by Kaci Rose
Mia is my reason to do it. She’s my reason to push to get better, and my reason to get up every day and put one foot in front of the other. She’s why I fought for my country. I want her in this house with me, and I want her touch all over it. I want her by my side the next time I have to go out of town.
On my trip, I was thinking all these things, but those words from Brian are the impetus I need.
Taking hold of the letter, I hand it to her and watch her, as she reads it. Even though she didn’t even know Brian, the letter still makes her tear up.
With a slight quiver in her voice, Mia whispers, “You meant more to him than you realized.”
I just nod, not trusting my voice. Then, I pick her up and move from the couch, before setting her back down. Taking her hand, I drop to my knees in front of her.
“You’re the woman I can’t live without. This last week without you was torture. I was torn, because I wanted to be there and learn. In fact, I needed to be there. But I wanted to be here with you even more. Every night, I want to hold you in my arms, and I want to wake up with you. When I go on my next business trip, I want you there. In everything we do, I want you by my side.”
Then, I reach into my pocket and open the box.
“I bought this ring this week, because I knew this is what I wanted, even back at Oakside I knew. But Brian’s words were like he knew, too. That I needed to know that I could have both. I love you, Mia, and I want you by my side for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”
As I look up into her eyes and watch them water, I wait for her answer. Then, I send up a silent prayer she’ll say yes.
“Of course, I will, but under one condition.”
“Anything. Just name it, and it’s yours.”
“I want your company to set up a monthly donation to Oakside just like Owen’s did.”
“Done. I’ll do you one better and set up a personal donation, too.” I tell her, as I slide the ring onto her hand.
She leans in to kiss me, but I pull back, “You’re moving in with me today.” I’m not giving her the chance to say no.
She just smiles and nods, “After you have dinner with Ellie and Owen.”
“Done,” I say and finally kiss her.
Brian did so much more for me than he’ll ever know. Even from beyond the grave, he had my back. And who knows? Maybe, Brian does know about Mia and me.
I owe everything to him, because without him, I wouldn’t have this amazing girl in my arms. I’ll do right by him, no matter what.
Epilogue
Mandy
Today, there’s a small ceremony to mark the start of the building of the music room. Teddy is here with Mia, and he’s smiling and looking like he’s doing so much better. He looks happy, which he didn’t, when he was here.
From what he told us at dinner last night at Lexi and Noah’s, he has donated the money for this room, because music helped him, even when he didn’t realize it. He plans to be involved in Oakside and help where he can.
Really, come on! How often will a patient leave here and become a billionaire overnight?
The song ends, and the small crowd cheers. To celebrate the open of the music room, the band Highway 55 is putting on a small concert for the patients and the big donors. They also have a few smaller bands from their record label singing.
Dallas and Landon have been huge stars for years and recently stepped back, when Dallas and Austin got married. Then, they started their own record label, and when they heard about Oakside, they were thrilled to be a part of it and to help out.
Apparently, Teddy met them on one of his business trips, and while talking about Oakside, together they brainstormed, and this idea came together for music therapy. They will be coming in to consult on setting up the building to limit music noise and want to include a small recording booth. Nothing fancy, but something to help teach those who are interested.
In addition, they also have plans to volunteer once a month to any patients interested. Though, they didn’t come out and say it, but I suspect they’ll be scouting talent, too.
Landon and Dallas leave the stage, and Dallas stalks right to his wife, Austin, and Landon does the same to his wife, Opal. But it’s Dallas and Austin that catch my eye.
When they got married, I remember reading about their story. Austin is Landon’s sister, and Landon and Dallas have been best friends, since they were kids. That was stopping Dallas and Austin from admitting their feeling to each other, but when they did, it was the best kind of fireworks. They’re so down to earth and fit right in at dinner last night.
“Sure is something, isn’t it?” Lexi says.
“Yeah, did you see even in your wildest dreams that Highway 55 would be singing here?” I ask.
“I had no idea what Oakside’s story would be. Just that I’d be a part of it,” Lexi says. “It’s been a hell of a ride, and I can’t wait to see what the next steps are. Though, I’m excited to see!”
“Well, if you could, talk to them about maybe finding me a guy, so I’m not always the single one.” I joke.
With Brooke and Kaitlyn both finding love and getting engaged over Christmas, I am the odd girl out. I don’t mind too much, but it would be nice to have a man.
“Maybe, you should give Jake a chance. He’s the odd guy out,” Lexi says.
“I thought about it, but we’ve talked, and he’s more like a little brother to me.” I shrug.
