Chapter Twenty
While Julie drove over to Maple Street, she reflected about yesterday’s events and her long conversation with Heath. He shared his struggles since leaving the Army, his constant nightmares, and survivor’s guilt—all symptoms of his PTSD. Julie offered her forgiveness, explaining she didn’t hold him responsible for John’s death. He provided the best medical care available at the time, and she knew her husband willingly gave his life to protect his team.
He promised to keep in touch. Heath had been John’s best friend and part of her family. They’d said a tearful goodbye, and he left for Texas to start a new life as a civilian.
Following the hurricane of emotions, Julie had finally found peace. The story Heath told her had been heart-wrenching to listen to, but it provided her with the answers she needed. Finally sealing shut a long-exposed wound.
As she approached her destination, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Reagan standing next to his sports car. She parked behind him and exited her car. Her gaze absorbed every single detail—his tousled hair, the blond stubble covering his jaw, and the shorts and shirt that showed off his athletic physique. Her body certainly had its own reaction to seeing him.
He walked over to greet her. “What’s with the shovel?” He pointed to her hand.
“This is not a shovel, it’s a garden trowel. You’ll find out soon enough.” She led him toward the trees and onto the path.
“Where are we going?”
“My, my…aren’t you full of questions.” She laughed, even though her insides were a hive of nerves. “There’s someplace special I want to take you.” She grabbed his hand, loving the connection, and they walked silently through the woods until the clearing came into view.
The young grass swayed back and forth with the gentle breeze. Plump, green buds adorned the branches of the trees, ready to burst forth with life.
Moving into the field, she picked a yellow flower and twirled it between her fingers. “This field is very special. John and I came here a lot when we were in high school.”
Reagan glanced around them and began to retreat, tugging her hand. “Why did you bring me here?”
“When I moved home to Timber Lake, this place held a mystical power over me. At first, I was afraid to come here because reliving those memories would be too painful.” She glanced at the beautiful nature surrounding her. “Then, I found myself seeking comfort here. I wanted to feel John’s presence.”
“I don’t understand, Julie. I thought you wanted to give us another chance?”
“Just hear me out, okay?” She shifted her body to face him. Her pulse raced with anticipation. “Two nights ago, I had a dream. I was here with John. He told me that I needed to open myself to love again. After he disappeared, I was so scared, but then you came for me. You told me to choose. I could stay here and hold onto my sorrow or go with you. You showed me the way home.”
Julie strengthened her hold on his hand and looked deep into his eyes. “I want you, with my whole heart and soul.” She wasn’t too proud to beg. “Please forgive me. Don’t leave.”
In one swift motion, his mouth covered hers. All the hurt and anger fell away like leaves of an autumn tree. Their kiss fastened her soul with his—a lock softly slipping into place.
When they finally pulled apart, Julie reached to the ground and retrieved her trowel. Then she pulled the blue stone bird out of her pocket. Walking over to a patch of wildflowers, she bent over and dug a small hole.
Reagan knelt beside her as she worked.
I love you, but the time has come to let you go. With a deep, steadying breath, she placed the bird inside the hole and covered it with dirt, packing down the ground with several pats. Each move released her regret. The pain of the past had been buried. She was ready to take the first step toward the future.
“Why?” he asked.
“I needed to say goodbye.” She wiped away a tear. “Now, I’m ready to start a new life with you by my side.”
“Marry me.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I want us to build a wonderful life together. I already have your ring.”
Did Reagan really ask her to marry him, or was this just a trick of her imagination? She pinched her arm and smiled at the stinging sensation. Excitement blossomed inside her. Dreams really did come true. “Yes.” What more was there to say? “Nothing would make me happier.” As she left the field, she turned one last time, saying farewell to her past. Once on the wooded trail, she enjoyed conversing with Reagan. While they’d been apart, she’d missed out on so much time with him.
Returning to their cars, Reagan refused to let her go. He hugged her with so much enthusiasm, she was afraid she’d pop.
“I don’t want to be apart from you for one more minute.” He rested his chin on top of her head. “I’d marry you right now if I could. You’d have my last name, and we’d be a family. We could start working on a little brother or sister for Aiden. That kid needs a sibling.”
Another baby. What a wonderful idea. “Sounds like fun.” She peered into his blue eyes, which sparkled. He must have read her mind. Julie’s smile turned into a huge grin. Right now, she’d agree to anything.
“Vegas,” they both blurted out in unison.
With that decisive statement, she took the final leap. “I want to be your wife by the end of the day.”
