“I’ve never believed in the old adage of love at first sight,” Walter continued. “Lust is a spark. Love is a raging fire. It takes a while to start a fire.”
“Sure,” Beth agreed, rubbing her temples with her thumbs. “Unless you use gasoline.”
Walter chuckled softly. It was a nice sound. She’d always liked his laugh. It set her at ease. She might not have loved Walter, but she’d certainly liked him.
“Either way it begins, there must be the necessary ingredients. A spark of lust. A match to capture the flame. Fuel to keep it going. Something must be there. I saw a spark in you that day you broke it off with me. I just realized too late that the spark wasn’t for me.”
The headache was receding, the more Walter spoke. Beth opened her eyes and took in the youth pastor with new eyes. There had been something between her and Walter. But there hadn’t been enough fuel to get through a lifetime.
“That's why I didn't fight when you broke off our engagement. You were revved up, full of fuel. I knew you would never stop loving him, and there would never be room for me. When I saw the two of you together, I saw the same thing in him.”
“You did?” Hope sprung like an oil geyser in Beth’s heart.
Walter lifted an eyebrow as he regarded her. Beth was instantly chastised by that brow. She knew this conversation couldn’t be easy for him. Still, he offered her the guidance she sought.
“I don’t know the man he was. But whoever he is now, he loves you. You two were close when you were young. You’re different people now, especially with his trauma. That wedding was hasty though. You should get to know one another. Perhaps marriage counseling."
Beth stood. But once she was back on her feet, indecision made her knees wobbly. She shut down her uncertainty and opened her arms to Walter. “I truly hope that one day we can be friends.”
Walter reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. Both of his brows raised as his gaze traveled the length of her, taking in her state of disarray. “Maybe … but not today.”
Beth couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing. So, she didn’t hear the door creak. She wasn’t sure how long Reece stood there on the threshold gaping at Beth standing close and laughing with her ex-fiancé after running out on her husband.
Chapter Twenty-One
Relief.
That’s all he felt when he saw her standing with Pastor Vance. Reece ignored the hands that were on her shoulder. Beth was his, and he didn’t doubt that. The only thing in doubt was what she believed he felt for her since she’d read that letter. By the shame and guilt that clouded her features, Reece could hazard a guess.
“Will you give us a moment?” Reece asked Vance.
The man looked at Beth, as though asking for her permission. Beth gave him a nod. With a squeeze of her shoulders and a nod to Reece, the pastor left the room.
Reece closed the door to the office before making a beeline for his wife. Before he could take her into his arms, she hopped out of his path and went to the window, standing directly in the sunlight.
The glare didn’t give him a second’s pause. He followed her, a moth to the flame of the woman that he would die for, live for.
“Before you say anything,” Beth began, “I just need you to know I’m sorry I misled you.”
“Misled me?”
“I know you remember everything, so you must remember the letter. You must remember that you don’t love me.”
Reece leaned forward, boxing her in. The sun cast her in an ethereal glow that he could not look away from. “Beth, I do love you.”
“Not in that way.” Tears pricked her eyes, and her voice trembled. “Not in the way a husband loves a wife. You told me before that you loved me like a sister. But I had to tell you what was in my heart, and when you didn’t answer my letter …”
She took a deep, shuddering breath. As she let it out, her loose hair fluttered off her cheek. Reece brushed the tendrils tenderly away, tucking her hair behind her ear in a semblance of tidiness. He waited for her to finish, knowing she needed to confess as much, if not more than he did.
“Then I got your response in the mail. It came after the wedding. It was mailed to the house.”
He nodded, waiting for her to go on. Instead of giving him more words, her head hung, her chest slumped in defeat. Reece gathered her to him, giving her his strength.
“Beth, my strawberry sweet girl, please let me explain—”
“No.” She whimpered, but she didn’t fight his hold. “I don’t want you to explain. I don’t want you to tell me that you’ll always love me like a sister because I will never feel that way about you. I love you in the way God intended a wife to love her husband, and it will never change.”
Reece saw that he wasn’t going to get a word in edgewise unless he took action. His wife needed to be rescued from her insurgent feelings. So, he let his training kick in.
He cupped Beth’s face in both of his hands. He pulled her to him and then he kissed her until she went senseless. Once she was gasping for breath, he could finally tell her what he needed to say.
“I wrote that letter. I remember writing that letter. I remember what my feelings were. They’re not that now.”
“They’re not?”
“Beth, it was always going to be you. I didn’t realize it until I forgot everything else. My first memory was of you. When I woke up, all I wanted was you. Now that I have my memories back, none of that has changed. I still want you. Forever.”
He felt her heart racing alongside his. The only light he saw was the light of hope in her eyes. He could bathe in that for the rest of his life.
“I need to tell you what’s in my heart,” he said, echoing the words of her letter in his own voice. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. My feelings for you deepened while I was asleep. I woke up knowing there will never be anyone else for me but you. You are my best friend. I’d like to offer you my heart. But—”
“But?” Her fingers tightened into the front of his shirt a death grip. “No buts. I don’t want a but.”
“But,” he chastised, pulling her closer, letting her know that there was no escape from his capture, “I think Walter was right. I think we need to take some time and get to know each other. I’m not sure about the marriage counseling, but I definitely think we should maybe date for a while first.”
