Rocky Mountain Promise (Roberts of Silver Springs Book 5)

by Ciara Knight

  “Still, I can’t—”

  “You can, and you will. It’s time to pay up.”

  David scratched the scar above his eye, the one from the shrapnel grenade that had knocked him out. “I guess I do owe you, too. We made it through the sand pit together, didn’t we?”

  Rex let out a long breath. “We did.”

  He knew what he was asking of David was a huge deal, but if he had to face his past, so did David.

  All right, I’ll head out first thing tomorrow.

  Rex glowered down at him.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll go now. Any idea where they might be?”

  Rex gave him the address to the antique store and apartment.

  “What about her parents?”

  “They’re out of town.”

  David nodded. “Still, if a girl wanted to hide from you…I’m just saying.” David clapped him on the back. “You know. It’s time for you to make some other decisions. Why are you going to the training when you can opt out?”

  Rex shrugged. He’d never skirted his duty to his men. It was his duty to go.

  Wasn’t it?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ally dropped her over-night bag on the floor in her parent’s foyer and looked at Mel. “Sorry. I hope you didn’t mind sleeping here tonight.”

  “Are you kidding? It beats hearing Rex holler and pound all night. Why don’t you talk to him?”

  “There’s nothing to talk about. He lied to me. He’s leaving. Why did he even bother to tell me there was a chance if there wasn’t?”

  “How do you know that?”

  Ally shook her head. “Because my mother and father aren’t around to contrive and convolute things.” She went into the living room and plopped down on the couch. The familiar smell of home made her both calm and angry in the same breath.

  Bam. Bam. Bam.

  “No,” Ally shook her fists at Mr. Regrets cowering in the corner behind her dad’s favorite chair. “I thought he’d leave me alone here.”

  “Open up, it’s David.”

  Mel froze mid-step.

  Ally gasped. “Rex said he was still overseas. I guess it was one more lie.”

  “I need to talk to Mel,” David shouted through the door.

  Her face went ghost white with big eyed fear and mouth open shock. She lowered to the sofa and stared at nothing.

  Ally shot to her side. “I don’t know what he’s doing here, but you said you regretted what happened. Here’s your chance. Go talk to him.”

  She shook her head, mouth still open, eyes still mutant fly size.

  “I’m sorry about this, but I won’t let Mega Fear Monster take hold.” She pinched Mel’s arm hard.

  “Ouch!” Mel yelped loud enough for David to hear through the door and shot up.

  “Go, or you’ll regret it forever.”

  Mel rubbed her arm, shut her mouth, and glanced at the foyer. She opened her mouth then shut it. Opened it again.

  “Move it or I’ll pinch you again.” Ally played like a pincher monster and lunged for her.

  Mel smacked her away and shuffled to the front door. Ally vaulted the back of the couch and slid into the den to watch out the window and listen in on their conversation. This was epic.

  Mel closed the door behind her and stepped out onto the front porch, but Ally couldn’t see her.

  For a second, Ally thought about going to talk to Rex, but they’d had their second chance. He was leaving tomorrow, what would she gain by saying goodbye?

  She held her ear to the wall, but couldn’t hear anything more than mumbling. For several minutes she watched through the window, only able to see the profile of David. He had changed, too. The military hair cut had made his facial structure stronger, not to mention the gym hours he had to have logged.

  More mumbling, then the front door knob squeaked. Ally flew through the house and somersaulted over the back of the couch, overshooting and landing on the floor.

  “Listen in much?” Mel asked from the hall.

  “Oh, like you wouldn’t.” Ally yanked down her shirt that had ridden up and settled on the couch. “What did he say? What is he doing here?”

  Mel collapsed at her side. “I have no idea. He told me to tell you Rex wants to talk to you. That he wants to explain. I guess that’s the only reason he came over.”

  Ally’s chest tightened at the sight of Mel’s trembling lip.

  “I tried to tell him I was sorry, but I couldn’t form the words. I choked.” Mel mumbled.

  “How long is he in town for?”

  Mel shrugged. “No idea. Maybe he came to go with Rex to training tomorrow.”

  Ally fought the urge to go after David, to drag him back so they could talk, but it wasn’t her place. She scooted down into the couch and leaned her head on Mel’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I thought he was here for you. Maybe he choked, too.”

  Mel swiped at her tears. “No, I could tell. He didn’t want to see me. It was for Rex. Please, Ally, go talk to him.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I can’t handle him leaving me behind again. Because I can’t trust him to tell me the truth. Because I can’t handle losing him again. The pain, the thought of him walking away is crushing me. The weight on my chest feels like I’m going to stop breathing at any moment. If it’s that bad now, how will it feel when I watch him walk away from me? It’s better this way. I’ve fought it long enough. It’s time for me to face the fact that Rex and I were never meant to be--forever. Our childhood promise on the Rocky Mountains meant nothing. It’s time for me to face the past and move on to a better future.”

  Mel nudged her. “Come on, don’t you believe?”

  Ally sighed. “Not anymore. Dreams don’t come true.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Rex sat on the front porch debating if he should head to his training, or opt out and push it. His father needed him, even if he wasn’t sure he wanted to be involved in the man’s life again. How long had he promised never to let that man near him again?

