“What exactly would you want from me?”
“There’s a small group of veterans walking between the VFW and American Legion floats. I thought you could join them.”
That didn’t sound too bad. “I would be honored.”
“Great. Thanks.” Tina tilted her head. “You know, you still look really familiar, but I don’t remember meeting you before. I mean before the other day.”
Pam’s hand twitched in his.
With uncanny timing, almost as if they’d planned it like a military maneuver, Kyle ran up. “Mommy. Potty.”
Tina’s eyes widened. Her eyes whisked back and forth between them, then her mouth dropped open.
“There’s one,” Pam whispered. “And sorry, but I need to take Kyle inside.”
Loss pricked at him when her hand left his. He turned to face the million and one questions in Tina’s eyes. What if she asked something he couldn’t answer? He’d only known about Kyle for forty-eight hours. Amazing how your whole life could change in less time than it took to reload an M-16.
To his surprise, she snapped her mouth closed and gestured toward the bunting. “Let me show you what we need to do with this.”
Pam always talked about how much she loved the people at The Corral. He could see why. Everyone he’d met had been friendly and welcoming. Community minded. Their fondness for each other was readily apparent. Would Tina give Pam the third degree later, or was the waitress’s lack of nosey questions another commentary on her character? People who knew when to mind their own business were few and far between.
Tyler vaulted up on the flat bed of the trailer. Tina made introductions. A few of their gazes lingered on his face. Some glanced away. But most looked him in the eye as they returned his handshake.
Tina handed him a section of bunting. Soon those on the float worked out a system, and by the time Pam and Kyle returned, the top of the framework was covered in red, white, and blue. Colors, that no matter how many times he saw them, or in what arrangement, always made him prouder to do what he did.
Could he serve his country and be a father too? The first part he had no doubts about. The second he had about a million doubts about. To start. Sure, plenty of the men and women he served with had families back home. But they’d known about their families from the get-go. Families who understood the commitment and sacrifice involved. Even though Pam had made a hugely important decision without him, she said she’d done it for him. Was there more to it than that? Was she trying to spare herself and Kyle that kind of life?
****
“Is Kyle too young to go fishing?”
Pam ignored the pleasurable shiver Tyler’s voice elicited. She tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder to leave both hands free to finish loading the dishwasher. “No, he’d probably enjoy it.” Especially if it meant hanging out with Tyler. Although Kyle didn’t have a clue to the nature of the relationship between the two of them, he was already completely taken with Tyler. Something that warmed her heart and chilled her to the bone all at the same time.
“Do you think he’d like to go with me?”
The uncertainty in Tyler’s voice tugged at her soul. “He’d love it, but just to warn you, he has the attention span of a two-year-old. Meaning all of about two seconds.”
“If you don’t think it’s a good idea…”
“I think it’s a great idea.”
“Oh. Okay.” He cleared his throat. “Do you have to work today?”
“Nope. I can have Kyle ready whenever you want.”
“How about if I pick you both up in half an hour?”
“You want me there too?”
“Of course. Why do you sound surprised?”
She closed the dishwasher. “I thought maybe you’d want to spend some time with Kyle alone.”
Silence filled the line. Then, “I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
Pam placed a hand over her heart to ease the ache. A man shouldn’t be unsure about spending time with his son. Another sin to lay at her feet.
“How about if I throw together a few sandwiches for lunch?”
“Sounds perfect. See you in a bit.”
Within the hour they were in Tyler’s rented Jeep heading toward the stream. Strapped into his booster seat in the back, Kyle raised his face to the wind and laughed as it blew his hair in disarray.
Tyler glanced in the rearview. “Is he okay back there? It’s not too windy, is it?”
“Are you kidding? He’s having the time of his life.”
To prove her point, when they turned into the small gravel area, Kyle’s face wore a pout. “I want more wind.”
Pam unbuckled him and kissed his cheek. “Later, little man.” She set him on the ground. “Right now we’re going fishing.”
