Love & Liberty: Independence Day (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 6)

by Elsie Davis

  “I don’t understand. Are you really telling me you saw the eagle?” She wanted there to be no mistake in what he was telling her. This was too big.

  “No. I didn’t see him,” David said, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes as he delivered the bad news. “I saw them.”

  Ashley’s mouth dropped open. She was at a loss for words. Tears filled her eyes, and she brushed them away, her thoughts racing out of control at what all this could mean. For starters, if it was true, she wasn’t leaving town tomorrow. Even if she opted to take the National Geographic job, she’d need more time to finish out documenting the eagle pairing and to find the nest. Not to mention, capturing photographs for her own personal collection.

  “Who did you see, Mr. David?” Cory asked. “Are there people living in the woods?”

  David smiled at the innocent question. “I’m sure there are people out here, but hopefully not living there, at least, not in these woods. But I saw the eagles your mommy has been looking for.”

  Ashley didn’t know how or why David had managed to do this but the joy in her heart overflowed. “Tell me everything. Where were they? Was there an immature? Did you see a nest?” She fired off the questions, not giving him a chance to answer.

  David chuckled. “No to the immature and nest. But I’ve marked the coordinates on your map as to the where. I’m taking you there now, hoping we can see them again.”

  Ashley frowned. “My map? How did you get that? I wondered where it disappeared to.”

  “Trent had a hand in that.” David grinned as he swung Cory up, putting him on his shoulders.

  “Trent?”

  “Yes. Your brother and about half a dozen people in the community came out Thursday and helped search for the eagle. We searched four more of the sections, but unfortunately, came up empty-handed. And I heard you were searching this one,” he said, pointing to the one she’d hiked yesterday.

  “Let me guess, Trent told you? He did a good job acting clueless yesterday, the stinker.”

  David nodded. “Of course. I was over here, checking out these two areas. This is where I spotted the eagles.” He pointed to a spot on the map. “There’s a pond here, one with fish. Good-size fish judging by the one the eagle caught yesterday. I know we may or may not see them today, but I wanted to bring you here personally so that you’d know where to come and watch.”

  “And you know for a fact they’re eagles? Do you have any proof? Not that I don’t trust what you saw, but anyone I tell will want evidence. Especially if I try to get the area federally protected.”

  David smiled as he set Cory back down. “I have pictures. Relax. They’re not great, but I’m guessing you can mostly confirm what I know I saw with my own eyes.”

  “Show me,” she urged, unable to contain her excitement.

  David pulled out his phone and flipped through his gallery of pictures. He turned it around for her to see when he found the one he liked.

  Even through her tears, Ashley could tell he was right. It was a bald eagle. “Oh, my goodness. It’s a miracle.” She swiped through the gallery photos, stopping at the picture that captured both eagles in one shot. Not an easy feat.

  “It is at that. Follow me.” David lifted Cory back onto his shoulders, prepared to carry her son. The three of them wound their way down the trail toward the designated spot, Kojak leading the way.

  They’d walked about twenty minutes, Cory and David talking the entire time. Her inquisitive son had lots of questions and David seemed all too happy to answer. Something that gave Ashley plenty of thinking time.

  “I don’t understand why you were out here doing this,” she said, when there was a lull in the conversation.

  “Someone recently told me actions speak louder than words. I wanted to show you how much I care. About you, and everything you believe in. I can see my mother was right. I told you at your house that I cared about you, and your face darkened in disbelief. Now, I’m showing you, and you’re listening. I know this is important to you, and I wanted you to see it through to the end before you leave for D.C.”

  “You did this for me?” Ashley asked in wonder. He was still David, the man she loved, but a different David. A better David. One that would be even harder to leave behind.

  “Of course. I’ve regretted some of my decisions in the past a hundred times over, none more so than walking away from you. You see, I had this thing about not wanting you to have to deal with tragedy if something were to happen to me in the line of duty. Like my mom.”

  “Trent told me as much recently.” The question was, could she trust in the words? Too often, she’d trusted men, and her judgment had failed her.

  David glanced back at her and let out a deep sigh. “So maybe you can begin to understand at least a little. It wasn’t until recently that I talked to my mom about it, and by way of a miracle, she’s moving on with her life and stepping out of her grief. She made me realize that even had she known how things would end between her and my dad, she wouldn’t have changed loving him or marrying him. That just blew my mind and gave me a lot to think about.”

  “That’s what real love looks like. It’s the dance between two people for as long as God gives them.”

  “That’s what I’ve come to realize.” David grabbed her hand and pulled her into the clearing. “This is where I spotted the eagles. I don’t see them right now, but I was lying here yesterday afternoon, quietly praying for another chance with you when they appeared. I took it as a sign. I have a picnic lunch so we can sit back and relax, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll get to share the magical moment together.”

  They all moved to stand at the water’s edge, Cory was intently checking out a frog, completely ignoring David and her for the moment.

  “You realize there must be a nest near here, right?” Ashley asked, gazing around.

  “That’s what I thought. We’ll just have to keep looking until we find it. Together,” David added, the last word like a solemn vow.

