Free A Love for Safekeeping by Gail Gaymer Martin Page B

that raced through her. With her inhibitions abandoned, she lifted her fingers, touching the hollow of his cheek and feeling his stubbled chin. Her hand followed a path to the nape of his neck, drawing her fingers through his thick, toffee-colored hair and cradling his head in her palm.
    With tenderness, Kyle drew back and Jane savored the final moments of lips touching lips. Both filled the silence with an audible sigh.
    “I’m positive about that kiss being as good as I imagined,” Jane said.
    “Me, too,” he whispered.
    She straightened herself in the seat and shifted to face him. “I think I’d better get us something very cold to drink. What do you say?”
    “Lots and lots of ice,” he agreed.
    Kyle stood first, extending his hands to help her rise. She stepped toward the kitchen, and he followed. When Jane opened the refrigerator, Wilcox meandered in and posed nearby. Kyle tousled the cat’s fur and gathered him into his arms.
    Filling tall glasses with ice first, Jane felt a hidden fear rise up her back. She’d opened herself to Kyle, allowed her heart to admit her growing feelings, but the situation hadn’t changed. Though he was dressed like any other man tonight, he often wore a police officer’s uniform. Was she setting herself up for hurt?
    She brushed the thoughts aside. He was different than her father, she reminded herself. But she had things to think about. Wounds to heal and fears to scatter.
    Kyle stood so near she could smell the arousing scent of his aftershave. She poured soda into theglasses, then handed him one. “Now, if you can dump your friend—” she gestured toward the cat “—we can sit and talk about something more pleasant than my problems.”
    He winked. “Great. What did you have in mind?” He set Wilcox on the floor.
    She gave Kyle a gentle poke. “You’d better behave, or I’ll tell your father.” She walked in front of him to the living room.
    “Not that,” he teased. “Oh, by the way, my father asked me to invite you to church next Sunday. Sometimes we can get a free dinner out of it.”
    Her stomach flipped and then righted itself. The first instinct was to find an excuse, but she’d prayed for God’s help, and for all she knew, this was God’s guidance.
    Jane winced, and Kyle sensed her turmoil. “Listen, you don’t have to answer me now. Maybe some other time.” Though disappointed, he offered the suggestion without reservation.
    “Thanks, but I accept.” Jane sank into the love seat. “Sorry I didn’t answer you right away. It’s a long story, but I’m working on some old issues. One of these days I’ll overcome them, I hope.”
    Feeling weighted by her struggle, he slipped into the seat beside her. “Well, church is the best place in the world to lay down your burdens.”
    Jane laughed. “Are you sure your father wasn’t correct? Maybe police work is the wrong career for you. Did you ever think you might be cut out to be a minister?”
    “Heaven forbid, and I mean that. I don’t have the patience. My father listens without judgment. He’s gentle and compassionate. Always has the right words to say to help someone through a problem.”
    Jane pressed his cheek with her hand. “That sounds like you.”
    Her comment warmed him and brought a smile to his lips. He covered her hand with his. “Now we know what we have to talk about tonight. Reality. I think I’d better tell you about the ‘real’ me.” He kept her hand in his, lowering it between them.
    “Hmm? This sounds interesting,” she said.
    Once again his heart felt heavy for a moment with the thought of his brother. “My brother should have been the minister. He was gentle and kind, all those things God expects of us. I think that’s why he didn’t survive the fighting. I’m not sure Paulie could find it in his heart to kill anyone—even in self-defense.”
    “I don’t believe God expects us to die rather than defend ourselves.” An eye for an eye shot through her