“Date?”
“Yes, I’ll take you out to dinner and court you and—”
She nodded as though considering his proposal. Then the prim and proper pastor’s daughter snaked her arms around his neck. She pulled his head down to hers and claimed him. That answered that question.
“We can date if you want,” she said when she released him from a kiss that claimed his body and his soul. Beth’s kiss took over his mind replaced each one of his memories with dreams of a future with her. “But every one of these dates will begin and end with a kiss.”
“I give you my solemn vow,” he said. And since he planned to take his wife out to lunch, he began their date as she requested, with the first of a lifetime of unforgettable kisses.
Epilogue
There were couples all around him. At every turn. In every corner.
Mark had no problem with love. He could even be romantic when the situation called for it. But in this place, on the Purple Heart Ranch, even a casual glance could turn into a marriage. That was a situation he had no interest in.
At least not any time soon. He’d gone from his family’s two-bedroom apartment, where he’d been one of three siblings crammed into the second bedroom until he was eighteen. It was all his parents could afford.
The Army had been his escape. Now, five years later, he was out of the military and wondering what to do with his life. More than half of his money during his time in service had gone to his family. With only one brother still at home, they had a more comfortable living, but they were still wedged firmly in the middle of the lower class.
Living on the Purple Heart Ranch had been the nic
est accommodations he’d ever had in his life. But even with his meager savings, the price of living here was too high. He was not ready for a bride. He could barely take care of himself.
Still, he’d miss this place when he’d have to leave in a few weeks. Unless he put a ring on some poor girl’s finger, his time was up, as per the zoning regulations that came with the ranch. It would be the second time he was discharged from a place he wanted to be.
Mark hadn’t wanted to leave his life in service, but his disability had forced the Army’s hand. Now, he had no way of providing for his family, or himself. He had no idea what he was going to do with himself?
Going back to his parents’ two bedroom apartment and sharing a bunk bed with his sixteen-year-old brother was out of the question. At least he hoped that wouldn’t wind up being his only answer.
“Ortega, wait up.”
Mark turned to see his commanding officer, Sgt. Colin Chase jogging after him. Unlike Mark, Chase’s family was well off. His family’s wealth aside, Chase had been lucky in the blast that had crippled Mark. The officer could return to service if he chose.
“I was thinking of setting up a recruitment office here,” said Chase as he fell in step beside Mark.
That was the other think about Chase. He thought about others and how he could help them. The man many of the soldiers on the base called The Terminator actually had a beating heart.
“That’s a great idea,” said Mark. “A lot of these kids need the direction and the work.”
It’s how Mark had found his way into the military. Near the end of this senior year in high school, a recruiter had handed him a flyer during Career Day. Mark had read the pamphlet cover to cover. The next day, he’d walked into the recruitment office and signed up.
“I was hoping you might stay and help?” said Chase.
Mark stopped walking. It took Chase a second to realize he was no longer beside him. Chase turned and faced Mark fully.
Mark’s palms opened and closed, as though he were grasping for something. “You want me to work with you recruiting men and women into the Army?”
“Yeah, I think you’d be a perfect fit. It won’t pay much, but we’ll be doing a service-”
Chase couldn’t finish his pitch. He’d been attacked with a hug from Mark. It wasn’t often that they showed any type of affection, but Chase had just offered Mark a lifeline.
“I’ll take that as a yes then?” said Chase when Mark released him.
“Yeah. I’m ready. What do we need to do?”
“Well, we just need some start-up capital. There’s a big society party coming up; a debutante ball. There will be lots of upper-crust society there. Those types are always looking for causes to put their money in. I should know.”
Chase rolled his eyes. He didn’t talk about his family much. Mark knew there was some tension there.
“Anyway,” Chase continued. “We just need to put on our uniforms and schmooze some rich folks. Then we’ll be up and running in no time.”
Schmooze rich folks? As in talk to them and ask them for money? The poor kid that still lived inside of Mark recoiled. But he wanted to do this work. He wanted to give back in the same way that had saved him.
So it looked like he’d be off to the ball; a debutante’s ball.
Are you a fan of historical romances?
Especially the ones where an innocent miss and a reformed rake are caught in a compromising position during a ball?
Well, get ready for a modern day take on that story with
Every Step He Takes
the eight book in the Brides of Purple Heart Ranch!
Also by Shanae Johnson
Shanae Johnson was raised by Saturday Morning cartoons and After School Specials. She still doesn’t understand why there isn’t a life lesson that ties the issues of the day together just before bedtime. While she’s still waiting for the meaning of it all, she writes stories to try and figure it all out. Her books are wholesome and sweet, but her are heroes are hot and heroines are full of sass!
And by the way, the E elongates the A. So it’s pronounced Shan-aaaaaaaa. Perfect for a hero to call out across the moors, or up to a balcony, or to blare outside her window on a boombox. If you hear him calling her name, please send him her way!
Also By Shanae Johnson
* * *
The Brides of Purple Heart
On His Bended Knee
Hand Over His Heart
Offering His Arm
His Permanent Scar
Having His Back
In Over His Head
Always On His Mind
Every Step He Takes
In His Good Hands
Light Up His Life
You can sign up for Shanae’s Reader Group at
http://bit.ly/ShanaeJohnsonReaders
Always On His Mind Page 10