Battleborn

by S. I. Hayes

  “Are you the party of three I’m picking up for the ride through the gardens?”

  “Yes, sir,” Jarod answered as I caught up to them.

  “Good, good. Just climb on board and we can get started.”

  “Mommy, they are so big!”

  “I know, baby. “I rubbed my hand down the rump of one of the horses and he let out a soft nicker. “They are beautiful.”

  “Thank you, my lady.” The driver bowed. For all the hair around his shoulders, I could spy on the top of his head in the center was a big ole’ bald spot. Took all I had in me not to just take off laughing. I held it back as I looked at the single bench seat, puzzling on how we were gonna fit.

  “It’s a cozy little thing, ain’t it.” Jarod seemed to be thinking like me, as he scratched his head.

  “I suppose we put her between us on our laps?”

  “That would be the best approach, ma’am.” The driver agreed.

  I nodded and approached the carriage, easily climbing up the little hanging steps and into the space. Jarod picked up Glory, handing her to me, then stared at the carriage for a moment. His leg. I hadn’t even thought about it.

  “Do you need help?” I went to get out, when he put up his hand.

  “I got it, it just took a second to work it out. It’s a balance thing.” He grabbed the side of the carriage, pulling himself up and into the carriage with a hop. The carriage teetered a bit and the horses neighed. The driver turned around with a glare.

  “What the he-”

  Jarod lifted his pant leg, showing his prosthetic and the driver shut right up, mumbling an apology as he set the horses to trot.

  “Sorry about that.” He apologized. For what, I wasn’t sure.

  “It’s okay. You don’t have to. I should have thought better. Helped you up first.”

  “Welcome to hanging with a cripple.”

  “Hey, we’re all broken somehow, don’t you think? You’re just getting a better parking spot.” I nudged him playfully and Glory giggled, taking the brunt of it.

  “Right?” He gingerly smiled, his arms tucked tightly at his sides.

  “You look mighty uncomfortable there.”

  “It’s a little tight, but I’m good.”

  “You can put your arm across the back, I won’t bite it off or hit you for it.

  He stretched out his arm. “Didn’t want you thinking I was hitting on you.”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Cuz I’m not, you know. I wanna be your friend. Seems you need that more than anything right now.”

  I nodded. “You would be right. You are very observant. What do you do?”

  “Actually, I teach like your Pop.”

  “Really? Where?”

  He laughed. “On the base, I’m just not doing the summer sessions. I never do. I teach the medical side of the MAG-TAF units.”

  So you’re still in, even after getting hurt? You still put on the uniform?”

  “They found something I could do, so yes, ma’am.”

  I swallowed hard, I didn’t know if I liked that. I cringed every time I saw my dad in his uniform, because I was still attracted to it. Even after everything that had happened to me, it was still what got me off in my solo time. It made me sick to my stomach. I shifted in my space and he seemed to notice how quiet I’d become.

  “Does that bother you? That I’m a soldier?”

  “I don’t know.” I was being honest at least.

  “That’s honest.” He looked down, which prompted me to do so as well, Glory was sound asleep.

  “Figures, she wanted this ride and she’s missing it completely.”

  “Well, she is only fourteen months old.”

  “Again with the ages. I swear, no one is as old as I think they are anymore.”

  “Well, how old are you?”

  “Me? I’m twenty-six.”

  “Really? Oh, wow. I’d have thought you were way younger.”

  “Another block?”

  “No, just a little bump.” I rolled my shoulders, settling down into the seat and against his arm, my head finding his shoulder. “This is a nice ride.” I looked around, seeing the gardens all lit up with little white lights, it was early June so it still got cool at night.

  Fireflies danced around the deeper parts of the night and the crickets were making their chirping sounds to the effect that it was like seventy-five degrees.

  “It is now.”

  I looked up at him as he stared down at me and I knew what this moment was. This was a kiss me moment. My fingers found their way into the fabric of his polo shirt, fisting there as I lifted my head toward him, our lips were inches apart when the carriage suddenly jerked to a stop and Glory startled awake. Which set her off crying something fierce.