  David brought out two cups of coffee and sat watching the sun rise. “What’s the plan?”

  “Don’t know.” Rex shrugged. “You know, I miss the military life. Orders I can follow. Jobs I can complete. Love? Relationships? Those are too complicated.”

  “Who’re you kidding? You were never into being ordered around. The day you were sent state side, you ran and changed into your civvies. I know you liked the corp., but you’re better as a civilian now.” David sipped his coffee. “I’ve even thought about getting out. Do the reserve thing for a while like you’ve done. I’m starting to feel old before my time. The corp. has been good to me. Free college education, lifelong friends, and a sense of self I never had before joining. It’s just watching fresh meat come in to the pit and then seeing them leave on stretchers or body bags is taking a toll. My eight years is up. Don’t get me wrong, if my country needed me, I’m there to fight. But I need something different.” David took another sip and then relaxed into his chair. “Anyway, I have time. I’ve got a few more weeks state side and I’ve put in for a transfer. We’ll see what happens.”

  A woman carrying some sort of large board appeared at the end of the street headed up the hill. “Hey, is that Mel?” Rex asked.

  David leaned forward, narrowing his gaze. “I’d know that walk anywhere. Not sure what she’s carrying, though.”

  “Go find out.” Rex said.

  David stood and retreated. “Nope. I already did my good deed. If she’s here for me, send her away. I’m not into the tears and sorry thing. Not before I finish my first cup of coffee.”

  “Coward,” Rex called after him.

  “I’m many things, coward’s not one of them. You might’ve wanted to kick the camel spider nest, but not me.”

  Rex shook off the chilling analogy. He’d always hated those crazy, mutant arachnids. He took in a deep breath of mountain air and made his way down the front driveway.
“What’s going on?”

  Mel handed him a white board with tons of photos of antiques and a picture of the Kelley house.

  “What’s this?” he asked, eyeing it and seeing Ally’s touch all over it. “Why did she make this?”

  “It’s a dream board. I found it this morning in her room when I went to our apartment.” Mel glanced up at the house, her mouth heavy at the edges and her shoulders slumped.

  “He’ll be here a couple weeks. Give him a minute to acclimate and then he’ll talk.”

  Mel pushed back her shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. I ruined us, but you and Ally never did anything wrong. It was family who pushed you apart. So far apart that they broke you both.” She pointed to the board. “Ally doesn’t believe in dreams any more, but I still do. Not in my own dreams coming true. But for those who deserve it.”

  Rex squeezed her arm. “Being a little hard on yourself?”

  “No.” Mel sighed. “Listen. Do you love Ally?”

  “More than anything, but I can’t make her love me back. She won’t even talk to me.”

  Mel handed him the board. “It’s not that she doesn’t love you, it’s that she loves you too much. Always has and always will. You didn’t tell her you were leaving. Now she doesn’t know what to believe. It’s up to you now. If you want to make it work, you need to show her that dreams can come true. You need to show her that you won’t leave her behind and forget about her again. I don’t know how, but if you don’t soon, I know Ally, and she’ll close herself off so tight you’ll never get her back.”

  Rex nodded. He eyed the board. “She likes the Kelley place doesn’t she?”

  “Yes.”

  He eyed the ridge, the one he’d given her the promise ring on years ago, and he knew what he needed to do. “Will you help me?”

  “Make Ally happy? Of course.” Mel half smiled, not the kind for her happiness, but the kind reserved for a friend’s happiness.

  “Get her to the top of the ridge at 2:00PM today.”

  “How am I going to get her to do that?”

  “I don’t know, but that’s all I need you to do.” Rex pulled her in for a quick hug. “I know you can do it.”

  He kept hold of the poster. “Can I take this?”

  “She might notice it missing.”

  “Is she going back to the apartment?”

  “No, she’s hunkered down working from her parent’s house. They are due back today, so she wants to face her mother and get all this over with so she can move on with her life.”

  “Home today?”

  “Yes.”

  “Perfect.” Rex walked backward up the driveway. “Two o’clock. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  He ran up to the house and plopped the poster board in front of David. “Let’s talk numbers.”

  “Numbers for what?”

  “For your grandmother’s house. I want to buy it.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Ally snuck into the hospital, careful to check around all halls for any signs of Rex. She stopped at the nurse’s station. “Is Rex here visiting his father?”

  The nurse shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen him yet today. He was here yesterday working on plans for his father. He’ll have to transfer out next week now that his vitals are stable. They’ll be releasing him to long term care.”

  So he had made arrangements and left his father behind. “Can I visit with him?”

  “Let me see if he’s awake and expecting you. If not, it’s family only.”

  The term family was like a needle in her heart, sucking out the last of her hope. “Understood.”

  The nurse disappeared into Mr. Snyder’s room down the hall, and then returned with a nod. Ally sighed with relief and disappointment with the realization that Rex had already left for his Marine training. She entered to find Mr. Snyder awake, his color a little better. “Hi, how are you feeling?”