“With Tyler?”
“Yep.”
“Yessss!”
Pam tugged the picnic basket from the open back.
“I can carry that.” Tyler held out his hand.
“Why don’t you grab the fishing gear and take Kyle’s hand.” Was she pushing too much too soon? “I’ve got this.” She turned. “Kyle, you have to hold Tyler’s hand while we walk through the woods.”
“Okay.” He slid his hand into Tyler’s.
About two hundred emotions chased through Tyler’s eyes.
Pam swallowed the lump in her throat. “Come on boys, let’s hit the trail.”
As they walked, Tyler looked over his shoulder. “Have you ever brought him here?”
“No.” Should she tell him she’d hadn’t been there the whole time he’d been gone?
“Look!” Kyle pointed. “Bunny.” Its cotton-puff tail disappeared into the trees as it hopped away.
When they reached the stream, Pam squatted next to Kyle. “Okay, buster. Here are the rules. You may not go near the water unless you’re holding my hand or Tyler’s. Got it?”
“Got it.” He slapped his palm against her upraised one. “We fish now?” he asked Tyler.
“Yep. Here’s your pole.” Tyler handed Kyle a short rod and reel. “I bought a small one for him at the sporting goods store this morning.” He kept his gaze on the pole. “The man behind the counter asked me if it was for Kyle.”
Pam’s breath caught. “I’m sorry. It’s a small town. There’s talk. Enough people saw you with Kyle yesterday…I guess word spread.” Did it bother him that people knew?
“Do you think they judge me?”
“Judge you?” There went the parrot imitation again.
“Do they think I left knowing you were pregnant?”
Every fiber of her being wanted to deny it. But she couldn’t be sure. Who knew what other people were thinking? And there were already too many lies between her and Tyler. If they had any chance of moving forward, she had to be honest.
“I don’t know. I’d like to think people wouldn’t jump to that conclusion, but…”
Tyler nodded, but wouldn’t meet her gaze.
She laid a hand on his arm. “The people who really matter know the truth.”
“Right.”
“We gonna fish or what?” Excitement and impatience blended in Kyle’s voice.
Tyler ruffled his reddish-blond curls. “We’re gonna fish. That I’m sure about.”
Chapter Eight
“Kyle? You ready? The parade is starting soon.”
Kyle raced around the corner looking adorable in his overalls and white shirt. He grasped a small American flag in his chubby fist. “Ready.”
Mom walked out of the kitchen. “You look nice.”
Pam snorted. It had taken her more times than she cared to count to apply her makeup this morning. Tears, a mixture of so many emotions it made her head spin to try to name them, kept obliterating the mascara and liner.
Seeing Tyler working side by side with her coworkers and friends had made her happy. Seeing Kyle nestled between his father’s arms and legs while he patiently demonstrated how to cast a line had caused something tender to linger in her he
art. Not knowing what Tyler might decide was a fine balance between uncertainty and fear. What if he didn’t want to be a part of Kyle’s life? By default, he wouldn’t be a part of hers either.
To complicate matters further, oh Lord help her, the way his shorts hugged the downright sinful curve of his backside elicited a primitive surge of lust, pure and simple. Their kiss the other night had left her aching and wanting more. Much, much more.
“Pam?”
She jerked back to the present. “Hmn?”
“You okay?”
“Sure.” As okay as she could be until Tyler made his decision. And then there was the distinct possibility she wouldn’t ever be okay again. If he decided no, she’d never see him again, and would have to deal with that heartbreak. If he decided yes, she would have to say good-bye and send him off to the other side of the world. A place of war and violence and death. Then she’d have to face that heartache.
But for now, today was a day for celebrating. The birthday of a country founded on independence and equality and freedom for all, and the men and women who ensured it stayed that way. Pam checked the mirror over the entryway table. She straightened her red cowboy hat and smoothed the lacy American flag tee she wore over a denim mini skirt. Her favorite cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
“Let’s hit the road.”
