Saved by a Soldier (Love Conquers Life #1)

by Alison Mello

  Celia gives me a sympathetic look and takes another bite of our delicious dinner.

  “Listen, I know you’re loyal to my mother and it’s fine that you don’t want to say much. You have told me enough times how you feel and I know you’re there for me.”

  “Thank you, Patricia. I care a great deal about you and your mother. I truly believe your mother has your best interests at heart. It just isn’t what you want, and that’s fine too. Continue to show her who you are and what you can accomplish and she’ll come around.” We continue to eat in a comfortable silence until Celia says, “What’s up with the boy at the Montgomery house?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She smiles. “Was he cute?”

  I burst out laughing, “Celia, I hardly saw him. He ran inside like he was afraid to be seen. All I know is he had some grocery bags in his hands like he was going to be here for a while.”

  “Maybe he’ll provide you with some inspiration.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down and I blush.

  “I bet this is my father’s doing. He probably sent him out here to watch over me. My mom sends me an awesome cook and a buddy and my father sends me a knight in shining armor.”

  Celia chuckles.

  “This was delicious,” I say as I stand to scrape my plate and wash it.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Celia says, drying the dishes I’m washing. It’s then that I realize how lucky I am to have her with me. It’s nice to have someone to talk to during meals and to help make sure I’m eating well.

  “Thanks for being here, Celia. I mean it. I know we only just got here and I complained about wanting to be alone, but it was nice to have someone to have dinner with.” I hand her the last dish to dry off.

  “I’m glad to be here, Patricia. If I had let your mother come, you wouldn’t get anything done and you would probably kill her.”

  We both start laughing again.

  “I think I’m going to go take a bath and relax in my room for a bit. Good night, Celia.”

  “I have some white wine in the fridge if you would like to relax with some after your bath. I’ll be lighting a fire.”

  “That sounds nice, thank you. I think I’ll grab a book and do just that. Give me about twenty minutes and I’ll be out.”

  I head into the bathroom deciding to shower instead of bathing so I can sit down and read. I have quite the collection of romance books and I read a variety of subgenres. I tend to stay away from the darker reads, though. Some of them are too creepy for me, but I’ll read just about anything else. I jump in the shower with the intention of washing quickly so I can get to my book, but the hot water feels so good it slows me a bit. I finally get out ready to get back to the erotica read I’m in the middle of.

  When I get back to the living room, the fire is burning and there is a chilled glass of wine sitting on the coffee table waiting for me. I smile at just how good Celia is to me. I bet she has already gone to bed so I can have some time to myself. I love the living room here. It isn’t large, but that’s what makes it so perfect. The couch is close enough to the fireplace to make it cozy. I can feel the warmth from it without being too hot and there is a slight aroma of burning wood. I love the smell. I love to look into the fire and watch the flames dance. I think it is so pretty and relaxing.

  I pull the coffee table a little closer to the couch so I can reach my wine easily and snuggle up in a blanket by the fire. I take a few sips and I moan in appreciation as I enjoy a glass of my favorite Moscato.

  As soon as I start to read my phone buzzes. It’s Bella texting me, I see from the display.

  Bella: How’s the writing going?

  Patty: Two chapters done and shoved in my agents face :-P

  Bella: LOL you are the best, so when will you be back?

  Patty: Hopefully in a few weeks. My mom sent Celia out here so I’m not alone. You should plan to come and visit this weekend.

  Bella: I’ll be there! How about I come down Saturday afternoon?

  Patty: Sounds good to me, see you then.

  I pick up my book and start to read again. It’s a great story, but not something I could ever write. I’m not afraid to write about sex, but I can’t write the nitty gritty that is in this book. This is the Fifty Shades of Grey stuff that my agent wants, very detailed and explicit. As I lay here reading it, I start to think that Bella may be right. I am getting lonely. I have not been with a man in over a year and I’m tired of going through Battery Operated Boyfriends. I swear I should have stock options at the local sex store. One of the girls even knows my name. How embarrassing is that?

  Chapter 4

  Carter

  I wake with a headache and since I only had a few beers I know I’m not hungover. I must be dehydrated from working out. I groan when I realize I may not have any aspirin. I rise from my warm bed wearing nothing but boxers and head to the kitchen for some water. I might as well stop there first because the hard-on I’m rocking will certainly make it difficult to piss. I chug the entire bottle, grab a second, and wander into the bathroom. I check the medicine cabinet and to my surprise it’s fully stocked. I down two aspirin and start the shower. Despite the fact that I feel like shit, I want to work out again today so I can start trying to develop a new routine.

  Once the water is warm, I step in. I lather my hands with soap and start stroking my fully erect cock. I’m still hard as a rock from the wonderful dream I was having about little miss writer next door. I imagine her sporting a school girl outfit with my hands in her hair as she takes my cock in her mouth. I start fucking it until she’s practically gagging on my length. In a matter of minutes, I’m pumping every last drop of cum down the drain. I sigh because that gave me some relief but it really isn’t what I want. I haven’t slept with a girl in god knows how long, and if I don’t get to bury myself balls deep in some pussy soon, I think my dick is going to fall off.

