Silent Shadows

by Natalie Walters

  Claudia looked away, her lips tight, expression unreadable. She cleared her throat a couple times before turning her attention to the field.

  Colton walked across the field in a hoodie and a pair of sweats, the legs pulled up at his calves. His Mustangs baseball cap was flipped backward, and he gave Pecca a boyish grin that charmed her into giddiness but also weighed heavy with the reality he would be heading back to Texas in just a few days.

  In the week since the warehouse incident, they’d been trying to come up with a plan. Pecca had already coordinated Thanksgiving dinner with her family back in El Paso, and Claudia’s medical leave gave her no excuses not to be there this year. After that, Pecca and Maceo would fly to Dallas and meet Colton for Christmas in his hometown of Jasper.

  A nervous tingle danced through her. He would be meeting her family and she would be meeting his, but beyond the holidays they weren’t really sure how they were going to do the long-distance thing yet.

  “I can have him eliminated, you know.”

  Pecca snorted. She turned to Claudia, who was folding up the chair Lane had been sitting in.

  “I warned him if he broke your heart, I’d make him disappear.”

  “Serena.”

  Pecca, caught off guard hearing Colton use her given name, spun around. His hand fell to hers, interlacing their fingers. Her heart raced. What’s happening?

  “Serena, I’m going to be leaving for Texas in a couple of days, and as much as I’d like to stay”—his eyes locked on hers—“I believe the plan for my life is back there.”

  Don’t cry, Pecca, don’t cry. As much as she’d been trying to console herself with their plans to see each other, the fact that he wouldn’t be here every day made her heart sink.

  “You know I’ve been making plans with Uncle Jack to buy the ranch and hopefully one day turn it into a retreat or camp for ornery old vets, like D-Wing, or young veterans with families who need a place to recuperate. It’s a plan I never imagined for the ranch or myself, but I feel like God has led me to it.”

  Pecca’s insides were shaking. “I’m so proud of how far you’ve come, and I can’t wait to see what God has planned for you.”

  Colton smiled and tugged her a little closer. She breathed in the tangy soap scent and tried to memorize it.

  “But—”

  The sound of people awing around them pulled Pecca back. She peered over Colton’s shoulder and saw Charlie carrying something brown and white and small. Was that an animal?

  “The only way I see my plan working,” Colton continued, bringing Pecca back to him, “is if you and Maceo are there with me.”

  “What?”

  Colton stepped back, and Pecca’s eyes rounded. It was a goat. Charlie handed Colton a small brown-and-white baby goat, then he stepped back to where Lane stood on the edge of the growing crowd.

  Dropping to one knee, Colton set the goat beside him, and Pecca noticed the blue ribbon tied around its neck and the—

  Her eyes shot to Colton, and he smiled wider than she’d ever seen him smile.

  “Serena Gallegos, God may have led me back to Texas, but he led me to you first. I’ve spent the last thirty years not realizing my life was missing something.” He winked at Maceo. “Two somethings. I know this seems fast, but I can’t imagine living another day without both of you in it. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  “Yes!”

  Colton jumped up and pulled Pecca into his arms. Dipping his chin, he whispered, “I would’ve asked you sooner, but I wanted to get your father’s permission.” His eyes darted over Pecca’s shoulder to Claudia. “And hers.”

  Pecca smiled, and before she could take another breath, his lips were on hers. His arm wrapped around her waist, tucking her body into his as he deepened the kiss. Pecca closed her eyes, allowing herself to melt into the kiss further, her fingers clutching the front of his shirt. It felt like she couldn’t get enough of him. She felt his right hand trail down her back, the tremor in his fingers sending a shudder of bliss coursing through her. It sounded like people were cheering—her eyes snapped open.

  Pulling back, Pecca bit her lower lip, glancing around them. Not only was the team whooping and hollering, the parents had even joined in with cheers of their own. Her eyes met Colton’s, and he smiled, looking only slightly embarrassed.

  “Atta boy, Cap!” Gunny hollered.

  Sarge waved his pennant. “Hooah!”

