Duty calls.
Exactly. Did you want to come with me? We can go through the sales books together.
No time. Disappointment settled like lead inside him. Ive got to be back by twenty hundred hours, and Ive got over a two-hour drive ahead of me.
Was it his imagination, or did she look disappointed? Good. Now was the time to set up date number two. Im coming back to town on Sunday. How about the two of us get together and put in some serious shopping time?
Sunday, then. She folded her empty burger wrapper neatly.
He held the food sack open for her, waiting to toss in his wrapper, crumpled into a ball, after hers. Where do you want me to pick you up?
She grabbed one last fry from the tub before she twisted off the bench, graceful and lovely. She backed away, studying him through her long lashes with those big stormy-blue eyes. The Gray Stone Church on the corner of Glenrose and Cherry Lane. Meet me there. Ten oclock sharp.
Meet you there? No, I should pick you up.
Its not a date, remember?
Have it your way, pretty lady. He watched her jog away, her hair brushing the back of her shoulders and swinging in time with her gait.
Mitch could only stare, unable to move, waiting as she crossed the street. She was like a vision, awash with light. He remained vigilant until she reached the storefront and disappeared inside.
Youre heading to Afghanistan in six weeks, he thought, hardly noticing the crinkling sound the food sacks made when he bunched them and tossed them into the garbage can. What he did was dangerous. Hed learned the value of starting each day without regrets.
If he didnt make the most of this second chance to get to know Kelly, wherever that path might lead, hed regret it. Six months from now, hed be shivering on some rock in the border mountains of Afghanistan or belly down on a dune in the Middle East, and he didnt want to be wondering what if.
It wasnt only exhaustion weighing her down as she climbed the flight of steps to her apartment. Not the late hour or the dark shadows that fell from the whispering poplars. She felt as if the past clung to her with a tenacious grip tonight, like the stars to the black velvet sky.
Kelly sorted through her key ring as she climbed the outside stairs that brought her to her third-story landing.
In the end, good things happen to good people. I believe that. Katherines words. They were part of what troubled her tonight and made the shadows so dark, the quiet so deep. Those words haunted her last steps and followed her into the soft pool of illumination from the light over her door. She fitted her key into the deadbolt and turned it with a click. The metallic sound seemed to echo in the chambers of her heart.
Everyone shed ever depended on had let her down, so it was hard to believe in good things. God never promised that life would be easy or fair. A heart can be broken too much. And shed learned that every time a heart is broken, it is never the same again.
She withdrew the key and inserted it into the doorknob, turning the knob and shouldering open the door. Her heavy backpack clunked against the door as she stepped through the fall of porch light and into the dark quiet of the foyer.
Mitch had stirred up some of this uneasiness, too. What a great guy. At least he was only interested in a friendship. How could it be anything else, with him leaving for California and beyond?
She could relax and not worry about him leavingit was a given. She knew what to expect.
The luminous numbers of her stoves clock cast a green glow bright enough to see by as she pushed the door shut behind her, turned the deadbolt and slipped her keys onto the small table between the door and the hall closet. Her pack made a thump when she set it on the floor.
Hot, stifling air greeted her thanks to keeping off the air conditioning. She headed straight for the living room and unlocked the wide window. Cooler air felt heavenly against her overheated skin. She stood for a moment letting the breeze fan over her. Outside the poplars cast dancing shadows from the streetlights and rustled cheerfully. She pressed her hot forehead to the cooler glass, breathed in the fresh night air and let her feelings and thoughts settle.
Mitch. Just thinking of him brought a smile to her face. He was back at his base by now. This was going to be differentinteresting, but differentto have him for a friend.
She was actually looking forward to Sunday.
Chapter Four
Mitch scanned the light-veiled sanctuary, crowded with worshippers and loud with their conversations, searching for Kelly. To find her, he only had to follow the sunshine as it slanted through the glittering panels of stained glass.
Kelly. When he saw her, brushed with golden light and goodness, his heartbeat skipped. The sanctuary, full of light and sound and families getting settled, faded away and only the silence remained. She was sitting in a pew near the middle, her head bowed as if reading.
