Page 131 of Praying for Thunder

Easily holding her with one arm, and since her legs and arms were clenching me, I tucked her wild hair behind her ear. “Your brothers?”

Inhaling through her nose, she nodded. “But Bert left the room while I was sleeping.” With my thumb, I tried to catch all her tears but they kept falling. “I-I was dreaming o-of you.”

I wanted to hide any guilt on my face but wasn’t sure I was succeeding. “I’m sorry.”

Her inhale was jerky. “I-it w-was a sweet dream. T-They said to go to Thunder.” She panted, but still tried to smile. “I-I’ve been waiting for that.”

My heart melted. Fucking melted and slipped to the floor. “Aw, baby.”

Then she howled to the church ceiling. “The scream woke me! I followed it to find Bert in the pool!’”

A sob, full of such torture it forced me to bend over, escaped me. It was as if I had been there, hearing the scream with Rya as she followed that scream. I felt as if I were there, seeing his body floating…

With me bent over, trying to handle her terror and sorrow, she didn’t let go. She tucked her head to mine, whispering, “I can’t be away from ya anymore, Thunder.”

I stayed huddled around her, over her as I agreed, “It—life—burns me every day when you’re away from me.”

“Then we stay together.”

Air. Free air rushed into my lungs…

It was some sort of connection—alignment. Promise made? No, it was divine permission…

I stood up, easily carrying her weight.

We stared at each other… Then it became clear. “What please you, eases me.”

“You,” softly she told me, “You are what eases me.”

The peace blowing between us was a secret to life. Our lives… “Everlasting.”

Ever so slowly, also feeling the divine, she said, “I can tell ya my dream now. The one that told me why I had to let you go.”

My mouth parted. “Okay.”

“Being apart gave room for you to find somebody for me.”

Oh my God. The girl. “It worked.”

“And ya placed her in safe hands?”

“I did.” I groaned, “I swear it.”

“Good. She will help us find… the twins.”

What? “Wait… Y-You mean… Ani’s girls?”

“We never would’ve had a chance to find them had ya not done whateva’ it took.”

And just like that, every single sacrifice was worth it. The chaotic years, the beatings, every price it took was worth it. I was meant to save girls. Ani’s girls.

My mind was exploding with meaning and joy. “Rya, this is—”

Slowly, she shook her head. “No. I want a break from answered prayers. One of mine is no more.”

Her brother. “I’m—”

“I know you’re sorry, Thunder.” She caressed my face. “But I don’t want your sorrow right now. I just want,” her eyes brimmed with more tears, “you.”