Reed stared at the phone. His mom was the best. She’d been through a lot, and he knew she felt some guilt about him not becoming a lawyer, but that had been his choice and he wouldn’t change it. He loved being sheriff, and family was more important than any career.
He was alone in his office with the door closed, so he dropped straight to his knees. He prayed in gratitude for his mom and for this chance to be with Esther. Then he begged both his fathers up in heaven to please, please help him win Esther’s heart. He forced himself to add, if it was best for her and in Heavenly Father’s plans for both of them, but then he was back to begging,Please, please let Esther falling in love with me be thy will.
He would’ve smiled at his begging to bend heaven’s will to his, if he wasn’t so desperate to have the dream of him and Esther come true.
ChapterSeven
Reed had texted asking if four-thirty was all right to pick her up. Esther was tempted to tell him she couldn’t go tonight, but she wanted this last date with him far too much. She responded she’d be ready and asked what to wear. He said whatever she wanted to wear for a nice dinner and to please pack a swimsuit and any girl stuff she needed for after they swam.
She smiled. Girl stuff. He was cute. No, Reed was far beyond cute.
At four-twenty-six, she had a small bag packed, was wearing a sleeveless white summer dress, and was bouncing from heel to toe in Thor’s entryway, peering out the sidelight and listening for a certain sheriff’s truck. She hoped to get out of the house before Thor came inside. He worked with his broncs most days, training them to throw cowboys off their backs in rodeos.
The back door opened, and she stiffened. She loved Thor, but she didn’t want any brotherly interruptions or teasing before her date or, even worse, him teasing her and Reed once he came for her.
“Sis?” Thor called.
“In here,” she said in a resigned tone.
He hurried through his house and into the entryway. He was dusty in a T-shirt, jeans, and boots, and his matted down hair showed he’d just removed his hat. He usually took off his boots when he came inside, but he was obviously in a hurry.
“Oh, good. I was afraid I’d miss you when I heard you were going at four-thirty instead of five.”
Esther shook her head. Might as well just post the details of their date on the Summit Valley Facebook page. Maybe Taylee or her mom already had. “Reed or Mom?”
“Mom.” He smiled. “Now, I know you don’t want advice from your little brother.”
She nodded. “Definitely not.”
“But I’m going to give it to you.”
“Does Shelly ever tell you that you’re pigheaded and too determined?”
“All the time.” He barely paused for a breath. “A couple months ago, Shelly got it all mixed up in her head that she wasn’t worthy of me and tried to push me away.”
Esther startled. She’d watched her brother and Shelly’s relationship over the years. Shelly always had a smile on her face, and she also had a lot of pride. She didn’t know Shelly hadn’t thought of herself as worthy of Thor, but she knew they’d had a rocky patch before they got engaged.
“She gave me permission to tell you that,” he said quickly. “And I’m not saying that’s how you feel, but I worry. All this three-dates-and-the-dude-is-done deal and never dating the caliber of men worthy ofyou, until Reed.”
Esther wished Thor didn’t know so much and observe so well. He wasn’t observant enough to know about her emotional issues, but she hid them very well.
“I’m thinking it stems back to that idiot Roman dumping you and then getting shot. I’m not trying to speak ill of the dead, but Roman was too slick and not committed enough to you and the fact is it was a drug dealer’s fault Roman died, not yours.”
Thor was always direct, but he wasn’t pulling punches tonight.
Thor looked into her eyes. “You’re enough, sis. You’re more than enough. Any man would be honored and blessed to have you love him.”
Esther swallowed. His words meant a lot, but he had no clue about her OCD and how crazy she became with Roman. His death was on her head, and she’d watched him die. She knew her parents and Papa wouldn’t betray that confidence.
“I don’t know what issues you have or think you have,” he said. “But honestly, Esther, we all have some kind of issue.”
Esther rocked back on her heels. Maybe he did see what she thought she hid. She thought about his statement. She supposed it could be true. Everybody had some kind of demon they fought or facet about themselves emotionally, physically, or spiritually that they wanted to change. But did Thor or Shelly have huge issues like she did? She doubted it.
“All I’m saying is, please give Reed a chance. He’s the best of the best.” He waited as if she’d agree.
A truck motor sounded in the drive.
“Reed,” she said, putting a hand to her stomach, suddenly breathless.