by Leann Harris
“Paul?”
Tyler saw the beat of his friend’s heart in his neck. Tyler poured water in his hand and wiped the dust off of Paul’s face. He choked and his eyes fluttered open. Paul’s grin wasn’t far behind. He looked at Dogger and said, “I think our mascot deserves a medal, and I’m going to put in for him.”
Tyler jerked awake, his heart pounding. He sat on the bed, his head cradled in his hands. Just when he thought his heart had made peace with the ghosts of the past and he’d started to hope for the future, he was back in Iraq.
Dogger looked up at him.
Tyler petted his head. “I don’t think you ever got a medal, boy, but you deserve one.”
There was no point in going back to sleep. He went to the bathroom and splashed water on his face. He needed to shave, but he had no desire to shave this late in the day.
Moving to the front bedroom, he checked on Riley. He still slept peacefully. What would the boy think if he knew the true circumstances surrounding Paul’s death? Would Riley hate him?
Tyler walked out to the barn. The last riders and volunteers drove out of the parking lot. Walking into the stables, Ollie nodded to him.
“Good, you’re up. I could use some help.”
They were welcome words. If Tyler were busy, he might be able to ignore his dream and the memories they brought. At least he could hope it would.
But he knew it wouldn’t work.
* * *
Beth slowly woke. Looking around the room, she recognized the guest room in her brother’s house. On the nightstand, she saw something in plastic wrap. Her brain fought to make sense of it. The light coming in the windows told her it was late in the day. How did she get here?
“Oh, no.” She threw off the afghan and her feet hit the floor. Then raced to the bathroom, rinsed out her mouth, and washed her face. After finishing up, she ran back to the bedroom. Reaching for the fried pie, she worked off the plastic on one end and pulled off a pinch of the pie and popped it into her mouth.
Oh, the wonderful taste. Now she needed a cup of coffee. She pulled on her shoes and grabbed the fried pie and headed out of the room. Tyler had bought her a fried pie—a coconut fried pie. He remembered her favorite. That told her more about his feelings than a dozen roses. She wanted to find Tyler and give him a kiss.
The thought stopped her. Looking down at the fried pie, her feeling overwhelmed her. Had she’d fallen in love? After so many years of avoiding committing her heart, a mutt and a pensive man with a fried pie got to her. Who would’ve thought that was the way to her heart?
Thinking of all that happened last night, it had been a roller coaster ride from the high of Tyler holding her hand to the low of Susan’s accident.
As she thought about them coming back from the hospital— Oh, mercy, what had she said to him as he carried her up to the main house? She vaguely remembered saying something about him being strong and—
“So you’re finally awake.” Sophie stood in the hall, eating a cookie.
Beth stopped short. “What time is it?”
“After seven. Your brother and I are finishing up dinner. If you’re hungry, you can join us.” Sophie looked at the fried pie. “What do you have there?”
Beth smiled at her friend. “A fried pie.”
“You’re looking at it as if it was a diamond.”
Beth’s mouth trembled. “It’s as valuable to me.”
Sophie moved to her friend’s side. “You’re in love.”
Sucking in her lips, Beth struggled with hearing the truth Sophie just announced. It was one thing to think that thought to herself. It was another to openly admit it to another person. “Well, I think— Oh, I don’t…”
Sophie wrapped her arms around her friend. “I’ve watched you over the years avoid commitments to different men. You were never overt or nasty in anything, but you kept those men at arm’s distance.
“I don’t know how you were burned, and I’m not sure if your family really understands why there’s not a boyfriend, but I know it’s time to trust your heart, friend. It’s lonely if you keep love at bay. I know. I’ve seen it from both sides. It’s much nicer when you give in and trust your heart.”
Sophie’s words vibrated in Beth’s heart, but she wasn’t ready to acknowledge the truth her friend spoke. These new feelings were still too fragile to share. Beth hugged her friend. “Thank you.”
She started toward the kitchen. “Do you know how Susan is doing? Have you talked any more to Tyler? Do you know where he is?”
Sophie caught her hand and pulled her to a stop. “I haven’t heard.”
“I need to see if Tyler knows anything.”
“You, friend, need something in your stomach to make your brain function. And from your incoherent answers thus far, I’d say you need to eat.”
“I don’t have time.”
“You need some protein.”
Beth’s mouth opened to protest.
“Remember, we were roomies. I remember how you get when you’re hungry. C’mon, I’ve got pot roast, potatoes and biscuits.”
Beth’s stomach growled, making her grin. “Okay.”
They walked into the kitchen to find Zach gathering the dishes. Beth stopped and took in the scene. Her mouth nearly fell open.
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Mom won’t believe it, either.”
“Funny.”
Sophie headed toward the stove. “I’ll fix you a plate. Zach, why don’t you pour your sister some coffee?”
Much to Beth’s surprise, Zach followed his wife’s directions and poured her a cup of coffee. Both Sophie and Zach sat down with her.
