NICK HAD SEEN the fall. He’d seen the breakdown, the honest plea to God, and he’d sat in the back of the auditorium, praying her through. At the sight of her tears, he stood, needing to comfort her, but stopped in the middle of the aisle, riveted by the scene onstage. She was the picture of a broken woman asking for healing. The stage lights illuminated her. Absolutely breathtaking. The light highlighted the red in her wavy locks, and her tears looked like crystals pooling on the dance floor. When he could stand it no longer, he approached the stage.
“Hey, babe.”
His heart broke at the pain in her eyes and the desire for something to live for—purpose, hope, release. He’d need to thank Micah later for persuading him to come.
“Nick, what are you doing here?” She swiped at her face, and he gingerly bent down and ran his thumb over her wet cheek.
“I told you I’d come back. I just got a little banged up in the process.” He winced as he lowered to the floor next to her. “I’m okay, babe. Just had to take some time off and thought I would come see you.” The panic in her eyes slowly faded as he pulled her into his arms, careful to make sure his back could handle it but determined to hold her.
“But . . . but you’re here. How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to know that the Lord answers prayer in unusual ways.”
Her body wilted against his. “I miss her, Nick.”
“I know you do. You always will. But she would want you to remember her with laughter, not tears and anger. She’d be proud of you, you know.”
“There’s not much to be proud of. I’m a mess.”
“Never true.” He brushed the hair out of her eyes. “Your mom told me you’ve been helping with Haiti relief. Do you understand how much courage that takes? How much strength? Babe, I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m not strong. Not like her. She had this innate strength and peace.”
He cradled her face in his hands. “You are one of the strongest people I know, Kaylan Lee Richards. You know what she told me once? Sarah Beth said you had this quiet strength and loyalty that everyone sees but you are completely unaware of.” He rested his forehead on hers. “I see it in you every day I’m with you.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” He pulled her to her feet and swayed to the music, letting her tears soak his shirt. They were no longer tears of pain and bitterness. They were liquid healing.
“Thank you for braving the aftershocks and bringing back my letters. You have no idea how much they’ve helped.”
“I have something else for you too.” He let go of her and reached into his pocket. “Turn around.”
A spark of playfulness returned to her eyes, and he realized how much he had missed it. He returned it. “You trust me?”
“Who wouldn’t trust a SEAL? You came back, didn’t you?”
“I’m touched you recognize my chivalry. Please, turn around?”
She turned, and he slipped the chain with the lily on it around her slender neck and fastened the clasp.
She gasped as her fingers brushed the trinket. “Nick, where did you find this? How? I thought I’d lost it.”
“I found it in Rhonda’s house. It was covered in dust and rock chips. I had it cleaned.”
She faced him as she studied the petals. “Impossible. I thought for sure it was gone for good.”
“The metal’s strong, Kayles. It may have taken a beating and been lost, but nothing lost and bruised is ever without ability to find and repair.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Pulling her into his arms, he twirled her around the stage, enjoying the closeness. It was a comfort after weeks in the jungle.
“Did you know that white lilies are the epitome of everything intricate, beautiful, and pure? They stand for virtue. When the time is right, they open for everyone to see. They are everything I admire about you.”
“I think you may have given this to the wrong girl.”
“No, I got the right girl this time. I couldn’t have picked someone more deserving. What do you say, Kayles? Wanna make it official? Be my girl.”
“Nice of you to ask.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure I’m asking anymore.”
“What you see is what you get, Nick. I have a long way to go. And what about the SEALs? I’m not sure I can handle not knowing where you are. Or what happens if I lose you too?” Her eyes widened, and Nick smoothed the wrinkles furrowing her brow.
“One step at a time. You can handle it.”
They rocked to the music, and slowly she relaxed in his arms.
“Remember the last time we did this?”
“How could I forget? You turned me down flat. Quite a blow to my pride.”
She smiled and lowered her eyes, a blush highlighting the freckles around her nose.
“What’s with the blush?”
“Well, do you think we could try it again?”
His body stilled, and he studied her eyes.
“Are you sure?”
Her palms grew slick, and her heart raced. Was she ready for this step in their relationship?
“Nick, I told you I wanted this to be the way we said hello, but life changed everything. I can’t tell you I’m the girl you held months ago. She’s gone. But I do know that today I took the biggest step back to myself. For the first time in weeks, I want to find my way home. My head and heart have been in Haiti with my friend. But Sarah Beth prized life.” She brushed the hair from his forehead. “This is life, Nick.”
He leaned close, his lips hovering over hers. “Welcome home, beautiful.” His lips touched hers, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she was present, her mind engaged in what could be instead of what had been. He explored, pulling her closer, his touch tender and passionate, saying all she had longed to hear. She wrapped her arms around his neck, swaying, lost in his strength and goodness. And in his arms, she felt treasured. Safe. Loved.
She was finally home.
Somehow, in that moment, a piece of her heart buried in the dust of Haiti found its way back to its origin, easing the wound like a salve. It was a piece of hope, of healing from the only One who could answer her prayers and bring them together.
He pulled back slightly to look in her eyes, and she resisted the urge to touch her lips.
“You never answered my question.”
A soft laugh slipped out, the first time she had laughed in weeks, and she relished his responsive chuckle. “I would love to be your girl.”