Nothing Sacred

Maybe because she was so tired, the news wasn’t so much a shock to her as it was just…news.

Another piece of a puzzle already solved.

“He was doing checks for Shane?”

And David hadn’t done anything about it back then? That didn’t sound at all like the man she knew.

“Yes, but not the same operation.”

“You recognized the similarities when Ellen talked to you.”

Martha turned then, looked at him. The intensity in his eyes was no less potent for the lateness of the hour. Or the challenges of the day.

“I suspected.” His voice was strangely resigned.

“Until we saw Jeb….”

“He seemed pretty certain the whole thing had shut down.” David said, continuing to hold her gaze. Martha liked looking at him. Sometimes it felt as though she was looking into him. It was kind of hard for someone to lie and betray you when you could see inside them.

“So what changed your mind?” Her neck, craned in such an unnatural position, was beginning to ache. Martha turned, arms resting on the seat next to him.

“The dealer tag on that Lincoln at the building.”

Chin resting on her folded hands, she nodded. “Are you going to tell me what you saw at the dealership that broke everything loose?”

Neither he nor Greg had said that David was responsible for the arrest of Ellen’s attacker, but Martha knew now that he was.

And would be forever grateful to him. In his debt. Strangely, the idea wasn’t a horrible one. If ever there was going to be a preacher—a man—in whose debt she’d want to be, it would be David Marks.

She still didn’t buy all the theories he spouted, but the person doing the spouting was one impressive guy.

David’s gaze softened as he smiled at her. She could see the weariness in the lines of his face. And felt her heart melt in a way it never had before. As though, just for that second, she could see with a heart and mind completely free of past hurts and betrayals….

“I saw the business card with the insignia,” he answered slowly, his voice hoarse with fatigue. “And then the envelope with the imprint of a motel key and I heard the name Sharp….”

Hard to believe he could put it all together, having only heard about the racket from a two-bit street criminal, but today’s arrests testified that he’d figured it out. Staring at him, Martha found her heart swelling with a knowledge that, at any other time, she would’ve immediately dismissed.

The magnitude of what he’d done was almost overwhelming. Martha didn’t know how to thank him, how to express the fervor of emotion swelling within her. Her hand slid over his knee.

“Thank you.” The words were inadequate.

She knew what she was going to hear: It’s my job. Which it was, she supposed. In a manner of speaking. But he’d done more than many people in his position would, and he’d done it for her and her kids.

“You’re welcome,” he said, covering her hand with his.

It had been a long day. A long four years. A long life with little physical comfort. Without thought, or doubt, or even decision, Martha turned her hand, threading her fingers through his, holding on.

And when he tugged lightly, pulling her up onto the love seat with him, she went, crawling into his arms just as Ellen had so often crawled into hers these past weeks.

Martha wanted him to kiss her again. Hoped he would. For the first time in her life, she wanted, physically wanted, much more than kisses. Her body responded to his, answering questions he was asking her.

But before she could do more than hope that he’d correctly interpret her responses, she laid her head against his chest.

Listened to his heart beating so steadily there.

And promptly fell asleep.

“I SHOULD HAVE HAD more faith.”