Love Inspired Suspense December 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 (51 page)

Instead, it was Wade who left the room, leaving an awkward silence and flittering glances that didn't reach Lacey's eyes.

Wade suddenly reappeared in the doorway, Clay's forearm held in his grasp.

Clay kept his eyes downcast from everyone in the room. One look and Lacey knew he felt responsible for all that happened.

“Clay,” she said, knowing Wade needed this man in his life. “You don't need to take this on as your fault. You trusted an old friend who used you.”

Clay's shoulders curved in, his eyes avoided hers. So different he was from the night she met him on Christmas Eve. “I shouldn't have been in denial for so long. Deep down, I knew the truth of the accident. No. The murder. I was living a lie.”

“It allowed you to feel safe, Clay. Sometimes the parties and gates fill a role for a time, but sooner or later, they have to come down and the truth has to be dealt with. It's the only way we can heal. I think the blinders are off for everyone now. Wouldn't you agree?”

Clay nodded because his emotions wouldn't let him speak.

“So let the healing begin.” She looked at Wade. “For everyone.”

Wade's blue eyes pierced her to the point she lost her breath. He moved back to her side, and his hand found her cheek. Tears filled his eyes, making them glassy and shimmering. “I don't deserve you.”

“That's a Jesus kind of love. Because of Jesus, we don't get what we deserve. We get loved instead. Will you let me love you?”

Clay cleared his throat. “If you'll allow me to speak. Just some fatherly advice, Wade. This is a very special lady. If I were you, I wouldn't let her go.”

Wade smiled down at her. “All she knows how to do is go. It's her motto for everything.”

“Then, perhaps you might want to jump in and go with her.” The room of people giggled at Clay's remark.

Promise jumped up on the bed to lick Lacey's face. Wade pulled Promise back, concern on his expression. “Promise, down. Lacey's injured.”

“Then, I couldn't think of a better dog to help me heal. She's the most gentle and attentive dog ever. Will you share her with me?”

Lacey patted the side of the bed for Wade to sit, but Promise claimed the spot before he could.

“I see how this is going to go.”

Lacey laughed even though Wade wasn't. “So serious you always are.” She mocked him to get a smile, but it didn't work. Then Promise pushed her head into his hand, and Lacey could see a smile about to crack. This dog was good medicine.

“Move it, Promise. It's my turn to smother her with kisses.” Wade slid his hand to the back of her head and leaned down.

Lacey locked her eyes on his lips, ready to claim hers. She waited for the confetti that was sure to shoot off around her at any second, more mind-blowing than any winner's circle she would ever be in. She rushed up to meet him.

Wade pulled back. “Not so fast, my little need-for-speed. We're doing this my way.”

Lacey rolled her eyes. “Oh, brother. You all might as well come back tomorrow. This could take a while.”

Wade laughed, his deep rich baritone she rarely heard, and honestly, wasn't in any rush to hear go away.

“Lacey Phillips, I think you're crazy.”

“Well, thanks, I love you, too.”

“That's why I think you're crazy. How you could ever love me will forever boggle my mind. You humble me and honor me and stupefy me all at the same time. But if you will marry me, I promise I will spend the rest of my life cherishing you and loving you with everything I have in me, and then some. I won't lie and say the road ahead of us won't be bumpy, it will be, but with us going together, and God and honesty as our guides, it will be an incredible race.”

Lacey smiled. “I see where you're going with this,” she said with a slow nod. “I might even let you drive.”

“First you have to say yes, then our first trip will be to the church. Right away. Like this weekend.”

“So fast? That's so unlike you, Wade Spencer. Are you sure you don't want to wait it out so we can plan accordingly?”

“Everyone we love is here. Why wait?”

“True.” Lacey shrugged. “And I do have a wedding planner in the family. Mama, how fast can you whip together a wedding?”

“Are you kidding?” Adelaide shrieked and clapped her hands. “I've had your wedding planned since the day you first drew breath. Say yes, darling, and all you'll have to do is show up.”

“No lace,” Lacey warned.

“I wouldn't dream of it... Well, I would, but I won't do it. Promise.”

Promise lifted her head, her caterpillar eyebrows bouncing up and down at the mention of her name. Lacey giggled. “And speaking of Promise...” Lacey patted her vacant side to invite the dog back up. She sank her fingers into the dog's soft fur at her neck. “Your love is so pure. Your actions are more powerful than any spoken word. Thank you for loving Wade, and showing me how to love him, too.” Promise lapped Lacey's face and made her laugh. “I want you by our side when we say I do. It just wouldn't be the same without you.”

