Page 90 of Perilous Healing

“You’re stunning.”

She turns toward me. “You’re not so bad yourself. I was just about to head over. I wanted to take a moment to pray though.”

I leave the grill and head toward the barrier between us and hold out my arms. “Come on, then.”

She arches a brow. “You’re going to lift me?”

“I won’t let you fall. Don’t you trust me?”

She crosses toward me, her feet bare against the wooden floor of the deck. “With everything that I am.” Raising her arms, she wraps them around my neck and lifts her legs. I pull her against me and turn, lifting her over the short railing between us.

But once I have her in my arms, I don’t want to let her go.

I drop my face and kiss her, pressing my lips to her soft mouth. The kiss is a promise. A slow, delicate dance that expresses how much I vow to cherish her. For the rest of my life.

“Marry me,” I whisper when I pull away.

“What?”

“Marry me.”

“If I say no will you still put me down?”

“I don’t know,” I reply. “Maybe.”

She grins. “I will marry you, Silas Williamson.”

“I don’t have a ring yet. But I’ll get one.”

“I’ll marry you with or without one. You’re all I want, Silas. All I’ve ever wanted.”

I kiss her again, then spin in a slow circle before setting her down. It’s strange that less than a month ago, I was closed off, terrified of the feelings I couldn’t shake when it came to this woman.

I was still grieving, pained by the losses I’ve suffered over the years.

But now, I don’t know, I feel like I can start to move forward with the life granted to me when I didn’t die back in that jungle all those years ago.

“Bianca! You’re here!” Eloise comes rushing out and grips Bianca’s hand. “Come color!”

Bianca offers me a final smile, her cheeks flushed pink, as she follows Eloise into the house. I watch as she sits on a chair beside my little girl and starts happily chatting as she chooses a crayon.

This is my life.

Forever.

Always.

And I’m finally able toseethe blessings God gave me even when I was determined to keep my face turned from Him.

Bianca

Three months later

Standing on what used to be a desolate street but is now a bustling village makes my heart far happier than I ever thought possible. Standing here holding Eloise’s hand, while Silas shakes the hand of this town’s new pastor—well—it makes it that much sweeter.

“Abana!” Eloise calls out.

Abana looks over and smiles widely, then holds her arms out as Eloise goes rushing for her. We’ve been here for a month now, and Eloise fits right in with all of the other children. She’s part of their family now, just as we are.

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