The sun blazed down out of an azure sky dotted with puffy white clouds. She settled Kyle in the little wagon decorated with red, white, and blue, and she and Mom headed down the street, the wheels clattering behind them. They’d put lawn chairs out earlier that morning to save a place along the route. Pam couldn’t be more proud and excited that Tyler had agreed to be a part of the parade. He deserved the honor and recognition.
As they drew closer to Main Street, the animated hum of voices mixed with the music issuing from speakers along the sidewalks. Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” could just be heard above the noise of the crowd.
Once settled in their spots, Kyle stood up in the wagon and peered around. Pam put a protective arm around his waist. She inhaled the coconuty smell of sunscreen.
Kyle pointed. “Here it comes!”
The mayor, acting as Grand Marshal, cruised by in a baby blue classic convertible. Flags fluttered from the bumpers. He waved and smiled at the crowd lining the street. The marching band from the high school, stepping in perfect synchronization, followed playing a lively version of “America the Beautiful.”
Pam clapped and hollered as The Corral’s float passed. From the chairs on either side of a square table covered with a red-checked cloth, Tina and Nick waved from their lofty perch.
Next came elderly legionnaires in their traditional black embroidered hats. Pam’s heart raced. Tyler walked alongside several former servicemen a few yards behind the float. The two eldest wore a Vietnam ball cap and a Korean War cap respectively. Three younger men wore T-shirts depicting their service in Desert Storm. One small part of Pam’s mind registered these details.
The majority of her brain had the insurmountable task of trying to remember how to breathe. Because Tyler wore a short-sleeved khaki shirt and blue dress pants with a red stripe down the side. A brimmed hat shadowed his face. He looked absolutely every inch a Marine. A man dedicated to the honor of serving his country no matter the cost.
The roar from the crowd was deafening as the men passed by. Those sitting in chairs stood and clapped. Men doffed their hats. Tears streamed down Pam’s cheeks.
“It’s Tyler.” Kyle jumped up and down and pointed. “Hi Tyler!” He waved frantically.
How Tyler heard him above the noise of hundreds of cheering voices was a miracle. Or perhaps a vestige of some inherent father-son connection. But he looked over. Instead of waving, he raised his right hand in a salute. When Kyle mimicked the gesture, Pam’s heart swelled and burst in her chest..
“Now that’s a keeper.”
Through her tears, the frozen image of the double salute on Mom’s phone screen blurred. She nodded, unable to speak. Even without the photo, Pam wouldn’t forget the moment as long as she lived.
****
With a snap and flick of her wrists, Pam opened the red and blue plaid blanket and spread it on the grass. “How’s this?” The football field was rapidly filling with people settling into lawn chairs and on blankets in anticipation of the fireworks.
“Works for me.” Tyler sat and rested one arm on his bent knee. He’d changed from his uniform into cargo shorts and a green khaki T-shirt. The muscles in his biceps strained the sleeves.
Kyle sprawled next to him. “When’s it gonna start?”
“Soon.” Pam pretzeled her legs. “It’s not dark enough yet.” She handed him a box of animal crackers. “Here. You can have these while you wait.”
“Yessss.” He bit the head off a lion. “Thank you.”
“You’ve done an amazing job raising him.”
Heat, hotter than the still warm temperature, blazed into her cheeks. “Thank you. I had a lot of help from Mom. She knows what it’s like to be a single mother.”
A small smile curved his lips. His oh-so-tempting lips. “Well then you’ve learned from the best, because I have to say, you turned out pretty well yourself.”
How could he tease so light-heartedly when she’d lied to him? He was the amazing one.
The lights shining on the field went out. Kyle squealed and clapped. Tyler leaned closer and captured her mouth in a soft, lingering kiss. In those first few moments of complete darkness the sensual urgency of his lips tugged at her libido and her soul, so that even though they were surrounded by hundreds of people, it was like they were the only ones in the universe.