  I shut the water off, not bothering to wash the remainder of my body because I’m only going to get sweaty working out and will shower again in a bit. After putting on some gym clothes, I head to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, so it will be ready when I’m done with my workout. You would think after years of shitty coffee in the Army I would be over my caffeine fix, but I still need coffee to start my day.

  To start my workout I jump on the elliptical, jamming with music going for thirty straight minutes. I like my elliptical because it’s as close as I can get to running without actually running. Next I move onto lifting for the next thirty minutes and then practice my martial arts, panting from how out of shape I am. I grab my towel when I hear my phone buzzes and I see it’s my dad.

  Dad: There’s a job opening at the local VA office

  Carter: Sweet, I will go online and look at it.

  Dad: My buddy said he’s pretty sure he can get you the job if you apply.

  Carter: Nice. Getting in the shower now and then I’ll apply.

  I set my phone down and smile, genuinely excited about this opportunity. That’s a job that I think I would really like doing. I would get to help soldiers who have been discharged both honorably and medically get the benefits they deserve. I actually may be getting my life in order. I was feeling like I was screwed when I got shot in the knee. When they told me that they needed bolts and screws to repair it, I knew my career was over. I had knee replacement surgery and they don’t let you stay in the Army with a bunch of nuts and bolts in your leg.

  I take a second to stretch. I can already feel my body stiffening since I haven’t been working out and I hit it hard yesterday too. I jump in the shower and wash quickly because I want to get on my laptop to apply for this job. I can feel my knee getting sore, which means I either overdid it or rain is coming. I look outside and sure enough, the rain is here. Despite the fact that rain puts me in pain, I enjoy it because it calms me. As a kid, my dad and I would sit on the porch of this house watching the rain bounce off the lake. It’s one of my greatest memories. We would spend hours upon hours talking
about life, sports, or whatever other conversation came up while we sat there and rocked.

  After I get dressed I grab my laptop, coffee, and cell phone and head out to the porch. I send a text off to my dad.

  Carter: Sitting on the porch watching it rain while I fill out the application.

  Dad: Nice, just like old times huh.

  Carter: Yeah, only this time I have no one to talk to.

  Dad: Do you need me to come down?

  Carter: Nah, I’m good, but thanks Dad. I’ll talk to you later.

  Dad: Talk to you later son.

  I take in a deep breath of the clean, crisp air, open the web browser, and go to the site my dad told me about. The first posting available is the one I’m interested in. I click “apply” so I can start uploading all of my information. I didn’t even read the description because to be honest, it would be an honor to work for the VA. I don’t care what the job is, and I know my dad would never steer me wrong.

  It only takes me a few minutes to upload the required information and my resume. I look up when I hear the door open next door. I see the woman from yesterday walking out of her house to sit on her porch with a cup of coffee just as I am. So much for being discreet. I’m trying so hard to not look in her direction but it’s hard because our houses are not that far apart and there’s something about her. I pretend to busy myself on my laptop so I’m not staring, but really I am. I notice she has a notebook or sketch pad in hand and it appears she’s taking notes, but she looks up to the lake every once in a while. I think I even catch her looking in my direction, but I can’t be sure. She’s probably wondering who I am and why I’m here.

  I can’t believe with our fathers being friends, and all the time I’ve spent up here, I’ve never met this girl. Shit, I don’t even know her name. Now I’m pissed that I didn’t think to ask my father. I try to distract myself by logging onto my social media so I can see what’s going on. I was hoping to find Jordan online so we can make plans to hit a club or something in a few weeks. That typically isn’t my scene, but I haven’t been out in so long I need to do something to try and meet a girl.

  I jump when I hear her burst into laughter and that’s when I notice how beautiful her smile really is. She has the most perfect white teeth I have ever seen. They’re so bright and perfectly straight and those full luscious lips. I dreamt about them around my cock last night, which is how I woke up with a hard-on. I can’t help but stare at her and when she busts me I just give her a brief smile before I look back down at my laptop. I already have email from my father’s friend asking me if I can come in for an interview next Friday. I send an instant response saying absolutely, and ask for a time. He responds back telling me that he’ll see me at three. I’m happy to have an interview, but I realize that I don’t know if princess will still be here. I better send my father a text.

  Carter: Hey dad! I have an interview next Friday at three.

  Dad: That is great!

  Carter: Yeah but if princess is still here she won’t have a babysitter.

  Dad: Please stop calling her that. Her name is Patricia and I’m hoping she will be back. Her mother has a fundraising event next weekend and I know her mother’s going to try to get her to go.

