Story 1 in the Beauty of God Short Story Series *2nd place in the JesusFreakcontest!!* *2nd place in the Walk by Faith Awards (short story category)!!* Braylin's life has been hard. But now, with her father put in prison for all the abuse he has put her through, she is working to find a better place. As she waits for her aunt to finish moving to town, she is staying with her life-long best friend, Jonah, and has a feeling that this is her chance to change things for good. But it's hard to stop flinching everytime she feels a hand on her back or open up about all those years stuck with her dad. Memories haunt her like a ghost from her past and it's hard to believe in this God that Jonah keeps telling her about, with unconditional love and mercy. One fateful night, Jonah's kindness breaks open a door to something Braylin would never have seen coming. Somehow, this stranger that Jonah offers a meal and bed to will turn Braylin's life toward something bigger than she could have ever predicted. [Trigger warning: this story contains references of abuse and trauma]

FBI Detective Dominic Wagner is a workaholic. His loud, rambunctious family might be the cause. As one of five siblings who does something like law enforcement, he is always caught up in some new case. When he decides to buy himself a house, he comes across a realtor whose life is on the line. He must protect her with his life. And his heart. Realtor Chloe Sinclair does her job well. Her bumpy past is, well, the past. However, it comes back to haunt her. She turns to her client, Dominic Wagner, an FBI Detective, to keep her safe. Although he might be doing more than protecting her life. He's stealing her heart.