  “Oh baby, shh, it’s okay.” That killed our moment and snapped me back to reality. He was at once concerned as well.

  “Glory, look, the horsies. We are still with the horsies.”

  She wiped at her eyes and sniffled as she saw them, her wailing began to lessen. We were back at the hotel, and it was time to say good night. He climbed down from the carriage, took Glory, then helped me down.

  “Thanks.” He had his hands on my sides and my arms were around his shoulders as he towered over me.

  “No problem.” He smiled, pushing my pony tail back over my bare shoulder, his fingers brushing my skin, setting it on fire.

  “We have to go.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “I’ll see you at breakfast?”

  “Sure.” His fingers ran across my cheek, followed by his lips. “Good night, Caitlin.” He turned to Glory and picked her up, kissing her cheek as well. “Good night, my girl.”

  “Good night, Tin Man.” She kissed him back! The little minx!

  He handed her to me and walked away.

  Chapter 17 Jarod

  “So, all in all, you had a nice weekend at the beach?” Dr. Richards made a notation as he spoke. I had told him everything about the weekend. Caitlin, the kiss that never was. How Tim shadowed us all of Sunday, so there wasn’t any chance to talk about it or anything else after.

  “It started off stressful and ended similarly, but the middle was good.”

  “And, apparently, you like this girl, Miss, Colton was it?”

  “Caitlin, yes. I think I might.”

  “You mentioned experiencing an erection after having a brief physical encounter with her. Wouldn’t you consider that confirmation?”

  “I suppose so.”

  He eyeballed me over his horn rimmed glasses.

  “Yeah, alright, I like her.”

  “That’s good. Will you see her again?”

  “Maybe. I did invite her to dinner Thursday night at Grandad’s shop. So I guess if she shows up, then I’ll see what happens.”

  “What do you want to happen?”

  Now I eyeballed him. “I’d like to get to know her better.”

  “And sex?”

  “I don’t think either she or I are ready for that. Frankly, I think I’d probably freak her out completely when she saw it.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, it’s not for nothing Doc, but I’m kinda hung like a horse.”

  He laughed. “You said she had some issues with men, specifically soldiers?”

  “Yeah, she’s had some trauma, and I think a soldier is at the heart of it. She hasn’t said, but it’s been inferred. Like I said, I need to know more about her. I’m hoping she’ll open up more without her daughter around.”

  “So, she’s a single mother as well, are you ready for all of that?”

  “Oh, the little girl is adorable and so sweet. She calls me Tin Man on account of the leg.”

  “Well, you seem to be doing well, keep up with your physical regimen, take your meds and if you feel like you need anything more, you call the office, otherwise I’d say I’ll see you in three months. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds great, Doc. Thanks.” I s
tood up with a stretch and shook his hand. It was good to be on the right track. Mentally, I felt good, physically I was better than I had been in years and emotionally, well, we were working on that now, weren’t we?

  I entered the reception area to spy Glory and Caitlin. Waiting to see her clinician, no doubt. I walked over, I couldn’t not.

  “Hey,” I whispered, as she was reading and I didn’t want to scare her.

  A smiled crept up over her features as she looked up. “Hi.” She put down her book and stood up, giving me a hug as Glory stood up and grabbed my leg, doing the same and calling my nick name.

  “How are you?” Caitlin asked, breaking the contact first. She had felt so good in my arms too.

  “Good, good, and you?”

  “Been alright. Just here for the usual picking of the brains.”

  “Yeah, I know how that goes.” I looked around. “Listen, I know we didn’t get a chance to talk much Sunday, but were you still coming by Thursday?”

  “Oh? Did you want me to? I wasn’t sure.”

  “Yeah.” I sounded too eager. “I mean, sure. Like I said, it’s just a Stromboli, right?”

  “Right.” She looked down at Glory, who had gone back to her toys.

  “Yeah, okay, I’ll be there around seven-thirty.”

