Kemar POV

When I found Cullayne's room empty I went in search of her. I was beginning to get worried when all the places I expected her to be she was not there.

I was at my wit's end and more so when I remembered that I had seen her phone on her bed so I could not call her.

Should I tell Mama that she was not in her room or that I was unable to find her? I was not sure I wanted to cause my mother further worries for the day so I decided to think of where I had not looked.

I walked around the side of the house and looked out into the back garden setting my mind on being rational and not giving in to panic.

Yes, man, she must dung a Karly dem!

I rushed to the path letting my long strides lessen the distance as I hurried along. I was a bit puzzled as to why she would decide to go there as no one was home.

I was preoccupied with trying not to slip on the slidey path when out of the corner of my eye I saw something dashed in the far bushes but before I could register what it was I was approaching the yellow zinc fences that act as a borderline for Christopher and Karly's property.

The thought of not finding Cullayne there had me less concerned with the blur of cream, blue and orange that shot into the bushes and more worried as to where else she could be.

I walk briskly into the neatly kept yard with it's hibiscus and pusstail hedging. I look towards the tall East Indian mango tree with a makeshift bamboo bench painted bright yellow like the zinc fence in hopes of seeing Cullayne seated there.

She was not there. I frowned and continue to look around. I gave a sigh of relief when I saw her sitting on one of the steps that led to the small porch of the house behind her.

"Laynie," I said in relief and hurried over to her but before I could say or do anything she got up and propelled herself into my arms.

Without hesitation, I wrapped her in my embrace and let her empty her anguish through her tears on my shirt. I knew this was not the time or place but the feel of her in my arms felt just right.

I hugged her around her waist with one hand as I stroked the thick cornrow on the side of her head comfortingly with the other.

I tried not to think of the bare flesh of her waist where my hand was nestled above the waist of her plaid house pants.

Focus Kemar.

Easy said than done because all I could think of was how right she felt in my arms. I love the feel of her against me it gave me a peace that I knew I wanted the rest of my life.

"Hey come sit down an tell mi what a gwaan," I said pulling away because the longer I held her the closer I wanted to get to her.

I sat on the top step with the thought she was going to sit by me but instead, she sat on the step below, nestled herself between my legs and leaned against my chest. I hugged her gently.

I found myself liking the comfort I always found in her being close to me. If only I could tell her how I feel.

"Care to tell me what's going on? Mana call me frantic that you fainted. Now here you are all emotional and bawling you eyes out," I said refraining instead from doing so.

Better mi be safe dan sorry yaah man.

"I am such a big coward Kem. I hate to admit it but Seana is right I don't belong here. It's best I return to Canada than stay here and make a mockery of God and my mother," she said softly.

"Wait yuh a listen to conniving Seana. The only reason she is here is because your mom needs her to help with the herbs as Mama can't manage like before. She is a good herbalist but that's all she has no right to tell you to leave... But wait were you planning on staying?"

She remained silent for a while then said. "I came back home because Taylon and I have broken up."

"Are you serious?!"

There was no denying my happiness but I had to remain calm and supportive. I suppressed my delight when she nodded.

"I caught him with another woman."

Hallelujah, praise the Lord. I thought. She was free all along and here to stay.

"I am sorry you had to go through that," I said sincerely because I never want to see her suffer. But I was far from sorry it happened.

She took a deep breath and in a rush of words told me why she left and stuck around with Taylon. I was not surprised to hear it because I had already known why she had run away. After all, the burden that came with being a young teenage reader was not easy, especially with a humble and giving personality like hers.

I was just surprised to know that the boasty conceited young man had been nothing but her scapegoat and not the love of her life as I has thought.

I wanted to grin and shout with joy but the realization that I could have lost Cullayne for good had me silently thanking God.

Thanks to the sweet compassionate God that never leaves nor forsakes you I have my chance to love her. I inwardly rejoice.

"You see Kem Seana is right all I have is this gift that was bestowed to me use for the betterment of God's Kingdom and I stifle it. I lock it away hiding it under a bushel because of pride and what did it get me nothing but shame and betrayal."

"Listen to me we all make mistake but when we rise up and get back on our feet and press on towards the mark of the higher calling in Jesus Christ our Lord we become victorious and God the Father is glorified.

Her eyes pooled with tears as she looked at me. I was not sure if she was reading the feelings that danced within my heart but I hope she realized now that she was back I was never going to let her go.

"Do you want to be a Read~er Woman Cullayne and leave behind your legacy?"

I watch her take a deep breath and then nod before saying with deep affirmation. "Yes, yes I do!"

"Welcome home Laynie it's about time. I have missed you deeply. "

"I have missed you too Kem," she returned looking up into my eyes.

It took all I had not to let my eyes travel down to her sensual lips and declare in another fashion just how much I missed her.

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Ok, so there you have it... we've reached the end of the third five chapters 😊.
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