by Cate Beauman
The men tried to move past him. He blocked their way again. As much as he wanted a moment to catch his breath, he needed to protect Sarah more. “Don’t take another step. I get that you can’t tell me, but you’re going to give me a minute to talk to her first. She just gave birth yesterday morning. This is going to crush her.”
“We’re here to offer any support we can, sir.”
Ethan opened the door, let them in before him. “Please, sit down. I’ll go get Sarah.” He walked from the room, started down the hall to the nursery.
Stopping outside the room, Ethan fisted his hands at his side, took a deep breath. Memories flashed through his mind, one after the other, and he braced his hands on the wall. He took another deep breath, trying to steel himself for what had quickly become the hardest moment of his life. He was about to watch Sarah’s life fall apart.
He stepped into Kylee’s room, stopped. Sarah had taken her hair from the towel. Wet ropes of smooth gold rested on her shoulders. Her eyes were closed while Kylee suckled at her breast. If this were a picture, it would be titled ‘Beautiful Serenity’. He was about to destroy it. He took another breath, walked to Sarah’s side, knelt down, took her hand.
Sarah’s eyes flew open, stared into his. “You startled me.” A smile played across her lips before it faded. “What’s wrong?” She sat up straight, broke Kylee’s latch with her finger.
Ethan tightened his grip on her hand, willing her to take all the strength he could give. “Sarah, there are some men waiting for you in the living room. They’re Marines.”
Sarah’s fingers clutched his like a vise before they went lax. The bright, bold blue of her eyes dimmed. “Oh, okay,” she said dully. She stood, covered her breast, pulled Kylee close, automatically burping her.
Ethan draped his arm around her shoulders, walking with her and the baby to the living room. The men stood as they entered and the officer stepped forward.
“Mrs. Johnson, I’m Commander Michael Driggs. I’m here to regretfully inform you that your husband, Gunnery Sergeant Jake Johnson, was killed in action today at 6:34 p.m., Afghanistan time. The United States Marine Corps is truly sorry for your loss and is proud of the service your husband provided our country.”
Sarah stared at the commander for several seconds before she slowly sat down on the couch.
Ethan sat beside her.
She spoke, her voice barely a whisper. “Jake’s gone? He can’t be. He hasn’t held Kylee yet. He’s coming home in twenty-nine days to hold Kylee. He watched me give birth yesterday. He said he was coming home in four weeks.”
Sarah’s face paled with grief. Ethan swore he heard her heart shatter while the commander spoke. Her bubbly vibrancy had been replaced with fragility. He was afraid that if he touched her, she would break into a million pieces.
Ethan glanced at the man who now sat on the other side of Sarah. “Sir, Gunnery Sergeant Hunter Phillips is in Jake’s company. Is there any word on his welfare? He and Jake are—” he closed his eyes on a fresh wave of pain “—were my childhood friends. Hunter is also very close to Sarah.”
“Gunnery Sergeant Phillips was wounded in action. He was shot in the shoulder. He’s out of surgery and is resting comfortably.” Commander Driggs looked at Sarah again. “Sergeant Phillips tried desperately to save your husband, Mrs. Johnson. Is there anyone we can call for you at this time?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I can’t think.” She looked at Ethan, lost. “I can’t think right now. I don’t want to do this. I want to be alone.”
He couldn’t stand to see her like this. He put his arm around her, pulled her close, pressed his forehead to her hair. “Okay, you don’t have to. I’ll take care of everything. Go lay down.”
The men stood when she took the baby and walked from the room.
“I’m sorry, Commander, gentlemen, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Do you have a card or a number I can take from you? I’ll have Sarah’s father call you as soon as I get a hold of him.”
“Of course, sir.”
Ethan took the card, walked them to the door, shut it behind them. He went to the small desk, found Sarah’s parents’ number programmed into the phone, and called.
Sarah lay Kylee in her crib, covered her with a light blanket. Her daughter slept soundly in the center of the mattress, unaware that their lives were forever changed. She stared at the photograph of Jake hanging on the wall above the crib. She had taken the picture the day before he left to finish his deployment, before they were aware they’d made Kylee. His big, cheesy grin and smiling brown eyes filled the frame. Oh God, Jake. You’re gone. How can you be gone? I need you. I can’t do this by myself.