  Perfect, we close early on account of his pinochle game, so we’ll have the front to ourselves to talk.”

  “Excellent.”

  “I’ll see you then?”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Chapter 18 Caitlin

  “Alright, I’m leaving. I’ll be home in a couple hours.” I grabbed my wallet and tossed it into my bag.

  “You’re wearing that?” My mother asked as I headed for the door.

  I looked at myself. Capri jeans with a nice cuff, my sandals, and an In this Moment Band T-shirt. My hair in a half clip, up and wavy. I thought I looked nice and pulled together.

  “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Nothing, I suppose. I just wouldn’t wear it on a date.”

  “Mom, it’s not a date. We are just hanging out. We’re friends.”

  “Sure, you are. Now.”

  “Whatever.”

  “What’s going on, where are you going? Where’s Gloria?” My father appeared in the kitchen.

  “Upstairs, asleep. Tim’s keeping an eye on her so I can go have dinner with a friend. Is that okay?”

  “Is that why you didn’t eat with us tonight?” He asked, taking a sip of his double scotch.

  “Yes. Now, can I go? I don’t want to be late.”

  “See, that sounds like date speak to me.” My mother added.

  “Who’s this friend.

  “Jarod Trainor. You met him last weekend.” I muttered.

  “Speak up, honey, or you aren’t leaving this house.” He demanded.

  “Jarod Trainor, you met him.”

  “The young man who took you all to the beach over the weekend?”

  “Yes, father.”

  He nodded. “His family owns the Pizzeria a couple of blocks from here.”

  “That’s where I’m going. He’s just a friend, I won’t be long. I promise, just a couple hours.”

  “I believe you. Don’t let me stop you. Just be careful, baby.” He clutched my shoulder and smoothed my hair.

  “I will, daddy.”

  WHEN I GOT TO THE PIZZERIA I looked inside and saw Jarod at the counter, leaning lazily, flipping through a magazine. I tapped on the glass and he jumped, then laughed, coming around the counter. He was moving slower than usual. Limping a bit more, it seemed.

  “Hey.” He chirped as he opened the door. “You made it. I’m glad.” He made motions to hug me and I let him, even if he did smell of garlic and other spices.

  “Yeah, the family was being a pain in the ass with the twenty questions.”

  “Be glad you got um. “It’s just me and Granddad.”

  “Oh? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.”

  “It’s cool, how could you? Come on over, have a seat. The crew is in the back, already playing their game so you may hear some occasional bickering, but otherwise, we’re pretty much on our own. Once I bring them their pies.”

  “Is that what smells so good? I was hoping it was my Stromboli.” I chuckled. Although I was quite serious, I was pretty hungry.

  “I thought you might like to make it yourself, or at least help me make it.”

  “That might be interesting.” I leaned over the counter as he used a huge paddle to pull the pizzas, covered in meat and toppings, out of the brick ovens, and slide them onto bigger metal pans. “You want some help carrying those?”

  “Would ya?”

  “Of course.” I got up, grabbing a pedestal like he had and setting the pizza on it, I followed him to the back room. As the door opened, I was hit with the smell of cigar smoke and had to try and hold my breath to keep from coughing all over the food. We headed for an empty table across from the guys and gals playing pinochle. They were already accusing each other of cheating.

  “They can get kind of heated.” Jarod smirked.

  “I see that.” I managed as I coughed lightly. The room turned its head, hearing me.

  “Um... Hi.” I waved, a few waved back. Others, mostly men, took stock of me and deemed me too young, or too old maybe... I wasn’t sure. Either way, I was at once noticed and dismissed.

  “Tough room.” I jested as we made our way out, my chest thankful we didn’t stay and have a chit chat.

  I was holding my side when we emerged and Jarod noticed.

  “Are you okay?” He asked urgently.

  “Yeah, just the smoke. Makes my asthma act up.

  “I’m sorry, I wasn’t even thinking about it.”

  “It’s alright, I’m okay, I just need my inhaler in my bag.

