Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

Belinda spenttwo weeks at her parents' house. She got a ton of work done with her charity and allocating the money from Mercedes Belle, spent a lot of healing time with her parents, went on loads of horseback rides, prayed, and longed for Jagger.

Would he ever come for her? Did he know badly she had wanted to hold on to him that day? She'd told him she chose him and trusted him but feared it was too little too late. He'd gone through so much pain.

Would he be able to forgive her dad someday? Her parents understood that the relationship would be rough if he couldn't, but they both felt they deserved at least that for their deception. They were both very humble. Jagger wasn't a humble person. Who knew what would happen when he came?

What if something happened to him on this mission?

She forced that thought away, saddled Sunny, and took off through a wooded trail.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

That scripture seemed to be on constant repeat through her mind. It did comfort and strengthen her.

Please protect Jagger and Hays,she begged the good Lord.

She thought about Mercedes Belle as she let Sunny set the pace. She'd seen photos of her graveside service on Entertainment News. Heartbreaking. Especially as she watched Shawn Holister and Julie Pandoran mourn and try to comfort Mercedes's dad.

Franz Belle was a mess. Who could blame him? Losing every member of his family. All that money but nobody to love and turn to. It was horrible.

Jagger and Hays had not been in the pictures. How tragic that they'd missed their friend's funeral. She knew Jagger; he'd want to be there for Shawn, Mercedes's dad, and Julie. Their mission was so important he couldn't even make his close friend's funeral. She loved his dedication to their country, but that had to be heartbreaking. She prayed harder for him.

Reaching the lake where she and Jagger had kissed, she smiled and tipped her head back, enjoying the bright summer sun. It would all work out. She just wondered if she had the patience to wait.

She turned Sunny toward home and urged her into a gallop. They flew along the trail. It was freeing and helped distract her. She pulled back on Sunny's reins as they approached the barnyard.

A man walked out of the trail from the house with her mom clinging to his elbow. His dark eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Jagger!" she screamed, startling her horse. Sunny reared up. Belinda clung to the reins and tightened her thighs around the saddle. "There, girl. There now."

Sunny settled but pawed the earth as Jagger and Greg, one of the ranch hands, ran for her.

Greg grasped Sunny's bridle firmly. "Calm down. It's okay," he said soothingly.

Jagger reached up for Belinda.

She swung her leg over, pulled her other foot from the stirrup, and launched herself at him. Jagger easily caught her, laughing at her exuberance. He let her body slide down against his, holding her firmly to his chest.

Greg led her horse away.

"You came!" She wrapped her arms tight around his neck.

"Of course I came."

There was so much to say and so much to heal, but kissing had to come first. The dust from the trail created a glowing aura with the sunlight filtering through the trees. Jagger coming for her when she feared she'd never see him again, and especially not in her parents' ranch yard, made her tingle with anticipation to feel his lips on hers.

"Now it's all honey for you," she proclaimed.

He laughed and kissed her.

Wow, did he kiss her! Warmth rushed through her from head to toe. The world was filled with sunshine, music, and sparkles. Every wrong was made right. Of course they would heal together and love everyone around them, including her parents. With love like this, they could even help his friend Shawn heal from losing Mercedes.

When they pulled back for a breath, she could only stare at him in wonder. He glanced over at her mom.

"Don't mind me." Her mom dabbed at her tears. "Just watching the show."

Belinda laughed, but then she sobered. "I'm so sorry about Mercedes and my parents' lies and all the pain you've gone through and are you heartbroken you didn't get to the funeral and how are Shawn, Hays, and Julie and Mercedes's dad? And can you ever forgive my mom and dad? They want to love you, but they won't blame you if you can't forgive them."

Jagger's eyebrows lifted. "Ah, Bee. How I've missed you."

"I've missed you," she cried out.

He grinned and then sobered and just held her. "We found out about Mercedes after she was already gone and the funeral was over. Hays got shot."

"What?" she exploded.

He nodded soberly. "It was awful. I lost it, but he's okay. Shawn's a mess. Franz is worse."

"Ah, no. I'm so sorry."

"Me too." He looked her over, then glanced at her mom, who was smiling tentatively at him. "When Hays got shot, it was too much. I prayed like I've never prayed in my life. Mercedes dead. Maybe Hays dead too. I know you said you chose me and trusted me, but I worried about … all the details and healing."

"Of course I choose you, always! But back to Hays," she urged. "That's terrifying."

"The bullet just grazed his head, but one lodged in his arm. Medical leave for him, and I took more personal leave. I might get demoted." He smiled as if it didn't matter. "But I was such a mess, and I screamed at heaven instead of trying to assess Hays's wounds like I would instinctively do any other time." He shook his head. "It was bad. I humbled myself and told God that I would do anything?—"

A white, four-door Chevy rolled into the barnyard, interrupting the story she wanted to hear. Jagger had humbled himself? Talked to God?

Jagger instinctively released Belinda, ushered her behind him, and stepped back to protect her mom.

Her dad popped out of the driver's seat and hurried toward them. Her mom hurried to his side.

Belinda stepped up next to Jagger and took his hand.

He glanced down at her, squeezed her hand, and then focused on her dad.

