Page 288 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“I’m glad tonight is cool enough for a fire.” Wade poked a marshmallow with a long skewer and handed it to her.

She grinned. “I haven’t made smores since I was in Girl Scouts.”

Wade stared at her open-mouthed for a moment. “You can’t be serious. You’re a park ranger. Aren’t you around camping and campsites all the time?”

“I’ve seen other people make them, but I haven’t done so myself since before Nora disappeared.”

“Your life changed in an instant.” He took her left hand in his. “I should’ve been there for you.” She removed her hand from his, and silently roasted her marshmallow, refusing to allow the past to ruin the present. She forced a smile and concentrated on slowly turning the stick to get the perfect golden-brown consistency. Once she toasted it to her liking, she assembled the s’more. “Voila.”

“Proud of yourself, I see.”

“I am.” She devoured the treat before turning to face him.

He ate his marshmallow, set his roasting stick down, and pulled her chair closer to his, so his knees were brushing against the outsides of hers. “You have something on the corner of your lip.”

She brushed at it but missed.

“I’ll get it.” He wiped away the offending crumbs with his thumb, sending tingles all the way to her toes.

“What happens when you catch this guy?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“When the tension from the case is over and emotions cool, isn’t it possible our feelings for each other will do the same?”

Instead of answering, he stood and stalked into the house, emerging moments later with a dusty velvet bag. Settling back into his seat, he held her gaze with his own and pulled out a ring box. “This is how I know, Emily.” He opened it, and she saw the tiny diamond. “I bought this before Nora disappeared and our lives dramatically changed. I wanted to propose before I enlisted in the Army, and you went away to school. I had it all planned out.” He sighed. “I’ve taken this with me every time I’ve moved. If I could’ve stopped loving you, I would’ve gotten rid of it by now.”

Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and she fought to keep her emotions in check. It was a sign that he cared. She couldn’t deny the truth of it even if she wanted to. Part of her mourned for the life they could’ve had if he’d have given her the ring and she’d accepted his proposal, but she knew she wouldn’t have said ‘yes.’ She’d closed herself off to everyone including him. He’d protected his own heart by leaving. What choice had she left him?

She took the ring from him now and examined it by firelight.

“It was the best I could afford back then.”

“It’s lovely.” She handed it back, and he slipped it into the box and shoved it back into the bag. After setting it on the table, he skewered a marshmallow and held it in the fire. When it caught fire, he blew on it and then devoured the burned thing.

“That makes little sense to me. All that does is burn the outside and leave the inside cold and nasty.”

“My impatience prevents me from making perfect toasty ones.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Wade put a pot of coffee on to brew and sat at the table with his Bible open. He’d been so focused on the case and Emily, he hadn’t planned the lesson for youth group. Concentration eluded him when he heard the shower turn on. He’d bared his soul last night, but Emily hadn’t done the same. He wasn’t sure how long it would take her to admit her feelings.

He pushed the thoughts aside and tried to focus, but it was impossible to keep his mind on the passage in front of him. Prayer. He needed time in prayer.

After taking a few minutes to pray, he poured a mug of coffee. He set it down when the doorbell rang. Even though he was expecting Gavin, he checked through the window before opening the door. His friend would keep an eye on Emily while he was out. With his dog at his side, he opened the door wide and greeted his Army buddy. “Glad you’re here. Thanks for coming. I want to take Ruger for a run but didn’t want to leave Emily alone.” He glanced around looking for his German shepherd. “He was here a moment ago.”

“I saw him make a run for the staircase,” Gavin said.

Wade found his traitorous dog sitting at the door to the master bedroom waiting for Emily to emerge. “Come on. Let’s go for a run.” The dog wagged his tail a couple of times and followed him down the stairs.

Once they were on the trail and the steady beat of his own feet hitting the ground filled his consciousness, Wade was finally able to settle his mind.

Gavin called to Ruger when they neared the house, so Wade unclipped his leash enabling him free run to go play with their company. He slowed his steps and allowed his heart rate to return to normal.

When he reached the pair wrestling on the ground, he asked, “Where’s Emily?”

His friend patted the dog’s head and stood to his full height. “She’s at the kitchen table reading your Bible.”

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