Wiley Johns

by Ciana Stone

  "Thank you."

  Elisi led Kaylee from the room and Molly fell back with her head against the headboard of the bed. How had Kaylee known? That was a question she'd explore with Elisi when she was at full strength. Right now, all she wanted to do was fall into a dreamless sleep or at least one where the dreams were not of people doing horrible things to Wiley.

  *****

  He knew the moment he heard something fall against the door. Despite the pain and fatigue, Wiley climbed to his feet and positioned himself on one side of the door with his back to the wall. It wasn't long before the door flung open.

  Wiley tensed, ready to fight as the first man rushed in. Relief almost robbed him of strength when the man turned to him, and recognition flared.

  "Ready to go, bro?" Linc grinned.

  "You know it."

  Linc pulled out a handgun and offered it to Wiley. "Then let's hit it."

  "There's something I need to do before we go."

  "We figured as much. Come on, Deac'll explain."

  They headed out, stepping over the body of the guard who'd been posted at the door. Wiley saw the bodies scattered in the hall and on the floors of the rooms they passed before they reached the entrance.

  Deacon and Mathias waited. "Good to see you," Wiley commented.

  "Likewise. So, where's our old friend?" Deacon handed him a COMM unit.

  "Two houses over," Wiley answered as he inserted the unit in his ear. "He has men in the houses flanking this one."

  Deacon nodded and spoke softly." Copy, JJ? "

  He then looked at Wiley. "Orders are to grab you and clear out. Flyboys headed in."

  "This is personal," Wiley replied.

  "I figured as much," Deacon said and looked at Linc who nodded.

  "Not a slaughter," Wiley said.

  "I hear ya." Deacon replied. His next words were for whoever else was out there waiting on orders with JJ. "Let'em know we're here and get ready to party."

  "Got you covered." It was Brody's voice who came back.

  "Let's do this," Linc said and grinned.

  "Hooyah," Wiley replied.

  An explosion rocked the ground, and a storage building across the dirt road went up in flames. Within seconds men were pouring from buildings with weapons in hand. The SEAL's were already in motion.

  The battle was short. Within an hour women and children were being herded from the village, warned to run and keep running before fire rained down from the sky.

  As for the terrorists who'd taken Wiley, they'd be no threat to anyone.

  Ever again.

  Wiley and the men who'd come for him were two clicks away when the airstrike happened. They watched the sky light with explosions, and then the world go quiet in the aftermath.

  That's when Linc turned and looked from Wiley to Deacon. "Not bad for two old dudes."

  All the men laughed, including Deacon and Wiley and Wiley clapped Linc on the shoulder. "I owe you. All of you. Maybe you could stand up with me."

  "For what?" Mathias asked.

  "My wedding."

  "You're getting married?" Linc asked. "Have you asked her?"

  "No, but I'm going to."

  "And you're confident she'll say yes?" Deacon asked and before Wiley could respond, added. "Or are you gonna drag her kicking and screaming to the altar?"

  "You wound me, bro. You're the caveman. I'm the charmer."

  Everyone laughed, and Wiley looked around at the men who'd been willing to risk their lives to save his. He wouldn't forget their gift. Ever.

  And they would stand with him when he said his vows to Molly.

  That was going to happen. He was going to ask. To beg or crawl if that's what it took, but he was going to have a life with Molly.

  And not God or the Devil would stop him.

  *****

  Molly hit send on the email and pushed back from the table. Taking a day off had put her behind in her reports, and it'd taken all morning to get caught up. Work had at least provided a distraction. She hadn't thought about Wiley in at least forty-five seconds.

  "Hey, Mama!" Kaylee skipped into the room.

  "Hey, Punkin. What's up?" Molly tried to put on a happy face for her daughter. Kaylee was way too perceptive, and the last thing Molly wanted was Kaylee being upset.

  "Me and Elisi been working in the garden. I was a big help."

  "Were you, now?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Well, I guess you deserve a treat for being so helpful. What would you like?"

  "I'd like to cheer you up."

  "Do I need cheering up?"

  "Yes, you miss Mr. Wiley. I do too. We both need to cheer up."

  "And what would make us more cheerful?"

  "Ice cream cones!"

