Read Stronger By Your Side (Great Love Book 2) for Free Online Page A

cat in a dog park. I really needed his comfort right now. Travis had become my best friend over the last two and half years, and although things were a little confusing right now, that is all that his hand holding meant. Before Charles, before the new me . . . When I was a child, SJ would do this for me. It was a gesture that I was comfortable with. For what felt like the hundredth time since I moved here, I shook the thought of the first boy I’d ever loved out of my head.
    Twenty minutes later, I nervously bounced my leg up and down. Travis placed his firm hand on my knee, and I looked up at him with a smile. He leaned in. “Just breathe.” I nodded as Charlotte danced around in front of us with her dolls.
    The Pastor came up and introduced Charlotte and me after announcing that the service would be in remembrance of Charles. Then he asked everyone to cross isles and say good morning. A flood of all fifty church-goers, half being Travis’s and Charles’s families, came and said good morning. I nodded, smiled, shook hands, hugged back and even returned a couple of kisses on cheeks.
    Travis’s dad gave both Charlotte and me huge hugs and kisses on our cheeks. “You girls look gorgeous, as always.”
    I smiled. “Aw. Thanks, Frank, you’re looking good yourself.” He nodded with a soft smile and went back to his seat. Frank and I had bonded the handful of times he visited us in North Carolina.
    I returned to my seat and the entire time I sat, I fought the urge to throw up and run away. Travis must have sensed that I was uneasy because he grabbed my hand at some point. It was probably the worst time not to care what others thought, especially with Frank looking over and smiling wider than I was comfortable with, but I needed his hand to steady me as much as a fish needed water. After worship, the kids went to Sunday school, and my heart ached as I watched my only connection to Charles walk through those doors.
    The service was beautiful and talked about acts of Love. The pastor read passages from the bible, including the one that I know most likely ran through Charles’s mind, right before he died—John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends.” I couldn’t help but smile weakly as a tear slipped from my eyes. That was my Charles. It hurt and felt good at the same time. I was heartbroken and proud all at once, which was sometimes unbearably painful. Today it felt right, like time had gently healed some of the wounds and I was able to smile about it.
    The pastor spoke of the ultimate act of love that is mentioned in John 15:13 and how Charles was honorable until his dying breath. I took a deep breath and slightly turned my head. When my eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar face, I turned around more and spotted Cal and Emerson sitting in the back. They must have slipped in after worship. I gave them a slight smile without showing teeth, not wanting to look too happy. Emerson waved gently and Cal winked. I turned around, and at my weak sigh Travis squeezed my hand. I squeezed it back. I truly appreciated Cal and Emerson coming today. Seeing them there made me feel more comfort than I could ever explain.
    I know it was hard for Calvin to be here, Emerson too. I can’t imagine how they felt, but I never wanted either one to feel guilty. Calvin deserved his life, he deserved to live. Emerson deserved to have Cal and his love. Charles made a choice, and it was a choice that made him who he was to his core. Although I would like to have my husband back, I would never take away any decision that he made, especially not one made out of love. I loved Charles for who he was. Who he was pre-determined him to push Calvin out of the way of the RPG and place himself there instead. It was one of the many qualities that made me fall for the man.
    After the service, I was given more hugs and kisses and told to call anytime by everyone and their mom, literally. When I got back to Cal