Page 107 of Forged in Peril

Bristol let the last several words tumble out in a rush, but she didn’t look at her feet.

She was heading down the sidewalk, her hand in his, her chin held high.

“I’m so proud of you, Bristol,” he said, not slowing his pace as he leaned over to offer yet another peck on her cold, soft cheek.

They walked in silence for a moment.

“Is there a ‘but’ that fits in there somewhere?” Bristol joked, jabbing him gently in the arm as she glanced up at him, a smile lighting up her face.

He tried to smile back, but couldn’t quite manage it.

“I’m proud of you for giving the police all of the information you had, about both cases,” he started carefully. “A lesser person would have kept quiet, not wanting to risk drawing fire, but you chose to stand firm in the truth, and I firmly believe the Lord will protect you in return. Hopefully by using me as His instrument.”

Bristol nodded, letting their clasped hands swing between them as they continued to walk.

“But D&P are playing in the big leagues. Their tracks will be covered well, and they’ll be more than happy to let Jaclyn and Grapas take the fall.”

“Unfortunately, I agree,” Bristol said. “Jaclyn’s grief caused her to slip up, but I suspect she’s the exception. I figure that even Albert Dorling will find a way to slither out of trouble in the end.”

Cam nodded.

“Just know that if and when you decide to pursue further legal action–and when we can hire a new in-house lawyer–FBSwill be representing you. And paying every last cent of whatever it costs you to do it.”

Bristol said nothing.

As the seconds stretched on, Cameron began to feel anxious, despite the comforting weight of her small hand clutched in his own.

Had he upset her again? Was he being too controlling, too bossy, too–

Before he realized what was happening, Bristol had stopped short, still clinging tight to his hand.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with the same longing that he had been feeling himself ever since she walked back into his life.

She stretched out a hand to touch him, her fingertips soft against the stubble of his jaw, and his own fingers found the back of her neck and entwined in her hair.

He closed his eyes as his lips found hers, the warmth of her body against his own sending electricity through him as he pulled her in closer.

He’d let her go once, and he had no plans to do it again.

BRISTOL

As they kissed, Bristol forgot everything else.

She hardly noticed the good citizens of San Antonio weaving past them as they embraced in the middle of the sidewalk, or the chill of the wind biting at her neck as the night grew colder.

After everything she’d survived, she was finally ready to start living.

She was ready to let go of what she thought she wanted, and hold on to something better, no matter the risk to her heart.

Too soon, Cameron pulled back from the kiss, letting his hands fall until they rested gently on her waist.

“What was that for?” he asked, his smile filled with warmth. “You surprised me.”

She smiled up at him, remembering just how much she enjoyed the difference in height between them as she considered her answer.

“For knowing when you need to change, and when you need to stay just as you are,” she said at last.

“I’d say that’s something you’re learning yourself, too,” he said gently. “I hope we can both keep learning to be the people God wants us to be.”

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