Love's Providence: A Contemporary Christian Romance Read online

  “Look, don’t worry about me. I got no intentions of jumping into that fire.”

  Steve cranked his four-wheeler, and Alex followed him past the baking women on the sand. As they neared the volleyball court, Alex watched Lily toss the ball into the air and send a jump serve over the net. Dan passed the ball, and after Kara passed it back to him, he crushed it toward Lily. She ducked, and the ball flew past her head toward the dunes.

  Alex and Steve stopped their vehicles a few feet away from the crowd that had gathered around to watch. When Alex turned off the motor, he heard Dan swearing at the top of his lungs.

  “That ball was in,” he yelled. “It touched the line!”

  “No way!” Lily yelled back. “I was standing right here!”

  Dan continued to protest, but several observers agreed with Lily, so he finally gave in. She retrieved the ball and jogged back to the end line on her side.

  “Game point,” she called out.

  She tossed the ball up and took a couple of steps before leaping into the air. Then she sent the hardest shot Alex had seen yet over the net toward Dan, and it just clipped the sideline. Lily threw her arms up, her face lit with excitement. Most of the crowd echoed the celebration, but then Dan’s voice rose over everyone else’s.

  “That was out!”

  “What? You’re crazy!” she yelled. “It hit the line! Everyone saw it!”

  She ducked under the net and went over to the spot where the ball had hit. Then she bent over and looked at the sand, pointing at the impression the ball had made.

  “See, it hit the line.”

  “No it didn’t.” Dan stepped toward her and kicked sand over the impression, partially covering it. “There’s nothing there. That was from another play.”

  Kara reached for his arm. “Come on. Don’t worry about it.”

  Dan shook her off and pointed toward the other side of the court, his eyes blazing at Lily.

  “Get back over there and finish the game.”

  “We’re done. The ball was in. Game over. You lose.” She placed her hands on her hips and thrust her chin forward.

  Dan took a couple of aggressive strides toward Lily, and Alex jumped off his four-wheeler with Steve right behind him. He pushed through a few people around the court as Lily shifted her weight forward like a mountain lion ready to spring. Dan pushed a finger toward her and let out a slew of obscenities, but she held her ground. Alex stepped between the two of them and placed his hand on Dan’s heaving chest.

  “Is there a problem here?” Alex said.

  Dan scowled, but he stepped back. He pointed a finger at Lily.

  “She’s cheating!”

  Alex stretched his arms and corralled Dan back a bit more. He had to admit it was nice seeing the jerk put in his place.

  “Looked to me like you were the one trying to cheat.” He could barely keep a straight face. “I suggest you take your beating like a man, gather up your beer and all your stuff, and find some other spot on the beach to occupy—somewhere I don’t have to look at you the rest of the day.”

  Dan shoved a finger at his chest. “You think that uniform makes you better than me?”

  “No, but it does let me throw you in jail.”

  Dan shot another glare over his shoulder, and then he stormed over to the dunes to get his things. Before he turned to go, he gave Alex one more sneer.

  “Tell Chloe I said hi.”

  Alex pushed down a flare of anger, refusing to let it ignite. He wasn’t worth it. Instead, he turned around to find Lily. He wasn’t sure what he expected to see on her face—gratitude at the very least—but she was stomping across the court glowering at him like he’d been the one insulting her.

  She stopped just in front of him and crossed her arms over her chest as she shifted her weight to one hip. Golden strands of hair whipped around her face in the breeze, and her eyes blazed a violet blue. The sight of her was something else, and his heart took a sudden jump.

  “Why did you do that?” she demanded.

  “Do what?”

  “I can handle myself just fine. I didn’t need you to rescue me.”

  He stared at her, his mouth nearly dropping open. Was she serious? And where was Steve? He glanced around and saw him standing on the other side of the court with Kara and Rachel, the three of them trying not to look like they were watching.

  “I was just doing my job,” Alex said, turning back to her.

