Good Intentions (Book 3 in the Road to Salvation Series)

CHAPTER 3

Josh pulled away from Katie and held her at arm's length. His forehead was wrinkled with worry. "What happened?"

"Wes took me to holy ground."

Disbelief covered his face. "What? I think I misheard you."

"Let me start from the beginning."

Josh nodded. "That would be helpful."

As Katie told the story, red crept up Josh's face. His jaw muscles tightened. His grip on her arms tensed and loosened. Katie couldn't blame him. This was the last complication either of them needed. Life was tough enough dealing with Braden and coming to terms with being Lilith.

Katie finished the story and stared at Josh, waiting for him to say something. He lowered his gaze to the floor and took several deep breaths, his fingers once again gently squeezing her arms. He released his grip, ran his hands over his face, and turned away from her. She knew he was going to be upset, but she didn't think he'd react like this. He seemed beyond upset. She wanted to reach out to him and hold him, but she wasn't sure what was running through his mind. It almost seemed like he was upset with her, but he couldn't be. This wasn't her fault.

"Why didn't you tell me you were heading to the hospital with Deb?" He turned to look at her.

Okay, so maybe he was a little—and perhaps understandably—upset with her. She probably should have let him know where she was. But she'd never had to check in with him before, so why would she have to now? Besides, she hadn't, and they couldn't change it now. Katie placed her hands on her hips.

"There wasn't exactly time. Everything happened so fast." She stared at him sideways for a moment. "You would have known that if you came to the house. My mom would have told you. What did you have to do?"

"Things. Didn't you get my text?"

Hmm. That was odd. Why wouldn't he tell her what he was doing? He'd never been secretive before.

"Not until I was walking to school. Didn't you wonder why I didn't respond?"

He turned and placed his forehead against a locker and pounded a fist into it. The clang echoed down the hall. Katie glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone had heard. What would they tell them they were doing? They were supposed to be in class. Thankfully, no one ventured into the hall to find out what was going on. She breathed an internal sigh of relief before turning back to Josh. Whimpering sounds came from him. Why was he reacting like this? Was he upset about not being there to save her? Probably. And she shouldn't make it worse. That wouldn't solve anything. Katie stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her check on his back. She could only imagine the torment he was going through. He had always been there to save her, and this time he wasn't. Even worse was now they owed Braden.

Josh placed his hand over hers. She loosened her grip, allowing him to turn toward her. She stared into his ice-blue eyes. As always, they held the promise that everything was going to be all right. It was the assurance Katie was looking for. He placed his hands on her cheeks.

"I've got to take care of this." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Stay here. Don't leave school until I come get you."

Katie nodded. "You won't have to worry about that."

She wasn't planning on going anywhere without him, but she wasn't sure she felt all that spectacular about him leaving. They only had one class together, so it wasn't like he was constantly around, but knowing he was in the school was comforting enough. If he wasn't around would the shadow be around? It would almost have to be. There was nothing else that could stop Wes. He was allowed to be at school. Crap! Why hadn't she thought of that before? Probably because she hadn't seen him recently and she'd been with either Josh or Braden. Still, Wes wouldn't grab her in front of the other students. If the fight at the reservoir was any indication, her classmates would stop him. Or at least draw unwanted attention to the situation. Everything would be fine. Josh would get this taken care of. She was just going to have to put on her big girl pants and deal with it.