Page 134 of Unseen Danger

Nevaeh glared at the floor, giving the old, faded vinyl the brunt of her glare.

“Nevaeh, look at me.”

She clenched her jaw and dragged her gaze to her grandpa’s face, to the weathered skin that was becoming as old and worn as the flooring in this place.

“What He wants is for you to be His child. That’s what I want for you, too, baby. No matter what it takes.” Something glinted in Pops’ eyes. Moisture? It couldn’t be. Pops never cried. She’d never seen him cry once, not even when Grams had passed.

“God ain’t always done things the way I want either. Like when he took your grams before me. But I learned a long time ago, I got to trust Him ’cause there ain’t no stopping Him.”

So God was the great bully in the sky? That would explain why He had let Walter beat her nearly to death. And that was exactly why she’d leave Him alone just like He was leaving her alone.

“I better get this out to the crew.” She put the pitcher on the tray with the glasses and hefted the load, heading for the screen door.

“Nevaeh?”

She closed her eyes and stopped. Then she slowly turned to face him.

“You hear what I said. That boy won’t have you if you ain’t right with God.”

The words stung, even though she didn’t believe them. Branson hadn’t said anything about her feelings toward God. Hadn’t even asked. But she was pretty sure he liked her anyway. He wouldn’t have come here otherwise or said he’d go with her to the wedding this afternoon.

“But worst is that fear you can’t shake. It’s gonna own you forever if you don’t take it to Jesus.”

Not that again. And Pops was wrong this time anyway. The fear didn’t own her anymore. She was done with it, thanks to Branson.

She hurried outside before she said something she’d regret. Pops loved her and always had her best at heart. She knew that.

But he was finally wrong about something.

“Hey.” Branson’s deep voice and welcome smile made her pulse trip, followed by her feet.

He reached for her, his warm hands landing on her waist to steady her. “Whoa, there. I’m hoping to drink some of that lemonade, not wear it.” The twinkle in his soft blue eyes melted into a different kind of glimmer—one that matched the way his breaths grew shallow and quicker.

Yeah, Pops was wrong this time. Branson liked her a whole lot. Maybe loved her.

Nothing—not fear or how she felt about God—was going to stand in their way.

Thirty-Eight

Cue the most beautiful bride Nevaeh had ever seen.

The classic wedding march belted from the organ as Cora glided gracefully up the aisle, her steps timed to the music perfectly. Her slim arm entwined with her dad’s, she was a vision in a classic, long-sleeved gown covered in intricate lace.

Cora had chosen a veil that left her face uncovered, the fabric attached to a glimmering headband that crested her upswept hair, a few blonde tendrils left out and shaped to frame her delicate features.

But more than the getup was the expression on Cora’s face. She was always happy and sweet, but—wow. Nevaeh had never seen her look so…blissful. As if she’d been transported to the heaven she liked to talk about. And her gaze and smile were aimed right at her groom. She was breathtaking.

Kent obviously thought so, too. From where Nevaeh stood next to Bris on the steps at the front of the cathedral, she had a good view of the groom’s face. He waited for his bride on the top step near the minister. Kent’s brother, Rem, and Michael stood on the lower steps beside him in gray tuxes.

Nevaeh couldn’t believe it. A huge smile split the handsome man’s face.

Sure, Kent had been smiling a lot more these days thanks to the effect Cora apparently had on him.

But the man she’d always teased Cora was a brooding bad boy could pass for a choir boy at this moment. She’d never seen him look so happy. So giddy.

Jazz nudged her with an elbow, and Nevaeh answered her friend’s smile with one of her own. Jazz’s unspoken sentiment was spot on—these two were perfect for each other. And all kidding aside, she couldn’t be happier for them both.

Cora’s dad passed her hand to Kent, and they faced each other in front of the minister. Kent held Cora’s hands in his, smiling at her like a man who knew how lucky he was to catch such a gorgeous bride.

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