  “That’s a load of crap.” She took another step forward and pushed her finger into his chest. “You’ve been a complete jerk every time I’ve talked to you, and now all of a sudden you’re trying to play knight in shining armor? I don’t need you to-“

  “Look, Miss High and Mighty, you haven’t exactly been warm and fuzzy yourself. I know you think the world revolves around you, but believe it or not, I am a real police officer, with an actual duty to maintain some semblance of peace out here.”

  “I know-“

  “Let me finish. Now I’ve known Dan since we were kids, and he was about to lose the small amount of control he had left. And as much as you probably need to have your butt kicked, I’m not about to let it happen while I’m on duty. Get it?”

  She stepped back and took a deep breath, giving him a chance to catch his. She pushed some strands of hair out of her face, and if he didn’t know better he would have sworn he saw regret in her eyes. She glanced over at Kara and Steve then back at him. Then she turned and walked away without a word.

  An afternoon shower had cooled things off a bit, but the air quickly turned sticky as the sun fell toward the horizon. Ice cream had seemed like a great idea, but now Lily was beginning to regret the suggestion.

  Rachel and Kara stood side by side looking into the glass-top freezer full of ice cream as if they were facing a choice between tan, blonde, and gorgeous, or tall, dark and handsome instead of vanilla bean or rocky road. It was pathetic. Lily was about to walk out and leave them in their anguish when they finally reached a decision.

  “I’ll have the rocky road,” Kara said to the petite blonde behind the counter.

  “And I’ll have the vanilla bean,” Rachel said. “We’ll just swap half-way through.”

  Eww, Lily thought.

  The blonde was visibly relieved for a final decision. She quickly filled the orders, probably afraid they’d change their minds. Then she handed the cones over the counter and extended a hand to Lily for payment.

  “Sorry,” Lily mouthed as she handed over the money. She rolled her eyes and the blonde grinned.

  They headed toward the exit, set on finally playing the putt-putt game they’d been putting off. But when Lily pushed open the door, she nearly fell out onto the sidewalk as someone pulled on it from the other side. As she fought to keep her balance, a solid pair of arms reached out to steady her.

  “Whoa!” He set her upright. “Sorry, Lily.”

  She jerked her head up and found Steve still grasping her elbow. He smiled and released it as he stepped back.

  “No, Steve, don’t worry about it.”

  Her stomach fluttered, and she wondered where Alex was. She hadn’t yet seen one of them without the other nearby, but maybe God had listened to her prayer that she’d never see Alex again. He’d been so right about her, and the thought of apologizing made her ill.

  “Hey Steve,” Rachel said from behind her. “Where’s Alex?”

  Lily’s stomach flipped again, as if the mention of his name might make him magically appear.

  “He’s right behind me,” he said. “Just chaining up the bikes.”

  She felt the urge to flee, and she started to stammer out an excuse when Alex rounded the corner. His smile immediately faded. Fantastic timing, she thought.

  “What’s going on?” He smiled at Kara and Rachel.

  “I nearly flung Lily out onto the street,” Steve said. “But we recovered nicely.”

  Alex looked at her again and she noted the change in his eyes from the previous nights. No longer danc
ing with laughter and mischief, they were reserved, almost polite.

  “Well, good thing no one was hurt.” He gave Steve a pat on the shoulder. “You ready to grab a bite?”

  “Sure.”

  She stepped aside to let them pass, her brain screaming at her to walk away. But some reflex she had no control over suddenly sent her hand toward Alex’s arm.

  “Wait.”

  He looked at her like she was a firecracker he wanted to keep at arm’s length.

  “Can I talk to you for just a second?” she asked.

  She expected him to say no, to tell her she was crazy, and he had nothing to say to her, but he stepped away from the door with her.

  “Sure.” He turned to Steve and gestured toward the door. “Just grab me a slice of pizza.”

