He shook his head at whatever Chelsea said. She appeared to be doing a little cajoling, a natural ability of hers. Again he shook his head. With a shrug, Chelsea continued back to their table, and a pretty brunette took the stool next to Cole’s. April dragged her gaze back to her friends.
The new owner, Ruby Sullivan made the rounds. A tall, quirky redhead, Ruby asked if they’d seen the picture of the local ghost. She was referring to a picture Harriet Ferris had taken at the inn; it had gone viral. Everyone was talking about it.
Tiffany returned with Nathan’s beer. “Have you seen the picture of the ghost?” she asked as well. “I was in a wedding last weekend. The entire wedding party stayed at the inn.” From her pocket Tiffany pulled a copy of the photo that had been all over the local social media circuit. “See this? Clearly, that’s a ghost.”
April supposed the image looked a little like a ghost. Maybe. Kind of.
“Wait a minute,” Chelsea declared. “Are you saying you saw her?”
“Saw her, heard her, felt her. And her dog.”
“You’re certain it’s a woman?”
“A dog, you said?” the new veterinarian cut in.
“She’s definitely a woman,” Tiffany told Chelsea.
“Tell me the ghost dog isn’t a medium-sized spotted dog,” Nathan insisted. “Mine’s missing.”
“It’s not. It looks like a German shepherd.”
“I heard it’s a wolf,” someone else said.
Speculation regarding the ghost woman and her wolf-dog continued. April’s mind wandered, and her gaze returned to the bar. Cole was sitting alone, staring into his beer. The brunette must have given up.
As if he felt her gaze, he looked over, straight into her eyes. A thrum ran through her, and he hadn’t even touched her.
It was really getting annoying. And it was time to do something about it.
“I’m a little tired,” she said to her friends around the table. No lie there. “I think I’ll be going now.”
Nathan said, “Could I give you a ride home?”
Nathan Hampton wasn’t at all hard on the eyes. And he was earnest and friendly and interested. He was good with children, and who loved animals more than a veterinarian? He was easy to talk to and seemed to be an all-around good guy. But a few minutes ago his fingers had brushed hers, and it didn’t create a single reaction anywhere.
He had a nice smile. He smiled a lot. Unlike someone else she knew, who looked this very minute as if he wanted to chew glass.
“No, thanks,” she said to Nathan. “There’s something I need to do.”
Chelsea, beautiful, sleek and intuitive as always, winked at April. “Go, girl.”
April slipped the strap of her purse over her shoulder and strode to the bar full of purposeful intent. Cole saw her coming and didn’t take his eyes off her. “I’d like a word with you,” she said.
He indicated the empty barstool next to him. But April shook her head. “Someplace more private,” she said.
He dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the bar next to his untouched beer. By the time he stood, making certain his feet were firmly under him, she was halfway to the door.
Out in the alley, the door closed behind them, leaving the din of laughter and music inside. It was a beautiful night. Stars were out, as were late dog-walkers and people going from one pub to the next.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” he asked, his voice deep and husky and as seductive and secretive as the night itself.
Shaking herself, she said, “Here’s the thing.”
Before she could continue, a couple came out the door and three guys went in. She and Cole moved a little farther down the alley. But the movie must have just ended at the theater around the corner. Throngs of people were taking a shortcut through the alley, making it anything but private.
April clamped her mouth shut.
And he said, “Did you drive?”
She shook her head.
“My truck’s this way.”
He held the door for her. She got in without touching him. When he was behind the wheel, she said, “Do not try to take me home.”
Fifteen seconds later—she knew because she literally counted to fifteen—he said, “Where do you want me to take you?”
And out of her mouth came the words, “To your room at the inn.”
She held her breath and waited. Whatever he said or did, or didn’t say or didn’t do, she was ready.
Chapter Eleven
Heat lightning shimmered over the treetops behind the Stone Inn. For a few seconds April could see the structure’s multi-gabled roof and turret windows. It was no wonder stories of ghosts had surfaced here, for the inn resembled haunted houses in old Gothic novels.
Relief surged through her over having gotten this far. She hadn’t been certain he would agree. In fact, she’d had to ask him if he trusted her, then had to wait interminable seconds for him to nod before she’d explained there was something she needed to say to him and she couldn’t say it at home.
Lightning lit up the sky again, and for a moment she glimpsed the chiseled line of his profile. It wasn’t the idea of specters that caused her mouth to go dry and her fingers to tremble as she and Cole walked to the inn’s large front door. What if she didn’t say the right thing? What if she couldn’t make Cole see that love was worth fighting for?
He was a soldier at heart. She prayed he would fight for them.
Lights were on in the downstairs rooms, but most of the windows of the second story were dark. Removing a key from his pocket, Cole unlocked the front door. The foyer was empty, as was the large old innkeeper’s desk.
