Shadowed (28 page)

He stopped walking and faced her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers
stroked her cheek. “Do you regret coming here?”

“Never.” She stood on her tip toes and kissed him, tasting the lingering chocolate
from his ice cream. She could feel his smile.

“You're right. That cheesecake doesn't taste half bad.”

She giggled and pulled back. “Nick, I wouldn't trade this time with you. As much
as I miss them, this is my life now. When I finish this internship, I can take that
awful test, get licensed, and hopefully add a voice for improvement when natural
disasters strike. I think you told me once that Sarah Beth will always be part of
me. I can't erase that living here. But this, Nick”—she gestured to the ocean and
people milling around on the beach, enjoying the last day of their weekend—“this
fits, too. You are my world now.”

His face lit up, and her heart warmed that she was the reason. Never could she have
prayed for a man like Nick Carmichael. His past was his past. She couldn't change
it any more than she could change her own. But they could build a beautiful future
on the rubble of past mistakes, and she couldn't wait to make that happen.

“It's time for your surprise.” He grabbed her hand, tugging her back to the car.
Already she loved this day of escape.

Chapter 33

N
ICK NEVER FELT
this nervous. Not when facing down locals with guns in the desert
of the Middle East. Not when training. Not when caught in the middle of a brawl in
college. Not when boarding Janus's boat in Ukraine. But now his hands felt slick
with sweat. His heart pounded as if it could burst from his chest. He took a deep
breath, steadying his heart and fighting the nerves.

He'd blindfolded Kaylan and now led her to where Jay had docked his boat. He prayed
for the perfect evening. He glanced at the orange tint in the sky, guessing they
had about an hour before the sun set.

“Nick, where are you taking me?”

“I lied about the note. I wrote it. I'm kidnapping you. Next stop Hawaii.”

She giggled. “I think I can handle that. You can take the blindfold off now. I'll
go willingly. I wouldn't want you charged with kidnapping.”

“Not a chance, babe. We're almost there.”

He checked his shorts pocket again, the edges of the box reassuring him as he walked
the last few steps and stopped. Megan had
outdone herself decorating and, true to
his request, had avoided using black. He'd thank her later.

He came around Kaylan and unfastened the blindfold, his fingers brushing her wavy
auburn locks. She'd changed into a knit sweater and linen pants, perfect for the
weather as the November evening dipped into the sixties and a small breeze teased
their skin.

“Oh, Nick. No way.” She turned and flew into his arms, placing a kiss on his lips
before turning back to the scene before them.

Luck B A Lady
, Jay's speedboat, sat before them. Jay had cleaned her, and Megan had
set a picnic basket and blankets on the deck, where a couple of padded bench seats
sat ready and waiting for dinner.

“She's ours for the evening.” Nick helped her climb on board and started the engine;
it roared to life then purred, waiting for his command. He navigated past the surf
and out into the still water, gunning the engine for full effect. Kaylan squealed
as sea spray lighted on her face, dotting her eyelashes like diamonds in the setting
sun. Nick chuckled, relaxing in his natural habitat. The sea, the sunset, and the
coming darkness, a Frogman at home.

As they hit a cove of smoother water, he cut the engine and threw anchor, letting
them bob in the gentle current. A light cloud cover smeared the sky, and he hoped
it wouldn't obscure their view. The lap of water against the boat cooled his nerves.
The world receded. The only thing that mattered was her laughter and his fingers
wound through hers.

He spread the blanket on the floor of the boat, facing the setting sun. She quickly
unpacked the picnic—gourmet sandwiches, chips, fruit, and chocolate cake dripping
with a cherry glaze awaited. “Who in the world made all this?”

Nick grinned, ecstatic that the details had come together without her knowledge.
“Turns out your roommate is a fantastic cook.”

“Clearly she missed her calling.” She tossed him a sandwich and
then curled up next
to him, pulling a plaid blanket over both of their legs. “I'm not usually a sunset
girl, but this is pretty amazing. Thanks for today.”

