Page 157 of Unseen Danger

“He is mighty to save.” Branson’s low murmur rumbled his chest as she laid her cheek against the firm muscles there.

He carried her out of the house and into the night toward the flashing lights of police squads. An ambulance pulled up, reminding her of the bruises and fractures that were painfully making themselves known.

But cradled in Branson’s arms and held in the hands of God, she’d never felt more invincible.

Epilogue

Six months later

* * *

“I can’t believe we’re hiking.” Jazz glanced at Nevaeh as they trudged up the path’s steep incline with Flash and Alvarez on leashes. “For fun.”

Nevaeh wrinkled her nose at her friend. “You’re the one who suggested it.”

“Yeah, but you’ve never said ‘yes’ before.” She shook her head, her red ponytail bobbing with the movement. “You sure have changed since you started dating Branson.”

Nevaeh grinned. “Afraid I’ll get in as great shape as you?”

“Not possible.” Jazz shot her a teasing smirk. “But I can see having a boyfriend who’s into fitness is rubbing off on you. Has he gotten you to join him for five a.m. workouts yet?”

“Uh, no.” Nevaeh lifted her water bottle and thumbed the cap loose. “Love ain’t made me crazy.”

“If you say so.”

Nevaeh gave Jazz’s arm a playful shove before bringing the bottle to her mouth for a drink. It was good to see Jazz smile and joke around again. Seemed like she’d been getting more serious lately.

She often had a weird expression on her face when she looked at Nevaeh or Branson. One Nevaeh couldn’t interpret, which was stranger still. She could always tell what Jazz was thinking. At least up until now.

Maybe Nevaeh couldn’t read her because they hadn’t been hanging out as much since she spent most of her free time with Branson. Weekends and evenings were the only chances they had to see each other between Branson’s studying for seminary and his temp job.

Or maybe the awkwardness with Jazz had something to do with Nevaeh becoming a Christian. It was the first thing they couldn’t really share, that Jazz couldn’t understand.

That’s why she’d immediately agreed when Jazz asked if she wanted to go for a hike this Saturday. Branson had said he needed to spend today prepping for some big test, so she had the time free to reconnect.

And to enjoy the fresh spring air. She inhaled deeply as they walked. The air was still on the crisp side this early in April, but some grass and plants were starting to grow anyway. Signs of warmth ahead after the long winter.

Alvarez paused to smell some spot on the short, muddied grass by a connecting path, then lifted his head and barked.

Nevaeh jumped inwardly. “What is that all about?”

“Hey, there.” Bris and Toby appeared from behind bushes on the narrower path that joined the main one Jazz and Nevaeh were following.

“Bris?”

Toby wriggled his way toward them, his whole body wagging with his tail to convey his excitement at finding friends on the trail.

“Hey, bud.” Nevaeh chuckled as she petted the Lab’s head. “What are you guys doing here?”

“We hike here all the time. Did you know there’s a beautiful waterfall ahead?”

“Is there?” Nevaeh glanced at Jazz. She hadn’t mentioned that was their destination. “Cool.”

“Mind if we join you?”

“Of course not.” Jazz’s response was quick and eager. Maybe she didn’t need this hike to be only the two of them.

Once the dogs greeted each other, they all continued up the path, Bris and Toby falling behind since there wasn’t room for three across with the dogs.

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