Page 28 of Left Behind

“The cops arrested Clyde and put him in jail. He went to prison for life, and we were vilified for being related. Aaron’s first wife divorced him after only a year of marriage because of it. We were all let go from the jobs we had. Then Grandma Helen died. Mom inherited her homeplace, and we moved back to Jubilee with her. She’s living in the house in which she grew up. I know it’s an ugly story, but I don’t want any surprises between us.”

Linette was in shock. She’d thought of him as a man just looking for a good time when they first met. Her opinion had already changed, but now she was seeing a whole other side of Wiley Pope. He already knew how to survive long before she saw him get shot.

“Oh, Wiley…I’m so sorry. What a life for all of you. But you’ve all risen above his crimes. You should feel no shame, and you’re the hero for so many here in Jubilee already. I hope you know how indebted we all are to you for your bravery.”

“I wasn’t being a hero. It was a knee-jerk reaction to what I walked in on. I didn’t see you until you were running toward me, but I will never forget how you stepped into the gap for me, and then for the victims, with no thought for yourself.”

She shrugged. “Oh, I fell apart. I just waited until I got home.”

He reached for her hand. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I. Mr. Trotter was a really nice man. The last thing he did before he got shot was look at me. We were belly down beside each other. I could see the fear in his eyes even then, and then seconds later he was dead. It was so random, and those men were high as kites.”

“Like Clyde Wallace,” Wiley muttered, and then changed the subject. “What do you want out of life?”

She let go of his hand, took a sip of her sweet tea, and then looked up.

“I already have the job I want. But I want a family. I love children. I often work on the children’s ward. I don’t want things. I just want to be happy with the man I love. And you?”

“Same. Aaron and Sean are head over heels in love with their spouses. I want that. Brendan—we call him B.J.—is also looking for Miss Right, but he’s the head pastry chef at the Serenity Inn, and right now, he doesn’t have much of a social life.”

She shrugged. “I never did believe in looking for love. Daddy always said when it’s right, love comes to you.”

“That’s beautiful, Linnie…just like you,” Wiley said.

She smiled. “You talk as pretty as you look, and there comes our food. I think you’re going to be good to go on time after all.”

“Next time, I won’t be cutting it so short,” he said.

She liked the thought of “next time,” but the waiter was already putting their food in front of them, and their focus shifted to the meal. She would think later how easy he was to be with. There was no pretense. Just two people playing catchup on who they were and what they’d been before they met.

It didn’t take long for her to realize how solidified the bond between the brothers really was. Maybe it had to do with growing up in an abusive home, or maybe it was due to the strength of the woman who’d raised them. But by the time they were back in the car and on the way to her apartment, she knew she wanted more of Wiley Pope.

“We cut it close. I don’t want you to be late clocking in. You don’t have to go inside with me,” Linette said as Wiley pulled up to the apartment building.

Wiley shook his head. “No, ma’am. I’m not dumping you out in the parking lot.”

They both exited the car on their own, but when they started toward the building, Wiley reached for her hand.

It was an innocent gesture, but it meant everything to her. She hadn’t held hands since high school. The men she’d dated were always reaching for something else. He was still holding her hand as they rode the elevator up, and when she unlocked her apartment door, he walked her inside.

The moment the door closed behind them, Wiley stopped.

“Linette, I’ve been heartsick ever since our first date, and tonight meant everything to me. Thank you for the second chance.”

She slid her arms around his neck. “Thank you for asking,” she whispered.

Moments later, she was in his arms. Her heart was racing, and the kiss was all that she’d imagined and more. The moment he pulled away, she regretted it was ending.

“Be safe,” she said.

Wiley ran a finger down the side of her cheek, then brushed his lips across her mouth one last time.

“Always. I’ll call you,” he said, and then he was gone.

***

The next day, Wiley sent flowers to her at the hospital and signed the card, Two hours was not enough. Let me know your next day off.

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