Page 17

Clara pushed her heavy ponytail back over her shoulder and swiped at a thick layer of dust on the bookshelf she’d just cleared of textbooks. She loved the mountainous villages close to Malanje, Angola and Kalandula Falls. The highs were around eighty in June, cool compared to the hundred degrees back home in Arizona.

They were deep cleaning the small school today. With no glass in the windows, the dust and fly poop got thick. She looked around at the crew of youth working and teasing together. She loved these young people. Some were from her own valley, but many were from other areas around the states. They’d all grown close the past two weeks, working together and loving the people in the different villages they visited.

She only thought of Brex every minute or two. Not bad, in her estimation. She missed him and as the days passed she was starting to understand how he’d had to play a role to do his job, but it still hurt that he’d waited so long to tell her the truth and that the relationship she thought they had wasn’t built on trust. He’d only started dating her to get close to the killer. She imagined he’d go back to his previous life, be distracted by beautiful ladies, and soon not think of her at all.

Still, if he appeared, she’d kiss him for a very long time.

Her nerves tingled thinking about their many shared kisses. She longed for him but doubted they’d ever be together.

A loud, rumbling vehicle approached outside, and her stomach tightened. The villagers watched out for them and she hired two security guards to accompany them on the trip, but there was fighting less than thirty miles away and any vehicle arriving at the village always made her uneasy.

She met the questioning gaze of some of the youth and held up a hand. “Stay in here,” she cautioned. “I’ll go check it out.”

Joseph, one of the tall, strong boys who reminded her of Lincoln, shook his head. “I’m going with you.”

“Joseph. I’ve got this.”

He gave her an impertinent look and hurried to her side, shadowing her as she edged to the door and peeked out.

It was a four-wheel-drive Army-looking vehicle. Oh, no. The villagers had disappeared, and the dusty village square was vacant save her two security guards. They stood with hands on their pistols, looking nervous but brave.

She pushed Joseph back. “Send everyone out the back door and to the river.”

“Not without you.”

“I’ll be right behind you.” She had to see what they were dealing with. It could be one of the men from the village visiting his family. It could be a murderous warlord here to conscript teenagers into his army or rape and kidnap young ladies.

Please protect the villagers, my youth, and our security guards.

The doors of the vehicle popped open, and she shoved at Joseph. Two men hopped down, sending up plumes of dust. She and Joseph were closer to the driver’s side and could see clearly?—

“No way,” Joseph cried out. “That’s Aiden Porter.”

Clara sagged against the doorframe as she studied the well-known security specialist. He was handsome, smiling, and well-built, as impressive in real life as he was on television or social media.

Clara edged back, hiding in the doorframe. She was not ready to talk to Brex’s boss.

Aiden’s charm seemed to ooze from him as his blue eyes circled around the quiet village and zeroed in on the security guards. They approached him with outstretched hands, obviously knowing who he was and thrilled to meet the icon in person.

“Guys!” Joseph hollered back into the school. “Aiden Porter is here!”

Relief filled Clara. It wasn’t anyone intent on hurting the villagers or her volunteer crew.

But Aiden Porter was here. Why? Maybe he had a job nearby. Of course, seeing Aiden Porter in the flesh brought Brex to the forefront of her mind. Did he have news about Brex? Her stomach tumbled with fear. Had he come here to tell her Brex was killed in Venezuela? Why else would Brex’s boss show up on her doorstep in the middle of nowhere?

The youth burst through the door of the school, rushing past her. She smiled as they surrounded Aiden and started firing questions at him, though worry was still building inside her. The children and mothers from the village appeared in doorways, watching the interaction.

Aiden gestured to the children as the man who’d exited the passenger side of the vehicle opened the rear hatch. The other man’s back was to her, but Clara could see the muscles in his arms working smoothly as he lifted boxes out of the back —food, clothing, toys. She couldn’t see all of it but enough to know Aiden was gifting this village with supplies. She and her crew had brought some, but it wasn’t easy to haul much on the airplane. The villagers were all smiles, some clapping their hands, the children rushing forward now.

The other man’s back and muscular arms looked familiar. She didn’t dare let herself hope, but then she saw his fancy silver watch glint in the sunlight. At that moment, he turned, grinning down at a young boy who’d scurried over to inspect a box of toys.

Her heart threatened to burst out of her chest.

“Brex!” His name ripped from her lips as she stepped out of the doorframe.

His eyes darted toward her and his face lit up. “Clara!” He dodged around the boxes and the gathering children and raced for her.

Clara stepped forward, unsteady and uncertain but overwhelmed with happiness. Brex had come to Angola. For her?

He reached her, swept her off her feet, and swung her around.

“Clara.” He held her aloft, staring up at her as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. Then he slowly lowered her into his embrace and captured her mouth with his.

His kiss was warm, full of longing and reconnection. His lips and strong body sent tingles and joy through every cell in her body.

She registered cheering and laughter, but all she could focus on was Brex’s mouth, his strong body surrounding her, and his insistent and wonderful kisses.

