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)
"How long have you been up?"
"About fifteen minutes? I wanted to see the sun rise. We're supposed to have the best morning views on the island, and I wanted to see if it was true."
"Is it then?"
Riley gestured to the skies with dramatic flair. "Behold."
A smile quirked over his lips, but he obediently turned his gaze as instructed.
And it was as his daughter said.
"We don't get views like this in our old apartment," Riley commented.
"You were the one who refused to live in a penthouse," he reminded her.
"Because I'm afraid of heights. And it all turned out okay, anyway. We still don't live in a penthouse, but we already have this to wake up to."
His daughter's face softened as she turned her gaze back to the sun, and his chest tightened at the sight. She had never been much of a talker growing up, but she had become even more withdrawn following his separation from Beatriz.
And so to see and hear her talk this much—-
It wasn't just a blessing but a miracle, and the fact that Rule even thought of it as such nearly had him shaking his head.
The word 'miracle' had never been a part of his vocabulary. But the moment it popped into his mind, Rule knew this was the truth. Everything right now was a miracle.
Riley.
This island.
Vixen.
And...the one behind Jeremiah 29:11.
"Dad?"
Rule focused his attention back on Riley and was surprised to find her expression wistful. "What is it?"
"I love this place."
The words seemed to come out of nowhere, and his daughter looked just as stunned to hear herself say this.
"I mean, it's weird, right? Everything's so quiet here. And slow. I'm not supposed to like these things, but I do. I love everything about this island. And the people here are amazing."
The words were too perfect a cue that it almost had Rule glancing up at the skies.
This is your work, isn't it?
He had looked up Jeremiah 29:11 last night before sleeping, but instead of giving him the answers he needed, the verse had only led to more questions. The words had made him want to believe. But to believe would lead to changes which he frankly found terrifying, and it was why Rule had woken up unwilling to even think of his name.
But you knew what I was trying to do.
God had used Vixen to open Rule's eyes to His existence. And now, God was using Riley to let Rule know there was no escaping His plans. Rule wanted to know if God also saw him as his son, and this was the answer.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Rule cleared his throat, and his daughter glanced at him curiously.
"Speaking of places and people...it seems we both have the same taste in cafes as well."
"Are you talking about BBB?"
"I am."
"But how did you know—-" Riley's eyes widened. "Did Vixen talk to you about me?"
"Actually, it was the other way around."
"But why would you—-" Riley let out a gasp when everything started adding up. "No way."
"I'm not falling for that again," Rule said dryly. The one time he had said 'yes way' in response, his daughter had teased him about being "ancient" for weeks.
"But we're thinking about the same thing, aren't we?"
"What are you thinking?"
"That you...like her?"
"You sound happy about that," he observed.
"I am!" Riley's eyes were sparkling with delight, and Rule couldn't remember the last time he had seen his daughter this happy. "Tell me, though. How did she react when she found out you were my dad?"
"I'm sure you can imagine how."
His daughter actually giggled, and this, too, was something he hadn't heard for a long, long time.
It was, simply put, another miracle.
"What exactly did she say?"
"She suggested we give ourselves time to think."
Riley smirked. "And?"
He realized where this was leading, and his daughter started to snicker when he shook his head. "You really want me to say it?"
"Yes. I really do."
"She also said we should pray for it."
His daughter was already giggling before he had even finished speaking.
"I knew it!" Riley beamed at him. "She's just so adorably nice, Dad. I don't think I've ever met anyone like her. She doesn't seem to care about what other people think. She could just go on and on talking about God and stuff."
Yes, Rule thought. Vixen was exactly the way his daughter described her, but it didn't just make her adorable or nice. Instead, it made her incredible, in every way a woman could be.
"Do you really like her, Dad?"
"I do."
"And Vixen? Did she say she likes you back?"