“It will come, when you least expect it,” Lexi says.
I hate it, when she’s right.
* * *
After everyone is gone, and it’s quiet, I decide to stay late and work on the budget in my office.
I love Oakside, and I’ve been here from the beginning, setting it up, doing the charity work, and getting denotations. We’ve been lucky that donations are constantly coming in, and our biggest problem right now is budgeting out the best place to spend the money.
This has caused me many late nights working out a budget, only to be here the next night reworking it. All the while, still lining up more events and doing all my other daytime work.
That’s why I’m here in my office well after dinner time again tonight.
“Mandy?” I hear a voice call my name from the door.
I glance up to see a man in a wheelchair and look back at my computer, so close to being done and being able to go home. I don’t register who it is just that it’s a patient.
“Patients aren’t allowed down here,” I say.
All our offices are in the basement, along with the kitchen. During the day, patients are able to come down via the elevator or stairs to talk to us, but after dinner, no one is allowed down here.
“I know. I was trying to sneak down for a midnight snack,” he chuckles.
I finally look up, about to help him back upstairs, but when I really look at his face, it’s then I realize I know him.
“Levi?” I ask.
Is this really the Levi I went to school with? We shared some friends and hung out in groups, but we didn’t have much one-on-one time.
“Yeah, I was starting to think you didn’t recognize me.” He chuckles and wheels himself into my office. “Why are you here so late?”
“Budgets. We keep changing them, and it takes work to balance it on top of everything else I do. It’s quietest after dinner, and the best time to work with numbers.” I shrug.
“You work here?”
“Yeah. I’m the charity coordinator, but being we’re still pretty small, I take on a few other jobs as needed, too.”
Taking a closer look at him, I see he’s lost part of his leg from just below the knee down, and I’m guessing that’s why he’s here to learn to walk again with a prosthetic.
“I didn’t know you joined the military,” I tell him.
“Yeah, I was set to go to college after graduation, but I realized that wasn’t the life I wanted, so I enlisted. Just over a week later, I was off to boot camp, so very few people knew.”
“
What branch?” I ask.
“Army. Got this while on patrol one day, and now here I am.” He says, tapping his knee, where his leg was amputated.
We get to talking a bit more, and before I know it, an hour has passed.
“Well, I need to get home, and you need to get back to your room.” I give him a pointed stare.
“I’m on my way.” He backs out of the room and goes back upstairs, as I gather up my stuff.
On my drive home, I have to wonder, if there’s such a thing as being too okay with your situation, because that’s how Levi seems.
He’s too okay. Yes, he’s too okay with it all.
* * *
Read Mandy and Levi’s story in book 4 of the Oakside Military Heroes series, Saving Levi.
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Read the whole series starting with Saving Noah.
* * *
Want more Billionaire Romance AND Ellie and Owen’s story? Make sure to read Accidental Sugar Daddy.
* * *
Want to read Johnny and Becky’s story in a free book? Get Yours Truly, Your Soldier when you join Kaci Rose’s newsletter and get your free books!
* * *
Want to read Kade and Lin’s story set in the small North Carolina beach town? Check out Sunrise.
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Want to read Dallas and Austin’s story and find out about Highway 55? Check out She’s Still The One.
Other Books By Kaci Rose
See all of Kaci Rose’s Books
Oakside Military Heroes Series
Saving Noah – Lexi and Noah
Saving Easton – Easton and Paisley
Saving Teddy – Teddy and Mia
Saving Levi – Levi and Mandy
Chasing the Sun Duet
Sunrise
Sunset
Rock Springs Texas Series
The Cowboy and His Runaway – Blaze and Riley
The Cowboy and His Best Friend – Sage and Colt
The Cowboy and His Obsession – Megan and Hunter
The Cowboy and His Sweetheart – Jason and Ella
The Cowboy and His Secret – Mac and Sarah
Rock Springs Weddings Novella
Rock Springs Box Set 1-5 + Bonus Content
The Cowboy and His Mistletoe Kiss – Lilly and Mike
The Cowboy and His Valentine – Maggie and Nick
The Cowboy and His Vegas Wedding – Royce and Anna
The Cowboy and His Angel – Abby and Greg
The Cowboy and His Christmas Rockstar – Savannah and Ford
The Cowboy and His Billionaire – Brice and Kayla
Mountain Men of Whiskey River
Take Me To The River
Take Me To The Cabin
Standalone Books
Stay With Me Now
Texting Titan
Accidental Sugar Daddy
She’s Still The One
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