Beth put down the fried pie and took a sip of coffee. “Have you heard anything about how Susan’s doing?”
“No,” Zach replied. “And things have been quiet down at the foreman’s house. Several of the pastors and members of the church have called, asking how things are.”
Beth reached for a biscuit. It tasted wonderful.
“I think it might be a good idea to fix a couple of plates for Tyler and Riley. When I’m finished here, I’ll take them over.” And she could talk to Tyler to see if her memory of her ramblings was accurate. And test out the budding feelings she’d finally acknowledged, if only to herself.
“Done,” Sophie said.
Beth frowned.
“I already took the boys something earlier. Riley was still asleep, but Tyler was up,” Zach said.
“How’s he doing?”
“Okay.” But Zach’s face had closed down and Beth knew from his look that no matter how much she questioned Zach, he wouldn’t give her any more information. Still, something wasn’t right.
As she finished her dinner, scenes from last night kept playing in her head: Tyler and Riley laughing, playing pinball, bumper cars, Riley bowling. Beth knew this was the first time since his brother had been killed that Riley’d had fun, so what had happened to Susan had been even more devastating. From joy to weeping, they’d been on an emotional roller coaster.
She put her plate in the sink and picked up the phone and called the hospital.
She asked for ICU. The charge nurse told her that Susan’s condition had improved and she would be moved to a semiprivate room later tonight. Hanging up, Beth turned and told Sophie and Zach what she’d learned.
“That’s wonderful news.” Sophie hugged Beth.
“I have to tell Tyler.” She grabbed her fried pie.
As she passed Zach, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. “Go gently,” he whispered into her hair.
The hairs on the back of Beth’s neck rose. Pulling back, she looked into her brother’s eyes, trying to make sense of his warning. “Why?”
He smoothed some of her curls back from her face. “Pray while you’re dealing with Tyler and Riley.”
“Okay. Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Just walk softly. People sometimes have odd reactions to a traumatic event. Remember how mom and dad reacted to me losing my leg? They didn’t deal well with it.”
“Okay.” Warily, she headed toward the foreman’s house. Zach had tried to tell her something, but what?
Looking out over the practice rings, she saw that all was calm. Beth’s heart raced with anticipation as she walked toward the house. She wished she remembered Tyler’s reaction to her comments when he carried her to the house. What on earth had possessed her to run her mouth and say those revealing things?
Pushing aside her embarrassment, she thought of Riley and Susan. She and Tyler would need to come up with a plan to deal with the day-to-day living and caring for the two. This was not the time to worry about her pride.
The front door was open, but the screen was closed. She knocked. “Tyler.” After several moments, when he didn’t appear, she tried the screen door. It opened easily. Walking inside, she called Tyler’s name. In the kitchen, two plates sat on the table.
Why hadn’t Tyler eaten? Was he still asleep? That couldn’t be. Zach said he was awake. She walked back through the house. In the first bedroom, Riley lay on the bed, asleep.
She quietly backed out of the room. She looked in the other rooms. Tyler wasn’t in the house. Walking to the front door, she spied Dogger on the porch. Opening the door, she squatted down and stroked Dogger’s head. “Hey, guy. Where’s your owner?”
The dog rolled over and allowed her to scratch his belly. “You’re no help. I need to find Tyler.” She scanned the practice rings and stables but there was no sign of him. The setting sun bathed the landscape in gold and red, making the world seem enchanted and at peace.
Dogger rolled to his feet and started toward the stables. He stopped and looked over his shoulder.
“Okay, I’m coming.”
The dog waited until she caught up with him and trotted into the stables. He headed toward the tack room and disappeared inside.
“Hey, boy, where have you been?” Tyler’s voice floated out of the room.
Beth moved to the door and watched as Tyler petted his dog. When he looked up from where he sat on the overturned barrel, he saw Beth.
“Hi.” Suddenly Beth felt shy, remembering her rambling monologue.
“You rested?”
“I am. Before I got out of the house, Sophie made sure I ate. She’s got food for you, too, on the table.”
He nodded. “It must be the mother instinct in her coming out.”
“You need to remember she was an Army medic, so the woman has a caring streak.”
“I remember.”
“You want to go and eat your dinner?”
He didn’t answer. Something was wrong. He had closed down again. She searched for something to say. “Riley’s still asleep.”
“Good. He needs that.”
It was as if the past few weeks had evaporated, and he’d used up all the joy and smiles in his soul. She moved into the room. Standing by his side, she asked, “What’s wrong, Tyler?”
“Aside from the fact that Riley almost lost his mother?”
She knelt by the barrel he sat on. “But he didn’t.”
He looked away from her. “What would’ve happened if he had? There’s no other relatives to take care of him, thanks to me.”
He wasn’t making any sense. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s my fault that Paul’s dead.”