  “There’s definitely crying in football.” Claudia wiped her eyes, her smile wavering with emotion. “Congratulations.”

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” Lane said, and she leaned against Charlie with tears streaming down her smiling face. “Put the ring on.”

  Colton untied the ribbon on the baby goat as it nibbled on the grass and, slipping back to his knee, he took her left hand and placed the diamond ring on her finger. Unable to believe what was happening, she pulled Colton up and planted another kiss on his lips.

  A painful rendition of the “kissing in a tree” song started, and Pecca would’ve ignored it, but Maceo was behind her making gagging noises.

  She giggled. “I guess I know how Maceo feels about that.”

  Colton shrugged. “I suppose we could work on it later,” he whispered.

  “For the rest of our lives.”

  EPILOGUE

  “MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT—”

  The last of Kekoa’s pleas were drowned out by the laughter of those witnessing the large Hawaiian jostling around in the saddle, his muscles bulging as he clung desperately to the saddle horn in an attempt not to be tossed from the mare’s back.

  “I reckon it’s time you get ready.” Colton’s uncle Jack tipped the edge of his cowboy hat up. “Don’t want to be late.”

  Colton wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. He’d give anything for another five minutes watching Kekoa on a horse, but his uncle was right. He gave a short whistle and the horse pulled to a stop, pitching Kekoa forward with a curse.

  Two ranch hands, laughter still spilling from their lips, hopped off the fence and stepped into the arena to rescue Kekoa and the horse.

  “That was cruel, brah,” Kekoa said, walking with a slightly wider gait. “I thought we were friends.”

  “I think I remember you putting me on a surfboard and laughing yourself silly watching me get rolled by a wave.”

  A mischievous smile filled Kekoa’s face. “That was funny.”

  “Not as funny as you on a horse.”

  They ducked beneath the railing and walked out of the arena and across the freshly cut grass. Colton gazed at the rugged Texas landscape that stretched in every direction. The sun was nearing its descent, taking with it the heat and leaving the familiar lavender sky Colton had grown to appreciate the last six months.

  “The place looks great.” Kekoa scanned the ranch house in front of them. They’d already added a new addition to the west side, giving the home four family suites, complete with bunk beds. “I’d pay to come here as long as I didn’t have to ride the horses.”

  Colton laughed. “The whole idea is that no one will have to pay. I had no idea this was even a possibility.” He swallowed the emotion that seemed to come unexpectedly whenever he thought about where he was a few months ago and how he’d cursed his existence. Now, look, the voice in Colton said. Look at what I can do if only you trust me, your Lord.

  When Colton left Georgia, he had only one expectation: regain full control of his arm. He watched the ever-present tremor in his fingers. His movement had gotten better, but it was always there and on especially bad days—worse. But instead of seeing it as a hindrance to his life, he could finally look at his arm and see blessing.

  “You nervous?”

  “No,” Colton said, even though a tiny niggling was in his chest. He surveyed the newly formed Warrior Ranch and smiled. “I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life. I just never knew I wanted it.”

  “Well, if that ain’t the prettiest sight you e
ver saw.”

  Pecca spun around, the hem of her lace gown draping at her feet. “Sarge, you came!”

  “Of course I did, darling.” The old man’s eyes twinkled as he rolled into the bedroom. Pecca hugged him. “Had to be sure Cap was ready.”

  “I’m going to go get Mom and Dad,” Claudia said and then slipped out of the room.

  “You better wipe that pretty grin off your face, otherwise Cap will think he has nothing to work for.”

  “Isn’t that the best part of grace? It doesn’t have to be earned.”

  Sarge’s lips tipped into a loose smile, his pale blue eyes growing distant. “Grace. That was my sweetheart’s name.” His smile turned melancholy. “She had enough moxie to put up with me, but it was grace”—he looked at Pecca—“like you said, that she showed me every single day. I didn’t deserve her, but I made sure I lived every day grateful to the Lord that he saw fit to think I did.”