Heat emanated from him as they strode up the wide staircase. He carried himself stiffly. She didn’t believe it was due to his injury. He’d erected a wall around him, as if he needed it to gird his resolve and strengthen his willpower. What if she couldn’t penetrate that wall?
And then they were at his door at the end of the hall. The moment of truth had arrived.
It was her sister who’d suggested April try to talk some sense into Cole but coming here to Cole’s room at the inn had been her own idea. So many of her hopes and dreams and memories already filled her house at 404 Baldwin Street. If this didn’t go well, she didn’t want her memories of it to be there.
“Here we are.”
She’d been so lost in her reveries she jumped at Cole’s words. She had no idea how long it had been since she’d stepped over the threshold and he’d closed the door behind them.
Glancing around the room, she wished this didn’t have to be awkward.
They remained standing, for she was too nervous to sit down.
She took a small breath, wet her lips and faced the man she’d fallen in love with. “I’m dreaming again,” she said.
“Good dreams?” he asked. They stood a pace apart, close enough to reach out and touch if they so chose. But their hands remained at their sides.
She didn’t often wear four-inch heels. They made her feel willowy and pretty and tall, but she still had to look up to study his eyes, and what she saw there gave her hope.
She’d thought it had been his first kiss that had brought her senses back to life. Now she realized it was his eyes, deep and brown and filled with knowledge of both the incredible and the harrowing.
“I’ve been having erotic dreams,” she said, answering his question. “You have the starring role. But that isn’t what I came here to tell you.”
He shifted his weight to his uninjured leg but he didn’t back away. A truly courageous man.
“We both stopped dreaming when Jay died. I don’t believe it was a coincidence any more than I believe it’s a coincidence that we’ve both started to dream again now.” She paused. And because it was important, she added, “Do you?”
He shook his head, although she
doubted he wanted to admit it. He was truthful to a fault. They were alike that way.
“The other night you told me you promised Jay you wouldn’t try to take his place. I pray you realize Jay would never hold you to that promise. There’s room for both of you in my heart.”
He opened his mouth, but as she had before, she placed her hand gently on his arm. And standing stock-still, he waited for her to continue.
“Jay would want me to be happy. You make me happy, Cole. He would want you to be happy, too. Do I make you happy, Cole?”
She waited silently for him to reply.
After interminable seconds, he raked his fingers through his hair. Although his hair had grown out a little from his former military cut, he still seemed to be trying to keep everything under strict control. He walked to the desk, to the window and back again. Finally, he returned to April. Heaving a sigh strong enough to break through his own personal lock and key, he began.
“I dreamed of Jay’s death a few nights before he died.”
She put her hand over her mouth, picturing Jay bleeding.
Taking a shuddering breath, she touched her fingertip to the line that had formed between Cole’s eyes. “That must have been horrible for you.”
“For me?” He started pacing again. “We had our orders. He was supposed to stay back, dammit. Then I would have—”
He let his statement go unfinished, but she didn’t. “Then you would have been the one to die?”
He clamped his mouth shut, his jaw set.
“Are you sorry you’re alive?” she asked.
“Of course not. I’m sorry he isn’t!”
“I’m sure you were an outstanding soldier, Cole.”
He folded his arms, as if he knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say next.
“I think you feel guilty because Jay died instead of you.”
“So?” he said. “He had a helluva lot more to lose than I did.”
“Do you know what else I think?” she asked, completely ignoring his outburst. “I think you’ve mourned Jay even more than I have.” She heard him draw a deep breath, saw his chest expand with it.
“You love him as much as I do. Not all soul mates are lovers, Cole. Some are mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, best friends. Some are brothers in war. I’m the grieving widow, and that has entitled me to mourn openly. You’re the brave soldier who has saved countless lives, and had your life saved, too. Don’t you see? Your life isn’t any less important than Jay’s was.”
“That isn’t the point.” His throat convulsed on a swallow.
“I already love you, Cole. Even if the unthinkable happened, and you died one day loving me, and forging a life with me, it would hurt less than if you walk away from everything we could have, all we could be together. Losing someone is horrible, believe me, I know, and so do you, but never loving would be worse.”
She was coming to expect the way he spun on his heel and started to pace.
She understood just how deeply he mourned Jay, the pain so real it hurt to breathe, how terrifying losing again was for him. In that moment she experienced a fear of her own. What if Cole’s emotional scars ran so deep and strong they kept him from risking that kind of loss again?
She didn’t know what she would do if he turned away. “Would you do something for me?” she asked. She placed her hands on either side of his face. “Would you take me to bed?”
He stared into her eyes boldly. “Jay never told me you fight dirty.”
“Good. I’d rather you discover my secrets on your own.”
He was a soldier at heart, and she could see the battle still raging within him.
He looked haunted. Tormented. He heaved a deep sigh and said, “I do love you, April, but I—”
He stopped himself, as if he was thinking what she was thinking, that there were no disqualifiers when it came to love.
