Page 96 of Jael

“That means a lot, actually. Thank you. Believe it or not, I found myself praying for them when I heard Martin was at the house.”

“And God came through.”

“Youcame through because I texted you.”

“God can do miracles, but He also works through human action and common sense.”

“Maybe.” She poured hot water into the mug and carried it over to the table. “I might not be able to help any more women, but I really hope it goes well for Becca. If I know she’s safe, that will help me face an uncertain future.”

“There must be others you’ve helped.”

“Yes and no. More than half the women I’ve worked with have gone back. That’s hard. And I won’t be there if they reach out again.”

“You don’t think Heber will continue with the funding if Christopher’s out of the picture.”

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

She rested her hand on the table, hoping he’d take it. She needed the touch of someone she trusted so she could erase the feel of Christopher on her, but he kept his hands where they were.

“Don’t give up yet,” he said. “You never know what could happen.”

“I know you want me to be happy, but you shouldn’t try so hard. I’ll be happy to see Christopher and Artus behind bars. Other than that, it’s like trying to hold a handful of water.”

He shifted in his seat, and they looked at each other for a long moment, neither of them speaking.

Then Danny cleared his throat. “I should go.” But his voice was uncertain, and it made her brave.

“I don’t want you to,” she said.

He nodded and looked at the floor. “I know. That’s why I have to go.”

“Right.”

“That’s not what I mean.” He tugged his chair closer to her. “You think I’m rejecting you, but you’ve got it all wrong. If I don’t go...” His hand went to her face. “Every time I’ve pushed you away, it’s never been for lack of want. But I can’t. It won’t work, and it’s taking every ounce of self-control to make sure I don’t cross that line.”

“Maybe I want you to cross that line. Maybe I don’t care about the consequences.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “But you would after. And so would I. This isn’t the way I’d want to do things with you anyway.”

She pressed her lips together when they trembled. “How would you want to do it?”

He smiled then. A soft, lopsided grin. “I’d flirt with you a whole lot more. That’s for sure.”

“That sounds nice. Normal.”

“Then I’d casually ask you if you wanted to go out some time. And when you said yes?—”

“How do you know I’d say yes?”

“When you said yes, I’d take you somewhere unexpected.”

“Like where?”

The smile dropped off his face, and the intensity of his gaze surged. “I’d take you to Nairobi so you could meet my boys.”

“You have kids?”

“No.” He laughed, breaking the fervency of the moment. “The work I do over there.”

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