by JoAnn Durgin
“How about I walk you to the dorm and we can wait there together for the kids to return? I think they’ll be okay. I suppose we should give them a little freedom while we’re here,” he said. “Show them we trust them unless they give us reason to believe otherwise. And pray that doesn’t happen.”
At first Sheila appeared hesitant but then she nodded and fell into step beside him. As they walked, a truth hit him: she hadn’t stuttered at all when she’d said his name. Interesting. Made him wonder if there were psychological or physiological reasons.
The one thing Dean did know was that he liked the way his name sounded coming from Sheila. Very much. He hoped to hear it again soon.
Chapter 10
~~♥~~
Marta walked beside Eliot as they canvassed the perimeter of the campsite for the third time. They’d talked about nothing in particular. She appreciated how he invested himself in her life even though there were limits to what she could ask him.
“If a man asks questions about you and listens, really listens, it shows he cares for you.” Those words had come from her mother after Marta admitted her ex-fiancé had betrayed her trust and then called off their engagement. Funny how much she’d understood in hindsight. Liam hadn’t asked questions or listened for a number of months before his indiscretion with a shapely blonde fellow law student came to light. She’d been a fool for believing his lies far too long.
They kept their voices low and waved at Sam as he rocked on the front porch of his family’s quarters. “You realize Sam will stay outside, rocking on that porch, until he knows we’re tucked safely inside our dorms,” Marta said.
Eliot grinned. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from Papa Bear.”
The night chill was settling in, bathing the camp in a fine mist. Marta was glad she’d changed out of her shorts and grabbed her hoodie before dinner. Not knowing what to do with her hands, she tucked them in the pockets of her jeans.
They stopped walking halfway between their two dorms. “I suppose we should call it a night,” she said. “We have to be up early and it’s going to be a long day. It should be an exciting day.”
“Most definitely.” The vertical line between Eliot’s brows surfaced. “Marta, before you go inside, I need to ask you a question. An important one.”
“Okay. What’s that?” Marta hugged her arms over her chest. She shivered but not because of the temperature.
“Are you dating anyone? Seriously?”
She stubbed one toe in the ground and winced when she found resistance. “No, I’m not dating anyone, seriously or otherwise.” She hadn’t been out on a legitimate date in over a year but didn’t want to sound pitiful by admitting that sad truth. “I couldn’t sit around pining away for you, now, could I?” She could have slapped her forehead. What possessed her to say such a dumb thing? Lowering her gaze, she hoped Eliot couldn’t tell her emotions—giddiness combined with nerves—were waging war inside her.
“I can’t imagine a man not wanting a second opportunity to spend time in your company. Or a third. And so on.” He laughed quietly under his breath. “I think you get my point.”
Marta hid her smile, thankful for the cover of darkness except for the moonlight. “Eliot, why don’t you tell me what’s really on your mind?”
Surprising her, Eliot reached for her hands. “I care about you, Marta. More than I think you know.” His Adam’s apple slid up and down in his throat. “What I can’t seem to justify in my mind is how it could possibly be fair to you to start something I might not be able to finish.”
A frown creased her brow. “Sounds ominous. Let’s get something out of the way first. You’re not sick, are you?”
“No, I’m not sick. I’ve never been healthier.”
“Then you’re talking about your job, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” After releasing her hands, Eliot raked the fingers of one hand through his short hair. “What I do can be extremely dangerous. I know that the Lord’s protected me in situations I never would have survived otherwise, Marta. He’s blessed me with insight and discernment, and there have been times when I’ve felt His presence and known He’s right there beside me. That gives me an unbelievable comfort and hope that I can’t even adequately express.”
“I can’t begin to imagine,” Marta murmured, trying to absorb his words. “I guess my biggest question is why you go on assignments that you know can be so dangerous? I know you didn’t like it when I asked that question after you first arrived, and I’m sorry I made you angry.”
“You didn’t make me angry, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to apologize for wanting to know about my life.” Lifting his face to the sky, Eliot’s sigh was audible. “As simple as this sounds, the Lord gives me the desire to do it and then He equips me to do it.”
“Meaning there aren’t many others who are either capable or willing to handle such dangerous…assignments? Is that even the right term?”
He nodded slowly and his gaze narrowed. “Yes, to both questions.”
“Eliot, have you ever had to kill a man?” That question popped out unaware. Maiming went without question. She’d heard he’d broken a guy’s leg and laid him flat on the floor with some impressive fighting when he’d rescued Mitch.
Eliot didn’t flinch. “No, but I’ve come close.”
She gulped. “You’d kill if you had to?”
“Yes, if duty called and for self-preservation. Same goes for self-sacrifice. It would depend on the circumstances. I still think I’ll make it past the pearly gates one of these days.”
She knew he was teasing or she’d address that last comment. “Are you military, Eliot?”
His expression was indecipherable. “I’m not at liberty to answer that question.”
Would she never learn? “I shouldn’t have asked. I can’t seem to help myself.”
Eliot cradled her face in both of his large palms and skimmed the sides of her face with his thumbs. “I’ve prayed for you every day, Marta.” That comment came out raspy and edged with raw emotion.