  "What about lunch?"

  "Please, Mama? Please?"

  Molly didn't have the heart to refuse. She hadn’t been the most congenial person since she received the news about Wiley, and as Elisi reminded her this morning, whether she liked it or not life had to go on.

  She didn't like it. Not one damn bit. But Elisi was right. "Okay, why not? Let me grab my purse, and we'll go."

  "Can we walk?"

  "Sure, why not, it's a beautiful day."

  Maybe it was the blue sky with the puffy lazy clouds drifting by, or the slight breeze easing the heat, or perhaps it was the cheerful chatter of a five-year-old. Whatever the case, by the time they reached the ice cream shop, Molly's mood was much improved.

  "Hey, Ice Cream Lady," Kaylee sang out the moment they entered.

  "Well look who it is, my favorite customer. Hello, Kaylee. How are you today?"

  "I'm fine. Me and my Mama walked here, and it was a real pretty day for a walk, right Mama?"

  "Yes, indeed. Hi, Mrs. Brant, how are you today?"

  "Fine, thank you. What can I get you? No, wait, let me guess. Kaylee wants a chocolate and strawberry swirl with sprinkles and chocolate chips, and you want pralines and cream."

  Normally, Molly would have enthusiastically agreed. Today, however, the thought turned her stomach. "Actually, I think I'll just have a ginger ale. Extra ice?"

  "And you Miss Kaylee? Did I guess it right?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Okay, coming right up."

  "Want to sit over by the window?" Molly asked as she waited for Mrs. Brant to ring up their order.

  "I'll get napkins." Kaylee hurried off to set up their table.

  "That'll be one, fifty-seven." Mrs. Brant announced.

  Molly looked up from digging her billfold from her purse. "It has to be more than that."

  "Kaylee's is free."

  "You're so kind, but you don't have to do that."

  "I want to. She makes me smile and – never mind. Just accept it as a gift."

  "Well, thank you." Molly paid, and Mrs. Brant fixed her drink and handed it to her.

  "I'll bring the cone to you."

  "Thank you again, Mrs. Brant."

  "My pleasure."

  Molly took a seat at the table with Kaylee, slid a straw into the top of her cup and took a drink. "Want a sip?"

  "Yes." Kaylee latched her lips on the straw and didn't stop until the dry gurgle let them know the soda was gone.

  "Wow, you were thirsty."

  "I'm sorry Mama. I drank it all."

  "That's okay," Molly pulled out the straw and removed the lid. "It was the ice I really wanted."

  Just then Mrs. Brant walked over with the ice cream cone. "Here you go, Christie."

  "I'm Kaylee," Kaylee said in obvious confusion.

  "Oh, yes of course you are." Mrs. Brant handed her the cone. "Enjoy."

  She hurried off, and Molly watched her go behind the counter and take a napkin to dab her eyes. It concerned Molly. Something was wrong. "Can you sit right here for me, Sweet Pea? I'll let you watch something on my phone while I talk to Mrs. Brant."

  "Yay!" Kaylee loved watching cartoons on Molly's phone but wasn't allowed to do that often which made it more of a tr
eat.

  Molly set it up and then walked over to the counter. "Excuse me. Are you all right, Mrs. Brant?"

  "Yes, I'm fine." She waved it away but dabbed again at her eyes.

  "Are you sure. If there's something I can help—"

  "No, really. It's just—it's—today is – was my daughter Christie's birthday."

  Molly's belly muscles clenched at those words. Was my daughter Christie's birthday. No mother could hear those words without being overcome with horror and sympathy.

  "I'm so sorry."

  "Thank you. Kaylee reminds me of her. So sweet and full of life, always so polite and kind. You're fortunate."

  "I am that, and I'm so sorry for your loss. How long has Christie been gone?"

  "Five years. She would have been twelve today."

  "I know you miss her terribly. Do you have other children?"

  "No, I couldn’t have any more after Christie. Complications made it necessary for me to have a hysterectomy."

  "I'm sorry. This must be a very difficult day for you. If you want to close, we can leave. I don't want to intrude."

  "No, it helps to be here. Home is – well it's harder there. But thank you for your kindness."

