Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
The countless times He had helped her up.
Supplied her every need.
Comforted and loved her.
To immerse herself in those memories was what made everything so simple.
His love is all I need.
Everything else was a bonus.
This truth was her anchor, and it was this truth that also freed Vixen's heart from anger and hurt when she finally started reading Rule's messages from last night.
I'm sorry, Vixen. Can we talk?
Will you let me explain?
Just tell me when and where.
The pain she had felt at seeing his ex was completely gone. Perhaps it wasn't even real to begin with, and it was just the shock of seeing someone she hadn't expected to see.
Vixen: Would you like to have breakfast at the cafe? You can drop by before I open at nine.
Rule: I'll be there. I'll bring breakfast.
Vixen: It's a date then.
Rule: Is it?
Vixen: You'll know when you get here.
Rule was already standing by the entrance when Vixen got to the cafe, and she knew, of course, it was His Spirit at work that enabled her to truly smile from the heart at seeing Rule.
Thank You, God. Thank You. I love You. Thank You.
Rule opened the car door for her, and Vixen didn't hesitate to place her hand in his as he helped her out of the car.
It was the first time they had ever touched, and the world she once knew was never the same again. The colors around her seemed brighter, the scent of saltwater and lavender more fragrant, the melody of nature sweeter.
Their gazes met as she stood in front of him, and it was like seeing His miracle unfold as she watched Rule's tension ease. The weariness etched on the chiseled lines of his features also faded, and when he finally spoke—-
"Why?"
Emotions of every kind rippled through his voice, and even though he had only a single word, Vixen understood exactly what he was asking.
Because there was a time when she had also been in his shoes, and his questions had been her questions, too.
It was the day God had given Vixen all the desires of her heart, and she had felt so, so undeserving of His blessings that all she could do was ask...why.
Why, God?
Why are You so nice to me?
How can You be so forgiving to me when I've hurt You over and over again?
And His answer then had been so, so heartbreakingly simple.
Because I love.
Love was His answer.
Had always been so and always would be.
And that was why, His answer was her answer as well, not only to Rule but to anyone or everyone else who had hurt her.
We love because He is love.
We love because He loved us first.
Rule slowly reached for her hands again, and her eyes started to sting. His lips grazed her knuckles, and the tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Vixen. I'm sorry."
His head lifted, his gaze once again colliding with hers, and her heart ached anew at the pain she saw. He was hurting because he had hurt her, and she hurt because he was hurting.
"I never meant to hide anything about my past," Rule said rawly. "But I know that's exactly what I ended up doing by not saying anything."
"I have my own past, too—-"
"But not like mine."
She took her hands out of his hold in order to cup his face. "I forgive you, Rule. So please forgive yourself, too."
"Can it really be that easy?" Rule asked raggedly. "Should it be that simple?"
"If God Himself forgives because He loves," Vixen argued shakily, "and the way He loves means He doesn't ever keep a record of our wrongs—-who are we to do things differently?"
Rule closed his eyes, and a frisson of unease skittered down her spine.
Oh no.
Had she read him wrong then? Was he still not ready to hear the truth about God's love? Had reality finally set in, and Rule no longer felt himself ready to date someone who wasn't "normal" in the eyes of others?
Vixen was just about ready to pull away when Rule suddenly opened his eyes.
"Did you know what I just did?"
Come up with a way to break it to me gently?
"Take a guess."
"You...weighed the pros and cons?"
"Guess again."
"You..."
"Prayed."
Did he just say...
"But I'm still not good at it."
Is this real, God?
"And since I'm not good at it, my daughter isn't either."
Vixen couldn't speak at this point since she was crying harder than ever.
"And in case you don't understand what I'm getting at—-I'm saying that you'll have your work cut out with us two. So if you still want to change your mind, now's the time—-"
Vixen threw herself in his arms, and Rule's words came to an abrupt halt.
A moment later, she felt his arms wrap tightly around hers, and she buried her face against his chest as she cried her heart out.
In joy.
Thank You.
Because this time, there was no longer any reason for doubt.