She hadnt noticed him yet, so he took a moment just to drink in the sight of her. Her honey-gold hair was unbound and framed her heart-shaped face. The lavender summer dress she wore shaped her delicate shoulders and fell in a complimentary sweep to her knees. A book bag slumped on the bench beside her. Matching purple flats hugged her slim feet.
He liked the way she looked, so pure and bright. She made a lovely picture, sitting so straight, with her Bible open on her lap. It wasnt too much of a hardship to look at her. He eased into the row and onto the pew beside her.
She jumped, and her Bible tumbled onto the polished wood bench between them. Mitch! You snuck up on me!
Hey, Im no sneak.
Then what do you call that? You didnt make a sound. Thats sneaking in my book. Her eyes twinkled like aquamarines.
Enchantedhe was simply enchanted. And she looked glad to see him. What was a helpless guy to do? He shrugged. Sorry. Its habit, I guess. Didnt mean to scare you.
You are a scary man, Mitch Dalton. Her smile said the opposite as he rescued her fallen Bible from the bench between them. Do you have a chance to attend a service when youre overseas?
Usually a chaplain holds service every Sunday. I attend whenever Im in camp. He studied the Bible in his hands. It looked like his, treasured and well-read. He handed it over. This is some church. It beats a tent hands down.
A tent, huh? Her fingertips brushed against his, feather-light and brief.
Wow. Her touch stilled his senses. As if from somewhere far away organ music began, and late worshippers hurried to find seats as the minister stepped up to his podium. The congregation rose.
Kelly stood, and somehow he was on his feet beside her. She was so small and feminine at his side. All he knew was that he liked being with her. Not a comfortable thing for the lone wolf he was. But not bad, either.
She went up on tiptoe to tell him something, and he had to lean so she could manage to whisper in his ear. Im wearing my shopping shoes. I hope you can keep up with me.
That was funny. Little did she know what he was capable of doing in a single day. Bring it on, little lady. I can do anything you can do.
Be careful. I just might drag you to a mall.
Hey, we had a no-mall agreement.
I made no promises, soldier.
Kelly felt as light as air. Happy. Shed been working and studying so hard lately, she was glad shed agreed to spend this time with Mitch. Besides, it was never a bad thing to have a handsome maner, friendsit beside you at church.
I made no promises, soldier.
Kelly felt as light as air. Happy. Shed been working and studying so hard lately, she was glad shed agreed to spend this time with Mitch. Besides, it was never a bad thing to have a handsome maner, friendsit beside you at church.
Mitch. She couldnt help noticing he had a very nice singing voice and yet he didnt attract attention to himself. His voice was quiet and his manner solemn. And he stood powerful and tall. Very masculine.
Not that she was wishing.
As she bowed her head for prayer, she caught sight of the Bible passage on the program. The typed words were the last thing she saw as she closed her eyes and the words from Isaiah emblazoned themselves on her eyelids. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way, walk in it.
It had also been the exact passage from her morning devotional. Coincidence? Probably not.
Im trying, Lord, to follow where You lead.
But she was so adrift. Even with Mitch at her side. Even in the peace of Gods sanctuary with heavens light falling all around her.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way, walk in it.
With the ministers message in his heart, Mitch stayed at Kellys side as they inched patiently down the main aisle. Maybe this was a sign he was on the right path. A new one for him, considering his wariness of long-term relationships. And a strange one, because Gods plan for him was thousands of miles away, across an ocean.
Kelly introduced him to the minister, who warmly thanked him for coming. As they followed the departing worshippers down the front steps and out into the bright sunshine, he stayed at Kellys side, protecting her from any jostling from the crowd.
Well, soldier, are you ready for your mission? Or do I leave you to survive shopping as best you can? Her smile was as sweet as spun sugar.
He liked it. Ive already confessed that Im retail-challenged.
A big tough guy like you? Cmon, soldier up. She winked, and couldnt help laughing. I expect a marine to be tougher than that.
Ill survive with a pretty girl like you watching my six.
Your six? Oh, I get it. Watching your back. Youre going to need it where Im taking you. Peril and danger abound.
