Free Angel in the Shadows, Book 1 by Lisa Grace (Angel Series) by Lisa Grace Page B

hair.
    “Yes,” I say.
    He pulls a ring off his finger, “I want you to
have it.”
    “Oh—what is it?” I say as I put it on. It’s
silver and has an intertwined vine pattern on it. It’s too big for
my ring finger, but it fits on my middle one.
    It’s my purity ring. I promise to be faithful
and wait for you. And I want you to save yourself for me. Before
God someday, when we take our vows in front of him we can be what
He wants. Your first time is a special gift to me, and mine, to
you. It’s like giving you my heart. Please don’t break it,” Seth
kisses me on the top of my head.
    “Oh Seth, I love it! I love you,” I think of
what I can give him. The only thing I’m wearing is a gold necklace
with my initial on it that my parents gave me for my birthday.
“Here, hold my hair,” I reach up and unclasp it. “This is my heart,
to you. I promise to wait for you.” I fold it into his hands, “I
trust you with my heart.” We spend the rest of our time together
watching shooting stars and satellites cross the sky.
    ***
    The next morning, I rush to the dining room
eager to see Seth again in the daylight. We hug again and take our
breakfast down to the fishing dock. Today everyone is leaving
within the hour. “Do you feel better now, knowing I’m serious?”
    “Yes,” I smile.
    “Good. Then we can both concentrate on getting
good grades so we can get into the same college together. And we
can see each other on school breaks. There is a ski trip during
Christmas break we can go on.”
    “My, now that we have all the romance stuff out
of the way, you sound so practical,” I tease.
    “Well, one of us has to be,” He says mocking me.
“I’ll call you as soon as I get home about the Busch Gardens
trip.”
    “Are you sure your parents will be okay with
that?”
    “Sure, they trust my judgment and they want to
meet you. They like your sense of humor from your texts.”
    “Oh, yeah, I forgot they read those things.”
    “Well they want to meet my mystery woman.”
    “I might need a drum roll for the big unveiling
or should I just stick to the red carpet and the ball gown?” I
joke.
    “See they‘re going to love you,” Seth
smiles.
    “Did I forget to mention my dad owns a rifle and
he might want to have you write an essay on why you are worthy to
date his daughter?”
    “Hmm, maybe we can work out some kind of
deal.”
    A fish jumps out on the lake. We sit silently
holding hands enjoying our last few minutes together.
    The buses start pulling up to the main lodge
signaling it’s time to load up.
    Seth and I hug a quick goodbye and he heads off
to make sure his kids have emptied their cabin. I run up to grab my
bag and check on my Venus girls one last time. We say goodbye to
the Timmons and all the kids we’ve made friends with over the last
eight days. I wave goodbye to Paige. I stash my duffle and help
Carrie load up the bays under the bus, then we get all the kids
back on.
    Mr. Steve does a head count.
    I hear someone yell my name and step out the
door.
    It’s Seth and he is kissing my necklace that
he’s wearing around his neck. I kiss his ring and we wave
goodbye.
    The drive back passes quickly. Carrie is all
excited to tell me about the fun she and Robby had. Nikki tells me
about the two or three boys she fell in love with during camp. She
can’t decide which one she likes better.
    As we hit the main highway, I notice a few of
the cars seem to have a dark presence riding along with them and
once, going in the other direction, I see a car with a bright light
as a passenger and I smile.
    My life has changed. For good or bad, I’m not
the same Megan I was eight days ago. I’m going home, but with what
I can see now, I don’t know how familiar home is going to be. I
wonder if Mom and Dad are going to notice a change in me, and what
about my little brother, Max? I wonder if I should tell anyone; and
if I don’t, how long am I going to be able to keep this a
secret?
    My best friend at home