The dredges of shocked disbelief were melting away. Panic and dread quickly took their place. How was she going to live without him? Sarah glanced down at Kylee again as a thought circled through her mind. It brought such crushing pain she could hardly breathe. They would never meet. Jake would never touch the daughter he had helped create. Kylee would be robbed of ever knowing her father’s love.
Jake’s deep, infectious laugh echoed in her head and Sarah buckled. She would never hear it again. He would never kiss her or hold her again. Her breath shuddered in and out.
Ethan’s hands rested on her shoulders and she flinched. He turned her toward him. She stared into his eyes, saw the grief settled there, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “Tell me this isn’t real, Ethan. Please tell me this isn’t real,” she said on a sob.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “Come here.” He picked her up, sat with her in the rocking chair. Her long legs hung over the side, just skimming the floor as the chair swayed back and forth. Ethan cradled her close to his chest.
Finding comfort in the arms of her friend, Sarah wept as Ethan’s hand ran through her damp hair. “He’s really gone. I can’t believe he’s really gone.”
He lifted her chin as he spoke, choking on his own sorrow. “I’m making a promise to you right now, Sarah. You’ll never be alone through this. I’ll be here for you every step of the way, for as long as you need me.”
“I’ll always need you.”
“Then I’ll always be here.” He rested her head against his chest again as their tears fell, mixing together on the hands they held clutched together.
CHAPTER 2
February 2013
THE OCEAN BREEZE BLEW THROUGH her hair as she framed the couple in the lens of her Nikon. The gorgeous man, blond and tan, stood ankle deep in the waves, smiling down at the dark haired beauty.
Sarah tightened her focus as the sun sank along the horizon, casting hues of pink and purple throughout the sky, creating a glorious backdrop. When the foam crashed around the couple’s legs, drops of water flew high in the air, and she knew she had her shot. She pressed the shutter button, capturing the moment. “What a picture you two make. You’re fantastic!”
Morgan looked in Sarah’s direction, smiled. Sarah pressed the button again as Morgan’s shiny brown hair flew around her face, accentuating the vivid green of her eyes.
“Let’s do a couple more. Both of you walk from the surf. Hunter, when I tell you, pick Morgan up and stroll along the beach.” She caught Hunter’s eye roll through the lens, Morgan’s quick jab to his ribs.
“Be a sport, Hunter. These pictures will be special memories for the two of you.”
He blew out a long suffering breath. “I stopped being a good sport two hours ago. This is the last one. I’m hungry.”
“Whine, whine, whine,” Morgan said as she smiled, drilling her finger into her fiancés well muscled stomach. “If you’re a good boy and do what Sarah says, you can be my date for our rehearsal dinner.”
Sarah grinned. “Let’s finish this. I’m losing the light.”
Morgan and Hunter joined hands, began walking along the wet sand, just missing the surf. After several steps, Hunter picked Morgan up and continued on. Sarah zoomed in on the four footprints that became two, blurred the couple walking off
in the distance. She glimpsed the photo she made on her digital screen and beamed. The effect was just what she’d wanted. This would be her gift to them, the perfect symbolism of marriage—two lives becoming one.
Sarah glanced up from the camera and happiness filled her heart. Hunter still held Morgan in his arms. He said something and she laughed. Her hand brushed his cheek as she answered and he grinned.
She had feared this day would never come for her friend. After Jake’s death, Hunter had closed himself off to happiness, blaming himself for something that had never been his fault. A month on duty in the mountains of Yellowstone, protecting Morgan, had taken care of that. He’d lost his heart while they’d dodged gunfire and run from corrupt government officials. Now, in less than twenty-four hours, Morgan and Hunter would be married.
“Are we finished here?” Hunter said as he set Morgan down.
“Yes, the torture is officially over.” Sarah smiled.
Morgan enveloped Sarah in a hug. “We really do appreciate you doing this for us.”
Sarah hugged back. “I’m happy to.”