  Pecca batted her eyelashes in an attempt to keep the tears from ruining her makeup. Sarge had a gruff exterior, but by the time he’d left Home for Heroes, Pecca had seen he was tender, kind, and deep down a hopeless romantic. She leaned in, picking up the scent of his Old Spice, and whispered, “Your Grace must’ve been a very special gal to snag a gentleman like you.”

  “Honey, it’s time.” Pecca’s mother stood at the door. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded. “Very much.”

  “I’ll see you out there, darling.” Sarge turned his wheelchair around and rolled out the door to where the rest of the guests were waiting.

  Pecca grabbed her bouquet, her heart swelling when she saw Maceo in his navy suit. He looked so handsome and grown-up. It was so hard to imagine a moment like this happening for the both of them, and yet God was good. So good.

  “Don’t cry, you’ll ruin your makeup,” Claudia whispered. “Think about monkeys or something. No, wait. Those creep me out. Think about unicorns.”

  Pecca smiled. All I want to think about is the man waiting for me at the end of the aisle. The music started, and Pecca’s heart began fluttering.

  “You look beautiful, Mom,” Maceo said as he took her arm. “Stunning.”

  There was no stopping the tears now. Pressing her lips together, Pecca smiled at her son. With her dad on the other side of her, Pecca lifted up a prayer of gratitude to God for giving her both of the men in her life. As they escorted her out of the house, she thanked him for Colton.

  Colton stood beneath the cedar pergola at the edge of his property overlooking the Brazos River. It was one of his favorite spots, a place his grandfather, dad, and uncle Jack brought him as a boy when they wanted to get away from the busyness of life.

  Colton loved it because it felt sacred, spending unbridled time with the men in his life. He hoped it would offer the same to those who came to stay at Warrior Ranch, and one day he desired to share with his own son the sage advice that had been passed to him.

  The sweet scent of jasmine tickled his nose, and he gazed toward the house just as she stepped through the French doors. Colton’s breath whooshed out of him, and he willed time to stop so he could take in this moment for as long as possible. Pecca’s dark hair was swept up into a low knot, revealing the feminine lace detail of her gown. It hugged her curves in all the right places and made Colton want to sprint across the lawn, sweep her into his arms, vow his life to her, and kick everyone off his property so he could properly lavish Pecca with the love and passion that had been growing for her since the day he left Walton.

  Her gaze met his, and it was like she could read his mind as a blush spread across her cheeks. Pecca walked toward him, her father on one side and Maceo on the other. Next to Colton, Kekoa let out a low whistle of appreciation, and all Colton could do was grin like a fool who realized he’d won the lottery.

  Walking down the aisle, she passed the faces of friends who’d become family to her over the last few years—Sheriff Huggins, Ms. Byrdie, Charlie, Lane, Noah, and their new baby girl. Even Ryan and Vivian had flown in from DC and soon would be planning a wedding of their own. Pecca was trying to rein in her emotions, but when she saw Gunny, Sticks, and Sarge sitting among the guests, she couldn’t help but let the tears spill down her cheeks.

  Ahead of her Colton waited beside his groomsmen, Vincent James and Kekoa Young. She smiled at their beaming faces and was excited to get to know them more, but for now her gaze remained on Colton. Her heart stirred within her chest as she closed the space between them. Their eyes met, speaking messages of excitement, anticipation, and love.

  Chaplain Kelly cleared his throat, and Pecca blinked. It was time for the vows.

  She cleared her throat. “Some say you know love when it knocks you to the ground like a linebacker.” Colton smirked, and the guests who knew of her and Colton’s first meeting laughed. “But for me, I knew love when I saw it through your courage to keep fighting, through your dedication to honor your word, through your willingness to sacrifice in order to become the man God wanted you to be.”

  Emotion getting the better of him, Colton rubbed a hand over his mouth and Pecca squeezed his arm. He smiled and said, “You are the woman I never even dreamed of one day marrying, because how could I get so lucky? Thankfully, God is good.” He smiled and Pecca blushed. “I could spend hours telling you how much you mean to me, but our guests might get bored, and truthfully, having the privilege to remind you how much I love you every day of our lives from this day forward is one of the things I’m most excited about. I still don’t know how I got here, but I know I wouldn’t change a single thing—except maybe you tackling me in front of decorated war veterans who still won’t let me live it down.”

