The creak of saddle leather, the sighing of the wind past his ears and the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves were the only sounds. Until Avery opened his mouth again.
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe you loaned your car to a woman. Are you nuts? What if she wrecks it? I don’t know why you won’t sell it to me. I’ve offered you more than it’s worth several times.”
Glancing over at his buddy riding beside him, Shane said, “Can we talk about something else?”
“Like what? The weather? It’s hot.” Avery pushed his cap back on his head. “It was hot an hour ago and it’s still hot.” Raising a hand to shade his eyes, Avery scanned the countryside. “Maybe you want to talk about the scenery. I see flat. It was flat an hour ago and it’s still flat. If you look to your right, you will see miles of grass, but if you look quickly to your left, you will see—yes, that’s right—miles of grass. How long is this ride going to be again?”
“One hundred miles.”
“I was hoping I dreamed that part. One hundred miles divided by twenty-five miles a day. Are we really going to spend four days in the saddle?”
“It’s not like we haven’t been preparing for this.” In fact, during the past month the unit had been riding all over the post and surrounding areas for up to six hours each day, conditioning both the men and the horses for this Memorial Day weekend event.
Eight men and their mounts moved along the verge of the road under a cloudless blue sky. Orange reflective vests worn for safety and the support vehicle following behind them were the only concessions the unit made to modern times. All the rest of the equipment was what any cavalry detachment in the 1860s would have carried.
Hoping to distract Avery from his sour mood, Shane asked, “Are you going to Lindsey and Brian’s wedding next weekend?”
“I guess. What about you?”
“Yup, I told her I’d be there.”
“Are you taking anyone?”
Frowning, Shane said, “I hadn’t thought about it. Are you?”
“Certainly.”
“Who?”
“There is a long line of women who would be delighted to spend the day with me. I just have to pick one.”
Shaking his head, Shane said, “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who is so conceited with so little reason to be that way.”
“Are you kidding? I’m a matrimonial prize of the first magnitude. All I have to do is mention that my grandfather is worth a fortune and women flock to me. They just don’t need to know that I’m opposed to wedlock on a very visceral level.”
The same wasn’t true for Shane. Not since he’d met Annie. She had changed everything. The idea of spending his life with her had a deep appeal that settled into his chest and wouldn’t be dislodged.
“What?” Avery demanded.
Drawn back to the conversation at hand, Shane said, “It doesn’t seem right to string them along that way.”
“I’m as sincere in my affection as they are—which is to say, only as deep as their pocketbooks.”
Shane shook his head in disbelief at his friend’s attitude. “You take the cake.”
“Speaking of cake, I’m hungry.”
“You’ll get fed at the next town.”
Rising in his stirrups, Avery shaded his eyes to look down the road. “There’s nothing in sight yet.”
“It gives a guy pause, doesn’t it? Knowing that men like us rode this route as much as twice a week, escorting settlers westward, only a hundred and fifty years ago.”
“The amazing part is that anyone stopped to settle in this place. They must have had a tree phobia.”
A hundred yards ahead a white pickup rolled up to the highway and stopped beside a lone mailbox decorated with red, white and blue steamers. An elderly woman in a light blue skirt and a blue-and-white-flowered blouse got out of the truck and walked to the edge of the road. A man in a tan cowboy hat, red Western shirt and faded jeans joined her. She handed him a small American flag, then raised the one she held and waved it in the air.
Avery pulled his cap into place. Shane sat forward. All along the column riders straightened in their saddles. Even the horses lifted their heads and stepped higher.
“God bless you boys,” she called out. “You make us proud.”
At the front of the line Captain Watson turned aside and reined in. He touched the brim of his hat. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Grinning, she stepped closer. “Our grandson is serving in the Middle East. He was so excited when I told him you’d be riding past our place. Would you mind if I took a picture?”
“I’d be delighted.” Looking over his shoulder, he gave the order to halt. She pulled a camera from her white handbag and quickly snapped a half dozen shots.
Walking up, her husband took her arm. “That’s enough, Lucy. They’ve got a long way to go.”
She gave him an embarrassed smile. “Of course. Thank you for indulging a silly old woman, Captain.”
“It was my honor.”
“My husband’s grandfather came west with the cavalry in 1857 and settled here afterward. I think it’s so special that the Army is recreating this part of our history after a century and a half.”
Her husband nodded in agreement. “It’s been the talk of the town for weeks now. Even some of the high school kids have been asking questions about what it was like in the old days.”
“He’s been telling and retelling his granddad’s yarns to anyone who will listen.”
“They’re true stories, woman. Folks enjoy ’em.”
“Almost as much as you enjoy yammering on. Captain, you and your men hurry along into Windom,” Lucy said. “The ladies from our church are fixing lunch for all of you. You’ll find fried chicken and homemade peach, cherry and pecan pies.”
As the column began moving again, Avery leaned toward Shane. “This ride may have some highlights after all.”
“Yeah, talking to people like that makes me proud of what we’re doing.” Would Annie be proud of him if she could see him now?
“I was thinking more about the food. I love pecan pie. And speaking of nuts—I can’t believe you loaned your car to some woman. You must be in love.”