  Steve agreed and headed inside, and Lily sent a silent message to Kara with her eyes. This time, miraculously, Kara seemed to understand, and she grabbed Rachel’s arm and headed toward the pier. Finally alone with him, Lily’s thoughts scattered with the breeze. Why had she stopped him again?

  “I uh, I just wanted to say-” she started, but the way he studied her, his hazel eyes gazing into hers, made her skin shiver. “What you said today on the beach, you know-”

  “Look,” he said. “I shouldn’t have said that stuff the way I did.”

  “No, I’m not saying that. What I’m trying to say is that you were right. I have been rude to you, and I wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have interfered last night, and I should have been grateful for your help this afternoon. I’m sorry.”

  He stared at her without a word, and she readied herself for another jab or smart remark, but he said nothing.

  “Well,” she said. “I should go. I hope you’ll accept my apology and that you won’t think I’m rude if I try to exit gracefully.”

  She crossed the street and parking lot as quickly as possible without looking desperate to get away. Her chest thundered with every heartbeat, and her skin was damp with sweat. What was wrong with her?

  She found a cement park bench near the playground and slid onto the top, resting her elbows on her knees. Looking out over the ocean, she focused on the gentle waves sliding along in front of her as the light from the fading sun twinkled on top. Several deep breaths slowed her heart and her breathing, and she wiped her palms on her shorts. Then she closed her eyes and dropped her head into her hands.

  She’d done the right thing—said she was sorry and meant it, too. So why was she so tangled up inside? It’s not like she’d ever see him again.

  She picked up her head and opened her eyes, but her heart thundered again. Alex was standing in front of her, his arms over his chest and head cocked to the side. He grinned at her, and before she could say anything, he reached for her hand and touched it to his lips.

  Warmth spread through her hand and up her arm like liquid heat. When he looked at her again, a new spark of mischief flickered in his eyes, and she smiled.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “I know that apology back there must’ve killed you.”

  “You have no idea.”

  “Well, you know, you were right too. I have been a jerk. I uh, I’d try to explain if I could, but what can I say? I probably am a jerk.”

  “Is that your version of an apology?”

  “I guess,” he said. “Pretty lame, huh?”

  “Yeah, actually.”

  He glanced around and laughed for another moment. Then he let out a deep breath and clapped his hands together.

  “So, you think we could start over?”

  She paused for only a second. “Absolutely.”

  “Hi, I’m Alex Walker.” He stuck out his hand, and she shook it.

  “Lily Brennon. Nice to meet you.”

  Chapter Five

  July 3

  Saint Simons Island, Georgia

  Alex held Lily’s hand in his and contemplated leaving the conversation right there—no insults, no yelling—just her smile. But God, what a smile. It wasn’t just her mouth, though that in itself was enough to make him want a taste. Something about her pulled at him. Maybe it was her eyes, her tiny dimples, or the glow he was surprised he hadn’t noticed before. But then again, had she really smiled at him before?

  He dropped her hand and glanced around, sure his thoughts were on a billboard behind him. What was he supposed to say now? Starting over was a nice idea, but in reality, they were way past introductions. Besides, a familiar wrenching of his gut told him now was the time to back away, before the seed of that smile dug roots inside of him.

  “I uh, I should probably get going.” He gestured toward the ice cream parlor where Steve was waiting.

  “Oh, sure. No problem. I’m sure you’re busy.”

  She smiled at him again, a tiny radicle that glided into his chest and began to grow, and somewhere in his mind he knew it was already too late.

  “Well, listen,” he said, exhaling the last of his resistance. “I actually have about a half hour or so to grab some dinner. There’s a great little deli down the block. You want to walk with me?” Dinner couldn’t hurt anything.

  “Uh, I don’t know. We’re getting along pretty well right now. Do we really want to chance it?”

  “Well, I tell you what. If it looks like we might start killing each other, we’ll just agree to go our separate ways. How’s that?”

  She glanced toward Kara and Rachel as they strolled along the pier.

  ”Come on,” he said. ”I promise I won’t bite. Not tonight anyway.”