Hunter moved in, giving Sarah a quick kiss on the forehead. “Yes, we do. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Morgan glanced at her watch. “We’re cutting it a little close. We need to get home and change before we head over to the resort. Do you want to ride with us, Sarah?”
“No, I have to pack a few of Kylee’s things yet and make sure Hailey can still join us tomorrow. Are you sure you want us staying with you tonight? You need a good night’s sleep.”
“Of course I do. Hunter will be with Ethan. I want my Matron of Honor and flower girl with me.”
“Then we’ll be there.” Sarah shouldered her camera bag, and they made their way to their cars. She unlocked her blue sedan, got in. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Sarah ran toward the enormous gazebo with Kylee in her arms—a tricky feat in heels. “We’re here. We’re here. I’m so sorry we’re late,” she said to no one in particular as she climbed the steps to the center.
A boisterous crowd of fifty milled about and she relaxed. It was clear there was no hurry here. Hunter, clad in a white button-down and black slacks, spoke to the officiant while Morgan, stunning in her simple, sleeveless cocktail dress—the same bold green as her eyes—chatted with her parents and Hunter’s mother.
“I guess we’re not so late after all.” Sarah settled Kylee on her hip, smoothed her pink thigh-length dress. “Let’s go tell Uncle Hunter we’re ready whenever he is.” She took a step forward, stopped, captivated by the spectacular view. The full moon, rising high, cast a glow upon thousands of flowers surrounding the gazebo. Sarah walked to the edge, caught up in the beauty. The distant thunder of the Pacific hundreds of feet below added to the magic. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s amazing.”
Kylee’s blue eyes brightened. “I want to pick the fwowers.”
“We can’t, honey.” She watched her daughter’s smile dim. “They don’t belong to us. We can pick flowers at home.”
“O-tay.” Kylee gasped and let out a sudden squeal of delight as she held out her arms.
Sarah jumped and turned as Ethan, handsome in charcoal slacks and a white polo, swooped forward, grabbing Kylee from Sarah, resting her on his hip. “Hey there, kiddo.” He kissed her chubby cheek. “Don’t you look pretty tonight.”
“Dis is my new dress,” Kylee preened, tugging none too gently on the delicate, pale blue silk.
“You look like a princess. A pretty princess should have a flower.” He walked with her to the side of the gazebo, leaned over, picked a creamy white carnation.
Kylee’s blonde pigtails bounced in her excitement as she took the stem from Ethan’s fingers. “Look, Mama, my pretty fwower. I’m a princess.”
Sarah smiled at Kylee, then Ethan. “Yes, I see. What do you say to Ethan?”
“Tank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Ethan bent his head close to Kylee’s, whispered in her ear. Her head bobbed up and down as she smiled. Ethan bent forward again, picked another carnation. This time he walked to Sarah and handed it to her.
She grinned, touched by his sweetness. “Well, aren’t you two thoughtful.” She brushed her lips against Kylee’s cheek. “Thank you.” Her grin widened when Ethan tapped his own cheek. Sarah brushed his next, chuckling. “Thank you as well.”
“Beautiful ladies deserve beautiful flowers, right, kiddo?”
Kylee wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. “Right.”
Sarah took his hand. “This is the perfect night for their rehearsal. I hope the weather…” She stopped as a tall, voluptuous woman dressed to kill slid up next to Ethan. Her beautifully manicured finger ran down his muscled arm.
“Ethan, darling, I’ve been looking for you,” she purred in her European accent.
“I had to come see my favorite kiddo.” He let go of Sarah’s hand to gently tug on one of Kylee’s golden pigtails.
“Yes, of course.” The black haired beauty glanced at the toddler before waving in dismissal. “I thought we might go mingle and get a glass of champagne.” The exotic woman in red looked Sarah up and down. “Are you not going to introduce me to your friend?”
“Sorry. Nicolette, this is Sarah Johnson and her daughter, Kylee.”
Sarah extended her hand, smiled, trying to be gracious. “It’s nice to meet you, Nicolette.”
Nicolette barely touched her fingers. “You’re name is familiar to me. Do you model or act?”
Sarah laughed. “Neither. I’m a photographer.”
