Page 118 of Lightning Angel

Haxsel laughed. “You remind me so much of my sister.”

Alexa looked up to glance at him again. “And youremind me of—well, no one, so I’d definitely be remembering you for the years to come. I’ve never had a stranger telling me about my past and what I’m thinking about.”

“So, I’m in your good graces then.”

Alexa gave a sarcastic shrug.

Haxsel glanced down at the million dollar watch on his wrist. “I gotta go.” He met her eyes and smiled warmly. “It was nice meeting you, Alexa. I’ll be praying for you and your loved ones.” He stood from the chair and Alexa rose with him. “Always remember that no matter whatever turns your story takes, you’re being led in the right path. Trust the One who is in control, and never doubt His love for you.”

“Thank you,” she told him earnestly. “It was nice meeting you too, Haxsel. I hope we meet again?” She posed the question, realizing she didn’t know where he was from.

“I hope too, although unfortunately, I’m from Illinois. But if you ever want to talk to me—” He fished out a business card from his pocket but hesitated and glanced at her uncertainly. “I would not have my own sister keep the number of a man she barely knows in her phone.” He winced slightly, as though an unpleasant memory crossed his mind. “So, unless you think you can trust me, which you can, don’t bother saving my number. You can always find me on Instagram@haxselhouston.”

He offered the card with a tentative smile.

Alexa felt like she wanted to laugh at the look on his face. Did he realize how utterly gentlemanly he was being right now, that his chivalry alone spoke volumes for his good character? He was nearly treating her like his ratherfortunate little sister.

“Thank you, Haxsel.” She accepted the card from him with a grin. “It was really nice meeting you.”

Haxsel relaxed, and Alexa was on the verge of laughing again. Whatever incident had happened with his sister anda strange man, it still had him on thorns that he was making sure he didn’t break his own philosophy by giving her his number.

A total gentleman like her Tristan.

“Haxsel?” She stopped him as he walked to the exit.

He turned to her. “Yes?”

“What you said about my boyfriend,” she began hesitantly, fiddling with the card. “That Jesus sent him to me… Does that mean we are meant to be? That he’s my future husband?”

She blushed, but Haxsel’s smile only became more brotherly.

“I wish I could tell you he is,” he said, and then sighed. “But I can’t. You see, no one comes into our life without God knowing or letting them. Whether they stay or not,that’ssomething we have to wait and find out.”

Alexa frowned. That was a little disappointing. Why did everything with God, His ways and plans, have to be so complicated and unknowable?

“But,” Haxsel continued, and Alexa perked up slightly. “From the way Jesus spoke about your boyfriend, I believe heisa stable person in your life. Though, I’m not encouraging you to hope. I want you toprayfor him and your future. What if he is? Jesus did mention he is the most beautiful blessing in your life. If he wasn’t, I believe He wouldn’t have told me so.”

They exchanged a smile and Alexa nodded. “Thankyou.”

“It was my pleasure, Alexa.”

Haxsel smiled with a dip of his chin and walked out of the room, while Alexa slumped into her chair, feeling like her life had been just flipped—again.

21

Irrevocable Love

Haxsel’s words replayed in her mind as Alexa lay on her bed that night.

Deep inside, shehadknown she was wrong in thinking God abandoned her. However, as the odds stacked against her and her sister, she had decided to throw her faith away.

But had her life gotten any better after that?

Of course not—until Tristan came. Now, Jesus claimedHehad sent him to her.

That He had been watching over her faithfully even when she failed to be faithful. But why? It refused to make sensewhyHe hadn’t given up on her after all this time.Whywould He go to such lengths as to send a total stranger from Illinois visiting his fiancé’s friend, toher,bearing His message?

Apparently, Haxsel’s fiancée met with Cassie while Haxsel had been with Alexa, and she told Cassie the exact words Haxsel told her; that Jesus loved her. Cassie’s eyes had been red and puffy when she returned to Alexa’s room, which alone said how much the talk with Haxsel’s fiancée impacted her.