Annie pulled the living room curtain aside and checked the street for the umpteenth time. Shane was due back today. It was ridiculous the way excitement zipped through her veins at the thought.
“This is silly.” Dropping the folds of fabric, she crossed the room and picked up the remote. Aiming it at the television, she turned the set on. Forty channels later, she snapped it off again. Nothing held her interest. She glanced at the window and willed herself not to walk back there.
He had only been gone four days, but it seemed so much longer. Surely he would come by this evening to collect his car. Laying the remote down, she walked to the front door but stopped with one hand on the knob.
“This is absurd. Why am I a basket case?”
“Beats me,” Crystal said, coming up behind her.
Feeling sheepish at being discovered talking to herself, Annie moved aside as Crystal pulled open the door. A tan sedan with gray primer on the right front fender pulled up to the curb behind Annie’s blue hatchback. Shane’s Mustang still sat in the driveway. Willie, dressed in a grimy white T-shirt with the sleeves cut out and baggy black pants, got out of the passenger side but stood at the curb without approaching the house.
Annie looked at Crystal in concern. “Are you going out again?”
“For a little while. Are you my mother now?”
Hurt by Crystal’s sarcasm, Annie said, “I didn’t mean to sound disapproving.”
“You’re just mad because Willie kept your car two days longer than he said he would. He explained that—he had to stay an extra day for a second job interview.”
“He could have called to let us know. He’s lucky I didn’t report the car as stolen.”
“Whatever. I’ll see you later.”
Annie reached out and took hold of her friend’s arm, stopping her from le
aving. “Crystal, I’m worried about you. You’ve been going out every night. You missed the last two AA meetings.”
“So what? Do you think I’m drinking again? I’m not, so take a chill pill.”
“I only want to help,” Annie said softly.
Crystal’s defiant attitude deflated. “I know. Don’t worry. Willie is taking good care of me. He loves me. He’s just going through a rough patch right now. His friend is driving us out to the lake for a couple of hours. Where’s the harm in that? Trust me, okay?”
“I do. I just know how easy it is to get into a bad situation. Look at me. I’m the poster child for mistakes.”
At the street, a military jeep pulled in behind the sedan. Shane stepped out of the passenger side. Bending down, he gave a brief wave to the driver. As the jeep pulled away, he straightened and began walking toward the house. Wearing jeans and the CGMCG’s regulation red T-shirt that emphasized his muscular chest and flat abdomen, he looked wonderfully handsome. Annie’s heart bounded into double-time.
As Shane walked past Willie, it was hard not to compare the two men. Shane’s clean-cut, all-American physique contrasted sharply with Willie’s slovenly dress and attitude.
Crystal’s chin came up. “Your problem, Annie, is you can’t stand to see people happy. You don’t believe in love so you don’t think anyone else should. Open your eyes. Grab a little joy before life passes you by. Happiness takes courage, too, you know.”
Jerking her arm away, Crystal dashed down the walk and into Willie’s embrace. After kissing him, she glanced back at Annie, then got in the car.
Pressing a hand to her throat, Annie watched them drive off. Something wasn’t right with Crystal. As Shane came up to the bottom of the steps, his warm smile chased her worry about her friend from her mind. She said, “Welcome back.”
“Thanks. Did you miss me?”
Oh, she had, but she wasn’t about to admit it. “I certainly didn’t miss the sound of your hammer on the roof.”
“Will you miss the rain dripping in?”
“No, I won’t miss that.”
“Did you have any trouble with my car?”
“No. After Marge’s quick refresher course on driving a manual transmission, I was able to manage.”
“I’m glad.”
“Thanks for letting me borrow your pride and joy. I know it must have been hard to leave it with me.”
“You needed it more than I did.”
She gestured toward the house. “Do you have time to come in? I just made a pitcher of lemonade, and Marge made some sugar cookies yesterday.”
“That sounds great.” The eagerness of his acceptance made her smile.
Happiness had been a rare thing in her life. She almost didn’t recognize the emotion as it welled up inside her. Crystal was wrong. Annie wanted others to be happy—only she didn’t expect it for herself. She hadn’t done anything to deserve it. Feeling it now scared her witless.
Take a deep breath. Get a grip. It was good advice but hard to put into practice with Shane standing so close beside her. She took a step back. “How was your trip?”
“It was good. We met some wonderful people and I think we did some good PR for the Army.”
He followed her into the house and into the kitchen. He took a seat at the table, still talking about the reception the unit had received at various towns along their route. Annie pulled the lemonade pitcher from the refrigerator and filled two tall tumblers, glad of the chance it gave her to compose herself. By the time she placed one glass in front of Shane and set the platter of golden cookies sprinkled with red, white and blue sugar crystals on the table, she had herself well in hand.
“How have you been feeling?” Shane asked, then took a sip of his drink.
“A little tired and fat but otherwise good.”
“You don’t look fat at all. In fact, you look glowing.”
“Thank you. Nice comeback. Who’s been instructing you on how to talk to a pregnant woman?”
He managed to look sheepish and sweet at the same time. “I’ve been doing some reading.”
