Page 37 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

“You know . . .”

Selah didn’t respond to Ben as she rolled her eyes at the smug look on his face.

“Big Bertha could use a good cleaning. If you want to takemytruck out for a wash this weekend, feel free.” Ben let out a hearty laugh.

“Whatever.” Selah’s face was flushed from the thrill of the ride. “You don’t have to gloat.”

A group of birds came barreling out from behind the trees. Selah was caught off guard, and her face drained of all color. She almost leaped out of her skin. If it were possible, her heart would have exploded outside her chest.

Frantically, Selah looked around to find she had been startled by birds. Embarrassed, her eyes welled up with tears. “Dammit! When am I going to stop being afraid of my own shadow?!”

Ben reached for her and hugged her tight. He tucked her head underneath his chin, “you went through a lot. It’s okay to still have some residue from it. It wasn’t that long ago.”

Selah gripped the front of Ben’s shirt and buried her face into his chest. Her shoulders shook as the tears began to flow. It was the first time Ben had seen her cry since the incident. Tears were good. It meant she was processing the nightmare of her ordeal. Ben suspected this was all part of the healing process.

He held Selah close until she seemed to get it all out. He was emotional too. Thinking back on that night, Ben thought he had lost her.

She sniffled, “You probably think I’m weak for not bouncing back like you did.”

“Me? Bounce back? Shit! I’m still trying. But I wouldn’t be this far without the support of you, Wyatt, and Lucas. It took some time to realize I couldn’t shut everyone out who loved me.”

Selah dropped her arms and stepped back. “We do love you.”

“And we feel the same about you. Healing doesn’t have a timetable.” He prayed he was right. “We’ve hired extra full-time security for the property and the house. See . . .” He pointed to them. “They’re close right now. But it might make you feel better to know you can defend yourself.” It would make him feel better.

Ben walked over to Gingersnap, pulled the 9 MM out of the protective holster, and returned it to her.

“Here.”

Selah was hesitant. “You know I don’t like guns.”

“I don’t either.”

“Could have fooled me. You’re an expert with them.”

“I’m not an expert.”

“You’re literally an expert. Your military certificate says Weapon’s Expert.”

“I only served six years. It doesn’t count. Now, Wyatt, he’s an expert.”

“I always found it weird that you went from the most aggressive job on the planet to a renowned agricultural scientist.”

“I don’t think it’s strange. There’s always more than one way to save the world.”

“True. It’s still weird to see my brother on the cover of scientific magazines. You’re like this celebrity.”

“It’s kinda weird for me, too, and I’m not a celebrity. I’m more infamous than famous. No one cares about science.”

“You’re way too humble, and that’s not true. Companies all over the world have offered you millions for your formula. They think it’s amazing, and so do I.”

“Correction. Companies all over the world want to bury my formula. I won’t let them do that to the people. It’s for everyone.”

“I wish everyone had your heart.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

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