Free Her Only Protector by Lisa Mondello Page B

Who?”
    â€œThe Lord.”
    He made a noise of frustration. “You’d be foolish to wait around for miracles, Sonny.”
    â€œWhy? You don’t think the Lord will answer my prayers?”
    â€œI think prayer helps a person get through hard times, but it’s not a lottery ticket.”
    She laughed softly. “No, you’re right. But I can’t look at that baby sleeping soundly in your arms right now and not believe in miracles. They happen every day all around us, whether we see them or not.
    â€œMy faith in God is not just something I do on a Sunday morning at church, Gil. My faith is the backbone of my family’s life and mine. It’s my driving force.”
    Gil made no reply.
    Sonny’s cheeks flamed and she found it hard to turn away from his intent stare. She couldn’t tell him that when their eyes met it made her heart skip a beat. Men didn’t do that to Sonny. At least, no man she’d ever known had.
    All the men she’d encountered at work were not men she wanted to date. And although Mrs. Altman, the church organist, was always trying to fix her up with one eligible Christian bachelor or another, she never found any man interesting enough to pursue beyond a first date. She often ended up turning the relationship into a good friendship.
    Sonny had only just met Gil. But she’d never been this attracted to a man before. Especially a man who couldn’t be more wrong for her if he tried.
    Lord, are you trying to tell me something? Because if You are, I’m not getting it.
    She shrugged the feeling off. “You remind me of…”
    â€œWho?” he asked.
    â€œMy brother.”
    â€œCash?”
    She shook her head. “No, Dylan. He’s the oldest. Cash is a few years younger. It took Mom and Dad a while to have me.”
    â€œI’m sure they were a handful when they were kids.”
    â€œYeah, I guess.”
    â€œWhy do I remind you of your brother?”
    They say that if you have a good relationship with your father and your brothers, you look for a man who reminds you of them. Sonny supposed that was why she was suddenly feeling drawn to Gil.
    â€œHe’s gruff, like you. All big, bad, tough guy on the outside, you know?”
    She could tell he wanted to laugh out loud. A funny sound escaped his lips, but he held back to keep from waking the baby. His chest rocked up and down as he laughed silently.
    â€œAnd you willingly handed the baby over anyway?” he finally said.
    â€œThat’s just it. Dylan always comes across like the big, bad marine. He’s a cop now. But when you get him in a room full of my little cousins during the holidays, he’s just a cream puff. He’s the one they all flock to. He rolls around on the floor and plays with them, makes them laugh. They never leave him alone. But he doesn’t mind. He’s just a big kid behind that gruff exterior.”
    â€œYou think that’s what I’m like?”
    â€œAre you telling me you’re not?”
    â€œYou don’t know me.”
    â€œI know what I see,” she said, gesturing to Ellie, who was completely content on his shoulder. “You just told me you used to rock your little cousin to sleep at night and now you’re holding Ellie like she was made to fit in your arms. You’re a softy, Gil.”
    â€œAppearances can be deceiving, Sonny. I’m still going to bring your brother in when I find him.”
    She nodded, irritated that his determination to collect his bounty had crept into the conversation. The two of them would always be at odds on that matter. The very last thing Sonny would help Gil with was looking for Cash if it meant he’d interfere with the rescue operation.
    â€œYou may want the world to believe you’re a hard case, some of us know better, Gil.”
    He shifted in the chair. “Listen, Sonny. Whatever game you’re playing with me, you can stop. Smooth talking