Page 63 of With All My Heart, Joy

“I know that,” she said, meeting his gaze, her head tilted sweetly to the side. “Believe me, I know that, Isaac. And it doesn’t bother me at all.”

An emotion he barely recognized, it had been so long since he’d last felt it, washed over him like a rogue Lake Michigan wave intent on drowning him. But how was it possible to love a woman that fast? “Then why did you run off?”

She wavered. “I—it doesn’t matter.”

“It matters tome.”

“Fair enough. Because you’re a counselor, I’m worried you’ll always just try to…fix me.”

He reached out and trailed a finger down her cheek. “I don’t see anything in need of fixing. I adore you the way you are. I promise to try not to go into counselor mode when you are down, but if you ever feel scrutinized by me…just tell me.”

Her head sank into a slow nod. “Okay. I’ll do that.”

“Good. So, um, did you just come to my church to invite us to lunch?”

She bumped her arm against his, smiling shyly. “You know why I came. It’s your turn.”

Isaac took her by the shoulder and rotated her toward him, one hand reaching for her waist. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I’m sure. Are you?”

He grinned. “I’ve been sure since our third counseling session. Probably before. Since then, all I’ve wanted is you.”

She leaned against him, clutching his shirt. He shot a disbelieving glance at the ceiling. How was this really happening?I don’t deserve this, God, but…THANK YOU!

“Are you certain our age difference doesn’t bother you?”

Her face was void of deceit. “It did at first. But once I decided I was okay with it, the idea hasn’t bothered me again. In fact, I like your age.”

The feelings coursing through him were too strong to resist. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He tapped a finger to his lips to keep quiet, grabbed her by both arms, and pulled her down until they were out of Paisley’s sight, huddled on the kitchen floor. Then he wrapped his arms around Joy, reeling her in against his chest. She tipped her head back, her lips curved with a tempting smile, and he was a goner. It was too soon to say with words that he loved her. So he told her with his mouth.

Love and longing swirled with intoxicating force in his gut when she gave back with equal passion, her arms twining around his back, her fingers running in and out of his hair and caressing his face and beard. He pulled back, his lungs begging for air.

Joy was gasping quietly, her breath warm and sweet against his face. “I feel like a teenager, making out like this.”

“Imagine how I feel,” he grunted, and her laughter tinkled into the air. He tugged her in for more kisses but had barely touched his lips to hers when a voice said above them, “Whatcha doing?”

They broke contact abruptly, and Isaac jerked his head back to find Paisley peering down at them. He grabbed his neck. It was on fire.

“Well, you see, Paise… Joy and I…”

“We’re going out,” Joy said, and Paisley let out her loudest scream ever. And she was loud a lot.

“Yay yay yay yay!” Paisley was running airplane circles around the kitchen, and Joy hopped up to give her a hug.

“I’m glad you’re happy about it. Because I’m going to be in your life alotfrom now on.”

Isaac stood slower, his knees cracking in a reminder of his age. What had he done to deserve this wonderful turn of events? How had he claimed the heart of Joy Halverson? No Christmas gift would ever beat the one God had given him this year.

Chapter Sixteen

Should he have called first? Isaac’s stomach churned as he fought with the wind all the way to the hospital entrance. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to show up. But he was afraid if he called Dr. Halverson first, Joy’s father would want to know his reason for requesting a word with him. And he needed to talk face-to-face.

Good thing he knew his way to the cardiology department so well.

“Hi. Is Dr. Halverson available?” he asked at the intake desk. “You can tell him it’s Isaac Miller.”

“One moment, please.” The nurse put in a call while Isaac stood to the side.

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