All too soon he broke the kiss, but settled her back to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. She nestled against him as the first firework streaked into the sky and exploded with a pop and sizzle into a brilliant shower of red.
Pam couldn’t help but smile when Kyle offered a traditional “ooooh” of delight. She shivered when Tyler kissed the side of her neck and a silent “ahhhh” completed the phrase.
A white pinwheel broke into smaller pieces, each whistling in corkscrews high overhead. Her stomach followed suit when his lips brushed back and forth across her ear.
One that looked like Saturn expanded next. Four jets of light shot into the sky and burst in a kaleidoscope of color as the amazing display continued. Pam didn’t know what was more compelling, the flashes of brilliant light dotting the sky, or the steady rise and fall of Tyler’s chest pressed against her while wrapped in the strength of his embrace.
His hand shifted and brushed the underside of her breast through the thin cotton of her shirt, and the show paled in comparison to the spark that jolted along her nerves. Awareness, brighter and hotter than any firework, blazed through her. It was all she could do to stop herself from turning in his arms and toppling them both to the blanket in a tangle of limbs.
For the length of the thirty minute show, her body hummed in acute harmony with his as his fingers and lips brushed and stroked under cover of darkness.
When the display ended with the thundering, ground-shaking explosion of a dozen big boomers that echoed off of the stands around them, her heart thudded almost as loud in her chest.
Kyle’s eyes were huge as the lights came back on. “That was awesome!”
Pam scooted away from Tyler in an effort to squelch the desire licking through her veins. Distance didn’t help one iota. Her blood still sang. Her pulse still raced.
Tyler looked at her with unfathomable eyes. “Is your mom still here or did she go home?”
“She’s around here somewhere hanging out with her Bunco friends. Why?” Did he want to be alone? How was it possible for her heart to beat even faster?
“Do you think she would take Kyle home so we could go somewhere to talk?”
The desire screeched to a halt, and Pam’s stomach dropped to join her feet in her boots. The way he said it wasn’t a euphemism for doing something else. He really did want
to talk. Had he made his decision? Would she be strong enough to accept it? Whatever it was? She swallowed. “Sure. I’ll text her.”
Her shaking fingers fumbled over the small letters on the screen, but she managed to get the message out. The reply was quick.
“She’ll meet us at the entrance gate in five minutes.”
“Great. Tell her thanks.”
Pam nodded. She lifted a sleepy Kyle into her arms. He cuddled into her neck with a sigh. “Would you grab the blanket?”
Tyler folded it and tucked it beneath his arm. He pulled the wagon behind him. Silence fraught with tension accompanied them as they strolled toward the gate with the stream of others leaving the field.
Mom was waiting as promised. Pam kissed Kyle’s forehead and placed him in the wagon with the blanket. “Grandma’s going to take you home, okay?”
He nodded and mumbled as he curled on his side.
“I love you.”
“Love you too,” he echoed.
“Thank you, Mrs. Foster.”
“You’re welcome. You kids have fun.”
Pam’s stomach, which had crept back into its proper spot, knotted. Ten to one the conversation would be anything but fun. She shoved her hands into the back pockets of her skirt. “So, um, where do you want to go?” Too dark for the stream. And she didn’t want to ruin the happy atmosphere of The Corral with what might well be a bad memory.
Tyler glanced around. “It’s emptying out pretty quickly. How about if we head back in and sit on the bleachers?”
“That works.”
With the thinning crowd it wasn’t too much like salmon swimming upstream. The clank of her boots echoed Tyler’s as they climbed the metal seats. Her heart beat just as loudly.
“This will do.” Tyler stopped three rows from the top, then let her pass.
She scooted halfway down the row. Instead of sitting next to her, he stretched out on the bench and laid his head in her lap. Just enough light shone from the field to make his scars visible.
With her fingertips she feathered the network of fine lines on his cheek. “Does it hurt?”
Fourth of July at the Corral Page 5