His words felt like a neutron bomb, killing all the living things in the world, but sparing all the equipment and material in the room. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s my fault Paul’s dead.” His gaze locked with hers, and she knew in the depth of her soul he meant exactly what he said.
“That can’t be right.”
“It is.” His gaze turned inward. “I should’ve died that day instead of Paul.”
She grasped his hand between hers. “Why do you say that?”
“Paul and I were called to a café near the green zone. One of our guys spotted a bomb under one of the tables and they called us. My team was dispatched to disarm it. The bomb was composed of sticks of dynamite, surrounded by nails. It looked like it had a timer on it. Paul started to disarm it, and I’d just turned to get the wire cutter from my bag. Before I could turn back, the bomb exploded. Paul caught it in the face and throat.” Tyler’s eyes went black with pain. The weight of what had happened crushed him.
“The timer was a decoy. The bomber was in the restaurant, waiting for the Americans to disarm it.”
She’d noticed the scars on Tyler’s forearms and one at the base of his neck. She kissed the back of his hand where there was a scar. “I’m so sorry, Tyler.”
They heard a noise in the barn outside of the tack room. Beth stood and walked to the door, looking around the stables. No one was there. Dogger trotted past her and disappeared into the dark. Beth went back to Tyler and knelt by him.
“I looked Paul in the eyes while the life leaked out of him.” He choked back tears. “I should’ve been the one to die. I was his commander. Paul had family who needed him. I d—”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. He buried his face in her neck and pulled her close. His body shook as the sorrow and grief poured out of him.
His pain washed over her and she, in turn, prayed for this wounded soul. “Oh, Tyler.” She stroked his back, knowing this was probably the first time he’d vented his grief. She didn’t know how long she held him, but slowly he became still.
He drew back. His eyes still held sadness, but the devastating bleakness was gone. “Grown men aren’t supposed to do that.”
“Says who?”
He didn’t answer.
“It will be our secret. I don’t think Prince Charming will spill the beans. He’s pretty good at keeping secrets.”
“So I hear.”
She tried getting to her feet, but her legs weren’t cooperating. Her lower left leg had gone to sleep. Tyler stood and helped her to her feet.
“Who would’ve thought at the age of twenty-nine, I’d be moving so slowly.”
“That must make me ancient at thirty-five.”
She grinned. “You said it, not me.”
He smiled back at her, and Beth felt her spirit lift. Maybe he needed to vent that grief before his soul could heal.
They checked the horses before they left the stables. Beth patted Charming on the nose. “Hey, big guy, have you seen Dogger?”
Charming ignored her and went back to sleep.
“I wonder if Riley’s still sleeping,” Beth said. “I’d like to say goodbye to him and tell him the news about his mom. If you’ll drive me back to the church to get my car, we might be able to stop by the hospital and see Susan.”
“Sounds good to me.”
They walked up the porch stairs. Beth stared to reach for the door, but Tyler caught her hand, pulling her around to face him.
“Thank you.” He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. He tipped her chin up and covered her mouth with his.
Beth eagerly returned the kiss.
When he drew back, he smiled at her.
“Was that a thank-you?”
“No. That was what I wanted to do last night and didn’t have the opportunity.”
“Well, I’m glad you gave in to the urge.” Her heart filled with joy and hope. Something that hadn’t been there since the slap her ex-boyfriend had delivered. She leaned up and gave him another kiss.
When they broke apart, she said,
“That was for the fried pie. That’s probably one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve gotten.”
The man blushed. Actually blushed. She enjoyed the sight. “It seemed like a good thing at the time.”
She patted him on the arm. “It was.”
“Let’s go inside and wake up Riley, feed him and go to the hospital.”
She wanted another kiss, but pushed away the thought and nodded.
He opened the door and motioned Beth inside. They walked to the bedroom where Riley slept but the room was empty.
“He might be in the kitchen,” Beth offered.
Tyler went to the bed and put his hand on the messed up covers. “They’re cold.”
In the kitchen Riley’s plate sat untouched. He wasn’t in the bathroom, either. They quickly searched the house, but there was no sign of him.
Beth met Tyler’s eyes. “That noise.”
“He heard. He knows how his brother died and he ran away.”
“You don’t know that.”
He didn’t bother answering. It was there in the despair in his eyes.
Chapter Thirteen
They split up. Beth ran to the main house to alert Zach and Sophie, while Tyler went to the stables. As she ran to the main house, Beth’s heart pounded in panic. What had Riley heard? She barged into her brother’s house. “Riley’s gone.”
Sophie and Zach looked up from the sofa where they sat side by side, watching the TV.
Zach released his wife’s hand. “What are you talking about?”
“Tyler and I were in the tack room. He was upset about Susan’s accident. He said some stuff we think Riley may have overheard. And now he’s gone.”
Zach stood. “You searched the foreman’s house?”
“Yes, but he wasn’t there. Tyler’s down at the stables looking through the stalls, but I don’t think he’s going to find him there.”