He kisses me deeply, then says, “Let’s go to bed, and we can work everything else out tomorrow.”
“Agree,” I tell him with a smile as I kiss his lips again, and he carries me to the bedroom. We spend all night making love to each other, allowing tomorrow's problems to be tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Four
ERIC
I walk into the church in Chatam County, needing to thank God for Rayeanne’s return and to ask him to bring Kim home safely.
I sit in the pew, bowing my head, when I hear a familiar voice.
“Something I can help you with, Agent?”
I lift my head and see Father Callahan standing above me.
“Father, I thought you were in Prichard County. I’ve been meaning to stop by and talk with you, but things have been a little…” I fall off.
“Busy? Yes, I’m sure in your line of work, you are always busy. Mind if I sit?” he asks.
“Of course not, Father,” I tell him, moving over so he can sit down.
“You know, God always hears our inner prayers as well as the outer prayers,” he says, and I nod.
“Father, there is something that I’ve wanted to ask you. That day at the lake, when I asked you if anything happened lately that struck you odd, you started to say something, but then you said no. Is it because what you knew was done in a confessional?”
“Yes, and before you ask the question, did I know I was talking to Father Mullen when he confessed, no, I didn’t. I knew whoever was confessing to sin, they were hurting. They sounded so childlike that it never occurred to me that Father Mullen was that hurt child.”
“Have you gone to see him?” I ask.
“Of course. God never leaves his children, but unfortunately, the children tend to leave the father. I think Father Mullen was so lost, he tried to find his way back to the father, but the devil was fighting him too.”
“I know, and I hope he gets the help he needs,” I say, looking up to the altar.
“The father hears your pleas as well, Agent. He knows you are doing your best, but you need to look for the father at the beginning in order to understand his plan.”
I mull over his words as he stands and says, “You are welcome to visit the church anytime, Agent.”
“Thank you, Father Callahan. I appreciate you speaking with me.”
“I’m sure we will see each other again, until then, Bless you, my child, peace be with you, and may God be with you in finding your answers,” he says as he blesses me.
I thank God for all his blessings and promise to do better, making more time for him.
I leave Chatam and drive to the State Building. I promised Michelle I would pick her up today so she doesn’t have to drive home alone.
I walk into the lobby, pressing the elevator. The doors open immediately, stepping in, I press the Basement. When the elevator doors open, I walk down the hallway to Michelle’s office.
“Hey babe,” I call out to her as she types on her computer.
“Hey, sorry, I’m not finished yet. Give me five more minutes, and then I want to hear about the reunion,” she tells me.
I chuckle and tell her, “No rush, finish what you are doing.” I sit in the chair and wait for her.
Ten minutes later, she calls out, “Finished. Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay, I’m ready when you are,” I give her a smile, and she gives me one back, but it doesn’t reach her eyes anymore.
Michelle is grabbing her purse from behind the door, and when she opens the door back, she screams.
I look up and am shocked.
“Kim,” she shrieks. “Oh my God, Kim, what happened?” Shelly asks her best friend, who is completely battered and bruised, almost unrecognizable.
I jump up from the chair, but Kim says nothing as she collapses, passing out into Michelle’s arms.
Acknowledgements
To my support group, Kerrie, Carli, Dawn, Angel, and Renea, thank you ladies so much for all your love and help with my books. Keeping me straight. These books wouldn’t be what they are without all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Mikki, thank you for all you do for me. You are truly an amazing PA and friend.
To all my ARC readers, I know I say it every time, but I seriously cannot thank you enough for all the love you show to me and my stories.
To you, the readers, thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed reading this series as much as I am enjoying writing it. I ask that you take a moment and leave a review and let your friends know how much you enjoyed it.
XOXO,