  "And thank you for making Kaylee feel so welcome. She loves coming here. It's the highlight of her week."

  "Thank you for telling me that."

  "I suppose we should head back home, but we'll see you soon."

  "I'll look forward to it."

  Molly turned and called to Kaylee. "Come on, Sweet Pea, it's time we headed home so thank Mrs. Brant for the ice cream."

  Kaylee ran over with the phone in one hand and a drippy cone in the other. "Thank you, Ice Cream Lady."

  "Her name is Mrs. Brant." Molly corrected.

  "That's okay," Mrs. Brant said. "Ice Cream Lady sounds just fine. Have a nice day Miss Kaylee. See you soon."

  "See you soon," Kaylee replied with a smile.

  Molly wiped the sticky phone with a napkin, dropped it in her purse and with Kaylee's hand in hers, left the shop. Since Kaylee was busy with the ice cream cone, it left Molly free to think about Mrs. Brant and how awful it was that she'd lost her child.

  By the time they arrived home, Molly had made up her mind that no matter how worried she was about Wiley and terrified that he was not coming back, she couldn't let it affect Kaylee and she had to treasure every moment she had with her daughter.

  She thought perhaps she'd suggest they bake cookies, order a pizza and have movie night. They hadn't done that in a while, and Kaylee loved it. "How about you go get cleaned up and then I have a surprise for you," she said as she opened the kitchen door of their house.

  "Yay!" Kaylee tore off across the kitchen and nearly collided with Elisi, who stepped out of the way.

  "Sugar high?" she asked.

  "No, I told her I had a surprise for her."

  "Which is?"

  "Movie night, pizza and baking cookies."

  "Oh, she loves that, but I kind of committed you to meeting Cody and Callie at the lake so the girls can swim."

  "Elisi!" Molly could only imagine how annoyed her Grandmother must be right now because the whine in her voice grated on her own ears. "Sorry. Okay, fine. She'll love that, and we can still order pizza and bake cookies and have movie night. And it's about time a day was all about Kaylee."

  "That's my girl," Elisi said and added. "I'll go pick up stuff for cookies. Netta said she had to run to the store, so I'll ride with her."

  "Thanks. Okay, well, I better change and gather up our things."

  "I'll help Kaylee. You go change."

  Molly went straight to her room, changed into a one-piece swimsuit, threw on shorts and opened her drawer to find a t-shirt. On the top of the stack was one of Wiley's t-shirts. Tears blurred her vision as she pulled it out and held it to her face.

  She'd purposely not washed it, and it smelled like him. Longing nearly crushed her as she inhaled his scent. As much as she wanted to know about him, if the news was destined to be bad, then perhaps she'd prefer to prolong this time of not-knowing. At least now she could hope and dream.

  "Mama! I'm ready!"

  Kaylee's excited voice had her sucking back the sob that threatened. She looked at the t-shirt before tucking it carefully back into the drawer. Blink if you want me. She'd never wanted a man this way.

  He was it for her. Her one true love. God, what would she do if she lost him?

  "Mama!"

  Molly shoved her fears back, grabbed a t-shirt, put it on and then hurried to the linen closet where she stored her beach-bag. She kept it loaded and ready. The chairs were still in the trunk of her car.

  "I should pack a cooler," she said as she walked into the kitchen.

  "Already taken care of," Elisi pointed to the table.

  "Oh, well, okay thanks. You ready Squirrely Jo?"

  "Ready Mama."

  "Okay, we'll be back by six at the latest."

  "Call me when you leave the lake, and I'll order the pizza," Elisi said.

  "Good idea. Will do. Have a fun afternoon."

  "You too. Have fun water bug."

  Kaylee giggled. "Bye Elisi. I love you."

  "I love you. See you later."

  Kaylee chattered a hundred miles an hour on the drive to the lake. Molly had barely put the car in park before the child was out of the car, squealing. "There they are. Hey! Hey!" She waved and jumped, and Molly saw Bernice and Lily doing the same.

  "Can I go, Mama?"

  Since they were parked where no one could drive in front of them and seeing that Cody and Calli were sitting on beach chairs watching and waving, Molly didn't see the harm. "Sure, just remember to take off your shorts and top before you get in the water."

