Page 290 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

He chuckled. “True, but there is more to the story. Does anyone know why he disobeyed?”

Another hand shot up. “Go ahead, Chris.”

“Jonah didn’t want God to show mercy on Nineveh.”

“That is correct.” He looked over the class. “There are times when modern Christians show the same attitude Jonah did. They don’t pray for their enemies or share the gospel message with them because they don’t want them to be saved. They want that person to experience God’s wrath rather than His mercy.”

After a short discussion on the subject, they filed outside for kickball. Once the kids were settled into the game, Emily joined him on the sidelines. “Pastor?”

“It’s no big deal. I’m merely the youth pastor.”

“God’s calling on someone’s life is always a big deal.”

He met her gaze. “I took my courses online. I don’t feel prepared to pastor a congregation.”

“Would you leave the state police if the opportunity to pastor your own church arose?”

“I would if I felt God calling me to go.”

“Why didn’t you mention it?”

He pondered her question, but before he could formulate an answer Cyndi fell. She didn’t get back up, so he hurried to see if she was hurt. It didn’t take long to realize she was playing up the injury to get Bobby’s attention. The boy was oblivious. Not necessarily a bad thing. Young love could be complicated.

Monday morning,Wade nursed a cup of coffee and waited for Gavin to arrive. His friend would take Emily to work and stick around to keep an eye on her. Wade had taken Ruger out, but the dog brought Wade his leash for the second time. He wanted a run.

Emily descended the stairs in a pair of stretch pants, an oversized t-shirt, and running shoes.

“Good morning. What’s with the get-up?” he asked.

“I’m going for my morning run. I’ll be back in thirty minutes or so.”

“You’re not going anywhere by yourself.”

She sighed. “I can’t live like a prisoner. I need to keep some semblance of a normal schedule.”

“Gavin will be here in a few minutes. He’ll drive you to the park and stay close throughout the day.”

She sat on the chair beside Wade and hugged her knees to her chest, setting her chin on them. “My boss won’t like it.”

“He’ll blend in with the park visitors. Your boss doesn’t need to know you have a bodyguard.”

“Is that what you are?” She searched his eyes. “My bodyguard.”

He wanted to be so much more than her protector, but how could he put his feelings into words without scaring her off. The sound of the key in the lock saved him from responding.

Gavin sauntered in and grinned at them. “How cute. The three of you going for a run together like the perfect happy family.”

Wade was certain she couldn’t keep pace with them but offered anyway. “Emily, would you care to run with Ruger and me?”

“I like the solitude of running alone, but it might be a nice change of pace to have Ruger for company.”

“Should I take that as a yes?”

“Sure, but we need to get going if I’m going to be on time for work.”

He fist-bumped his friend on the way past and clipped the leash on his dog. He let Emily set the pace and fell into step beside her. She didn’t run as fast as he normally did, but kept up a decent speed, and he enjoyed her company even though neither of them spoke. When they slowed for the cool down, he took her hand in his. She didn’t resist but gazed up at him with wide eyes. “What are we doing here? It feels like we’re playing house.”

“I’m not playing. You’re in my home so I can offer you protection.”

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