His eyes lit. “I’m in favor of them.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay engaged for a couple of years to see if things—”
“Don’t.” He was not amused now. His mouth flattened into a thin line, and he shook his head. “I know what I need to know. I know I need you. I know I love you. I know I’m not going to ever feel this way about anyone else.” He traced the ring on her hand. “And I know I don’t want to wait one second longer than necessary to commit to you forever.”
Maybe someday Faith would be able to express herself as well as Luke did. For now, she’d have to keep it simple and hope he understood everything she couldn’t say. “Short it is.”
If Luke’s answering kiss was any indication, he’d understood just fine.
Acknowledgments
No one ever writes a book on their own. My eternal gratitude to:
The experts who wish to remain anonymous but without whom I would never have attempted to write this story.
Brian, Emma, James, and Drew, for loving me through another story.
Ken and Susie Huggins and Sandra Blackburn, for frequently taking your grandchildren off my hands so I could concentrate and for continuing to believe in me.
Jennifer Huggins, for not freaking out when I ask where the best place is to shoot someone without killing them and for being my resident medical advisor/best sister ever.
Lynette Eason, for every text, email, phone call, and evening escape to brainstorm—or not!
Carrie Stuart Parks, Colleen Coble, Robin Caroll, Pam Hillman, Edie Melson, Emme Gannon, Linda Gilden, Alycia Morales, Tammy Karasek, Erynn Newman, Michelle Cox, Molly Jo Realy, Lisa Carter, Alison Hendley, Mindy Song Houng, Holly Dowling,Angie Poole, Ginny Hodel, and Dr. Judy Melinek, for your willingness to share your creativity and knowledge.
My sisters of The Light Brigade, for your unfailing encouragement and ceaseless prayers on my behalf.
Deborah Clack and Debb Hackett, for crying with me until I laugh and for laughing with me until I cry. #HackersClackersBlackers4ever
The extraordinary publicity and marketing teams at Revell who work so tirelessly to help get my stories into the world.
Kelsey Bowen, for seeing what was needed to make this story all it could be and for being a true pleasure to work with.
Amy Ballor, for making sure every word is where it’s supposed to be.
Tamela Hancock Murray, for being the best agent I could ask for.
My fabulous readers, who have waited not so patiently for this book. Your enthusiasm and delight keep me motivated and encouraged!
My Savior, the Ultimate Storyteller, for allowing me to write stories for you.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
Sneak Peek of the Next Book in this Series
1
THE STACK OF CASHon his desk was as close to genuine currency as squeeze cheese was to Brie.
US Secret Service Special Agent Gil Dixon turned one of the fraudulent twenties over and studied the back. There were a few similarities to the real thing, but not enough to confuse anyone paying attention.
“Free money?” Special Agent Zane Thacker asked as he passed Gil’s cubicle for his own.
“Hardly enough to fool with.” Gil glanced back at the file. Two hundred dollars in twenties. Even if the person who had deposited it had been trying to do something illegal, no prosecutor would touch the case. It simply wasn’t worth it.
