“Different how?”
“My grandparents have a ranch a few miles outside of town with the most spectacular view of the Brazos. Bluebonnets color the entire valley, and if you go just before sunset, you can watch the sky transform in a palette of colors ranging from the deepest peach to the softest lavender. My uncle Jack says it’s like watching the brushstrokes of God painting his canvas.”
“That sounds beautiful.”
It was. And he missed it. More than he thought he would. More than he ever did when he was in the Army, but maybe that was because he always knew the ranch, and his dream of living there, was waiting. Now . . .
“What about the dancing?” Pecca said. “That was pretty magical.”
“In Texas, we would’ve been serenaded by the cicadas and crickets, but I guess that unlikely trio of musicians was just as enchanting.”
“Stop. They taunt you because they like you. Take it as a compliment.”
“Is that so, Hot Tamale?”
Her cheeks pinked as she picked up a grape. “They’re harmless.”
“You realize they’re trained killers?”
Pecca swallowed, her eyes locked on him. “You know, I always forget about that. I mean, I know they’ve fought wars out there and done who knows what, but in here all I see are their tender hearts.”
She said it so matter-of-factly that when Colton’s arm jerked, he watched to see if his disorder was something she noticed when she looked at him, but Pecca didn’t even flinch. Was Charlie right? Maybe he was the only one who saw his disorder as a liability. If Pecca could see past Maceo’s limitations, could she see past his?
“When I became a nurse, I thought for sure I’d end up in pediatrics because I love kids, but there’s something about working here that feels so fulfilling. I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.”
Her statement felt like a punch to his gut. “You don’t see yourself moving back to Texas?”
“Oh.” Her eyes grew wide. “I mean, yeah, I would love to move closer to my family, but I feel like God’s led me here for a reason and . . .” She took a slow breath and looked at him. “Where do you want to go, Colton?”
It was similar to Chaplain Kelly’s question, and a minute ago he would’ve answered, “Texas. And Pecca, will you please consider moving there with me?” but now he wasn’t sure.
“Texas, right?” She chewed another grape. “You talk about your grandparents’ ranch with such affection. Would you go back there?”
“That was my dream once.”
She stopped chewing. “It’s not anymore?”
He thought about the answer he had given Chaplain Kelly. How he couldn’t see running the ranch given his current condition. “Maybe. When I can get back to normal or—”
“What’s your definition of normal?”
“What do you mean?”
Pecca shrugged. “I hear patients say all the time how much they want their lives to go back to normal, but who gets to define what normal is?”
Colton held up his right arm, tremors twisting his hand. “Well, this isn’t normal.” He laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “I just want some control back in my life.”
“Don’t we all.” She scooted to his right side, taking his hand and all of its movements into hers. “You’re facing a setback, Colton, and setbacks don’t define you. How you respond to them does.”
“Is that what you say to all of your patients?”
“Only the stubborn ones.” Her right eyebrow lifted. “Now, tell me”—she snuggled into his side—“will you have goats on your farm?”
He tipped his head back. “Goats?”
“Yeah, like Chip and Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper. They’re so cute. I’d have goats if I had a farm.”
“We have cattle.”
“I don’t think it’s the same,” she said wistfully. “What’s the difference between a ranch and a farm?”
Colton thought about it for a minute. “Purpose, I suppose.”
Pecca twisted to face him. “What would be your purpose on the ranch?”
He eyed her suspiciously. “Have you been talking to Chaplain Kelly?”
“No, why?”
“He kind of asked a similar question the other day. Gave me homework, in fact.”
“What is it?”
“He asked me to imagine what my future held if my arm never got better or . . .” The words stuck on his tongue. “Got worse.”
Pecca looked at him, an intensity lighting her brown eyes. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “What do you imagine?”
You, the voice in his heart answered, but he stayed silent for fear that saying it out loud would jinx him and somehow this new dream would be stolen from him too.