I live for danger.
That makes two of us. Kelly liked the look of worry crinkling his forehead. She guessed he was only halfway kidding her about having mall-phobia. At ease, sir. I spent some time thinking of a few good ideas for your mom. And we dont have to set foot inside any mall.
Im gonna owe you big-time for this.
No way. Whats a little favor between friends?
Mitch frowned. He had to set the groundwork for date number three. Something gave him a clue that she wouldnt make it easy for him.
Hed just have to wow her so much, shed want to go out with him again. Maybe even call it a date next time. A man could hope. You wanna grab a bite first?
I didnt think you soldiers took detours when you were on a mission.
Right, but Im gonna need fuel. No way can I shop on an empty stomach. Oh, wait. I get it. You dont date. And youre afraid that eating together twice would make it look like were dating.
It could look that way, but its not. Right?
Was that a shadow of fear he saw in her gentle blue eyes? Why would she be afraid? Then in a blink, it was gone.
He stepped off the curb, looking for traffic, but there were no cars headed their way. He fished his keys from his pocket. Dont even worry. Friends go out to eat together sometimes.
I just dont want you to get the wrong idea. I know youll be leaving in a month or so
Exactly, so dont sweat it. Well do whatever you want.
Ive got the best shop to show you. I really think youll find what you want there.
You mean this could be a one-stop deal?
It might even be painless.
She was doing her best to thwart his plans for their date. He was going down in flames. Not good. This had to be about Joe. What had happened? What had he done to her? He hadnt known the guy except as a name back in high school.
Whatever had happened, it had sure made Kelly afraid to try dating again. As he unlocked the passenger door, a mild breeze whispered through the maples overhead and shifted the lemony sunshine over them. In the dappled mix of shadows and light he opened the door and took Kellys hand to help her up.
She dodged him, as if too independent for such a gesture, but he sensed it was something more as she slipped past him. Her cotton dress gave a whispering rustle, and the vanilla fragrance from her shampoo scented the air between them.
Unaware of how she moved him, she climbed into the passenger seat and settled her book bag on the floor at her feet. She sat there in a swirl of lavender summer cotton and dappled sunlight and sweetness. Feelings came to life within his heart and werent like anything hed felt before. They were soft and warm, and as soothing as prayer. Tenderness lit him up from the inside out. He felt every inch of his six-foot-two-inch frame as he closed her door and circled around to his side.
Her smile was calm, her blue eyes bright and friendly. Its not far from here. If you can pull a U-turn and avoid the traffic jam up the street?
Inciting me to break the law, huh? He winked as he started the engine and belted in. Im shocked. A sweet girl like you.
Ah, the things you dont know about me.
Im beginning to get the picture. A hard-working college student who goes to church every Sunday. Yep, youre trouble. He checked the mirrors and the pedestrian traffic before turning sharply out from the curb and down the narrow tree-lined residential street.
Then he saw the sign, allowing U-turns in the wide, turnabout intersection.
No more trouble than you are, I bet. Sunday service and then dinner at home with your parents.
Not until six tonight. Until then, Im a reckless man on the town. A gray tabby cat paraded off the sidewalk about ten yards up the residential street, and he slowed to a stop.
Yeah, reckless. I see that.
He could feel her gaze like the softest brush against the line of his profile. Hed like to know what she thought about him. Come September hed be on a bird out of here and he wouldnt be back this way again except for a rare, quick family holiday.
He wantedhe didnt know what he wanted. But he liked being with her.
Once the cat was safely across the street, he hit the gas. A four-way stop was ahead. Which way?
Right. And take the first parking spot you come to.
Its that easy? I cant believe it. He whipped the Jeep over to the curb and parked. I just might make it out of this mission without a casualty.
No casualties, remember? Im watching your six.
Then lets do it. He killed the engine and released his seat belt.
Kelly took a deep breath and tried to steady herself, to just breathe. What she couldnt explain was why hed affected her like this. Why hed slipped through her defenses as if they were nothing.
She didnt have a clue. He was already out of the Jeep and slamming the door, moving with an easy, latently powerful bearing around the front of the vehicle.