He pulled back and smiled gently at her. “Clara. Ah, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” she admitted.

The students and children were clapping and cheering for them.

Brex looked around and waved a hand. He focused back on her. “Is there somewhere quiet we could … talk?”

Clara wanted to kiss, not talk, but she knew they needed to talk. She nodded, took his hand, and tugged him around the corner of the school. Glancing back, she saw Aiden Porter watching them. He lifted a hand and gave her a charming smirk and a nod. She attempted a smile back but it was wobbly.

“Aiden Porter?” she managed as she and Brex walked through the trees and down to the riverbank.

“Best boss I’ve ever had.” He turned toward her. “After I got the information they needed from inside the trafficking ring, he, Nick, and ten other operatives showed up and we dismantled the traffickers, rescuing over fifty youth and children.” He smiled grimly, but there was pride there too. “Then Aiden and I chatted about his and Chalisa’s love story and he thought I should do a grand gesture. When I told him my idea, he insisted he was headed to the island of Magna to be with his wife, baby girl, and in-laws, and Angola was a quick side trip.”

“Wow. That’s generous of him. All those supplies, bringing you here.” It was a grand gesture, them bringing things for this village, Brex coming to Africa to find her. Angola was no quick side trip from an island near Spain.

“Clara … I thought I wanted glimmer and shine, but that’s all fake. Without you in my life, I feel like I’m a house made of straw. I want—no, I need real in my life. I need you.”

Clara took in his words. They were a balm for her aching heart. She didn’t know how to answer.

“Do you want me here, Clara?” Brex suddenly seemed uncertain and a little shy. “You needed time, and I don’t want to push you if you’re not ready.”

She looked at the river, then into his deep-brown eyes. “I’ve been trying to muddle it out in my head. I felt betrayed and of course I wished you hadn’t lied to me.”

He nodded his understanding.

“But I do understand that’s the nature of your job. What if I had been the murderer?” She shrugged. “I don’t know if I can be a good security operative’s girlfriend. I don’t like feeling like you don’t trust me. I want to trust you.”

“I can understand that. I want you to trust me.” He took both of her hands in his. “Aiden told me that if we’re married, I can confide things in you, as long as you want to hear them and I won’t risk national security.”

“What are you saying?” Her heart thudded too hard against her rib cage.

He smiled. “You don’t think you’d be a good security op’s girlfriend, but what about wife? I think you’d be the most incredible wife in the world.”

“Brex …” She couldn’t catch a full breath. “Have you lost your mind?”

Brex chuckled at that, obviously remembering when he’d said it to her. He eased closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, his firm hands splayed across her lower back. “I have, Clara.” He bent down and his warm breath tickled her mouth. “I’ve lost a bunch of fake, petty fantasies and found the real thing. I’ve lost my mind and have fallen desperately in love with a charitable angel.”

She loved him too, but … marriage?

“Where would we live? When would we even be together?”

“I’d love to buy a little house in Jade Valley,” he said softly. “I really like the pastor there, and his daughter.” He whistled. “She’s hot.”

“Brex.” She half-laughed and half-groaned. “You sound like Linc.”

“I like him too. I’ve always wanted a crazy little brother.” He kissed her gently and then drew back. “Take the time you need. I don’t want to pressure you. But you need to know that nothing else matters to me, not compared to you. I paid off my Range Rover and sold my condo. I put a couple hundred thousand in an investment Aiden recommended, earmarked another five hundred thousand for the house I want to buy you, and donated the rest to your mission organization.”

“Brex,” she breathed in awe.

“I don’t care if I ever own a Brioni suit or live in a high-dollar condo by the ocean or get caught on camera on the red carpet. I know it will be hard when you’re on a mission trip or I’m on an assignment, but I’ll come with you any time I can and all I care about is that I come home to you. I love you, Clara. If you need a year to think about it or to pray to forgive me, I’ll understand. If you need fifty years, I’ll wait for you. I love you, and no one but you will ever do for me. Now that I’ve found what’s real, I can never settle for a life without substance.”

Clara computed his words and realized for the first time she felt seen and appreciated. She’d been fine being invisible, a window to God’s love, but she never knew how good it would feel to find that one person who saw her and loved her. That completed her, and the chasm she thought was between her and Brex … he built a steel bridge over it.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She kissed him until shadows of evening approached and Joseph and Heidi came to tell them they were missing dinner and a huge celebration.

They pulled apart, promising they’d be right there.

Brex took her hand to walk her back to the village center.

“Brex.” She put her other hand on his arm. “I never answered you.”

“Those kisses were a brilliant answer.”

“I hope so, but you need to know that I’ll forgive you and I do love you. Now that I’ve felt your love and understanding … I don’t need it from everyone, just from you. You’re all I need. And someday soon, I’ll marry you and let you buy me that house in Jade Valley.”

Brex’s eyes widened and then he whooped and lifted her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly.

They missed dinner.

Neither of them cared.