“My pleasure. I gotta say, I think my California sunsets rival your Alabama sunrises.”

“Blasphemy. Don't ever say that again.”

“It's true. I've requested a poll, and I won.”

“I demand a recount. But I have to say . . . ” She set her sandwich aside and curled
into his chest as her voice lowered in awe. “This one is pulling out all the stops.”

Nick couldn't have agreed more. He'd grown up watching the sunsets over the water,
but this one seemed unlike any he'd seen. Pink and orange tinted the gray clouds
as if lava built in the heights. At the skyline a fiery orange and yellow spilled
over the water and shot rays into the sky, slicing into the clouds and coloring
the water. In the stillness the water directly reflected the sky above. Beauty surrounded
them on all sides.

“Whose turn is it for a question?” Kaylan mumbled against his chest.

“My turn, I think.” He swallowed hard, his hands slipping as he reached into his
pocket and grasped the box. “But I want you to look at me for this one.”

She moved to sit cross-legged next to him, her gaze wary. “Are you going to ask me
to do the Macarena again for you? Because like I said earlier, that is not a valid
question.”

He threw his head back in a laugh, letting the nerves bleed away for a moment. He
loved the humor that returned the more she healed. He'd missed this Kaylan in the
past months. He reached for her hands, tasting the words he wanted to say, feeling
them well within him like the ocean he loved so much. He feared she would say no,
that a part of her remained terrified of his past, of his job, of making a life here.
But as she'd challenged him, what they did, they would now do together.

“You've changed a lot this year, you know. I've watched you go from a broken woman
to a woman who refuses to back down, who doesn't just need support but who desires
to support others. Kaylan, if I could have picked the woman I wanted to spend my
life with, I never could have dreamed you up. You're beautiful, fun, talented. Your
love for the Lord is infectious and pure. You love others and put them before yourself,
no matter the circumstance. Even today, the fact that you would help me find my family,
unite with my sister, no questions asked, meant the world to me.” He tucked a strand
of hair behind her ear, watching the flickering emotions pass across her face. Emotion
tore at his throat, causing his voice to become husky.

“I love you, Kaylan Lee Richards. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I
want to grow old with you, have babies with you. Your family will be my family. I
want to love you as Christ loved the church, and I would give my life to protect
you.” His fingers caressed her face, causing her breath to catch. “I want to support
you in your dreams, fight for your heart, and wake up to a beautiful sunrise with
you for the rest of our lives. I don't know where this journey will take us. I don't
know what states or countries we may live in. I can't promise ease and comfort. I
can't promise full disclosure. But I can promise to partner with you and do my best
to point you to Christ, no matter what.”

He pulled himself onto his knee and reached for the box, tugging it open. Her breath
caught as another spike of light shot through the sky, and the horizon line glowed
a dusky pink.

He smiled, all hint of nerves gone. He'd never been so sure of anything in his life.
“So for my last question of the day.” His eyes locked with hers. “Kaylan, will you
marry me?”

Tears coursed down her face as she rose up on her knees and threw her arms around
his neck. Her lips met his, and he had his answer. This girl belonged to him, a gift
from God in every way.
He knew without a doubt that he would treasure her the rest
of his days.

He chuckled. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.”

His lips met hers again. He didn't think he would ever tire of her kisses or her
arms around his neck. He cupped her face in his hands, drowning in the hope rekindled
in her eyes, hope he hadn't seen in a year. Hope for a future. He pulled back and
removed the ring from the box, reaching for her finger.

His whisper carried in the gentle breeze as he recited Proverbs 31. “‘A wife of noble
character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence
in her and lacks nothing of value.' You are my treasure, Kayles.”

Her eyes shone in the darkness. “That was the best question of the day.” She ran
her fingers through his hair. “I love you, Nick Carmichael. And I can't wait to spend
the rest of my life with you.”

