Free Sandy's Story (Ditch Lane Diaries Book 3) by D.F. Jones Page B

confusion. I can’t, I won’t jeopardize your safety any further.”
    Sandy pushed him away from her and walked to the window. Her view of the Cumberland River was spectacular. She tried to focus on the boats, but the little girl in her cried. He didn’t want her as she wanted him. She wanted to shout at him but wouldn’t humiliate herself again.
    Baldric walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He leaned down close to her face, the warmth of his breath kissing her cheek, and the heat of desire rushed between her legs. Her head fell against his solid chest, and she closed her eyes. Neither of them spoke as her heart shattered.
    Sandy turned and looked up into his eyes. “It’s okay. Don’t sweat it. I’m exhausted, and I’m going to bed. Goodnight.” She left him standing next to the window. She couldn’t bear to look back at him again.
    * * *
    Baldric watched as Sandy left the room. He’d broken her heart. The worst part of the whole situation—he loved her like no other. They were star-crossed. She was human and he, an angel. Their union would never be sanctioned. Their pairing would set up a precedent that Michael, Gabriel or The Creator didn’t want because humans and angels weren’t allowed to mate.
    It was times like these that Baldric wondered about destiny. Why had he been assigned to her? If The Creator was all knowing, why would He do this to them? He knelt on the floor and looked out at the moon and the stars. He spoke to The Creator. “Forgive me, Lord, I am weak. I’m not worthy to be her protector. Would you ever consider her as my mate, my pairing partner? I could place a million years between Daireann and me and never get over her. You’ve ruined me. I’m not able to protect her without putting us both in jeopardy. My unyielding love for her has made me weak.”
    Baldric waited for a bolt of lightning to strike him for the words he’d prayed to the Almighty. He waited for a sign as he looked out over the lake, and a gentle rain began to pour over the dark, inky water. The Creator heard him and the sky wept.

Chapter 5
    Addicted To Love

    Sandy tossed and turned most of the night. She thought of all the males who had desired her and confessed their love for her. Three of those men had loved her. Rusty, her high school sweetheart, Brent her college beau, and last summer, Anna’s colleague, Frank. But she didn’t love them and had never cried over a man in her life.
    But then again, Baldric wasn’t a man, was he? Sandy rolled over onto her stomach. Her clock radio on her nightstand gleamed 6:00 a.m. Good grief. She had the day off and couldn’t sleep. She was mad at Baldric not because he’d turned her down, but because he’d been sending her mixed signals since December. She’d never misinterpreted come-on signs before. Sandy placed the pillow over her face and screamed.
    Sitting up in the bed, Sandy could smell Baldric’s heavenly scent. “Stop lurking in the shadows, and stop reading my mind. It’s not fair. I feel foolish enough.”
    Baldric appeared at the corner of her bed. “I’m sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you. I can’t stand that you’re still crying.”
    Sandy jumped out of bed and punched him in the arm. “If you tell anyone I cried over you—I swear I’ll never speak to you again. The last thing I want is pity from the other guardians, and we have another training session this evening.” The telephone started ringing, and she snapped into it angrily, “Hello.”
    Art coughed in the phone and said, “Um, sorry, did I wake you? Hey, Cole made bail and so did everyone else. I wanted to warn you. Well, um, in case, they come for you. It’s front page news.”
    Pissed off, she replied, “Well, ain’t that just jelly to my peanut butter? Thanks for the good news.” Sandy narrowed her eyes at Baldric and turned her back to him.
    Art stammered, “Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?”
    “Yeah. Sorry, I snapped. Hey, I’m