He held her in his arms and gave her an enthusiastic spin. “You go home and pack an overnight bag. I’ll go grab a few things from my house and make the travel arrangements. Be ready to go in an hour.”
****
Six hours later, Julie rested in the back of a black limo, moving down the Vegas strip. The spacious interior was dimly lit, soft music played over the speaker system. Reagan handed her a glass of champagne and she took a sip, and then reclined in the soft leather seat. She gazed out the window as the flashing neon lights brightened the night sky.
“Welcome to Vegas.” He held her close. “The city that never sleeps.”
“Good, since we’re having our wedding ceremony in the middle of the night.” The thought of their impromptu nuptials made her giggle. When she’d told her mom and Chrissy about what they planned, they were surprised but thrilled. When Reagan arrived at her house, he’d slipped a gorgeous diamond ring on her finger.
Before boarding the plane, Reagan pulled her aside. “We could wait. I don’t want to cheat you out of your dream wedding. I’d throw you the biggest, most extravagant wedding if that’s your wish.”
“I just want to be your wife. I don’t need anything else.”
By the time they got on the plane, Reagan had all the arrangements made. Amazing, that with enough money, a person could make the impossible happen.
Now, snuggled together in the rear of the limo, they made the short drive across the strip, finally arriving at a two-story, flagstone church. Their chauffeur opened the door, and Julie stepped out into the warm night. With the city lights behind them, the dark sky opened to reveal a sparkling sea of diamonds.
Reagan took their bags and escorted her to the entrance of the building.
A tall, balding man in a navy suit greeted them, ushering them inside.
She was shown to her dressing room, and then shooed away Reagan so she could change into her wedding gown. Inside the space, a beautifully simple dress hung before her, another gift from Reagan. The guy had good taste. She’d have to remember to thank his mom and sisters one day.
Fifteen minutes later, she stepped out of the room. Her garment was light and airy, made of ivory gossamer. Its narrow straps attached to a delicately beaded bodice, flowing to a pool of fabric at her feet. An elderly woman waited to take her to the pastor and her groom. She was handed a bouquet of yellow roses mixed with white jasmine. A sweet and heady fragrance filled her nose.
As she approached the chapel, she walked on air. The doors opened for her, and she stepped out onto an outdoor stone patio. Thousands of white twinkle lights hung in the trees, which lined the narrow walkway. The space
glowed with soft illumination. Had she stepped through a magic portal into another world? Canon in D Major played in the background, and the scent of flowers filled the air.
Reagan stood by the stairs, which led to the white gazebo.
He might be her second husband, but he’d never be second place. Loving Reagan had expanded her heart. And his love filled the emptiness inside her, making her once again whole. When she reached him, she took his hand and climbed the three stairs to enter the gazebo.
“You’ve held my heart since the first time I saw you.” Reagan brushed his fingertips down her arm. “I knew you couldn’t resist my charms forever.”
Julie laughed, fighting back the tears building in her eyes. “As charming as you are, I’m here today because of another gift you’ve given me. Something I thought I’d lost forever.”
“And what would that be?” He turned with her to face the minister.
“Hope,” she whispered. Her pulse quickened with the swell of emotions inside her. Someday, she’d give him a gift as precious. “You’ve given me hope.”
Epilogue
“Come on, kid,” Reagan called as he walked down the upstairs hallway. “We need to leave soon.” Looking inside Aiden’s room, he saw him lying on the floor, feverishly coloring on a piece of white paper.
“I’m almost done, Dad,” he said in a breathy voice. “I want to give it to Mom.”
“Sure, come downstairs when you are done.”
Aiden’s bedroom was three times the size of his old room at Julie’s house and filled with everything a young boy could want. A large set of windows overlooked the back yard and lake.
He went into his own master bedroom and grabbed the bag Julie had asked for. His room had undergone a transformation over the past months as well. Long gone were the framed sports jerseys and wildlife pictures. Instead, the bedroom was filled with feminine touches. Multitudes of throw pillows covered their king-size bed, high heel shoes were scattered on the floor, and sitting on the nightstand was Julie’s latest romance novel. As he came down the hall, he met Aiden with the homemade card in his hand.
“I’m ready. Do you think she’ll like it?” He showed it to Reagan.
“She’ll love it.”
Aiden ran to the mudroom to grab his coat and put on his shoes. They moved into the garage, and Aiden got buckled into the seat.
A few years ago, Reagan would have considered fatherhood an unwanted complication. Now, having left his carefree bachelor days behind, he found family life an even better fit.
“Why can’t we take the fun car?” Aiden pointed at the red sports car.
