Page 16 of Love in the Storm

Focusing on bandaging Asa’s head wound, she began to relax. He said Brenda was okay with them staying here, and maybe she was. Thankfully, Asahad made that call to her earlier. He was much more trustworthy than an ex-junky.

Would it always be hard for Lyric to trust kindness? It was rare in her world, which made her second-guess it every time. Most everyone who knew about her past was watching and waiting for her to mess up.

Then there were people like her sponsor, Kendra. It had taken months for Lyric to figure out Kendra really wanted to help her. Now, she trusted her friend with everything.

Well, Lyric might not tell her about this little adventure with Asa. Mostly because she wasn’t sure how she felt about being here with him yet. He’d recognize her or remember soon enough, and this cozy evening would go up in flames.

She pressed the last edge of the bandage over the gauze and let her fingertips brush down the side of his face, lingering on his skin. What would it be like to be normal? Why couldn’t she meet a nice man, date him, fall in love, and live happily ever after? The “meet a nice man” part would always be followed by the revelation of her past and the quick good-bye.

Pulling her hand away, she picked up the wrappers and closed the kit. “What now?”

“You sound like you’re waiting for orders from your drill sergeant,” Asa said.

She looked up to find him smirking.

“I like staying busy,” she said.

“Me too. Sometimes, too much.”

Well, that was one thing they had in common. Probably the only thing.

“It won’t be long before the power goes out. Is there wood for that fireplace?” Asa asked.

Lyric looked at the monstrous stone fireplace. It was over six feet wide and spanned to the top of the second-floor ceiling. “It’s gas.”

“Good. We’ll at least have some heat.”

Something thudded against the window, and Lyric jumped. Pressing her hand to her chest, she willed her heart to slow.

Asa reached out to her, resting his hand on her upper arm. “It’s just a limb.”

Focusing on calming her breaths, she tried to ignore the warmth of his hand. The storm, the dark night, and the unfortunate person she’d been stranded with were wreaking havoc on her emotions tonight.

His voice was low and calm as he whispered, “Lyric, we’re safe. I promise.”

“Okay.” The word came out with a shudder, making it obvious her central nervous system hadn’t gotten the memo yet. “Should we pray or something?”

When he didn’t respond, she looked at him. His features had softened, but there was a hint of confusionin his lifted brow. Had she messed up? Was he not the praying kind?

“I can do that.” He bowed his head and prayed.

Lyric closed her eyes and bowed her head. She was just getting the hang of praying on her own, and her silent talks with God were often jumbled and disjointed. Not Asa. His words were eloquent pleas and familiar thanks. He talked to God like a friend.

The tension in her shoulders eased as she listened to his words. They could have been pulled from her own mind. Asa prayed for safety and shelter, then he prayed the Lord would calm the storm outside and the storm in her heart.

Lyric bit her lips between her teeth. She knew Kendra prayed for her, but hearing a stranger’s prayer with her name in it was comforting in a way she hadn’t expected. He didn’t know half of the unease in her heart, and he didn’t ask. He saw her struggle and took it to the Lord.

She hadn’t been following Christ for long, and she often hesitated and questioned how to do any of it. Anyone with eyes could see Asa had a strong faith, and she wanted that more than anything right now. She felt the peace in his prayer and remembered she wasn’t alone.

With his “Amen,” Asa looked up at her with an assuring smile and asked, “Better?”

She was going to cry. The tears were close, and they pricked behind her eyes. She sucked a breaththrough her nose, but the onslaught was too strong. Her voice trembled at the word, “Yeah.”

Asa opened his arms, and she didn’t fight the urge to lean into him. She needed a hug right now, and he was the only person around.

Burying her face in his chest, Lyric let her tears soak his clean shirt. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tight, and she relaxed into the safest place she’d ever known.

His hand stroked her tangled hair. “Let it out. It's been a stressful night.”

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