Kelly couldnt believe how he was just watching her with those intense, commanding hazel eyes of his, so wise and perceptive. She felt the impact as if he could see directly into her. Youre asking me out, arent you?
No, not out. No. Of course not. He held up his free hand, as if he were innocent. Completely guilt-free.
Thats good, because I dont date anymore. Im sorry.
Thats okay, because Im not looking for a date. I was asking you to help me out.
As if a big strong soldier like you needs any help at all?
Sure. I need a favor. Im a lonely marine.
A lonely marine? Oh, she was so not fooled.
Sure. Its only dinner. Amusement quirked the left side of his mouth. Cmon, you gotta eat.
True, but you probably have better things to do on a Friday evening.
I cant think of one.
Its gotta be the uniform, she told herself as she assessed him carefully. They must not let you out much if you think sharing my dinner break is your best option.
What can I say? I could use a friend. How about it?
Kellys heart twisted hard. There was no mistaking the sincerity in his steady gaze. He meant those words. How could she say no? She knew a thing or two about wanting a friend. Youve got a deal.
Excellent. How do you like your hamburger?
With cheese and mayo, no onions and tomatoes.
Ill be back in an hour. Thanks, Kelly. Im glad I ran into you.
Im glad, too.
He was military-strong and nice. What a combo. She couldnt help liking him. Who wouldnt?
She watched him stride away, cutting through the long rays of sunlight and disappearing into the glare. She couldnt help the little sigh that escaped her. The bell jingled and the door swished shut and he was gone.
The dying embers in her heart ached. Be careful, she warned herself, holding on tight to her common sense. A man like Mitch could make her want to believe. And it was the wanting that got her into trouble every timethe longing to belong, to be loved, to know that soft comfort of a loving marriage and family.
Hey, who was that? Back from her run to the bank, Katherine, Spences sister, swished behind the counter. He looked like a very nice, very solid, very fine young man.
Oh, that was just a customer.
No, he was trying to ask you out. I happened to overhear. Accidentally, of course. Katherine leaned against her closed office door, looking as if shed just received the best news.
That was Katherine. Always wishing for happy endings for other people. Its not how it looks. Were just friends.
Right, well, thats the best way to start out. You never know what will develop from there. Im saying prayers for you. No one deserves a happy ending more than you.
There are no such things as happy endings. Kelly knew that for an absolute fact. This isnt a fairy tale. Hes only in town for a little while.
You just never know what the Lord has in store for you. It wasnt fair what happened with Joe.
She had to go and mention it. Kelly swallowed hard, wrestling down painful memoriesthe weight of them heavy on her heart, along with too many regrets. Too many failures. Life is like that. Its not fair.
No, but in the end, good things happen to good people. I believe that. Katherine breezed into her office, sure of her view of the world.
Kelly didnt have the heart to believe. She could not let herself dream. Not even the tiniest of wishes. She was no longer a girl who believed in fairy tales, but a grown woman who kept her feet on the ground.
She had no faith left for dreaming.
Chapter Three
I think its gonna be a quiet Friday night. Spence emerged from one of the fiction aisles with a book in hand. Hows the studying coming?
Im less confused, I think. I havent taken math since high school and Ive forgotten just about everything but the basics.
Thats why I use a calculator. Spence nodded toward the front windows. The soldier who was in here earlier? Hes back.
He is? It took all her effort to sound unaffected. She turned slowly toward the front, as if she hadnt been of two minds about their upcoming dinner. She squinted through the harsh sunshine that haloed the wide-shouldered man.
She recognized the silhouette striding away from a dusty Jeep, carrying a big take-out bag and a cardboard drink carrier in one hand. The light gave him a golden glow, and he was all might and strength and integrity. She remembered what hed said about needing a friend. It had to be a lonely life hed chosen.
Spence cleared his throat. Im glad youre dating again.
Heat crept up her face. She busily set the alarm on her watch, so she wouldnt go over her allotted break time. It isnt like that, Spence. Really.