  She turned back and smiled at him, the idea of them together something she’d given up hope would ever happen. “Sounds good to me,” Ashley said softly.

  David moved closer, his gaze landing on her mouth.

  Ashley knew what was coming, and she welcomed it with all the love and joy in her heart. David had shown her how much he cared, and the much-awaited kiss would confirm it. He lowered his head, Ashley savoring every second with anticipation.

  “Look, Mommy. There’s a big birdie in the sky over there.” Her son interrupted the kiss, but neither of them could stop from looking at where Cory pointed.

  David focused the binoculars he carried. “Good eyes, buddy.” He glanced at her and nodded, his grin ear to ear.

  “Really? It’s the eagle?” Ashley asked, pulling out the zoom lens for her camera. There was no way she would miss this. She screwed it in place and adjusted a few settings based on the lighting.

  “It is. Yesterday, I had to wait until the eagle was a lot closer because I left the binoculars in the car. Here, take a look.” David handed her the field glasses.

  She let the camera hang from her neck, dying to get a glimpse. As she watched, a second eagle joined the first, and they soared gracefully together. “They’re beautiful,” she whispered. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Believe it. Now, you need a good picture. Something better than what I took.” He grinned.

  Ashley pulled the compact tripod from her bag, set it up, and attached the camera, while David went to work and laid out the blanket. He and Cory sat down to watch the eagles, the two of them eating snacks while she tried to get the perfect shot. Kojak laid close by waiting for Cory to drop or sneak him some food.

  She adjusted the focus, trying to bring the birds into view, and zooming in for a close-up picture. The birds flew in circles and it was difficult to keep up with them with any degree of clarity. The tripod action just wasn’t fluid enough to move in multiple directions with any degree of efficiency.

  “I’m just not getting
anything I can use,” she said, frustration edging into her voice. It was a momentous occasion, and she needed to document the sighting. “I’ve got an idea. Sometimes it’s a little easier to move the camera on something that gives me more room to operate and move, but something that’s still somewhat stationary.”

  “You lost me.” He laughed.

  “I need you. Stand up, and I’ll use your shoulder as a prop for the camera. I can move it around faster because it’s not actually attached to anything.”

  David nodded and stood. “Okay, then. Use me. I like the sound of that.” He ducked out the way of her playful swat.

  “Haha. As a tripod, wise guy.” Ashley flushed with pleasure, the teasing between them reminiscent of their younger days—when they were in love.

  “Disappointing.”

  Ashley moved to stand close to David, one hand on his shoulder as she steadied the camera. “Hold still. They’re coming back around. Do you see them, Cory?” Ashley asked.

  “I do, Mommy. Those are big birds. Way bigger than the ones in the backyard.”

  “Yes.” She laughed. “Way bigger.”

  Ashley clicked the shutter button repeatedly as the eagles drew closer. She followed one, and then the other, watching in awe at the majestic picture they painted. Suddenly, one of them disappeared into the woods. The other one circled back around, before it, too, vanished.

  “Give me your binoculars, David. I bet the nest is somewhere close to where they just flew into those woods.” Ashley was beyond excited at this point. The nest had to be there; she just knew it.

  David came to stand next to her, handing her the field glasses.

  She searched the treetops, scanning the area back and forth. Eagles liked the tallest trees in the area, preferring pines and upper branches. But with all the leaves on the other trees blocking her view, it was difficult to see anything. The nest was well-hidden if it was there. Not to mention, it was hard to focus with David standing close by. Couple-like close by.

  “I see it. I see it,” Ashley exclaimed, trying to keep her voice under control so as not to have it carry on the wind and scare the eagles. I can’t tell if there are any eaglets in it, but it’s huge and right near where the pair flew into the woods. Here, your turn.” Ashley handed him back the binoculars, wanting to share the moment with David. After all, the discovery was largely due to his efforts.

  “I don’t see it, sorry. The trees all look the same to me. A lot of greenery.” David smiled, lowering the binoculars and returning to the blanket where Cory and Kojak sat side by side. “Did you get any pictures good enough to use as evidence?”

  “Let me check.” Ashley sat down next to them and started flipping the button to go through her playback mode, zooming in on a couple of the pictures that appeared promising. “I’ve got one. See.” She held out the camera to show him the shot. There would be no doubt in anyone’s mind they’d found the bald eagle based on the picture. Correction. Eagles. The photo had captured them both. A magical moment.

  Ashley showed Cory and David the photo.

  “Yay! I can’t wait to tell my friends. We found them.” Cory grinned. “Now we have to stay here, right, Mommy? These are our eagles.” The hopeful expression on his face reminded her all too well of the challenges they still faced. She and David may be on the same page, but they wouldn’t be living in the same place. Once again, fate was determined to separate them.

  “We found the eagles, but they don’t belong to us. They’re wild,” Ashley explained, shoving away the negative thoughts crowding into her happy place. Finding the eagle had changed her departure date but reconnecting with David—well that made her choice about which job to take easier.

  The National Geographic would have been a fantastic opportunity, but Ashley was leaning toward the equally fantastic opportunity with La Galleria for two reasons. Cory needed family and that meant staying closer to Trent. The other, even more important reason, however, was that it would keep her closer to David. Her heart knew giving them both another chance was the right decision and Boston was just a heartbeat away from Hallbrook.

