Cross-Country Christmas by Laurie Lewis

Author:Laurie Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: silver-buckle brides;romance;clean romance;sweet romance;proper;wholesome;custom car;country;cross-country;christmas;car crash;rancher;home
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2021-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Reese bolted up, threw his arms forward to shield himself from the blast, and then fell back against the couch cushions in a sweat. He was able to clear the memory and return to the present more quickly now, but once awakened by a replay of the blast, all hope of restful sleep was gone.

He stretched to clear a kink from his back. As much as he hated to admit it, he missed his fancy foam mattress. Sharing the bed with CC was not an option. Being near her was like being hotwired, which meant they had to get creative about the time they spent together. So far, he’d kept his promise not to use the word love with CC until he was ready and able to promise her an enduring love and commitment, but neither could he be casual with physical intimacy without those same promises. To him, that meant waiting for a loving marriage. This was going to be a challenge. They would have to make other sleeping arrangements if he was going to spare his back.

He stoked the fire and tossed another log on, pausing to finger CC’s foil chains and the pine garlands she’d made. Smiling, he padded over to the fridge and pulled a carton of orange juice out. Before guzzling a big drink, he paused. Emmie hated when he and Carlos chugged from the carton, even though the men assured her the paper never touched their lips. Reese’s mother’s abhorrence over the practice had never deterred her sons from trying it when she wasn’t watching, but what would CC think? With less chagrin than he expected, Reese grabbed a glass, poured a drink, and replaced the carton in the fridge.

He headed back to the sofa, glass in hand, and fished his well-worn leather scripture tote from the end-table drawer. The welcome feel of this old volume soothed him, and wrapped in his blanket, he settled in to read. God’s word had helped him find and re-center himself many times—during his rebellious high school years, in Iraq, and even after ignoring his faith following his marriage to Marissa. The New Testament spoke most personally to him and to his concerns. He loved that book’s powerful promises of redemption. He needed them every day.

He felt a presence behind him several times and ignored the feeling, until he finally looked over his shoulder and saw CC’s head peering around the corner.

The shock of actually seeing someone caused him to jump. “Oh, gosh, CC!” He groaned as he turned red and buried his face in his hand. “I wasn’t . . . I thought I . . .” he sputtered, and CC backed up with her hands raised apologetically until his garbled complaining turned to laughter. She wore sweatpants and a tee. Last night’s pigtails had become frizzy twists that, along with her makeup-free face, made her look like a little girl.

“I heard a noise earlier and came out to see if you were okay. What time is it?”

Reese glanced at the clock and cringed.

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