"Jagger …" Her dad and mom stopped a couple feet away. He swiped his hat off his head and wrung it in his hands. His closed mouth twisted in discomfort. It was as penitent as she'd ever seen the man. "There's no way to make this right, and I don't know if you can ever forgive me." He rushed out the words as if Jagger would cut him off. "I was wrong, and I tried to control Belinda and you. I stole happy years from both of your lives. I'm so terribly sorry. Please know I won't blame you if you can't forgive me. Don't blame Aimee or Belle. They're both innocent angels. I'm sure you know that. Please. If you have to take Belinda away because you're so angry at us, we'll understand, but can you let us come visit when you're on assignment? We wouldn't subject you having to play nice with us, but we love our girl and we want to love you and we'll never stop praying for both of you."

Her dad stopped talking and her mom started crying and Belinda prayed desperately.

Please let Jagger forgive.

She also would understand if he couldn't. She'd choose him, but she hoped he wouldn't be so angry at her dad that they couldn't come visit or Belinda couldn't go visit them.

Jagger released her and stepped toward her dad. His hand moved toward her dad's shoulder. Her mom cried in surprise, ducking away as if Jagger might punch her dad. Her dad didn't flinch, ready to take whatever Jagger decided he was owed.

Jagger's hand clasped her dad's shoulder. His voice was rough, but he said, "I … forgive you."

Her mom let out a soft sigh. Belinda cried out in surprise.

Her dad's eyes widened. Then he threw his arms around Jagger.

Belinda blinked, not sure if she was seeing clearly.

Jagger stood motionless for a beat, then gave her dad a couple quick pats on the back.

"Sorry." Her dad pulled back. "Too much. I don't expect you to hug me all the time. I know you're a manly man." He smiled. "Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you."

Jagger nodded, then cracked his knuckles and said, "I feel like a load has been lifted off my back."

"Me too, son. Me too." Her dad gave them a tremulous smile and wrapped his arm around her mom. "We can talk more, but you two need time. We'll just … Can you come to the house later? We'll have dinner ready."

"Sure." Jagger looked at her. "Is that okay?"

"Yes." She gave her dad a sassy smile. "But it'll be a late dinner. We're riding to the lake first."

Jagger's eyes widened, and he may have blushed. "Your dad doesn't know …"

"I do," her dad admitted. "Just … you know … save yourselves for the wedding, okay?"

Belinda was the one blushing now. "Dad! We just kiss. A lot. And really passionately. The most incredible kisses on the planet."

Jagger laughed and looked at her dad quick before looking away. "We'll stay in control, sir."

"I know you will."

"Besides," Belinda told her parents. "We're eloping." She tilted her head and studied her future husband. He hadn't really proposed, but … "On the beach in Kauai. Then we're staying in the beautiful beach house we stayed in for the show. For at least two weeks. Your personal leave needs to be put to good use."

Jagger laughed and wrapped her up. He swung her around, kissed her firmly, then set her on the ground.

Her parents quietly slipped away.

"Pastor. Mrs. Ralphs," Jagger said, stopping them.

"Please," her mom piped up. "It's Sheldon and Aimee. Unless someday you want to call us Mom and Dad."

"Okay." Jagger seemed a little uncertain, but he continued, "We'd really like you to come with us to Kauai. For the wedding, that is. Then we can stay on different sides of the island."

Her dad laughed at that. "We'd be honored to be there. When?"

Jagger looked down at her. "Tomorrow?"

"Oh, my," her mom squeaked out.

"Can Shawn, Julie, and Hays come?" Belinda asked.

"I guess so." He gave a long-suffering sigh. "Saturday? That's four days to make plans and travel."

"Perfect. Now let's go to the lake."

"We'll see you soon." Her parents hurried down the trail to the house.

Jagger turned Belinda toward him. "I've missed you," he said.

"Fourteen years of missing you." She arched up and tenderly kissed him. "Thank you for forgiving my dad."

"It was rough, but I told you I want all of you, the sting and the honey. I'd been praying to forgive because I know how important they are to you. In that cave, when I humbled myself, I felt it. Forgive." He shifted and then studied her. "I'll do anything for you, Bee. I love you, and I want every bit of you."

She wanted to cry, but she teased him instead. "You're so sickly sweet I'm not even sure who you are anymore. Maybe I'm giving you too much honey."

Jagger chuckled and lifted her off her feet. "I could never have too much honey." He lowered her close to him and smiled tenderly. "I could never get enough of you."

"We'll see. ‘Neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man,'" she quoted.

"Amen." He grinned. "Let's go make out in the lake and then plan our wedding."

"Great plan. But first, Jag …" She swallowed. "I'll do anything for you too. Even if I would've had to give up my parents. You are my other half. The love of my life."

His brows rose. "So sickly sweet."

She swatted his shoulder.

"I love you, Bee. Thank you."

"Now some sweet, sweet honey."

She arched up and kissed him. Emotion exploded inside her, carrying her away, but Jagger's lips and strong body carried her away even more.

Jagger would have to leave her for missions, and they had a path to carve of healing, creating a relationship for him with her parents, being there for his friends, running her charity, and someday having a family of their own.

With the right man for her on her side, she'd enjoy the journey and give him plenty of honey, and only a few stings along the way.

Sweet, sweet honey.

She focused on that as his kiss branded her his. Forever.

Thank you of reading Jagger and Bee's story! I loved their intense, hilarious, and heartbreaking relationship.