He pulled her close as the last of the light slipped beneath the water line and shadows
descended on the boat. As Nick pointed the boat back to port, he couldn't help but
think that the sunset had been appropriate. It was the end of one stage and the dawn
of another, one he couldn't wait to begin.

Chapter 34

K
AYLAN AWOKE WITH
a start and looked at her hand. She hadn't dreamed it. A pear-shaped
diamond adorned her finger, evidence of a sunset proposal the night before. She fell
back against her pillow. It had happened, really happened.

A party had awaited them when they got back. Megan and Micah pulled out all the stops.
Despite being miles away from Alabama and the rest of her family, she felt more loved
than she could hope for. Every day California felt more and more like home.

She jumped up to shower and get ready for work, just in time to read her Bible and
watch the sunrise too. She had much to be thankful for this morning. Yet a small
twinge of sadness stole across her heart. Sarah Beth wasn't here to celebrate, and
she wouldn't be there to stand next to her on her big day.

Kaylan knew it would always be this way, big moments of celebration followed by
quiet moments of grieving. She knew one day she would rock away on a front porch
in heaven and tell Sarah Beth all about it. They had eternity to enjoy their friendship.
For now she would carry on and celebrate, knowing that's exactly what Sarah Beth
would want her to do.

Her phone rang as she left the porch after reading her Bible.
Nick. Her smile nearly
slipped off her face as she hurried to her room. “Morning, babe.”

“Kayles, we need to talk.”

Her smile froze, and she stopped in the middle of her room, her eyes darting around.
The serious tone of his voice set her nerves on edge. “Everything okay?”

“We're leaving, Kayles. We got the call a couple of hours ago. They're briefing us
when we get there. We're loading the plane within the hour. I'm not going to see
you, and I'm not sure when I'll be back. Could you . . . ”

“Yeah, I'll take care of the house and check in on Kim and Logan. Don't worry. Please
be safe.” Her heart sank. She'd had a brief break from reality, but she realized
this is the life she would marry into. Moments of celebration and fun, followed by
long absences. If she wanted Nick, she would learn to embrace both.

“Kayles, I'm sorry. This isn't how I wanted to spend the next few days.”

“Don't apologize. Go do what you need to do and then come home to me.”

She could hear his smile, even though she couldn't see it. “Have I told you lately
that you're amazing?”

“Keep telling me. I love you.”

“I love you too. Hold down the home front. I'll call when I can.”

“It's a deal. Bye.” She hid her cracking voice as she ended the call, her emotions
riding a roller coaster.

“Lover boy leaving again?”

Kaylan jumped and turned to find Megan leaning in her doorway. She'd donned shorts
and a T-shirt for her work at the aquatic center and nursed a mug of coffee in her
hand. “You scared me.”

Megan smiled. “I guess with everything going on around here you have the right to
be a little jumpy.”

Kaylan shuffled through a pile of clothes to grab a light jacket and her keys. “Guess
so.”

“So Nick's leaving to avoid wedding planning.” She shook her head. “Typical.”

Kaylan laughed. “Thanks for planning the party last night. It was incredible.”

A shyness crept over Megan. “I liked hanging out with your friends.”

“Well, how about you come with me to see Logan and Kim tomorrow night? I don't think
you spent time with them at Halloween.”

“I'm game. What do you have in mind?”

Kaylan slipped past Megan in the doorway, talking as she moved toward her car. “Kim
is back from the hospital with her baby. I want to check in on her. I would love
for you to get to know her. I'm taking dinner over.”

“Babies, Kaylan? I'm not so good with kids.”

Kaylan stopped at the door and flipped a strand of Megan's hair, grinning at her
roommate's cringe. “Just one baby. And three kids. Trust me, these are the best-behaved
kids on the planet.”

“Fine. Sign me up. You've got me helping neighbors and kissing babies. Maybe you'll
have me believing in Jesus soon too.” Megan rolled her eyes.

“That's the plan.” With a wave she walked out the door, praying for her roommate
and the SEAL team heading to who knew where. She planned to watch the news constantly
until the guys came back.