“You have?” Her heart was poised to take flight.
When he chuckled, the sound warmed her. “Tell me I shouldn’t be offended that you haven’t prayed for me.”
She placed one hand on his chest. “Of course, I’ve prayed for you, silly. It’s just easier to pray if I know where you are and what you’re doing. But that’s not possible.” Not that Eliot had been far from her mind since she’d met him.
“I guess it’s like faith,” he said. “We can’t see God, but we know He’s always there, loving and protecting us. You might find this difficult to believe, but you’re the woman I’ve compared every other woman to since we first met.”
“How, um, many women are we talking about?” Backing away, Marta held up one hand. “Strike that question. Doesn’t matter. Wow, when you ask a girl to take a walk, you sure know how to steal her breath. Not that I’m complaining.”
“There have been women, but not a romantic love interest.” Eliot stared at the ground. “I’m not sure I know how to be in a relationship, Marta.” His gaze moved back up to her. “Will you show me how?”
Something about his humility in asking that question, and the way in which he looked at her now, seared straight through to her heart. Stepping closer, Marta ran her fingers lightly over his beard. Such a handsome face, such expressive eyes. “In the past, you’ve tried not to show your true feelings. Why here? Why now?”
“During the drive from Texas to New Mexico, you were constantly on my mind. By the time I arrived here today, I’d decided I couldn’t allow myself to get too close.” His eyes softened. “And there you were, standing in that field. Beautiful Marta. So ready to spar with me. At the sight of you, I felt things I haven’t experienced in a very long time, if ever. And then I heard your irresistible accent and your feisty, independent spirit came out to play.”
“Eliot, are you saying…” Putting a hand to her forehead, she was consumed by a sudden lightheadedness.
“I’m saying that I know the value of every second, every minute. The way I see it, we have the opportunity for a lifetime in the next two weeks. This really is our moment, Marta. If you’re willing, let’s explore this attraction between us and see where it goes.” He rested his cheek against her hair. “This isn’t some spur-of-the-moment decision. I’m not looking for a fling, an affair, or a mission romance. No other woman has your fire, your intelligence, your ability to keep me in line and challenge me. You’re funny. I love your beautiful eyes, your blonde curls, and your adorable nose.” His gaze moved lower. “Your lips.”
When he opened his arms, Marta willingly fell into Eliot’s embrace. He wrapped those strong arms around her with surprising tenderness. She was surprised he didn’t kiss her, but another part of her whispered that it was too soon.
Leaning her head on his broad, solid chest, Marta memorized the smell of him—a combination of the outdoors, a faint hint of lingering freshness from soap or laundry detergent, as well as something undeniably male and uniquely Eliot. A tear escaped. How long would she need to carry this memory of him? Sadness threatened to overtake her. Blinking hard, she tried to keep more tears at bay.
Pulling back, Eliot’s strong arms still encircled her. “Why the tears?”
Sniffling, Marta shook her head. “I’m not crying. Not really.”
“I’ve got a wet spot on my shirt to disprove that statement.”
Marta glimpsed his dimple when it appeared beneath the stubble. “I have a question I hope you can answer.”
“Go for it.”
“Where do you live, Eliot? Physically live? Trust me, you can’t imagine how silly I feel asking that question.”
“I live all over the world, but my current home address is in Texas. Not far from Houston.”
Marta stifled her gasp. “You mean all this time you’ve been so close—”
“Yes, but I’m away from home about eighty percent of the year on average.” The regret in his voice was apparent. “It takes a strong woman to even want to be in my life.”
She searched his eyes. “And you believe that I’m strong enough?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t be saying these things to you otherwise. I’ll tell you something else.” With his arms still around her, he inched her closer. “You’re the most unforgettable woman I’ve ever met.”
Heat rose in Marta’s cheeks. What could she say to that? She was still trying to wrap her mind around this entire conversation. “Thank you,” she whispered. Of all the things she thought they might discuss on their first night together, she’d never have imagined such open honesty, such revelations, from Eliot.
“Well, you have to know you’ve pretty much spoiled other men for me.”
He tilted his head. “That’s a heady—not to mention intriguing—statement.”
She laughed a little. “Trust me, it’s all good. You’re the singular most intriguing man I’ve ever met. And yes, unforgettable.” For a second, she enjoyed the masculine pride that flittered in Eliot’s expression at that statement, but she needed to keep going. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of getting to know you the past few years, but the truth is, we don’t really know each other all that well, do we? We pass each other at various TeamWork events, spend a little time flirting and teasing, but some of those times are at weddings and funerals where emotions are running high and the adrenaline is freely flowing.”
“True,” he said, and nodded for her to continue. Eliot did know her well since he’d obviously sensed she wasn’t done yet.
“Neither one of us is denying the mutual attraction between us. Now you’re telling me you’d like us to pursue a relationship although you’re not sure it’s fair to me. You can’t tell me what you do for a living except that your job can be extremely dangerous and your faith has carried you through situations you might not have survived otherwise. And although you live not far from Houston, you’re not home most of the year?”
He leaned his forehead on hers for a few seconds. “Yes. That’s pretty much it.” His hold on her waist eased and he started to pull away.