Pleased beyond words that he cared enough to learn about the changes she was going through, Annie grinned and let the happiness seep back into her heart. He was a good man. She was doing the right thing by allowing him to be involved with the baby.
He set his glass down and ran his finger slowly around the rim. Sensing a change in his mood, she waited for him to speak. Had he changed his mind? Was he getting ready to give her and their child the brush-off?
Clearing his throat, he looked up and met her gaze with uncertainty in his eyes. “I know this is kind of short notice, but I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor?”
Puzzled, she said, “If I can. You’ve certainly done more than enough for me.”
“Okay, that isn’t exactly where I wanted to go with this. You don’t owe me anything, so feel free to decline.”
Waiting a full ten seconds for a further explanation, she finally said, “Spit it out.”
“Do you remember Lindsey Mandel?”
“I’m not sure. Should I?”
“She gave the introduction for the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard at the Community Appreciation Day.”
“I think I remember her. She was a pretty woman with short, curly red hair?”
“That’s her. She was a sergeant in my unit until she left the service back in April. Anyway, she’s getting married this weekend and I was kind of wondering if you’d like to go with me to the wedding.”
Annie blinked hard. “You want me to come to the wedding with you?”
“It won’t be a big affair, but there is a reception after the ceremony. I’d like you to meet some of my friends.” He looked braced for her refusal.
She opened her mouth to do just that but found herself remembering Crystal’s words. Grab a little joy before life passes you by. Happiness takes courage, too, you know.
Had she been letting the joy of life pass her by? Did she have the courage to risk seeking a little happiness with Shane? He would be gone soon and she would be alone again. Knowing how badly she had dealt with such disappointments in the past made her afraid to risk it. She already cared for him far too much.
What do I do, Lord? Should I send him away and protect what’s left of my heart? Or do I say yes and gather a few more precious memories to treasure?
Either way, Annie knew heartache loomed in her future.
Chapter Thirteen
The chapel parking lot was nearly full when Shane pulled in the following Saturday afternoon at a quarter till three. Looking up, he saw the steeple over the bell tower of the old stone building silhouetted against the fluffy white clouds drifting past. Stepping out of his vehicle, he paused to button the jacket of his dress uniform, then nervously tugged it down and smoothed the front of the dark green material. He wanted to look his best today.
The sound of organ music reached him coming through the open panels of stained glass at the bottom of the arched windows of the building. He walked around his newly washed car and pulled open the passenger door. The vision that took his hand and stepped out into the bright June sunlight stole his breath.
Annie wore a simple pink dress with wide sleeves that ended just above her elbows. Her long hair was held back from her face by a band of matching material. Gathered gently at a high waist, the drape of the supple fabric below the vee neckline did little to hide her rounded tummy. Beautiful, he decided, didn’t do justice to her. His heart swelled with protectiveness and pride.
Taking her hand, he steered her toward the chapel doors.
Inside the cool interior, organ music played softly while they were escorted to the bride’s side of the aisle. The scent of candles and carnations filled the air, and white bows adorned the ends of each row of wooden pews. After taking his seat beside Annie, Shane ran a finger under his collar to loosen his tie. Looking around, he recognized a dozen former and current members of the CGMCG. A few of them had wives or
girlfriends beside them, but the majority of the young men had come alone, including Captain Watson, Avery and Lee.
Shane almost laughed when he caught Avery’s eye. So much for the playboy’s assumption that he could get a date at a moment’s notice.
A few minutes later the organist fell silent. The minister, followed by Brian and two groomsmen, headed to their places in front of the altar. Brian leaned heavily on a cane, but when he looked toward the back of the church, his face lit up with happiness. Suddenly the first strains of the “Wedding March” rang out. All heads turned toward the end of the aisle.
Lindsey, dressed in a simple sleeveless ivory gown, stood with her hand resting on her father’s sleeve. Standing with obvious military erectness, the gray-haired man’s face beamed with a mixture of pride and sadness. As Lindsey started down the aisle, a shy smile curved her lips and love shone from her eyes as she gazed at the man waiting to make her his wife.
Shane looked down at the woman beside him. Lindsey made a radiant bride, but to his eyes she didn’t hold a candle to Annie. Was he crazy to hope that Annie might someday look at him with the same kind of love in her eyes?
As the bride walked by, Annie watched with a touch of envy in her heart. Having given up the idea of a fairy-tale wedding a long time ago, it surprised her how much of that dream she still carried. To have her father walk her down the aisle, to stand in front of a church full of family and friends and pledge her heart to a very special man…what girl didn’t want that?
Looking down, she brushed a hand over her bulging midriff. She had given up the right to that dream and so much more. It would be easy to blame the drinking, but the simple truth was that she had thrown away her dreams and destroyed whatever dreams her parents had held for her for a quick buzz. Having seen exactly how much a child could hurt a parent, Annie sent a quick prayer heavenward.
Please, gracious God, don’t let my baby make the same mistakes I have made. I think I could face anything except watching her destroy herself.
As the music died away and the minister began to address the couple, Annie glanced at Shane and found him watching her with a look of such tenderness on his face that her heart melted. He made her want to believe in dreams again.
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