Page 101 of Forged in Secrets

“I love you, Grace Isabella,” he said gently into her hair.

The truth was, he was scared of her. Scared to see her face as he said it, as though those piercing blue eyes could see straight through to his flaws.

To his relief, she didn’t move. Instead, he heard her taking a few slow breaths, the air warm against his neck as he held her tight.

“I’ve loved you always,” she said simply.

He planted a kiss on her forehead and looked up at the water, listening to the cawing of the gulls and feeling the spitting salt spray on his skin.

For the first time since arriving on South Padre Island,he realized that he wasn’t looking forward to going home to San Antonio. Even if Gabe had promised that he could take the train home instead of flying again.

Because going home meant loving Grace in the world they both shared. Loving her in the world where he’d spent years acting like a stubborn idiot, when the most amazing woman he’d ever met had been right in front of him all along.

He’d be forced to face his pride, his foolishness, his past.

His sin.

But by the grace of God, he’d get through it.

And though he’d be able to shower away the lingering salt, and forget the fear they’d faced together, he knew he’d never forget this little corner of the world.

It was where Jesus had helped a blind man to see.

CHAPTER

FORTY-FOUR

GRACE

ONE MONTH LATER

“So you’re never going to fly again?” Grace teased as she climbed out of the passenger seat of Ben’s sedan.

“And deprive myself of enjoying this incredible machine?” Ben joked, rapping on the top of the vehicle with his knuckles.

Even though the drive from San Antonio to Austin had only taken a little over an hour, Grace felt restless. She didn’t want to admit it, but her brief time in captivity on board the Lumeneer had affected her a lot more than she expected. Most of all, she now treasured the feeling of having her feet on solid ground.

“Are you all set?” Ben asked, gesturing in the direction of the hospital’s sliding doors as Grace stretched her arms high over her head.

She nodded, stepping beside him as they made their way out of the warm day and into the air conditioning. Without thinking, she moved to reach for his hand before quickly pulling it away.

He glanced down at her, giving her a look that made her want to ditch visiting hours and spend the time kissing him instead. She ignored him, though she was sure he’d notice the rising blush on her cheeks, just like he noticed everything else about her.

Today, they had to be discreet and professional.

They were representing Forge Brothers Security, and perhaps more importantly, they had to uphold the good name of their liaison with the San Antonio police, Allie. She’d called a friend at Austin PD and pulled some strings, and the department had allowed them to conduct their own interview with Craig Gorsky while he remained in custody. Assuming he was willing to speak to them.

As they meandered toward the information desk, she was struck with an uncanny sense of deja vu. It was hard to believe that only a month ago, she and Ben had been visiting Reilly and Lauren’s twins, unaware that their relationship was about to change forever.

Katie Fairman was home safe–though as Jade predicted, she was furious with her father for what he’d done, even though he’d had nothing to do with her actual kidnapping. Donald was under house arrest, where he’d remain until the date of his trial. Grace hoped he’d face some jail time, but it was hardly a guarantee. Somehow, white collar criminals often seemed to get off easy.

Grace had resolved to stay in touch with Katie, and her parents had promised that the young woman was welcome to stay with them any summer, Christmas break, or weekend away from university that she liked. Now thatKatie’s father had been officially removed from the struggling AveroTech, her lifestyle was going to change, but unlike Jade, Katie was humble along with being smart. Grace was confident that she’d create a solid future for herself despite her difficult circumstances.

“Good morning, how can I help you?” a pleasant looking woman at the front desk said, snapping Grace out of her thoughts.

“Hi. I’m Benjamin Forge, and this is Grace Hinton. We’re here to see a patient who is currently in police custody.”

The woman looked up at them conspiratorially through eyelashes thick with mascara. “Mr. Gorsky, I assume?” she said in a stage whisper that was more attention-grabbing than saying his name aloud would have been.

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