  “Atta boy, Cap!”

  The guests burst into laughter, and Colton and Pecca joined in. Chaplain Kelly blessed the rings and then announced they could seal their covenant with a kiss. Colton pulled her toward him, taking her face into his hands, and gazed down at her with hungry eyes. Their lips met, and with closed eyes, she allowed Colton’s kiss to sweep her off her feet.

  It took nearly an hour for them to say all their farewells. The wedding reception couldn’t have gone any better, and when the final car had pulled away with Claudia and Maceo in it, Pecca and Colton stood beneath the vast Texas sky and held on to each other.

  “I didn’t want it to end,” Pecca whispered against the collar of his shirt.

  “I love them, but I’m not going to lie—I’m glad it’s just us now.”

  Colton grasped her hand and spun her outwards before spinning her back close to his chest. Their lips met, and it was the sweetest taste he’d ever known.

  With the melody of night serenading them, Colton and Pecca swayed as one. Colton closed his eyes and let the memories of the last two years flicker through his mind until he returned to the moment they were in.

  “I never could’ve imagined a more perfect ending than this.”

  Pecca’s gaze traveled over his face before she kissed his neck, and then his jawline, her lips moving slowly up until they met his lips. She kissed him gently, running her fingers through the hair on the back of his neck. It was the kind of kiss that woke up every desire, and he longed to take her into their home.

  Unhurriedly, and much to Colton’s dismay, Pecca drew back. “This is only the beginning, my love. We have a whole future ahead of us.”

  Colton swept his bride into his arms and started for their room, kissing her forehead. He turned his face to the stars and gave thanks for what the future held, because he knew it would be better than anything he could’ve planned or hoped for himself.

  Acknowledgments

  PECCA AND COLTON’S STORY CONCLUDES the Harbored Secrets series, and I still pinch myself as a reminder that this wasn’t a dream but a dream come true. This book and series wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing team at Revell. Andrea, Amy, Karen, Brianne, Gayle—y’all are literally the champions behind this book and series. I couldn’t do this without your support, encouragement, and hard work to make m
y dreams a reality.

  Tamela—there’s no agent in the world like the one I’ve got! I’m so grateful for your belief in me as a writer with a story to tell and for the love and encouragement you’ve showered on me over the years.

  Emilie—you know all the things my heart wants to say to you, yet there really are no words to truly express what you mean to me. Thank you for EVERYTHING!

  It takes a tribe of friends and family to bring sanity to my life. Jaime Jo, Christen, Esther, Tom, Melanie, Chris, Danny, Lisa, Matt, Erin, Mom and Dad, Aaron, Julie, Phillip, Lorisa, and Sandy—y’all are the best, and I love you for your undying support!

  My G.I. Joe and three bambinos—y’all are the greatest blessings I’ll have on this side of heaven. Thank you for supporting my dream and almost never growing tired of breakfast for dinner. I love you guys so much!

  A special thanks to my street team, who continue to bless me with their support, encouragement, and friendship. And a shoutout to Lilah Mast, who helped me name Maceo and Noah’s flag football team. GO, WARRIORS!

  A huge heart of gratitude to Becky Wade, who graciously allowed me to use the Dallas Mustangs in my story.

  Finally, but most important, I thank my Lord and Savior. Much of this writing journey has occurred during the most difficult moments in my life. The day I sent this manuscript to my editor, I cried, feeling like it was inadequate, that I was inadequate. The day she emailed me telling me she loved it, I cried. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that God is faithful and good. Even in the hard stuff, he’s never forsaken me or my dream. And he’s turned the difficult into the beautiful.

  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

  Romans 8:28

  Natalie Walters is a military wife of twenty-three years and currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. In addition to balancing life as a military spouse, mom, and writer, she loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past.