  "Okay, Mama!" With that, Kaylee was off.

  Molly couldn't help feeling grateful as she watched her daughter be met by her friends and the way they all hugged and bounced and laughed. Their exuberance and joy was almost tangible, and she wished it would always be that way for them. She needed to remember to count what blessings she had and be grateful.

  And be prepared for what she might not be granted in life. Damn, why couldn't she put it aside for five minutes? Was this what it meant to love a man with all your heart? She'd never expected to feel anything that could rival her love for Kaylee and yet what she felt for Wiley was just as strong. Different but as strong.

  She gathered her things and walked to where Cody and Callie sat on the beach. "Any word?" Cody asked right off.

  Molly shook her head, and Callie spoke up. "I tried calling Mica to see if she'd heard anything, but I didn't get an answer, and she hasn't called me back."

  "Me either," Molly admitted. "Neither has Trina, which –"

  "I know, it scares you," Cody said. "And that's normal. But you said Linc promised to call as soon as they were safe, right?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, maybe it's taking them longer than they anticipated to get somewhere he can call. Jax said if they were in hostile territory or somewhere hunkered down waiting for transport, it could be a few days, and even when they're taken to a base there'll be debriefing, and that can take a while, and the doctors will want to check him thoroughly. Anyway, the point is, we just have to hold on and be patient."

  Molly nodded and took a seat. "And you have to believe," Cody added and reached to take Molly's hand.

  "I'm trying," Molly said and then gnawed her lip for a moment. She'd been wrestling with the need to tell someone, and she was scared it would worry Elisi to tell her. But she needed to tell someone.

  "I – god, I'm scared to say it."

  "What?" Callie looked alarmed, and even Cody straightened her posture.

  "I missed my period."

  "And?" Callie asked.

  "And I never miss my period."

  "You think—you're pregnant?" Cody asked.

  Molly nodded.

  "So, you and Wiley didn’t use protection?"

  "Yes and no."

  "And i
f you are?"

  Molly brushed at tears that escaped her eyes. "Kaylee never knew her father. He died hours after she was conceived. I told you about that. What if – what if the same thing is happening again? What if I've lost Wiley and will raise his child alone?"

  She put one hand on her belly. "What if this child is all I'll ever have of him?"

  "Molly you can't think that way," Cody said. "You don't know anything, and until you do, you're putting yourself through what might be useless agony."

  "Wouldn't you feel the same if it was Jax?"

  "Yeah, I would, but I hope I'd also have a friend who'd remind me that until someone tells me differently, he's alive and doing all he can to make his way home to me."

  Molly nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry. I just needed to tell someone."

  "You haven't told your grandmother?"

  "Not yet. I wanted to be certain."

  "Have you taken a pregnancy test?"

  "Yesterday."

  "And?" Callie asked.

  "Positive."

  "Do we cheer or cuss?" Cody asked.

  "Cheer." Molly decided right then. If her fate was never to have someone by her side but be granted the honor of raising their children, then she'd love this child as much as she did Kaylee and she'd make sure he or she knew everything there was to know about Wiley.

  "Then here's to baby Little Fox." Cody picked up her bottle of water.

  Molly smiled and looked out at the girls playing in the shallow water. Time to be a grown-up, Molly girl. It's not just about you.

  "I think I'll go play with the kids." She stood, stripped down to her swimsuit and ran to the water. For the next three hours, she didn't pay attention to anything, but her child and the two little girls Kaylee called friends.

  By the time they finished, the kids were tired, and she was pooped, as well. "You want to come over for dinner?" Callie asked.

  "Thanks, but we have plans with my grandmother. Another time?"

  "You bet."

  "Thank you. Both." Molly looked from Callie to Cody. "And please, don't mention—"

  "Zipped lips," Cody assured her.

  "Thanks. See you soon."

  Everyone said goodbye, packed up their kids and cars and headed out. Molly remembered to call her grandmother before she pulled off. "We're leaving now."

  "Okay. Be careful."

  "I will. I love you."

  "I love you. See you soon."

  Molly halfway expected Kaylee to fall asleep, but she was all wound up about the fun she'd had and excited about movie night. She talked non-stop, and Molly was almost relieved when they pulled up in the driveway.