Nicolette’s eyes narrowed. “Ah, yes, Sarah Johnson, ‘Photographer to the Stars’. This is why I have heard of you. I read your magazine, ‘Celebrity’.”
“I freelance for them when a client requests it.”
“How nice, but I do not like you photographers. You are all so pushy.” She scrutinized Sarah’s face. “You are an attractive woman. Perhaps you should try standing in front of the camera sometime. This is where the hard work starts, no?”
“Put away the claws, Nicky,” Ethan said with a tinge of warning.
More than finished with their conversation, Sarah took Kylee from Ethan. “If you’ll excuse us, Hunter and Morgan are probably wondering where we are.” She met Ethan’s gaze for a heartbeat before she turned and left.
She definitely didn’t like that woman. Nicolette was incredibly rude, but that wasn’t the problem. In her business, beautiful, ill-mannered women were part of the package. It was Nicolette’s eyes. In the depths of their chocolate brown perfection, she’d seen a streak of viciousness. Couldn’t Ethan see it, or was he too caught up in her long black hair and French accent?
As they walked toward the stairs, Kylee began to fuss. “I want Ethan.”
“We’ll see him later.” She kissed Kylee’s forehead. “He’s busy right now.”
Morgan snagged Sarah’s arm as she passed. “There you are. I think we’re ready to start. I need to find Ethan, and we should be good to go.” Morgan beamed at Kylee. “Hi, sweetie.”
Kylee turned her face into Sarah’s neck and sniffled.
“What’s the matter with my beautiful flower girl?”
Sarah took a deep breath, smiled, determined to be cheerful. This was Morgan’s night. “She’s a little upset that I pulled her away from Ethan. We just saw him over at the other end of the gazebo.”
Sarah followed Morgan’s gaze as she scanned the room. “Oh, there he is. Hunter’s waving him over. Kylee, honey, we’re going to see Ethan right now.”
Kylee picked up her head and wiped her eyes. “O-tay.”
Sarah watched Ethan make his way toward Hunter with Nicolette clinging to his arm.
“So, Ethan brought his flavor of the month I see.” Morgan draped her arm around Sarah’s waist as they skirted through the crowd. “Hunter says she’s a big-time model in France. She’s the spokesperson for some exclusive fragrance. Apparently Ethan met her last month when he was over at his Paris branch. I’m assumi
ng that since we haven’t been introduced, this one isn’t serious, although none of them are.”
“I just had the pleasure of meeting her. I wasn’t impressed.” Sarah winced when her words came out with more heat than she intended.
Morgan stopped. “Wow, she made quite an impression. I’ve never heard you say a negative word about anyone, even when they deserve it.”
Sarah shrugged. She couldn’t figure out why she was letting the situation bother her so much. Ethan was free to date whomever he chose. “She rubbed me the wrong way, that’s all.”
“Do you want me to have Hunter talk to Ethan?”
Horrified by the thought, Sarah’s eyes grew saucer-wide as she clutched Morgan’s arm. “Good God, no. Please don’t do that.”
“I want you to be comfortable. You’re my friend. ” Morgan’s eyes began to heat. “She’s not.”
“It’s fine. This night is about you and Hunter. Please, let’s just concentrate on the two of you.” She smiled as Morgan stared at her for another moment.
“Okay, but I want you to tell me if you change your mind.”
Not on your life. “Will do.”
After the guests wandered off for champagne and appetizers, the wedding party practiced for the following day. Hunter and Ethan stood, waiting in the gazebo.
“Kylee, I want you to walk to Auntie Morgan’s mommy and wait for me, okay?”
“O-tay, Mama.” Kylee made her way down the imaginary aisle, holding her empty basket. Instead of stopping and standing with Ilene Taylor, she kept going. Sarah stepped forward, but stopped when Ethan shook his head and scooped her up.
Sarah started down the aisle next, glanced at Nicolette leaning against the wooden banister. Her temper flashed as the woman’s eyes narrowed in Kylee’s direction. Standing in her designated space, she took a deep breath. Nicolette wasn’t worth all this.
Sarah snapped to attention when Morgan called her name. Everyone was looking at her. “Yes? I’m sorry.”