“When Javier was arrested and I found out I was pregnant, it was hard for me to imagine what the future held. I sank to my knees and cried, angry at myself for letting it happen. But my grandmother took my hand and gently pulled me from the ground so she could embrace me. She told me life is a series of choices. We should always strive to make the right ones, but sometimes we don’t. She said that when we face hardships, whether by our own making or through circumstances beyond our control, that’s when we have to turn everything over to God—because only he has enough grace to turn our messes into blessings.”
“Messes into blessings.” It was hard to imagine how God could turn his movement disorder into a good thing, but he found it hard to disagree completely with Pecca’s grandmother. After all, that night in the Zabul province, Colton was convinced his intel—or lack thereof—was single-handedly going to kill an entire convoy of soldiers. It was only by God’s grace they survived, but that night changed him forever.
“With everything you and Maceo have been through, are going through, you really believe that? About God?”
“All I have to do is look around. I see God’s grace every day.” Pecca’s thumb traced a line on his hand, bringing a shiver to his skin. She smiled softly. “He gave me Maceo, then protected him after he was born and through surgery. He brought us here to Walton, where I’ve met the most amazing people who have become like family to me. And tonight I was serenaded by war heroes as part of an unbelievable date with a charming Army captain who spoke words to my son that only someone who’s been there could offer. You inspired him to his first touchdown.
“How can I not believe it?” She moved closer and brought a hand to his cheek. “It hasn’t been easy, but if I keep my focus on God’s goodness, it reminds me that no matter how difficult the journey, God’s plans will lead me to where I need to be—I just have to trust him.”
“I was told I’m supposed to ask permission to kiss you. So would it be alright, Ms. Serena Gallegos, if I kissed you?”
Her smile lit up her face, setting her eyes glittering. “Yes, Colton. I would like that very—”
He leaned in and kissed her before she could take another breath. Her hands went to the back of his neck, bringing him closer, deepening the kiss. The taste of her lips was intoxicating.
Pecca pulled back, her breaths quick. “Wow.”
Colton grinned and kissed her again. He wasn’t sure if it was because he asked her permission first, or maybe it was her words, but something had awakened his heart and sparked a more vibrant dream for his future. One that included Pecca, Maceo, his grandfather’s ranch—and maybe a few goats.
TWENTY-ONE
COLTON, feeling as nervous as a teenager, stood on Pecca’s front porch. Today was date number two, and it included Maceo, Noah, pizza, and as many Marvel movies as Colton could handle. He shifted the two bags in his hand as the sound of feet running to the door was halted momentarily by Pecca’s reminder about the alarm.
Colton scanned the neighborhood. After the break-in, Charlie canvassed the neighbors on both sides of Pecca’s house to see if they had noticed anything suspicious. Neither had. Colton watched a mom pushing a jogging stroller up the street, her baby sleeping as she looked down at her phone. She glanced up at Colton for half a second as s
he passed and offered a quick smile before returning her attention to the phone.
With their noses constantly in their phones, would anyone notice anything suspicious these days? Colton wasn’t sure they would. All it would take was for someone to dress like they belonged—a delivery person or a neighbor out for a jog, making them appear inconsequential—and they could easily be overlooked.
“You’re just in time.” Pecca opened the screen door. “These boys are going to drive me nuts.”
“Colton!” Maceo and Noah started sliding in their socks on the wood floors like they were on skis, bursting into laughter as they pitched back and forth, clawing at each other’s shirts.
“What did you give them?” Colton whispered.
“Nothing,” Pecca said, a bit of weariness in her voice. “But Maceo was at Lane’s earlier, and I’m pretty sure she loaded them with sugar.”
“Remember when we put soap all over the kitchen floor?” Maceo looked up. “Can we do that again?”
“No.” This time it was Pecca’s and Colton’s voices colliding.
“I know it’s late, but I just got Maceo’s gift in the mail and brought it with me, along with another surprise I brought both of them.” Colton spoke directly to Pecca but made sure his voice was loud enough to be heard. “But I guess it can wait.”
