t manage to hide her beautiful shape. She’d slipped into a jacket and a pair of fuzzy boots. Had she been about to go in search of him? She smiled, the expression so open and fresh that he stopped where he was, just to look at her.

He’d rarely seen her so unguarded. So…happy.

“Well? Are you coming?” Her head tilted, and her voice held teasing. “I think your father would say heat doesn’t grow on trees, no?”

Wow. The way she gazed at him was heating far more than the outside air.

Derrick’s inside was getting pretty warm.

“Though I think, when you build a fire, heat does grow on trees.” She grinned. “This is kidding, yes? This thing your father always says?” And then she laughed as if she’d just gotten Dad’s stupid joke, and it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard.

Derrick couldn’t stand it, not for one more second.

He crossed the space, pulled her outside and into his arms.

“Oh.” Her eyes were wide, but she wasn’t afraid. Just surprised and…pleased.

She was so perfect, right there, tucked against him. Tiny and vulnerable and strong and amazing and everything he’d ever wanted.