Page 27 of A Secret Promise

"Every time I hear you pray, it's like I'm also hearing His voice, telling me..."

"We have a future together."

It was Vixen's turn to gaze at him in shock. That wasexactlywhat she was thinking about, and so, for Rule to know this, too...

Thank You, Father.

Because what she had always wanted was for His will to prevail, and so when praying about the possibility of marriage, all Vixen had asked for was one simple thing:

A man who knows and loves Him, a man who'll hold her hand but with Christ in the center of his heart, just like hers.

Eleven

THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOWEDwere some of the best times in Rule's life. As he had deliberately cut back on work since moving to Lavender Cove, he was able to be more intentional in how he chose to spend his day.

Rule used to take pride in the number of hours he spent working, and he had been extremely competitive as well when it came to the size and nature of his investment portfolio.

No success had ever felt enough. There was always this hunger to be the best, and in the past, he used to rationalize this as a selfless desire to make his company grow for the benefit of his employees.

But he realized now that was all a lie. It was not altruism but his ego that was his driving force. His personal recognition and not other people's welfare that he cared most about.

And while Rule could not say in all honesty that he was a completely changed man—-

He also knew he was no longer the same.

Not because of his own efforts or the people around him.

He was different because of God.

And that was why...

Riley took one look at his face and burst into laughter as soon as the service was over, and people began filing out of the church. "Oh, Dad."

"What?" He wanted to play it cool, but the stiffness of his tone proved otherwise.

"Are you seriouslyjealousof our own pastor?"

"Of course not." This was true at least. "Jealousy implies I'm entertaining questions about Vixen's feelings, which I don't."

Riley crossed her arms over her chest. "Then if you're not feeling jealous..."

Rule's broad shoulders moved in a shrug.

"Nuh-uh..." His daughter shook her head as she studied him. "There has to be more."

It was actually the opposite,Rule couldn't help thinking. When it came to Pastor Ryder, there was less—-

His daughter suddenly let out a gasp. "I get it now!"

Rule noticed Vixen walking their way at that moment.

"You don't feel jealous, but inse—-"

Vixen reached them just as Rule covered his daughter's mouth, and Vixen looked at him, startled. "Is everything okay?"

"Just normal father-and-daughter bonding." It was the best he could come up with that didn't require him to lie...orembarrass himself.

Rule lifted his hand off Riley's mouth, and his daughter gave Vixen an angelic smile. "It's true, Vix. And I'm not exaggeratingat all when I tell you that we would never have bonded this way if not for you."

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