“Well, technically, Maceo’s birthday has passed.” Pecca gave Colton a knowing look. “I can save it until next year.”
“No.” Maceo stopped. “Please, Mom, can I have it now?”
“I don’t know.” She walked around the couch. “Are you guys going to settle down?”
Maceo and Noah looked at each other, a silent debate passing between them. Finally, they looked at her and nodded.
Colton sat in the armchair and handed Maceo the big bag. “This is for your birthday. I’m sorry it was late.”
It took less than three seconds for Maceo to tear through the bags Colton had found at the Mansion to roughly wrap the gift. A regulation-size football rolled into his hands. Maceo’s eyebrows pinched as he spun the ball until his eyes landed on the signature penned in white marker.
“No way! No way! No way!” Maceo’s eyes were as round as his mouth. “No way!”
“That’s so cool!” shouted Noah. He touched the ball with light fingers. “You’re so lucky, dude.”
“What?” Pecca leaned over, looking confused. “What is it?”
“It’s a football signed by Vincent James. To me.” Awe filled Maceo’s face as he pointed out the signature to Pecca. “See, right there, that’s my name.”
“Wow.” Pecca smiled. “That is amazing. What do you say?”
Maceo launched himself at Colton, wrapping his arms around his neck as best he could while still holding the football. “Thank you, Colton. It’s the best gift I ever got.”
A strange sensation flooded Colton’s chest, which felt like it was caving in but also expanding so wide it kind of ached. He hugged Maceo back. “You’re welcome. Now, there’s one more item for both of you, but you can’t tell any of your teammates you got it first.”
Maceo released his hold on Colton’s neck, but not on the ball.
Noah came up beside him. “We won’t tell.”
Colton handed them the other bag and the boys dug in.
“Awesome!” Maceo held up the Warrior jersey Colton had had delivered from Savannah earlier that day.
“Cool!” Noah held his against his chest. “Can I wear this for the fall festival? I want to be a Mustangs football player.”
“Me too,” Maceo chimed in.
“Will all the other players have their jerseys by then?” Pecca asked.
Colton nodded. “I plan on handing them out at our next practice.”
“Then I think it should be fine.” A ding went off in the kitchen. “You boys get the movie ready—”
“Mom, can we go in the backyard and play football instead?” Maceo’s eyes moved to Colton. “We’ll use my old football, not this one.” He tucked the autographed ball to his chest. “Please?”
“Physical activity over tube time? Hmm, I don’t know.”
Noah’s face scrunched. “What’s a tube?”
“Mom.”
Maceo gave Pecca a pointed look that said “please don’t embarrass me,” and Colton stifled his laugh.
“Fine.” Pecca answered as though it pained her. “We’ll call you inside when the pizza’s ready.”
“Pizza!” Both boys wiggled into their jerseys and hustled out the French doors leading to Pecca’s backyard. Maceo carefully set his birthday gift on the patio table before picking a well-used football from a bin.
The last thing Colton heard as he followed Pecca into the kitchen was Noah asking to hold the ball if he promised to be gentle. “I think I might have to get Vince to sign another ball for Noah.”
Pecca was staring at him.
“What?”
She stepped forward, closing the distance between them and increasing the heat in the kitchen by several degrees. “That was really nice of you.” Her fingers grazed the edge of his, making his heart race. “But you didn’t need to do that.”
He put his hand on her hip and pulled her the rest of the way to him. “I wanted to.”
“No.” She grinned, leaning her head back, eyes narrow. “You really didn’t. How am I ever going to compete with a gift from Vincent James?” She warbled Vince’s name mockingly.
Her pout was cute and made him want to kiss it away, but they both agreed that in front of Maceo they would use discretion. The same went for when they were in public, just until they knew how they were going to proceed. Or at least that’s what they agreed to between kisses last night, but right now he couldn’t remember why he’d thought it was a good idea.