  David pulled out his phone and pressed a few numbers. “Good evening, Chief.” He glanced over at her and smiled.

  “Yes, sir. Sorry to disturb you at home, but I have new information I think you need to know immediately. Ashley Stanton has discovered a pair of eagles and their nest northeast of the South Summit parking lot. I’ll email you the coordinates and photos as proof. We need to cancel any future burn plans on file while Ms. Stanton contacts the Audubon Society. I’m sure they’ll have this area designated as a nesting site and be granted federal protection.”

  David nodded. “Yes, sir. I will.”

  “What did he say?” Ashley asked, unable to believe how fast things would move at this point.

  “He’s pleased. Once he has our email, he’ll take care of the rest.”

  “Thank you,” she exclaimed, throwing herself in David’s arms and hugging him, knocking him over on the blanket. His arms came around her for the first time in a long time, and the peace that came with it proved this was where she belonged.

  “Ewww. Are you two going to kiss?” Cory asked.

  Ashley turned back to her son, suddenly awkward, not wanting to send Cory the wrong message. She started to pull away, but David held her in place. Turning back, she gazed at David, ready to tell him to let her go, but the words died on her lips.

  As if in slow motion, everything else ceased to exist as David pulled her head down and kissed her. The kiss was soft, slow, and sweet. His message crystal clear for her and Cory to understand.

  “Does this mean you’re going to be my daddy?” he asked.

  “I’m working on it, Cory. I’m working on it.” David laughed.

  Ashley turned away, blushing under the intensity of his gaze. Her heart raced, joy filling her. A daddy meant marriage. The whole deal.

  “What’s this?” David reached toward her chest, his fingers closing around the pendant that had escaped from beneath her shirt. “You still have it,” he said, his voice raw with emotion.

  “I do. It was a way for me to keep a little piece of you with me always.” Her eyes filled with tears, the revelation a deep part of her soul. It was a part that gave David the power to crush her again. Apparently, she’d decided to trust him with her heart. Again.

  David took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’m glad. It makes this next part easier.” He grinned.

  “Next part?” she asked, sitting up.

  “I wanted to show you how I feel. And helping you go after your dream was a way to do it. I’m sorry I was such an idiot and that it took me this long to realize I can’t change what’s in my heart, and the only thing I was doing was making us both miserable. That is if you feel the same way. Just to be clear this time around, I love you.”

  “Just to be clear, I love you, too.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, the joy of finally being able to say the words again overwhelming.

  “I know we have a lot to talk about, but I need you to understand something. I know your dream job is waiting for you, and that you must leave. It’s important to you, so it’s important to me that you take it. We can work through the long-distance thing if I know you love me. This is your time to shine, and I won’t take that from you. Who knows, maybe I can move to D.C.” David’s eyes glimmered with years of love, leaving her feeling like the most cherished woman in the world.

  It wasn’t fair to ask him to leave, even if it was only as far as Boston and not D.C. This was his home. “But you love it here. Swore you’d never leave.”

  “But I love you more.” David leaned forward to steal another kiss.

  Her heart swelled with emotion each time he repeated the words. “Actually, there are two jobs on the table. And it’s only fair to tell you I haven’t been as excited about the job in D.C. as I thought I would be.”

  “But it’s your dream job. You can’t give it up,” David insisted. “And what’s the other job you�
��re talking about?” David’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  “I heard from La Galleria, a gallery in Boston. They want me to do a showing—an ongoing featured collection. It could be the beginning of a huge career in freelance work. I was leaning toward taking the gallery’s offer and moving to Boston. That way, Cory would be closer to everyone here. It was my way of compromising with him since he’d vetoed moving altogether.” She laughed, ruffling Cory’s hair. “I came here to start a new life, but that doesn’t happen by running away. And this—you and me—makes the decision simple. I can take the job in Boston, but we don’t have to leave. I can just commute and stay in the city when I need to be there. This way Cory wins—and we win.”

  David smiled, first at her and then at Cory, his expression full of love. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that. A new life with me. That sounds perfect.” He pulled her close and kissed her again, sealing the deal.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  David swung Cory onto his shoulders, one of the kid’s favorite things. Cory had once told him it made him big and tall. That he could see everything like he was a giant. They joined hundreds of other people that had turned out for the fun, games, crafts, and great food. Tonight, the fireworks show would signal the end of the festival and the beginning of the end of the July 4th celebrations that increased the dangers to the forest. He’d breathe easier after the annual display to honor America’s birthday.

  Hallbrook was a town of traditions, and this one had been going on for as long as he could remember. Every year, it grew more extensive as people came from far away to join in the excitement.

  “Look, Mr. David, it’s a Ferris wheel. And a bouncy house. And a bouncy slide,” Cory said, tapping the top of David’s head. “Can we go play now? Please.”

  “I don’t see why not. There are lots of things for us to do, buddy. Why don’t we start at the slide, and I can go down with you? Your mommy can wait at the bottom to catch you.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to catch you.” Ashley winked, her double meaning not lost on him.