“So is that a yes?” Wade asked impatiently.

“Wait a second. I don't like to be rushed. Let me think this through.”

“You? Since when do think things through? What happened to ‘Go unless God tells you no'?”

“About that... I think I might have been a bit too quick with my motto.”

“Just a bit?” He smirked, deepening his dimple.

“When the car was filling up, and I had no way of escaping, I realized it wasn't always about going but about letting go.”

Wade's smile slipped from his face. He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I'm sorry, Lacey. I won't rush you. If you need time, you take it. As much as you need.”

“But I don't. That's just it. My answer is yes, Wade. I will marry you, but I want you to know this is not something I'm rushing into because I haven't heard God say no. I'm walking forward in trust, knowing He is at the lead, and has great plans for us.”

Wade sighed and dropped his forehead to hers. “There can't be any regrets in that,” he whispered, his voice choked.

“No regrets, only peace.”

“Peace.” He closed his eyes. “I thought I would be chasing after that forever.”

“Well, get used to it. You don't have to search for it anymore.”

“Hey,” Roni piped up. “Does this mean you're coming home, Wade?”

Wade didn't move from Lacey. “I don't think that's a question for today.”

Lacey answered for him. “Yes, he'll be coming home.”

Wade lifted his head. “Are you sure about moving north? You're a born-and-bred Southern gal.”

“Now who's crazy? You own a racetrack? Hello!” She waved her hand. “We're going to be the greatest racing family ever.”

Wade smiled so big his dimple cut into his cheek like a crater. “Racing family? You have no idea what that means to me.” He leaned in, his lips a breath from hers. “Start your engine, sweetheart. We've got a legacy ahead of us to claim.”

“You know I'm going to spin circles around you, right?”

“I'm counting on it,” he said and finally claimed her lips.

Moments went by and Lacey forgot about the people watching. It was easy to do when Wade let all the barriers between them fall away, where it became just the two of them.

It was Michael, Wade's newfound granddaddy, who interrupted. “If you don't mind, I would like to give you your wedding present early, Wade.”

Wade stood up from the bed but still held Lacey's hand, his thumb tracing circles on her skin that sent tingles throughout her body. “That's not necessary. Really.”

“It is. You've been searching for peace for so long, perhaps I can bring you some. It's what your parents would want me to do. They would be so proud of you. Both of you.” He looked to Roni and opened his briefcase. He withdrew a large envelope and handed it to Wade across the bed. “It's the accident report. The real accident report.”

“Real?” Both Wade and Roni spoke in unison.

“The one on record was altered. There were certain things I didn't want the public to know. Like I said before, there are people who will hurt my loved ones just to get to me. I could protect you from afar because I knew where you were.” Michael sighed and looked to make a quick decision. “But I couldn't protect your brother.”

“What are you saying?”

Michael's gaze fell to the envelope. “You'll see in the report that your brother Luke was not found in the car. There were no remains of him at all. Someone removed him from the scene and took him to an unknown place where I couldn't protect him. What I'm saying is, Veronica and Wade, there's a chance your brother is still alive, and out there somewhere.”

* * * * *

Dear Reader,

Welcome to a fun new series with the start of
Silent Night Pursuit
. I hope you enjoyed the Spencer siblings and are excited to continue their journey with me down many roads of danger. Look for Roni's story, as well as the baby brother, Luke's, story…if the Spencers can find him.

Both Lacey and Wade had pain to face before they could move forward together. Wade's trauma with his injury of PTSD is felt by so many of our military coming home, experiencing these same wounds. Some have found a service animal to help.

Enter Promise.

Service dogs like her show what unconditional love looks like. In 1 John 3:18, we are instructed not to love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Promise's actions were more powerful than any words.

Thanks again for joining me! I love hearing from readers. You can visit my web
site,
www.katyleebooks.com
, or email me at
[email protected]
. You ca
n also write to me at Katy Lee Books, PO Box 486, Enfield, CT 06082.

Katy Lee

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

You enjoy a dash of danger.
Love Inspired Suspense
stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

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ISBN-13: 9781460389348

Silent Night Pursuit

Copyright © 2015 by Katherine Lee

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