Page 54 of Hide My Heart
“No, but I didn’t want him to get hurt. I only wanted him to leave us alone. I wish things had been different. I wish I had never run away.”
“The important thing is you’re back.” Mom’s eyes are watery and she dabs at them. “The Prodigal Daughter is back, and it’s time to celebrate. Grandma is overjoyed, and Beck is just too precious.”
“Amen, he is.” I hug my mother tight as emotions of all colors crash over me, dark with the light, relief among despair.
I was home, but oh, what a price we all paid.
* * *
My father brings Beck to me when I’m released from the hospital a few hours later. I needed seven stitches from Hunter’s knife grazing me.
I open my arms and take Beck in, marveling at his smiles and gurgles. He’s unhurt. Thank God.
“Dad, I’m sorry about everything,” I say to him. “I should have listened better. I felt you were always judging me, and I could never meet up to your standards.”
He helps me from the wheelchair the nurse pushes and holds me up, staring into my eyes. “I preached as hard as I could—warning sinners about Hell and judgment, because I didn’t want anyone going there.”
“I don’t want anyone going there either.” The thought of Hunter dead drapes over my shoulders like a lead blanket. “Why is there evil in this world?”
“Because there’s freedom of choice—free will,” Dad explains. “When God made us in His image, he gave us the ability to obey and disobey. More times than not, we disobey. There’s evil, pain, and suffering, all in contrast to his grace and mercy.”
“I thought you hated me because I’ve done so many wrong things.” I lower my gaze as I slip into the back seat of the SUV. “You preached so hard.”
My mother turns around from the passenger seat and presses her hand on my knee, letting me know she supports me questioning my dad.
Dad clears his throat and takes a deep breath. “I’m a watchman giving a warning. If I don’t warn, what kind of preacher am I? But at the same time, the message of the Gospel is love and forgiveness. All of us need mercy. All of us are sinners and we do wrong things. But if we come to God, he always forgives.”
“That’s the message I kept missing,” I admit. “I got lost in all of the commandments.”
“They’re important to guide our way, but the message of the cross is mercy, grace, and forgiveness.” He pats my shoulder and kisses the top of my forehead. “I’m glad you’re back, and you know something? That Nate Riley is a real good guy. He and his mother are going to be coming to church regularly.”
“Bet they’re not closing down the Bluebird.”
“Actually, they’re looking to sell,” Dad says. “I should let Nate tell you himself.”
He turns around and there’s Nate, handing him his crutches, as he enters the van.
“Amber,” Nate says, scooting next to me and wrapping both Beck and me in his arms. He holds me tight for a long moment. “I was so worried about Hunter going after you and Beck. I’m sorry he’s dead, but I’m not sorry I shot him. He had several more knives on him.”
“You did the only thing you could have done.” I close my eyes and lean against Nate. “He would have hurt us more.”
“And hurt more people, too,” Nate says. “Did you know the waitress at the motel he stayed at says he sexually assaulted her when she delivered room service?”
“That’s horrible,” I reply, still shivering from Hunter’s evilness. “What about Darlene? Is she still missing?”
“No, she turned up at the police station along with her parents. She’s his sister, and she wanted him to come home for Christmas.”
“The same way Stacy told me to come home for Christmas. I’m sorry for Darlene and her family.”
“Yes, but our family is complete. Amber, I want to adopt Beck, but most of all, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” The gold sparkles in his whiskey-brown eyes. “Maybe I’m not the most romantic guy, and I should set up a better place than the hospital parking lot, but I have you and Beck here, and I can’t wait.”
“You’re my hero, and Beck’s, too.” I gaze into his determined eyes. “Hunter shot you and you crawled up to protect the two of us.”
“After you caught him with one of his own traps.” He chuckles with his incredible sexy laugh, low and husky. “Oh, Amber, you make me so proud, and I want nothing more than to be your husband and Beck’s father. I want you to fill in the rest of his birth certificate, and I want you to change your name to Mrs. Amber Riley as soon as you can.”
He takes my hand and fiddles with an antique diamond ring.
“My mother’s ring,” he says as his mother clasps her hands near the door, watching us.