  Carter: Ok

  Feeling like someone is watching me I look up and she’s staring at me with a slight grin on her beautiful face. I chuckle and look back down at my laptop. So, the princess has a name. Patricia. I can’t imagine a girl like that would want to be with a messed up guy like me.

  I flash back to the day that ended it all for me. There is screaming all around me, bullets flying, and all I can think about is getting to Brody. I can hear him screaming my name. I run toward him, and my knee buckles. I hit the ground hard, jump back up, and keep running to him. When I reach him, I collapse to the ground by his side in pain. Brody is really bad off. I shake my head, trying to wipe away the horrible memories of that day. Not only did my career end but I also lost one of my best friends. It’s a day I will never forget.

  Patty

  “Celia, I’m taking my coffee to the porch.”

  I want to sit and watch the rain while I think about what I’ll write next. I’ve always enjoyed watching the rain, my mom says it’s boring but I think it’s relaxing. As I get comfy with my coffee and notebook, I see that guy is sitting on Mr. Montgomery’s porch. He must be his son because he looks somewhat like him. I quickly look down to my notes since I don’t want to be caught staring.

  The air smells of fall rain and it is so relaxing. I can hear the rain hitting the water and I love the sound it makes. I come up with an idea for the next chapter of my book so I jot down some notes. One of the lines I have written makes me burst out into laughter. I do that all the time, laugh or smile at the things I write. My hand flies to my mouth as I stop myself, embarrassed that he’s now looking at me. I’ve probably interrupted his morning and I’m sure he’s now thinking, what’s that crazy lady up to? I try to pretend like he’s not there watching me but it is hard. I can feel his eyes on me and I can’t help but look. He’s really attractive and I find I’m having a hard time looking away. It’s like we are looking into one another’s eyes, connecting even though we know nothing about each other. His hair is overgrown and he needs a shave, but I like the messy look he has going right now. He looks like he is pretty well built too.

  I give him a smile and a slight nod. I feel a slight blush creep up as I bite my lip. I look back down at my notes, breaking whatever connection we just had. I’m really thinking more about him than I am my book. When I peek back up, he is looking down at his laptop with a pained look on his face. He looks like he’s reliving something or in deep thought. His brows are furrowed and his eyes are closed. It makes me wonder what’s worrying that handsome man. Feeling like I’m invading some sort of private moment I look back down at my notebook.

  Maybe I should introduce myself to him. Wait, what if he doesn’t want to be bothered? What would he care to talk to a lonely bookworm like me? When I look back up to give him a smile hoping he’ll walk over here, he’s typing on his laptop again and it makes me feel like I missed my chance. I sigh and go back to my work.

  A short time later I’m out of coffee. I glance over one more time. He’s gone inside. I go in too, make myself another cup of coffee, and send a text to Bella.

  Patty: There is a hottie staying in the house next to me.

  Bella: No way, did you introduce yourself?

  Patty: Ummm, No! Why would I?

  Bella: Maybe because you’re single and you deserve a man in your life.

  Patty: Trust me he is not the type of guy who dates shy bookworms like me.

  Bella: Ooohh girl, wait until I get there, you need to see you are gorgeous and not a bookworm.

  Patty: Whatever, I’m going to write so I can take Saturday and Sunday off. Talk to you later.

  Bella: Later.

  I walk into the office with my coffee and notebook and settle in for a few hours of writing. I open my laptop to start with reading what I wrote yesterday. I always start with that because I end up finding mistakes or making changes that make the story better. It seems I notice things better after I’ve taken a break. Once I have finished and I’m satisfied with what I have written, I pick up where I left off yesterday. I’m having a hard time focusing though. I keep thinking about my neighbor’s handsome face and the look of pain it held.

  I really need to dig into my work, so I push all thoughts of him to the back of my head. I don’t want to be stressed when Bella gets here this weekend. I’m partway into chapter three when I hear a knock on the door.

  “I brought you a sandwich and some chips for lunch.”

  “Thank you, Celia. I was so busy I hadn’t even realized it was lunch time yet.”

  “Not to worry. I didn’t want to interrupt you, so I brought you something you could eat in here.”

  “Thanks, you’re the best. Oh and by the way, Bella is coming up Saturday afternoon. If I know her she will
be here by Saturday, late morning.”

  “That’s great! I will plan to have her for lunch and dinner on Saturday.”

  “She is spending the night so she will be here for breakfast and possibly lunch on Sunday too.”

  “Okay good to know. I’ll run to the store to pick up you ladies some wine and munchies for your girls night as well as something special for dinner.”

  “Thanks, Celia.”

  While I eat I’m going to do some posting in my online groups to take a break. Maybe that’ll help me clear my head so I can focus on my writing more. I love my groups and have made a lot of friends over the years. I post in one of the groups that I’m back to writing and my friend instantly replies.

  Marissa: What happened to the break?

  Patty: It’s over

  Marissa: That was a short break

  Patty: Too short, but you know how it is, the readers want more.