He glanced at his son in the rearview mirror. “The fun car doesn’t handle very well in the snow. I want to get you to Mom safe and sound.” As they pulled out of the icy driveway, Reagan’s gaze was drawn to the American flag blowing in the strong January wind. He and Julie had erected the flag pole in a small flower garden in their front yard. A metal plaque resting at its base read:
In loving memory of Sergeant John Richard Ellis
United States Army Special Forces
His sacrifice will never be forgotten
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Timber Lake General Hospital. Eagerness took hold as he led Aiden through sliding doors. When they got on the elevator, they rode to the fourth floor. As they exited, a large “Maternity” sign greeted them.
“Do you think the baby will like me?” Aiden scrunched up his nose.
“She’ll adore you.” Reagan gave his small hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re her big brother.”
“What does she look like?”
“Just wait and see.” Reagan chuckled at his impatience. Yesterday, he’d been the one who’d been impatient, when Julie awoke him at three in the morning to tell him she’d gone into labor. He’d quickly jumped into action, running to the guest room to wake up Mary, who’d been staying with them for the past week. That panic—he’d never felt anything like it in his life.
Julie had been as calm as Reagan was nervous. Her reaction at going into labor shouldn’t have surprised him though. She’d gone through this once before.
Coming to the door to Julie’s private maternity suite, Aiden quietly stepped inside. Reagan followed him in and was struck by the scene before him. In the bed sat the glowingly beautiful woman he was lucky enough to call his wife. She was wrapped in a soft white robe and held a tiny pink bundle.
****
“Aiden, come meet your new baby sister, Hope Catherine Harrison.” Julie raised the baby in her arms.
Aiden climbed onto a chair, which was adjacent to the bed, and peered into the blanket.
Sleeping inside was his sister. Julie brushed the soft strawberry blonde curls that topped Hope’s tiny head, and then kissed the small hands resting on her cherub face. She inhaled the sweet smell of baby.
“She’s so small,” he whispered. He reached out, tentatively touching her hand.
“She’s small now, but she will grow fast. Hope has her father’s appetite.” Julie gave Reagan a gentle smile. How many other of her father’s traits would Hope be lucky enough to inherit? “Would you like to hold her?” she asked Aiden.
“Can I?”
“Wash your hands, and go sit in the rocking chair,” she instructed.
Aiden did what he was told. Reagan picked up the baby and tenderly placed her in Aiden’s waiting arms. A huge grin spread across Aiden’s face.
“See,” Reagan said. “She loves you already.” He looked over at Julie. “I hate to leave you on Saturday.”
His never-ending devotion warmed her. “You’ll be here to take us home tomorrow, and my mom is staying with us for a while longer. Plus, your family is coming soon, so I won’t have to lift a finger the whole time you’re gone. Just go win the playoff game and come home to us. Hope won’t change too much in two days.”
He sat on the bed and rested his head on her shoulder. “I love you.”
“I know.” She brushed his hair with her fingers.
Aiden glanced at his parents, snuggled on the bed. “Dad, when we watch the game, I’ll tell Hope what’s going on. That way she knows what a super Dad you are.”
“Thanks, buddy.” He smiled at Aiden, who was gently rocking his sister. Raising his head, he kissed Julie softly. “Just think…this little girl was the reason you got so sick on our honeymoon. I’ll never forget our trip to Belize. Besides enjoying time with you in a tropical paradise, I learned I’d be a father. Or should I say a father, again.”
Hope started to fuss, and Aiden glanced up with big, round eyes.
Reagan came over to take the baby, swaying back and forth in an effort to soothe her. Aiden started singing a lullaby.
“You know, with the two of you watching her like a hawk, she’ll never keep a boyfriend.” The picture they made was adorable. Julie laughed.
Reagan’s and Aiden’s jaws dropped.
“My daughter will never be allowed to date.”
“Okay, okay, relax. I love you both for being so protective of our sweet, little Hope.” She watched as her husband and son fussed over the baby, and she felt an overwhelming joy fill her heart. Thinking about the difficult path, which had led her to this moment, made her appreciate her family even more. No longer would the past sorrows and heartache interfere with her present happiness. She was here, with her wonderful family. Living for today, living for the future.
A word about the author…
Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love.
She keeps her life balanced with regular yoga practice and running. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she’s enjoying time with her family, who are scattered between Wisconsin and Michigan. Laurie has three kids and one fantastic husband, all who inspire her to chase her dreams.
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
If you enjoyed the stor
y, we would appreciate your letting others know by leaving a review.
For other wonderful stories,
please visit our on-line bookstore.
Home Field Page 22