Page 77 of Healing Love

Bart’s calm voice finally penetrated Cam’s mind and he bent low over her body. “Baby, I don’t want to hurt you, but I’ve got to get you out of here.” He kissed her forehead as he lifted her out of the seat and backed through the door, trying to focus solely on moving her gently and not the pounding of his heart or the soft moans coming from her mouth. “Shit, I’m sorry,cariña.”

“It’s okay,” she hissed through gritted teeth, but the pain was secondary.He came and got me.As he lay her down on the blankets that Chad had thrown on the ground, she smiled up at Cam. Blaise knelt by her side as Cam knelt on the other, his hand not leaving hers.

Bart and Chad circled around, keeping the FBI at bay and an eye on their friends. Blaise quickly ascertained that the blood on her clothes was Manuel’s.

“Thank Christ,” Cam breathed, gently brushing herhair away from her face, wanting to kiss her but afraid to hurt her split lip.

Opening the medical kit from their vehicle, Blaise treated her injuries. “Looks like your shoulder isn’t dislocated, Miriam, but it’s definitely sprained. I’m going to fashion a sling and we’ll need you to keep this on until you get to the hospital to be checked out.”

As soon as Blaise had the sling in place, Cam moved him out of the way, nearly lying on the blanket with his arms around her. She had begun to shake from the cold and shock, but his body heat began to warm her considerably.

With his arms around her, endearments whispered in her ear, she slowly relaxed in his embrace. Cupping his jaw with her hand, she spoke with tears in her eyes, “You came for me.”

“Cariña, you were fighting him yourself.”

“I couldn’t go back. And…I couldn’t leave you.”

Unashamed of the tears in his own eyes, he whispered, “I love you,” as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

With a smile on her lips she melted, warm and loved in his arms. “Take me home, Cam. Take me home.”

He kissed her once more before lifting her in his mighty arms. “Always,mi amor,” he promised.

28

Six Months Later

The wedding gazebo at Mountville Cabins that Bethany decorated was breathtaking. The bride and groom danced their first dance together underneath the pine structure covered in ivory sheers with spring flowers tied in bunches at the rails.

Miriam and Cam gazed into each other’s eyes as the rest of the party fell away behind them. Wearing a strapless, ivory, knee-length dress with beading over the bodice she took his breath away, just as much as she had done at their actual wedding earlier in the day.

To satisfy both sets of parents, they married in a church, but both wanted the reception to be a casual party for all their friends. Cam wore dark pants with a white shirt but eschewed the tie. His arms wrapped around Miriam as they moved back and forth around the gazebo floor.

Rachel and Joseph Delaro stood with Henrico and Bonita Perez, watching their children dance, knowing the miracle that brought them together…and home. Jobe threw his arm around his wife, MacKenna, and led her to the gazebo now that the first dance was over, twirling her around as well.

Bethany looked on with pride at her wedding venue, pleased that business was picking up and friends wanted to celebrate there. Jack saw her glancing around nervously so, pulling her in tightly, said, “No working tonight, babe. Your staff has it all in hand, so you can just be mine right now,” before he pulled her over to the gazebo to dance as well.

Several of the Saints brought dates and the dance floor began to fill up with couples swaying to the music.

Sister Genovia, now well enough to travel, flew in for the wedding. She and Miriam had a tearful reunion several days earlier and now the nun sat at one of the tables on the lawn, watching the sunset over the mountains. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at the glowing bride, thanking God for her deliverance. As her eyes moved to the groom, she chuckled, thanking God once more for sending Miriam such a kind and handsome rescuer.

Cam took his eyes off his bride for just a moment to glance around at the others. Friends, family, co-workers. He could not imagine being happier than he was at that moment and a sudden flash of memory rushed back to him.Father Martinez. I haven’t thought of him in years.And he remembered the words the priest had said to him that fateful day.A man can change his destiny.

Looking back at the beautiful woman in his arms, he felt the words of the priest slam into him.I would have been in prison or dead. And now?Receiving one of Miriam’s brilliant smiles as a gift, he knew,My destiny is having this woman in my life.

He bent his head and took her mouth in a gentle kiss. One that promised everything, sealing his destiny forever.

Two Years Later

Miriam woke from her nap, thankful for the chance to have an extra hour of sleep. The house was quiet…too quiet. Her breasts were heavy, ready for feeding time. She rose from the bed quickly but before she could make it to the hall, Cam stepped into the bedroom.

“Where’s—”

He shushed her with his fingers over her lips and motioned for her to follow him. He led her to the nursery where she peeked in with curiosity. There in the rocking chair sat Sister Genovia holding a cooing Genevieve. The elderly nun lifted her eyes from the tiny two-month-old bundle and smiled over her namesake.

Miriam moved into the room as Genevieve began to fuss, taking her from the sister’s arms. Settling down in the rocking chair herself, she opened her gown and began nursing her baby. Cam patted Sister Genovia’s shoulder as she left the room before kneeling down next to the chair watching his beautiful wife with their perfect little girl. Genevieve’s head was covered in blackdowny hair and her dark eyes watched her mother carefully.

After she had her fill, her mouth went slack as sleep overtook the infant. Miriam looked over at Cam, enjoying the few minutes of peace. He assisted her up and watched as she lay the sleeping baby back into her crib. Carefully covering her with a blanket, he ushered Miriam back toward their bedroom.

---