Okay. Like Katherine, he didnt sound as if he believed her. Go ahead. Have a nice time.
It was Mitch. How could she not have a nice visit? As he strode her way, she beat him to the door. His welcoming smile was lopsided and friendlydefinitely a smile that could make a girl dream. Im free for half an hour.
Im glad they loosened the chains. His shadow fell across her, covering her completely. Wanna eat across the street? I saw a couple of tables and benches. Okay?
Sure. I eat over there all the time.
Walking at his side, she realized that he was bigger and taller than she had thought. He was a big powerful bear of a guy, his field boots thudding against the pavement. She felt safe with him. Comfortable. Isnt Montana a little landlocked for a marine?
It would be, if I worked on a ship. That would be navy.
But youre training at the army base?
Im doing some advanced mountaineering. They train their Rangers there, and theyre letting my platoon climb around on their rocks.
Advanced mountaineering. That sounds serious.
Were doing tactical stuff while were climbing, he explained with a shrug.
You must be pretty good.
I havent fallen yet.
She stopped at his side, at the curb, waiting for the few cars and trucks to pass. What exactly do you do in the marines?
Im like a scout. Its clear, he said, referring to the traffic and, as he stepped off the curb, laid his free hand on her shoulder. Not exactly guiding her, as much as guarding.
Kelly shivered down to her soul. Nice. Very nice. What girl wouldnt appreciate a soldiers protective presence? They stepped up on the curb together on the other side of the road, and his hand fell away. The world felt a little lonelier.
How about that table? She nodded toward the closest picnic table in the park, which was well shaded beneath a pair of broad-leafed maples.
Thatll work, he agreed amicably.
It was hard to keep pace with him as they made their way across the lush, clipped grass. He didnt walk so much as he power walked, even though he was obviously shortening his long-legged pace for her. She had to hurry to keep up with him as he crossed the grass. How long are you going to be in Montana?
Ive been here three weeks. Ive got five more to go. He set the drinks and food on the table, then pulled out the bench for her. That means Ill be outta here mid-September.
And then back to California?
Like I said, they keep me busy. Mitch could only nod. He waited while she settled onto the bench, and the breeze brought a faint scent of her vanilla shampoo. The warmth in his chest changed to something sweeter.
She watched him with gentle blue eyes. I didnt know marines climbed mountains.
We climb whatever were ordered to climb. He freed a large cup from the carrier. I brought orange soda or root beer. The lady picks first.
I love orange soda. Good guess.
He didnt mention that hed noticed the pop bottle shed had on the store counter beside her schoolbooks. He set the cup beside her. Had she figured out that this was a date yet?
Cheeseburger, as ordered. He handed out the chow. Do you want to say grace or will you let me?
Go for it. She folded her hands, so sincere.
He brimmed with a strange tenderness as he bowed his head together with hers. Dear Father, thank you for watching over us today. Please bless this food and our renewed friendship. Amen.
Amen. A renewed friendship, huh? Kelly unclasped her hands and unwrapped her burger. At least he wasnt trying to make this a date. Why the marines?
Thats easy. He dug a few ketchup containers out of the bottom of the bag and as the wind caught the empty sack, he anchored it. My life has a purpose. I make a difference.
That matters to you. She took a long look at him. Making a difference matters to me, too.
When I was a kid, watching the news coverage of Desert Storm, I was blown away by this segment they did on the marines. They were these powerful men with weapons, and they were taking care of refugees from the fighting. One of the refugees said how amazed he was by these big men. They looked fearsome, but they were also kind.
That pretty much summed it up for her. Kelly blinked and tried to act as if his words hadnt sunk into her heart. Hed grown up and grown well. She only had to look into his clear, expressive eyes to know that he was a very fine man.
Mitch took a big bite of his burger and leaned closer to dig a handful of fries out of the container. Then it hit me, just how great that was in this world. To be a warrior fierce enough to protect and defend, to stand for what is right. Thats honor, in my opinion. And thats how I serve. I do my very best every day.
