Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy by Jamie Begley (read a book TXT) 📗

true hell was. Every minute, every second I spent in that hole was worth it to have you. I would do it over a hundred times over if that’s what I have to do to deserve you.

“God didn’t punish me by making me suffer through the years; every single thing was preparing me to love you, and I will cherish you for the rest of my life.”

Ginny wiped her tears away when she gasped in awe. “Gavin … look.”

Reaper raised his head, and he saw the woman he loved more than breathing holding out her hand. Placing his hand in hers, Reaper realized what she was staring at so reverently.

The statue of Jesus caught the sun’s rays as it lowered in the sky, and as it did, the statue glowed in an ethereal light. Their linked hands were covered in the light spreading across their arms.

Before today, Reaper would have said it was a trick of the light. Now Reaper knew, without a doubt, what they were being given … a blessing.

Reaper reverently lowered his head, accepting the healing power of God’s and Ginny’s love. The lighting, the blessing he was being given, cut with the skill and finesse of a laser to where he needed it the most—Gavin’s heart and soul, which had been locked behind the steel door of Reaper’s heart.

The steel door opened, and the light targeted the soul buried beneath years of pain and humiliation. It barely stirred as the pure light of God’s and Ginny’s love lightened the darkness, then it began slowly opening like a flower unfurling in the first rays of sun. Still, the frightened soul fought to remain hidden, afraid. Reaper intuitively understood why.

While he would always need God’s and Ginny’s love, he had to love himself.

Reaper concentrated and reached down with an imaginary hand, pulling Gavin out of the ashes and into the bright light of his and Ginny’s love and into God’s loving arms.

Opening his eyes, Gavin found himself staring at his and Ginny’s intertwined hands as the bright light faded away, returning to its home—heaven.

“Did that just happen?” Ginny asked shakily.

“Yes, it did.” Gavin would never doubt love again.

A movement had Ginny and him looking to see Paster Dean standing in the aisle. Behind him were Willa, Viper, Silas, Trudy … everyone who was important in his life was there to share his new beginning.

Pastor Dean spoke as he walked down the aisle toward them, the others following after about him. “Mathew 5:15-16: Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Thank you, Father, for letting us witness your miracle. We all are truly blessed.”

Gavin stood, helping Ginny to her feet. They immediately found themselves in the middle of a circle that would offer them a lifetime of love and support to draw on in times of need and give back when others needed the same.

Gavin lay his hand on Ginny’s belly. “This isn’t the miracle God has given me. He gave me one the day you were born, a second when you told me you loved me, a third when my son was created, and today … when He carried me home.”

Chapter Fifty-One

Gavin made sure his shirt was neatly tucked into the waistband of his pants before he entered the diner. Striding to the counter, he didn’t sit down, just stood there until Marty noticed him as he waited on the customers.

Seeing that he wasn’t taking a seat, Marty rumbled over to him with his notepad and pen at the ready. “What in the fuck do you want?”

“I love Ginny very much. I promise to love and cherish her each day. I am going to marry Ginny if she will have me. May I have your blessing?”

Marty’s eyes crinkled at the corners, and his jowls wobbled as if he didn’t know what to say.

“You going to keep staying away when she comes to the diner?”

“Yes.”

“Then you have my blessing … fuckwad.”

Gavin knocked on Silas’s door.

Silas opened the door with a friendly smile. “Why did you knock? Come on in.”

Gavin stepped inside, seeing all Ginny’s brothers were there for their Sunday dinner. They were lounging in the living room.

Silas looked at him curiously as he stood there formally.

“I love Ginny, and I know how much Ginny loves you. If I can convince her to marry me, I will no longer have one brother but eight. I promise Ginny won’t never need for anything, and I promise to provide for her and any children we may have to the best of my abilities. May I ask Ginny to marry me?”

Silas looked to each of his brothers, receiving their nods, before he walked toward Gavin and held out his hand. “You have our blessing. Welcome to the family, brother.”

Ginny’s brothers all shook his hand in the order they were born. After Fynn’s handshake, Gavin excused himself and went outside. With Suki following, he walked across the property until he came to a fenced-off area. Unlatching the gate, he walked in until he knelt at the grave of Ginny’s father.

“Freddy, my name is Gavin James. I’m in love with your daughter. I don’t deserve Ginny. I’ll never deserve Ginny. You raised a wonderful daughter.

“One of my biggest regrets is that I never had the opportunity to meet you. Ginny talks about you every day, as well as Leah. She keeps both of you in her heart. The lessons you taught her will be passed down to our children. I only pray I have the ability to be as good a father as you were. I can’t receive your blessing in person, but I pray the blessing we are able to receive is you watching over us until one day we are able to meet in person.”

Gavin stood to look down at the grave. “You’re going to have a grandson, your first one. We plan to give him your given name. Rest