Lucky battled back the tight feeling in his chest. “What are you saying?”
“We’re telling you that we can’t sit through another long-winded sermon from a self-righteous pastor who wouldn’t understand the scriptures of God if the Almighty came down and explained it to him. We wouldn’t expect anything from you except what you’ve done the last few years, and that’s to be there when one of us is in need and give us a better understanding of God two nights and one morning a week. In return, we promise not to care if you want to drink a beer or ride that bike up and down the streets.”
“It isn’t anything we aren’t doing,” Myrtle muttered. “Well, except for the motorcycle. We’re too old for that.”
Lucky laughed. “You’re all sure?”
“Yes. We already told the windbag he’s done. Wasn’t too Christian the way he took it, but like we said, we’re not going to judge another man, even though I have to admit, it’s hard to do when I see him taking a twenty out of the collection tray every Sunday.”
“We would love to welcome both you and Willa back, Pastor Dean,” Myrtle spoke up, handing him his Bible that Willa must have brought upstairs.
His wife had known what the church was going to ask him and had made a feast for celebration. His wife had also known the answer he would give in return.
Reaching behind his back for Willa’s hand, he pulled her to his side as he and everyone in the room bowed their heads.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to serve you, for giving me not only Willa, who I will spend my life cherishing as my wife, but a holy home where we can share our love of You with others.
“John 4:18: ‘There is no fear in love.’ You have shown me that I do not need to fear losing my way. Your love will always light my path, carry me when I stumble, and You gave me Willa to walk it with until we find our way home to You. Amen.”
Lucky gazed at the room filled with everyone he loved, his hand tightening on the worn Bible in his hand that his father had passed down to him, and he would pass on to his son.
Willa wiped a tear away as she leaned against him, sharing her love and happiness for him without words. He had never been more thankful than he was at this moment in time.
Lucky stiffened, turning around to make sure Shade wasn’t standing behind him. He could have sworn he heard, “You’re welcome.”
Epilogue 1
“Why am I not surprised to see you?”
Lucky turned at Bridge’s snide comment as he was escorted into Knox’s office. Knox shoved his prisoner forward into the office, slamming the door closed behind him and leaving Lucky alone with the man it took all his control not to kill.
“If you’re expecting me to—”
“Shut up, Bridge. I’m done listening to the shit coming out of your mouth. I came by for only one reason, and it’s to tell you that Willa’s refusing to press charges. Sissy won’t, either; she thinks she’s in love with you.”
At Lucky’s disgusted expression, Bridge went on the defensive. “I didn’t touch that girl. I only gave her a room to sleep in while she hid out from everyone. I only wanted to use her to get to Willa. I didn’t intend to throw her, but she was biting the hell out of me. Her family’s already fucked her up enough.”
“She needs counseling, which Willa tried to get for her, but she refused. She’s ready now, so hopefully it can help her. If not, she’ll walk the same road as her mother and uncle, and she won’t have anyone to blame but herself.”
“Why isn’t Willa pressing charges? I figured she’d be pissed off with Sissy almost taking a nose dive off that cliff.” Lucky saw the regret in Bridge’s eyes that he would never voice. The man he had once loved like a brother had saved countless lives; therefore, to almost take one unintentionally must be a bitter pill to swallow.
“Because she has faith that you’ll realize your actions almost cost them their lives. She’s praying that almost succeeding opened your eyes to the price your revenge could take.”
“I see you’re not thinking the same way.”
“No, I don’t, which is why I’m here.” Lucky turned his back on Bridge, no longer able to look at him. Talking about almost losing Willa without beating Bridge to a bloody pulp was testing his resolve.