Sarah's Prayer: A Sunset Single (Sunset Series 1.1) by J. Brent Eaton

I'd known what they were before I opened them I never would have done it. I'd only let the two of you go through them. That's why I stopped when I did."
    "I know. I told her that, but she still feels very insecure right now. She really feels violated by Brian and it's going to take some time to get over that. It might be best if you go on home and wait for her to call you when she gets her feet back under her. Give me your phone and I'll put in my number. You can call me any time for updates. I'll take good care of her, okay?"
    "Be sure she doesn't do anything to the laptop until we talk about how to proceed with the law enforcement side of this. I have a backup of everything, but we need clean evidence."
    "Oh, okay. I'll let her know."
    "And, Jen. Tell her I miss her already."
    "You're sweet, Michael. I will."
    Michael hesitated briefly, then left, a lonely and frustrated man.

    Jen left not too much later herself. Sarah promised to call if she needed to talk.
    "I just need some time alone right now Jen. I need to sort this all out." How do I sort out being violated like this? How do I ever face Michael again?
    Sarah feared she faced another sleepless night. How could she sleep after what happened?
    As she always did when facing an insurmountable problem, Sarah turned to the One who was the source of her strength.
    Father, I am so scared and feel so helpless right now. I feel like I have been violated in my own home. I can't believe Brian did this to me after so many years. Why can't he just leave me alone? I've come so far to rebuild my life and for the first time I feel strong and alive. Then, it suddenly comes crashing down on me.
    I love Michael, and I know you put him in my life for a reason. I'm so ashamed to face him knowing that he saw me like that. I know he did it to protect me, but I feel so... vulnerable I guess is the word. Help me to face him and deal with this. I guess this is embarrassing for him too.
    Give me the strength to face this problem. I don't know what it's going to take to solve this, but I have to face down Brian now. Gabe can't fix this. I have to. Make me strong.

Chapter 14
    Sarah went to the office on Monday morning, but her heart wasn't in her work. She explained to Sharon, the Executive Director, what happened. Sharon gave Sarah the day off as long as she promised to do something good for herself.
    A quick trip to Temple for a mani/pedi and some shoe shopping therapy helped considerably, but it didn't resolve the gaping hole in her heart. The pain was still there. She knew there was only one way to take fill that void... talk to Michael. She just couldn't draw herself to do that... yet.
    Jen came by that evening. "How you doing, sweetie? We missed you at work today."
    "Oh, Jen. I tried to pick myself up, but a new nail job and these cute flats didn't make much of a dent."
    "I hate to tell you, shoes and polish won't cure what ails you... I'd like to borrow those sometime by the way. What you need is a good solid dose of Mr. Michael."
    "Yeah, I know, Jen. This is just so..."
    "Embarrassing?"
    "Yeah, exactly."
    "Well, I know last night was a blur to you, but as a somewhat objective observer here, I can tell you that what Michael saw wasn't that embarrassing. Of course, he turns red at everything, but it wasn't that bad. You were turned sideways and, if I didn't know who it was in those pictures, I couldn't testify it was you. It's more the idea of what happened than the pictures, isn't it?"
    "Probably, Jen. The whole thing is just devastating to me. The idea of Brian invading my home like that."
    "Well, Michael is trying to protect you from him and you're shutting him out. That's not a good plan."
    "You're right... You're right, of course. How can I face him."
    "You face him because he loves you. Love bears all things. It's in the Bible."
    Sarah couldn't argue with the logic, but she couldn't overcome the feeling either. "I'll call him... soon."
    "Okay, sweetie, but don't wait too long. You