Page 41 of Rescued Faith

“Of course you did. You two have nothing in common.”

“But she goes to church.”

“Honey, there’s a lot more to a good relationship than that. You need someone you enjoy being with. Can’t get enough of, in fact. You’re a passionate man. You should be passionate about the woman you love too. I don’t see that happening with someone like Sarai. But I could see it with Penny.”

“And what if there’s too much passion? Temptation, even. I thought I was supposed to be a different guy now. But with Penny, all the old feelings are right there.”

“Maybe that’s not a bad thing. Just don’t hide yourself. Be honest with her. See what happens.”

“Don’t expect much, Mom. We’re working together. But at the end of this case, I have a feeling she’ll be gone. I’m only here to keep her safe.”

His mother smirked. “Maybe she just needs a good reason to stay. Give her one.”

Yeah right. Like that was so easy. He’d stick with his decision to keep Penny out of trouble and guard his heart. But why explain?

Instead, Bryce swiped the glass off the counter. “I’ll take this to Dad, but then I’ve gotta go. Community ball tonight.”

He would take all the chaos of coaching third and fourth graders any day over talking about relationships. He popped a quick kiss on his mother’s cheek. “Love ya.”

She sighed as he left the kitchen and went into the living room, where Dad’s favorite fishing show played on the television.

Bryce set the glass of water down by his father’s chair. “Here you go, Pops.”

The man barely acknowledged his presence. His father was nothing like the guy he’d been when Bryce was a kid, but Bryce couldn’t think about that too much. At least Dad was still alive. Sosa’s cartel may have wanted to intimidate Elizabeth Crawford by targeting her husband and running him off the road, causing a traumatic brain injury, but they didn’t know the Crawfords very well. It only fueled their intentions to make sure justice was done. Sosa may have wanted for them to cower in fear, and his cohorts had almost killed Andi, but they’d completely underestimated how far family would go to protect their own.

And yeah, he felt the loss with Logan having left town. But his mother didn’t need to worry. As much as Bryce loved the thrills and adrenaline, he wasn’t going anywhere. They’d gotten too close last time. And even though Sosa had been eliminated and was no longer a threat, the lesson had been learned. Bryce would stay close to his parents and make sure they were protected. Besides, he liked Last Chance. He’d traveled a little, but nothing was quite like his hometown. He could make a difference here. Keep people safe. Prevent tragedies.

And sure, maybe it would be nice to find someone to share life with. Penny was the only person he could see that happening with, but she definitely wasn’t on board. So no matter what his mother thought she saw, he needed to play it easy when it came to Penny.

Bryce drove to the practice fields and pulled out the bases from the storage shed. It was a perfect spring evening—a slight breeze to keep the bugs away and freshly cut grass scenting the air. The mountains in the distance stood guard over the town.

“Need some help?” Izan grabbed one of the bases in his arm before it could fall.

“Hey! You made it. You really gonna help coach these rugrats?”

“Sure. I love baseball. Got nothing better going on Tuesday nights anyway.”

“Right. And that has nothing to do with Olivia Tazwell’s work schedule at all, huh?”

Izan shrugged. “She barely gives me the time of day. But enough about her. What do you need me to do?”

Kids began arriving. Bryce introduced them to Izan as they came up. They split the kids into two groups and had them warm up with light tosses.

“Coach, where do I go again?” A little hand tugged on Bryce’s arm.

“You’re going to go practice with Jadyn.”

“Okay.” The little girl in braids jogged over the grass to her friend.

“You sure you’re okay?” Izan walked up to Bryce.

“Of course.”

Izan narrowed his eyes. “What’s got you brooding?”

“I’m not brooding.”

“Uh, yeah you are. Ever since we showed up at the shootout at the restaurant, you’ve been…quieter.”

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