  Jarod grabbed my bag off the counter and shoved his hand inside, “Wow, you just carry it around in your purse, do you?” He pulled out my 9mm Glock, inspecting it. “It’s nice.”

  “I don’t take chances anymore.”

  “I’m glad to know it. I’m all for protecting oneself” He put it back in my bag and handed me my inhaler.

  “Thank you.” I took three puffs to clear myself.

  “You ready to learn to toss and pound some dough?”

  “Why does that sound dirty?

  “Cuz it gets messy really quick”

  “You got an apron for me?

  “I do, actually.”

  “Perfect. Then get it, and let’s get messy.”

  Chapter 19 Jarod

  When Caitlin showed up in those capris and band T-shirt, I knew I was hit. This was a no frills kind of girl. She liked to be put together, but comfortable. I hadn’t realized she actually had a lung condition, I should have with the inhaler, but I used one for my anxiety early on, so I just assumed. Well, there I went making an ass out of myself.

  I was glad she was down to cook with me. It was a means of therapy, whether she realized it or not. Cooking is a contact sport, when you teach, especially, there’s a lot to feeling the dough, the consistency, the weight. If she had touch issues, this could trigger her, but also help ease her. She looked adorable in the apron, and completely clueless as to what to do next.

  “So, now, what we’re gonna do is decide what kind of Stromboli we are gonna make. I tend to load mine up with meat, but you can do veggies too.” I showed her the ingredients I had in bowls on the counter. Onions, fresh garlic, hamburger, Italian sausage, ham, bacon, real bacon, not that crumbled crap those other places liked to use. Broccoli, peppers of all kinds, from jalapenos to sweet baby bells, and more.

  “Wow, you guys pull out all the stops.”

  “It’s why we make the best one in three counties.” I smiled proudly. “That and the secret sauce. My Granddad has been making the sauce for more than forty years and only I know how it’s made.”

  “Nice.” She pulled several bowls toward her.

  “A good balance there. Chicken, spinach, mozzarel
la, and feta. You like Greek flavors?”

  “Yeah, we were stationed in Crete when I was nine and I just loved it there. I’ll go back one of these days.”

  I laughed. “Granddad is from the island. His last name is Thermopolis. I’m a Trainor because he had a daughter.”

  “Explains your complexion.” She smiled.

  “Yup, what’s your excuse?”

  “I’m Spanish, on my mother’s side.”

  “Ahh, explains everything else too.” I leaned back and took a quick look at her curvy ass.

  She smacked my arm. “Hey, now.”

  “Sorry, I’m a guy, what do you want?”

  “FOOD!”

  “Alright! So, next, we gotta get the dough ready. Here, this is your work area.” I sprinkled the counter with flour. “Now, go over to the sink and wash your hands. Then we’ll start.”

  She skipped over to the sink in the back and came back like a doctor, all wet handed, making me chuckle. “Okay, you could have dried them off.”

  “You just said to wash them, nothing about drying.”

  “Oh boy.” I took a towel and tossed it to her. “Okay, now come over here and stand in front of me. You’re gonna take the flour and get it all over your hands before you touch the dough, otherwise it will stick to you.”

  She plunged her hands into the pile of flour on the counter like a little kid and I shook my head. She grabbed the ball of dough and slammed it down on the counter.

  “Like this, right. This is what I always see them do on T.V.”

  “Sure, if you want a super tough crust, you can kick the shit out of it.”

  “Okay, my bad.” She giggled and I felt my dick twitch. I backed up a little, adjusted my stance, then came back to her. Okay, you’re going to lift the dough from the counter, from the center and letting your fists loosely open it up, you’re gonna let it fall around your hands in a clockwise motion.”

  She picked up the dough and put her fist right through it, laughing. “I’m terrible at this, you do it.”

  “Nope, you are gonna get it. Toss it back to the table, fold it over, knead it down and try again.”

  It took a few tries, but she finally got it and managed to get a fairly decent crust opened up.