“Vince has nothing on you.” He kissed her forehead and then along her cheekbone, until his lips finally found hers. She gripped the edge of his T-shirt at his waist, kissing him deeper, and it was like the first time all over again.
Excited shouting from the backyard caused Colton and Pecca to flinch and back apart. Colton ran his hand through his hair, trying to regain some control of his erratic heartbeat as they both looked through the kitchen window to see the boys calling out plays. Colton couldn’t help feeling proud.
Pecca moved around him to get to the sink. “I thought we’d make our own pizza tonight.” She started washing her hands. “Is that okay?”
“Perfect.” He guessed she could’ve suggested liver and onions and he would’ve said the same thing. When she finished at the sink, he brushed by her, his skin tingling at their closeness, to wash his own hands. “How can I help?”
“I’ve got the ingredients ready,” Pecca said as she started pulling bowls out of the refrigerator. “We’re going personal size, so you can make whatever you like, and there’s a note by the microwave with Maceo and Noah’s order. I’ll take care of the salad.”
The two of them moved around each other in the kitchen like they’d been doing it their whole lives, and Colton thought about the conversation from their date. As they slid the pizzas into the oven, Pecca set the timer and suggested they sit on the back porch and watch the boys. He followed her out, and as they settled into the Adirondack chairs, Colton chose his words carefully.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said on our date—”
“You’re adding goats to the ranch?”
“No.” He smiled, liking the excitement in her voice. “About God having a plan, and trusting.” Colton kept his eyes on the boys but could feel Pecca watching him. “It reminded me of a situation I found myself in two years ago. My unit was deployed to Afghanistan, and my team was running intel reports in preparation for troops to move into Zabul province so they could help the Afghan forces reclaim the territory.”
Colton was instantly transported back. “I didn’t realize when I joined the Army how fulfilling it would be to serve our country. I felt like I was making a difference, that it was . . . within my control to keep A
merica safe.” Pecca’s hand found his and she gave it a gentle squeeze. “That night in Zabul, my intel report was incomplete, but time was not on our side and my commander had a chip on his shoulder. Wanted to prove something. I wasn’t comfortable turning in my report because I knew he’d jump to send the convoy out. Those soldiers’ lives were in my hands.
“I’d never felt more out of control in my life. The whole night that convoy was out, I was inside the operations center working out every possible scenario. Fourteen hours straight until we got the call that they had made it. The mission was a success.”
He could see the confusion in her eyes and knew he needed to explain. “When they returned, everyone celebrated, and I should’ve too, but instead I went back to my tent and wrestled with how different the atmosphere would’ve been had the opposite happened. My intel up to the second before they came back said they shouldn’t have returned. It still haunts me. How could I have gotten it so wrong? I mean, I’m glad I was wrong, but what if I had been right? If something had happened to those soldiers—it would’ve been on me. I should’ve done more to make my case, made the commander listen.”
“Colton, you know that had to be God protecting those soldiers. You did everything you could and—”
The doorbell rang. Colton and Pecca looked over their shoulders and through the house to the front window. “It’s Lane and Charlie.”
Pecca stood, looking at her watch. “That’s weird. Their class hasn’t even started yet.”
“Maybe it got canceled.” Colton couldn’t help feeling a mixture of relief and disappointment. Their conversation had grown intense, causing the twitching in his arm to pick up. He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to share that moment with Pecca, but it was like he had to explain himself, explain his shortcomings.
The oven timer went off. Pecca pointed to the kitchen. “I’ll get the pizza if you’ll get the door.”
Colton jogged to the door. “Hey—” The grim expression on Charlie’s face stole the rest of Colton’s greeting when he opened the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Aren’t you guys supposed to be at your birthing class still?” Pecca said as she walked to the door, oblivious to her friend’s body language. “Did it end early? You’re just in time—the pizzas came out, but I think there’s enough for—”
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