Page 49 of Wrecked By You

The pastor went on. “I want all of you to ponder today what sacrifice you could make to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Maybe that’s to have more charity in your heart. Maybe it’s to cling to Him and His word more. Whatever it is, I would challenge you to pray about it. Ask what you can do on this day of freedom to give yourself more faith like our Savior. The greatest example.”

His sermon continued, but his words bored into my soul. What could I do to be more like Jesus Christ? Damon had been praising me for praying the other day, but I realized I hadn’t read my scriptures that much, and I wanted to serve more people. I wanted to give more. I wanted to be like Wendy and Willow, who had given me food and an opportunity to live somewhere with charity in their hearts. I wanted to be like the Armstrong family.

I didn’t realize I had been thinking so much until the pastor announced it was time for the closing hymn and prayer. I sang out “Amazing Grace” and felt such warmth, I knew I wanted to be right here in this place the rest of my life.

I looked at Damon, and he caught my eye. I felt so many things for this man. Already I loved his children, and I just hoped that I could ever be good enough for him.

After church, we drove back to Damon’s parents’ house. Damon told me to wait a second because he wanted to take me for a drive, but he wanted to settle the boys first. Jason and Trent were already out the door and barreling into his parents’ home.

While I waited, some of the other siblings drove up. Kayla knocked on the window, so I rolled it down. “Damon told me to wait,” I explained to her. “He wants to take me for a drive.” I shrugged.

Kayla reached her hand into the car, resting it on mine. “All I can say is that it’s really great to have you back. Damon should’ve married you the first time.”

I couldn’t help but smile and feel a little out of sorts. “Well, thank you, but I had some issues.”

Kayla winked at me. “I know. I know all about it.”

One thing that I loved and hated about Kayla was that she was very honest. “I’m sure you do.”

We both laughed, and she walked away.

Canyon pulled up in his truck and got out. He frowned. “Where’s Damon?”

“He’s just getting the boys settled, and then he wants to take me for a drive.”

Canyon offered me a small grin and kept walking. “Don’t be gone too long, or you’ll miss being in my presence.” He winked at me.

“For sure.” I laughed. If I’d had brothers, I’d hope they’d be just like the Armstrong men.

Damon came out of the house just as McCrae pulled up. McCrae waved at Damon, gesturing for him to come over.Damon paused, and I realized Damon was holding two guns in his hands. That was interesting. Not that he wouldn’t have guns. He was the police chief.

McCrae whispered something to him, and immediately I worried. Had there been more break-ins? McCrae wasn’t working today, but that didn’t mean he didn’t hear things.

They didn’t talk for long, Damon patted him on the back and moved toward me. He lifted his brows as he got into the SUV. “All ready. My mom says be back in an hour.”

I was concerned. “What did McCrae say?”

Damon handed me the guns. “If you don’t mind holding these for a second …”

Gingerly, I took them from him. “You act like I hold guns every day.”

He snorted. “Those belong to my dad. I just wanted to go shooting.”

Worry gripped my gut. “Why?”

He focused on backing out and then heading down the long driveway. “Because you should be able to protect yourself, and I think it’s time you register and take a gun class. But we’ll get you started.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. “I have thought about getting a gun in the past, after everything with Kyle. And, I’ll admit, I have thought about it lately, too. I guess I just haven’t seriously considered the process. I honestly thought I would buy one out of a pawn shop.”

Damon turned to me with a frown. “You have to register the gun.”

I shrugged and felt defensive. “Sorry, Mr. Police Chief. I don’t know the ins and outs of gun ownership.”

Damon let out a sardonic laugh. “Well, today we will start with the basics of how to shoot a gun.”

I was confused. “Why do I need to shoot a gun if I don’t have a gun?”

He nodded to me. “Your naïveté is the exact reason you need to learn how to shoot one.”