  “Alright, alright. Quit begging.” She laughed and pushed away from the table.

  She whistled at Kara and pointed toward the village; then she headed across the parking lot with him.

  ”Let me just tell Steve,” he said.

  They stopped outside the ice cream parlor where Steve was seated on a bench finishing the last few bites of his pizza. He held out a slice, but Alex shook his head and pulled a few bills out of his wallet.

  “Thanks, but I think I’m going to head down to the deli for a sandwich. Want anything?”

  Steve glanced over Alex’s shoulder toward Lily and raised his brow. He took the bills and pushed them in his back pocket.

  “Nah, take your time. If we get a call, you’ll hear it.”

  He ignored the question in Steve’s eyes and turned back to Lily. They picked their way down the block, weaving through various sidewalk displays of corny island t-shirts, various beach accessories, and the poor tourists unaware they could get the same things at the drug store on the mainland for half the price. He struggled to think of anything to talk about. Maybe he really was a jerk if the only time he felt comfortable talking to her was when he was poking fun at her or arguing with her.

  “So that was a pretty intense game earlier today. You’re pretty good. How long you been playing?”

  She shrugged. “Seems like forever. I started playing in seventh grade just to have something to do before basketball season.”

  “Basketball too? Wow.”

  “Yeah, when I was a kid all I could do was dream about playing basketball in the Olympics, but…I don’t know, volleyball just clicked for me. I fell in love with it.”

  “What happened to basketball?”

  “I got so focused on getting a volleyball scholarship I quit playing everything else after my sophomore year.”

  “Did you get it? The scholarship?”

  “Yeah, I did. I couldn’t believe it. I was so scared it wouldn’t happen for me, you know?” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and sighed. “Now, I can’t believe it’s about to be over. I can’t imagine what life will be like when I can’t play anymore.”

  “I know what you mean. I still remember my last high school football game like it just happened. I even dream I’m still playing sometimes.”

  She nodded and laughed. “My mom says she can hear me playing in my sleep sometimes, calling out plays and yelling at the ref.”

  She smiled at him and pus
hed her hands into her pockets as she tilted her head toward him.

  “So do you like being a cop?”

  “So far it’s been pretty cool. Not sure I want to do it forever, but for now I like it. Well, most of it anyway. I could do without all the paperwork…and the stupid questions.”

  “Like what?”

  “Let me see. At least once a night someone will ask what lake that is.”

  She laughed and pointed over her shoulder. “Seriously?”

  “Yes! It’s so annoying. I finally started making up names just to entertain myself. I told some lady the other day it was Lake Erie, and she believed me.”

  “That’s so mean!”

  He shrugged and laughed. “I got to get my kicks somehow. It’s not like I’m chasing down criminals or busting down doors every day.”

  When they reached the deli at the end of the street, he pulled open the glass door and waited to let her inside first. Then he stepped up to the counter.

  “You want anything?”

  She looked over the desserts beneath the counter and shook her head. He ordered a roast beef sandwich and some fries; then he slid his money to the man behind the cash register who looked like he’d seen the bottom of a beer mug too many times in his life. The cashier pushed the money back across the counter.

  ”Keep it. We appreciate what you guys do around here.”

  “Keep it as a tip then.”

  Alex pushed the bills back. The man shook his head, but when Alex insisted further, he finally took the money and thanked him.

  “Why did you do that?” Lily asked as they stepped back outside the deli and took a seat at a small table in the shade of a skinny tree sprouting through the sidewalk.

  “Do what?”

  “Why not just take the sandwich and be grateful for the man’s appreciation?”

  “I’ve just seen a couple of guys take advantage of stuff like that. You know, eating at certain places just so they can get it free. I do appreciate the store owners around here wanting to help us out, but it just doesn’t feel right for me to take it when I know I can pay for it.”

  Lily rested her chin in her hand and studied him from across the table. It was unnerving. He preferred to be the one asking the questions. Her mouth tipped into a grin.