The war within him was almost palpable. When she couldn’t stand the suspense a second longer, she said, “And?”
Perhaps he overcame his fear right then. Or maybe he surrendered it. She might never know which it was, for her courageous hero took her hands in his, and placed them on his chest where she could feel his heart beating. And then he brought his mouth to hers. She tipped her head back and accepted his kiss. And the man could kiss. Each kiss was a work of art, probably because the emotions behind his kisses came from a place deep inside him where no other woman had ever been allowed entry.
The touch of his mouth on hers extinguished her fears and started a fire inside her. She kissed him in return, drawing his love from him and giving hers back again.
Her emotions made her bold, his touch made her eager. But this was not a man to be rushed. He brought her left hand to his lips, and kissed the indentation where Jay’s ring had been. “I noticed you took it off. You don’t have to for me.”
A tear trailed down her face.
“I love you, April Avery. I’ve loved you for a long time. And given the chance I will love you until we’re both old and gray. There. Are you happy?”
She smiled through her tears. She was, actually. Very happy.
“I don’t know why Jay died and I lived. I don’t know why things happen. It’s as if I’m here for a reason. When the time is right, and you’re ready, will you marry me?”
“I’ll marry you, all right,” she whispered. “Try to stop me.”
And his mouth came down on hers again.
They had a lot to work out. What kind of ring did she want? What kind of wedding? When? What would Gracie and Violet call him? Not Daddy. Jay would forever hold that title. Cole didn’t care what they called him, but one day soon they would call him Dad. No one would tell them to. They would decide on their own. And it would make him more proud than any medal of honor he’d ever received.
He led her to his bed, lowered the zipper down the back of that amazing dress.
She stepped out of her dress; he did away with her bra; she unbuttoned his shirt. There was no moonlight tonight; as he kissed her, and touched her, and pleasured her, it seemed fitting that they were making love for the first time beneath a new moon.
She unstrapped her sandals; he made short work of shedding his jeans. When she was wearing only her panties and he was wearing nothing at all, he lowered her to the bed. He saw to protection, for they hadn’t discussed whether she wanted more children. He did. He could already see the addition he’d build on the back of the house at 404 Baldwin Street. They would discuss those things and more later, and sometimes they would compromise and other times they would argue. But right now, he kissed her, the love of his life, and silently vowed that he would love her till his dying breath.
She trailed kisses of her own along his jaw, along his chin, down his neck. She moved to his shoulder and continued to press gentle kisses down his chest. She found the wound in his side with her lips, and then she found the scar on his thigh. It was thick and jagged and rigid and deep. She would see it in the light a thousand times, but tonight beneath her ministering in the dark, the ugliness dissolved, the pain diminished, sorrow eased, wounds healed inside and out, his and hers.
He withstood her tenderness as long as he could. And then he rolled her underneath him and brought his mouth to hers.
Somewhere a star exploded in a far-off galaxy. They both felt its vibration in unexplainable ways. They saw its twinkling stardust behind their closed eyelids. And with that explosion, they discovered the simple truth.
There was life. And there was death. And if people were fortunate enough, or brave enough, or determined enough to accept it, through it all, there was love.
Late into the night, Cole and April lay close, her head on his chest. He combed his fingers through her long wavy hair, sometimes he twined his fingers with hers. They talked of their childhoods, laughed about funny memories they shared, made love again, and then a
gain.
A connection had formed the moment they’d met upon Cole’s arrival in Orchard Hill. Maybe, deep inside, an unnamed part of him really had fallen in love with her while listening to Jay talk about his life here. Every day since they’d met in person, their connection had deepened, strengthened, sustaining trust in an unknown future.
She trusted him, and he would honor that trust. She trusted love. And so did he.
Epilogue
It was one of those late summer afternoons that couldn’t help but put a smile on April’s face. The air in downtown Orchard Hill was balmy, the breeze was gentle, and the freshly mown grass on the town square was fragrant and lush.
She and Cole strolled slowly along the curved walkway by Division Street, Gracie and Violet between them, hand-in-hand-in-hand-in-hand. News had spread of their recent engagement. It seemed everyone they met congratulated them. They kissed April’s cheek, patted Gracie’s and Violet’s pretty heads and practically shook Cole’s arm off. Many thanked him for his sacrifice and his service. He accepted their appreciation more readily than he had before, but April suspected he would always be private when it came to his service to his country. He was ever watchful, her soldier, the protector of them all.
She never would have believed she could be so gloriously happy again. She could only imagine what her father would say if he were still here, for planning a wedding to be held in only two weeks’ time was something her sister would have done. April didn’t want to waste a minute of life waiting when she could be spending it with Cole.
The girls’ bedrooms were finished. They’d furnished each room with two twin beds, and the girls always both slept in one room or the other. They didn’t like to be apart.
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