What on earth did she say to that? She seemed frozen in place. She wasnt breathing. It seemed as if her heart had stopped beating. His gaze met hers, and the honest force of it left her even more paralyzed. The magnitude of his gaze bored into hers like a touch, and she felt the stir of it in her soul, a place where she let no one in. How had he gotten past her defenses?
He grabbed more fries. How about you?
M-me?
Sure. Why social work?
I didnt tell you that.
I noticed your textbooks. Are you getting your degree in sociology and a masters in social work?
Thats the plan. I want to help children. Theres a lot of need out there.
There is. His voice deepened with understanding. There was something about a powerful man who radiated more than just might, but heart, too. I remember back in high school that you were on your own a lot.
Keep the pain out of your words, she reminded herself. She wasnt willing to confess about the loneliness and the fears of a child growing up the way she did. I know I can help kids who are in a similar situation. I want to make a difference.
Im sure you can. He studied her, his hazel eyes intensified. It was as if he could see the places within her that no one could. You were in foster care. Is that right?
On and off, depending on whether or not my mom was in jail for drugs or if my aunts bipolar disorder was under control. She forced her gaze from his, breaking contact, but it was too late. She already felt so revealed. I was lucky. I made it through all right. A lot of kids arent so fortunate.
Youve done very well for yourself.
Not by myself.
By the grace of God? Mitch waited as Kelly stared toward the far end of the park. There was nothing there, no people to watch, no traffic, nothing but a row of shrubs shivering slightly in the balmy evening breezes. He knew it wasnt the foliage she saw, but the past.
He didnt take for granted one second of his life, especially his childhood with two loving parents in a middle-class suburb. It was a start in life for which he was thankful. About six years ago, I was training at Coronado when I got the word my dad had had a heart attack. I made it home in time to see him before he went into surgery. I think the good Lord was reminding my family just how lucky we are. We take nothing for granted, not anymore.
Wise move.
He washed his emotions down with the ice-cold soda. Ive seen enough of the world to know that I wouldnt be who I am without them. Its a blessing to have parents like mine. Remember that favor I mentioned back in the store?
She dragged a pair of fries through the ketchup container. I thought this dinner was the favor.
Nope, this is my apology. For sticking my foot in my mouth and bringing up a subject that hurt you.
You couldnt have known. Its all right. She froze for a moment, and sadness flashed in her eyes again. Whats this favor?
Ive been trying to find a gift for my mom. No luck. Im clueless.
You dont look clueless. And you cant be serious. You look around, you find things and you buy them. Its called shopping. Thats how you find a gift. Our store is full of wonderful gifts. Why didnt you say something when you were in before?
I wanted to get a look at the jewelry store down the street first.
Jewelry is always good. We have some lovely gold crosses.
Thats what I got her last Christmas. She has everything else, a mothers ring, more lockets than she can count. A charm bracelet so full of charms theres no room for more. I need help.
You certainly need something. He was way too charming for her own good, Kelly decided. And she had a hard time saying no to a worthy cause. When do you need this gift?
Her birthday dinner is Sunday night.
I should have known. A last-minute gift.
Last minute? What do you mean? He feigned mock insult. This is Friday. I have two more days.
Why wasnt she surprised? Kelly took the last bite of her burger. Okay, what are your parameters?
Something unique. Personal. It has to be fairly inexpensive. Im thinking around a hundred dollars.
Thats not so inexpensive. Have you tried the mall?
Youre kidding, right? I avoid those at all costs.
Why is that?
No amount of military training can prepare a guy for the conditions that await him in a mall. Im mall-phobic.
She seriously doubted that. She couldnt imagine Mitch being afraid of anything. Mall-phobia. I think I read about that in my abnormal psychology class.
Funny. So, youll help me?
Its the least I can do for a friend. Friend being the operative word. The beep of her alarm made her jump. Had that much time gone by already? Ive got to go.
Duty calls.
Exactly. Did you want to come with me? We can go through the sales books together.