“Stay right where you are, please.” Eliot remained silent, waiting.
“All I know is that I’ve never felt safer in my life than I do right now, Eliot. I say bring on the creepy crawlies and the wild beasts! You put up with my sarcasm, you laugh at my dumb jokes, and you still somehow seem to like me. You’re a brave man in more ways than one, it would seem.” Tracing her fingertips over his forehead, Marta pushed aside a stray lock of hair. Then she moved them over his high cheekbones and down to his square, well-defined jaw. “I have a suggestion. Like you said, I agree that we should see how the next two weeks go. Then we can take it from there. We don’t have to make any major life decisions tonight, do we?”
Those dark eyes bore into her with such tenderness it stole her breath. “Fair warning. I don’t do anything halfway. I approach everything with a win-at-all-costs attitude. I’m sure that would intimidate a lot of women.”
“Even so, you’re not exactly an unlovable kind of guy.”
“So,” he said, the dimple resurfacing, “your answer is yes?”
Her heart in her throat, Marta nodded. “For the mission. Then if all goes well…”
He raised a brow. “Yes?”
Eliot had been so honest with her, and she needed to do the same for him. “If all goes well, then we’ll go back home to Texas and I’ll take the twenty percent you’re offering.”
His slow moving smile made her warm everywhere. “Not that we’re making any major life decisions.”
“Of course not.” She lifted her chin, giving him the freedom and power to do what he wished.
Pressing his lips to her cheek, he whispered in her ear. “When I love a woman, I’m going to love hard. Passionately.”
Oh my. Marta stepped back a few paces, wondering if she could stand upright and not fall in a heap at this man’s feet. “That’s not exactly a fair statement to say to a girl you haven’t seen in a while.” She brought one hand up to her burning cheek.
“That’s why I need you to show me how to be in a relationship. Too much?”
“Just a little. It was, um…good. The problem, Eliot, is that it was too good.”
“You’ll probably consider this statement equally unfair, but as much as I want to kiss you right now, we need to wait. I can’t take advantage of this situation no matter how much I might want to do that very thing.”
Inside Marta, a little voice screamed for him to go right ahead. She stared at him, uncertain whether to smile or frown. “Who said anything about kissing?”
“You did. You see, Marta, your eyes don’t lie.”
“That’s kind of arrogant, isn’t it?” She hated that she was so transparent. Then again, Eliot was one of the most intelligent, perceptive men she’d ever known.
“Well, if there’s not going to be any kissing going on tonight, I guess it’s best if we say good night now and return to the dorms. Energized and ready to start this brand new relationship between us in the morning. I couldn’t be happier. How about you?” As she walked past him, Marta brushed his shoulder with hers. Bumped, really. Flippancy had to work right now. Otherwise, she might very well topple over from all the emotions swirling in her mind.
Eliot’s lips upturned and he grabbed hold of her hand and walked her to the door of the women’s dorm. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow morning’s going to come awfully fast.”
“Right,” she mumbled, unsure whether to feel rejected or appreciative that one of them was exercising caution and setting boundaries. “I’ll look forward to finding out whether you’re a morning person.” Lowering her gaze, Marta attempted to extricate her hand from his, but Eliot increased his hold.
“If I’d kissed you tonight, I would have been hard-pressed to stop.” He’d lowered his voice, and she was thankful in case any of the ladies inside were awake and could hear their conversation. They’d love it, but she wasn’t in the mood to analyze anything. For w
hat remained of the night, she simply wanted to savor this conversation.
“The tension was too high between us, and I also know my limits. For over two years, I’ve thought about kissing you. It will happen, Marta, but not tonight.” He released her hand. “Now, off with you.”
“You’re actually shooing me? I suppose you’re not going to leave until I’m inside the dorm?”
“That would be correct,” he said. “In everything we’ve shared tonight, I didn’t tell you the most important thing.”
She stared at him. “I’m pretty much on emotional overload right now, so I can’t even begin to imagine what you didn’t say.”
“Every moment I’ve spent with you has brought joy to my life. Falling in love has been the one thing in my life that’s scared me the most. Until now.”
Her heart swelled. A man who faced danger on an almost daily basis could be scared of falling in love? “I’m scared, too, Eliot. What do you say, let’s be scared together?”
“Let me show you how I greet and sometimes say good-bye to the TeamWork guys and my Christian friends. It can work for us, too. At least for tonight.”
“Instead of a kiss?”
Pursing his lips, she could tell he tried not to laugh, but his chuckle escaped. “Raise your hand and make a fist.”
She raised her right hand and curled her fingers into a fist. “Now what? Please don’t tell me you were greeting another woman like this and that’s how you got the black eye.”
“Repeat after me, please.” Eliot brought his fist closer to hers and they lightly bumped knuckles. “Everything according to His purpose.”
“Everything according to His purpose,” she said. No doubt about his meaning there.
“Good night, Marta. Sleep well.”
“Good night, Eliot. Same to you.”
Slipping inside the dorm, she locked the door and then moved over to the side window. She watched as Eliot headed in the direction of the men’s dorm a few hundred yards away. Pausing in the doorway, he turned and waved.