Page 102 of Forever After All

Linc’s first words were a deep whisper, floating through the night like an early-morning fog. “Do you want me to pray?”

The breath she’d been inhaling hitched. She hadn’t known what to expect, but it hadn’t been that. She’d been so tied up in knots all day thinking about Ava and the baby, she hadn’t stopped to wonder if he’d been worried too.

“I’d like that,” she whispered back.

Linc turned toward the ceiling and closed his eyes. Jess did the same as he started to speak.

“Lord, I don’t know what Ava and the baby need, but You do. I hope they’re okay and that everything gets better for them.”

He paused, not daring to move for a few seconds as he gathered his thoughts. “But I know You have a plan, and we’re supposed to trust it. If Your plan is different from what we want, then I’d like to ask for the strength and understanding we’ll all need.”

No. No. No. It couldn’t happen like that. She couldn’t handle it.

But Linc knew that, and he was being braver than her. They’d both seen things go wrong at different times in their lives, and it was easier to brace for impact and prepare to fall apart than ask for strength and the tools to face what was coming.

Linc swallowed hard. “And can You please give Jess some peace and let her rest?”

Oh, no. A tear snuck out and slid down her temple and into her hairline. She’d been battling the exhaustion, but Linc knew to pray.

He said a quiet amen and waited an extra beat before speaking again. “I need to get better at that.”

“At what?”

“Praying. Remembering to do it when things get tough.”

“You will. It took me a long time to get used to talking to God.” She chuckled. “I don’t like talking to anyone, but talking to someone who doesn’t talk back or look down on me is…oddly comforting. It’s like having a conversation with my heart.”

Linc chuckled. “I like that.” He nudged her shoulder. “You okay now?”

Jess nodded, shifting the shadows in the small tent. “I am. Thanks for praying.”

“Anytime. You’re a good influence on me. Thanks for that.”

“If I’m your good influence, we might be in trouble.” She rolled over onto her side, facing him. “Good night.”

He sat up and fanned out his blanket before gathering it into his arms. “Good night. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

“Or the spiders, or the snakes, or the bears.”

He tucked his pillow under his arm. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say any of that.”

“They’re probably still in their winter states,” she reasoned. “But I don’t care where they are. I don’t want any of them.”

Linc crouched at the tent opening and turned back to her. “I’ll protect you. Sleep tight.”

She’d been joking about creepy critters, but Linc’s sure, masculine tone chased away all of her laughter. Hewouldprotect her. He’d already done it, though she’d never asked him to.

“I mean it,” he said. “All joking aside, I would protect you with my life, so don’t worry about anything, and get some sleep.”

Jess’s “Okay” came out weak and shaking. Linc didn’t have any obligation to her, yet he’d already proven he could be trusted. He put himself in the line of fire to make sure she was safe.

He cared when he didn’t have to–something her own flesh and blood hadn’t done.

As he slipped out of her tent and settled into the other one, Jess bundled the blanket against her chest and prayed, daring to hope that the Lord had a plan for her that included Linc by her side.

Chapter31

Linc

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