Breath of Heaven

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

“WHAT’RE YOU DOING, Mouse?”

Katrina jerked her head up and shoved the photograph back into her diary. “Nothing.” Her face burned hot. She fidgeted with her wedding band and glanced at the journal in her lap.

Greg unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt. Worry creases replaced the laugh lines that had first made her heart flutter when she was a student in his youth group so many years ago. She bit her lip. What had happened?

“How’d decorating go?” He dropped his shirt on the floor and changed into a faded Lakers jersey. “I didn’t even hear you come home.”

Her fingers thumped against her journal, burning hot with guilt. “It was fine. Everything looks really nice.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and untied his shoes. This dressing down ritual each evening reminded her of Mr. Rogers, and she loved its peaceful monotony.

Greg stretched his arms above his head. He had lost most of his tan with the move but not his athletic physique. Katrina sat an arm’s length away from those strong, familiar shoulders. She could just reach out ...

“Oh, did I already ask you to pick up another bag of ice melt from the store?”

She searched his voice for signs of worry or strain, but he sounded surprisingly relaxed.

“I can do that.”

She held her breath as he leaned toward her, felt her face flush. His kiss was short, a peck if you could even call it that, but the softness of his lips on hers whispered hints of promise. She placed her hand on his chest, ready if he decided to give her another kiss, a real one this time.

“That’s a pretty shirt.” He fingered the soft nylon. “Have I seen you wear it before?”

“Probably.” She swept a strand of hair behind her ear, remembering the night years ago she had stayed late after the youth group Christmas party to help clean up. It was the first time she and Greg had ever been alone together. The first time she noticed his eyes held the same hopefulness, the same awkward embarrassment, the same frustrations that had stolen away any hope she had at a happy senior year of high school. It could never work. It wouldn’t be right. Yet still she had worn the new blouse her mom picked out for her and stayed late to clean up, wondering if he’d notice her, hoping he’d realize she was a young woman and not another silly teenager.

Greg laced his fingers behind his head and stretched himself out on the bed. Katrina curled up beside him automatically. Waiting. Just like she had so many Christmases ago. So uncertain. Greg was staring at her. They had only been married for six months, but she knew that expression. Hope swelled up in the pit of her gut, clashing with fear. The two emotions warred against each other, churning her stomach.

“I love you, Mouse.” Greg stroked her cheek.

She bit her lip and didn’t trust her voice.

He locked into her stare. “You’re so beautiful.”

She shut her eyes. Tasted his sweet, soft lips. Let out her breath and sighed into him.

His legs intertwined with hers. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” His kisses caressed her chin, her neck, her shoulder.

A tinny refrain grated her ears. He reached for his cell phone, glanced at the screen, and set it back on the end table. “They can wait.”

She relaxed in his arms. More like melted, really, as the phone protested with one more annoying whine and then fell silent.