  “Better. Doctor says I get to leave this place in a day or two. Rex with you?”

  Ally moved to his side and took his hand. “He didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  She squeezed his hand stalling. Should she tell him? She looked to Harry Heartbreak, but he only shrugged. Was he strong enough to hear the truth?

  “He left, didn’t he?” He tightened his lips.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He squeezed her hand. “It’s okay. Not your fault. I’m sorry that you didn’t get your happily ever after. If it makes you feel any better, my son’s a fool if he let you go.”

  Ally smiled, despite the tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Ah now, don’t go crying on me. I can’t get too upset in my condition. Besides, such a pretty face should never look so sad.” He made a funny face with his lower lip protruding out.

  Ally laughed and brushed the tears off her cheeks.

  “Do you know where you’re going after this?” Ally asked. “I’ll visit you each day before and after work. Bring you anything you need.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me.”

  “I’m not, but I need a friend right now and you are a great one.”

  It was Mr. Snyder’s turn to tear up.

  “Oh no you don’t. Now Mr. Snyder. If you go and cry, I’ll definitely cry, so none of that.”

  “Frank.”

  “What?”

  “Call me Frank.” He cleared his throat. “Well, as your friend, I’m gonna tell you that you deserve better than that loser Rex Snyder.”

  “I would agree,” Rex said from the doorway behind them.

  Ally closed her eyes, willing it not to be him, but hoping it was.

  “I take it I’m interrupting.”

  “I thought you’d left,” she whispered. A hint of hope that he’d decided to give up the Marines and stay with her wiggled into her thoughts.

  Rex walked up until he stood next to her, she could feel the heat of him at her side. “Differed a few weeks due to family emergency.”

  Ally let go of Frank’s hand. “I best go. I have a ton of work to do today.”

  “And your family is coming home, too, right?”

  Ally snagged her purse from the chair and paused at the door. “I’ll be by to finish covering the dining chairs this afternoon. After that, I’ll transfer anything else to the shop that still needs work. ”

  “Probably a good idea.”

  Ally swallowed, not wanting to face the fact that he didn’t want her in the house anymore.

  “The new owner might not want a bunch of work going on there. They might have other plans for the house.”

  She spun and faced him. “You sold the Kelley house?”

  “Yep, well papers aren’t signed yet, but it looks like a done deal.”

  Ally lifted her chin. “I’ll have a truck there by the end of the week to pick up the rest of the antiques, Mr. Snyder.” She glanced over him at his father. “I’ll be back to see you at another time Frank.”

  “Wow, you’re Frank and I’m Mr. Snyder. I guess things do change.”

  Ally hurried out of the room and didn’t stop until she was sitting in her car, head in hands, letting go of all the anxiety and fear she’d carried for so long. It was a relief to finally put it to rest. Now, she had nothing to lose. Except her shop, the one thing in life she could keep. That is if she could get those antiques sold.

  She took her tissues from her purse and dabbed at her face. It was time to save her store and stop being so distracted by Rex Snyder and his empty promises.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The morning flew by with Rex scrambling through town trying to get everything together. He had to give David credit, if he thought he was insane, he kept his opinion to himself.

  “Did Spike get the flowers up there?” Rex asked.

  “Affirmative.”

  “White blanket?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Set up tent?”

  “Affirmative.” David quirked an eye at him. “Good thi
ng you have an adventure guide for a future brother-in-law. He hoisted half the stuff up to the ridge for you and set it all up.”

  David stopped walking. “What about a ring?”

  Rex patted his upper suit pocket. “Right here. It’s not much, but I’ll buy her an engagement ring after.”

  “After the wedding? That’s funny.” David shrugged. “But hey, whatever works.” Guess we better get up to that ridge. We’ll want to take it slow in that suit of yours. You know she’s going to kill you for her being in hiking clothes and you in a suit. She’ll never agree to marry you.”

  “Got that covered. And the preacher.”

  “You always were the man to get things done. Guess that’s why your company’s so successful.” David grabbed the backpack with the tent inside and handed him the picnic basket and cooler. “Good thing we’re still in good shape or this could be a challenge.”

  They shut the truck and hoofed it up the pathway toward the ridge.

  “You think she’ll say yes?”

  “Don’t know. All I know is that I have to do everything I can this time for her to know I’ll love her forever.”

  “You’re a brave man. Listen, you don’t have to buy the house if she says no,” David offered, always the kind of man to look out for his friends.

  “Nope, still buying it. If she doesn’t want to live with me upstairs in it, she and Mel can live there with the shop downstairs. It’ll be her place. She deserves it. You saw that board. She loves old stuff, and she’s put a lot of work into it. Better she has it than some company. Besides, I have money to spare right now.”

  David adjusted the backpack on his shoulders.

  Even though the temperature had cooled from when he had first arrived, Rex was wishing he had left the suit jacket behind. The cool breeze swept up the side of the ridge, soothing Rex’s heated neck. “What are you going to do after this?”

  “I don’t know, take a nap?” David said in an innocent tone.

  “Come on man, you know what I mean.” Rex lifted the cooler a little higher to relieve the strain in his forearms.