Page 28 of Desert Wind

“Did you enjoy your dinner?” asked Nash.

“It was wonderful,” smiled Jenna. “It’s always wonderful here. We had such bland food at the convent. Nothing too spicy, nothing that could be considered too boastful or elaborate.”

“Boastful?” he grinned. “How is food boastful?”

“Well, look around you at the volume of food here. There’s so much of it. This would have never been allowed at the convent. You ate small portions and didn’t gorge yourself with food or drink. This is so much. How much goes to waste?”

“None,” said Nash. “Everything is either turned into something else, frozen, kept for leftovers, or given to the shelter that the team runs.”

“Oh,” she whispered. “I had no idea. There’s a shelter here?”

“Yes. Along with a school for orphan children or those who are rescued through their missions. The adults are kept a bit further down the road, but someone takes the leftovers to them every night. There’s a full kitchen there, so they have their own meals every day, but sometimes we get stuck, unable to hit the stores if the weather is bad.

“Plus, we have a shelter downtown New Orleans. It’s run by Asia and Molly. They used to live here, but when their son got married and moved away, they wanted to do something different.

“So, Matthew turned an old warehouse into a shelter for kids who had nowhere to go at night. Maybe their parents work late night shifts or just don’t care where their children are. Molly and Asia provide meals, games, and a safe space for kids. On thethird floor, there are bunks for kids who need a secure place to sleep.”

“That’s so remarkable,” she said, staring at all the people. “I remember them saying something about a school when I first got here, but I was so distracted by everything I guess I forgot about it. I knew you all were special, but to provide for orphans or children in danger is truly something remarkable. I loved my time teaching, and I do miss it.”

“It could be something for you to do if you wanted to go back to teaching,” said Nash. “You said that’s what you were doing at the convent, right?”

“Yes. I helped with kitchen duties when I was very young. I found it quite cathartic, but the nun in charge of the kitchens told me I didn’t have the skill to boil water,” she laughed. Nash laughed along with her.

“That’s a beautiful sound. You laughing,” he said, grinning at her. She tilted her head and reached for his hand.

“Oh, Nash. I owe my laughter, my comfort, my safety to you. You and all these people here. I would be hiding in a hole somewhere if it weren’t for all of you. I can’t thank you enough.” Nash nodded at her, a pit forming in his stomach.

“Look at me, Nash.” He looked up at her. “Nash, I like you. I like you a lot, but I have to figure out what all this is about. I’m just starting to feel like a human being again, like a woman. I’m just starting to find myself and feel like myself – the self I think I was supposed to be all along. No. No, that’s not right. I feel better than I’ve ever felt, and I’m just now realizing that. I owe it all to you and the team.

“I can’t promise what will happen in a few days, a few weeks, or a few months. What I know is that I want to spend as much time with you as possible. When you’re around, I feel safe.I feel as though the world is right. In truth, I feel like that high school girl back in Arizona a lifetime ago.”

“Jenna, you can have all the time in the world. Just knowing that you have some feelings for me will keep me going,” he said, reaching for her other hand.

“Some feelings?” she frowned. “Nash. I love you. I guess I haven’t said that to you, but I do. I love you. I think I’ve always loved you, which didn’t make me a very good nun. I think I’m scared to think about what will happen if you and I, well, if we become intimate. I’ve only known violent intimacy. I have no idea what to expect. I’m trying to work that out with Bree and the others.”

“I won’t rush you, Jenna. You’re too precious to me to rush this. We can do baby steps.”

“Thank you,” she said, kissing his cheek. Nash thought his heart had stopped, his face burning with the heat of her lips. “I like that you’re in the cabin near mine. It helps to see you through the window.”

“Any time. I can sleep on your porch if you need me there. Whatever you need,” he smiled.

“Maybe, in time, you could sleep in the spare room. I mean, if you want to.”

“I would be honored to be under the same roof as you. I’m sure you’ve already guessed that I’ll be a gentleman.”

“Nash,” she laughed, “you are the textbook definition of a gentleman. In fact, after visiting the motorcycle shop, I realized that every man here is a true gentleman. Maybe one day, when I’m feeling incredibly brave, I’ll take a ride on one of those motorcycles.”

“You let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll take you wherever you want to go. For now, what do you say I walk you back to the cabin on our island.”

“Can we have cake first? I see the lemon cake, and it’s my favorite.” Nash laughed, nodding.

“Yes. We can definitely have cake first.” He stood to get them two slices of cake, and Jenna stood with him. She reached for his shoulders, pulled him in close, and hugged him. He could hardly breathe, afraid to move.

“Thank you, Nash,” she said, pulling back. He smiled at her, nodding.

“My absolute pleasure, Jenna.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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