Into the Fire

I don't know how or why I missed Her One and Only written several years ago by Becky Wade. No excuse for it. This is "Dru's" story, the only daughter amidst three older brothers in the Porter family (Bo, Ty, and Jake). I acquired it in Becky's Christmas book exchange, and my sincere thanks go to Gloria for sending me this novel. It's a great read – possibly my favorite from Becky's Porter Family Series. 

Dru Porter, former Marine, now works for a private security firm. Pro-Bowl Tight End Grayson, aka Gray, Fowler, has been receiving threatening mail and has noticed a particular maroon pickup in enough places where he's been to mention it when it's decided he should have protection. The hatred and threats in the letters have escalated to the point where his organization wants to hire 24 hr. security for him when he's not traveling for games with the team. 

Enter Dru into Gray's life. His first evaluation is of her as a woman, a gorgeous woman, but not a big-honkin' security guard. She notices he isn't short on looks himself, a sculpted hunk, with a rep for womanizing and short-term "relationships". His personal chef and homemaker is a sweet, pretty thing (Ashley) who he appreciates but has no romantic feelings for and is the polar opposite of his new mid-afternoon to evening shift bodyguard Dru Porter. They spar almost immediately, argue profusely, but over time they learn to appreciate each other with something that surpasses their physical appearances. Gray decides Dru should pose as his new girlfriend to throw off the perception of him having a bodyguard and makes up a preposterous story about who she is. 

That only works until she, Gray, and Ashley go to a restaurant, and Dru is thrown into ultra-professional mode, erasing any fallacies about who she is. When they're all safe, some of what's going on is shared with the scared Ashley.  

Dru and Gray do not trust easily or maybe at all. But, because Becky Wade totally gets romance and excels at writing it, these two characters begin to realize there is pain in their histories and neither of them feel capable of tackling real romance which will lead to relationship and ultimately to love. Although somewhere deep inside each of them, they might want that, they can't perceive of it for themselves. And yet . . . here it sits on the fringe of what develops between their moments of bantering and Dru's intense commitment to protecting her client. 

Change is inevitable and when it happens, both Dru and Gray experience the upheavals of their emotions. When danger strikes unexpectedly, the nitty gritty of who they are and what they want hits them square in their hearts. 

I loved this story, Dru and Gray are done especially well touching upon deep-seated pain, fears, longing to belong, and finally finding that place where trust is allowed. Along with love. This is where the One who is Love does His bet work. Becky does it right and well. Highly recommend this one. 

Father, you continue to give stories to Becky and I ask for your continued blessing on each of them. Drench her in your Spirit and keep her grounded in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.