Finding Faith (Return of the Dragons)

One day, he promised himself. One day.

Chapter 8

Olivia

Swallowing hard, Olivia clenched her hands, glad they were out of Cody’s line of vision, as she gazed out the window.

Why did that question bother her so much? It was innocent. Innocuous. And relevant to the conversation, since she’d been asking him about his construction company.

It actually bothered her more than what she said a few moments ago, about people changing. She wasn’t sure where that came from. It was one hundred percent true, but it was a truth she kept close to her chest.

If she was going to spill it to anyone, why him? A stranger who could ask too many questions, questions she wasn’t yet ready to answer.

Only he didn’t. He digested what she said in thoughtful silence, and then changed the subject to something she was more comfortable with.

Comfortable being a relative term, of course.

Slanting a glance at him, she gazed at his strong profile as he drove. He really was a gorgeous man. Her eyes slid to his muscular forearms and capable hands, gripping the steering wheel so competently, and she found herself squirming in her seat as slow heat built in her middle.

She was getting used to the effect he had on her, but she wasn’t quite ready to truly admit she felt it—much less act on it. In an effort to turn her mind away from the turmoil he always created in her thoughts and emotions, she focused back on their conversation.

And immediately wished she hadn’t.

The uneasiness in her gut intensified, but she was truly puzzled over her reaction. No matter what angle she looked at it at, she couldn’t figure it out.

Because it’s part of your old life, and you still haven’t let it go yet. You talk about how you have, you tell yourself you have, you try your hardest to convince yourself and everyone around you. But you haven’t. Her dragon paused, letting that sink in for a moment before speaking again. I can’t for the life of me figure out why, though. Your life was about as boring as watching paint dry. I think I was losing brain cells just watching you live that life.

Olivia stifled a laugh, not wanting Cody to hear it and think she was stranger than he already did. But trust her dragon to say something off the wall that made her laugh after such a heavy topic.

The intense, almost crippling, emotions that had nearly overwhelmed her had been pushed to the backburner. They hadn’t gone away by any means, but at the moment, she barely felt them.

Her dragon was a miracle worker.

That and Cody always had a calming effect on her. Even when she’d been spiraling a moment ago at his question, there was a part of her that had latched onto the inexplicable way he made her feel grounded and centered—even when he was sending her hormones into a tailspin.

Between the two of them, she felt more like her old self than she’d felt in seven months. That was why she’d been able to relax so much during this drive.

And it had been the most amazing feeling ever.

But it was a dangerous. So dangerous. Whatever magic Cody was weaving around her couldn’t possibly last. Beyond the renovation, they had no reason to see each other. This ride was just a fluke.

He’d randomly been passing by when she was having some trouble, and he offered to help. That was all this was.

So why did that leave her feeling disappointed?

Ignoring her conflicting emotions, she glanced over at him as she finally answered his question. “I went to community college. Stayed home and everything. I wanted to help Dad around the house, and Fiona needed some guidance too. Not that I did very well in that department,” she responded wryly, a small smile warring with her sadness and guilt over her sister. “After I graduated, I got a job as a receptionist at a medical clinic. Some good that degree did me.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Degrees have a way of doing that these days. What did you major in?”

Her smile turned wry. “Literature. Guess I never really had a shot at having a career in that field. I just love books and stories, so it felt natural.”

He shot her an encouraging glance just before he pulled into the driveway. “I won’t pretend to know anything about possible jobs that go with that, but I feel like if anyone could find a job that uses that degree, it would be you. So don’t give up. Things that seem impossible can become reality when you least expect it, as long as you don’t let go of your faith.”

Time seemed to stop for an endless moment as the last words he spoke resonated inside her very soul.

Things that seem impossible can become reality when you least expect it, as long as you don’t let go of your faith.

There wasn’t anything else he could have said that could hit a chord so deep inside her. The words were heartfelt, inspirational—and gave her so much damned hope.