“Then that’s one up for me already.” William dipped his head toward the left. “Come on, we’ve got company on the way. They could think you’re a bit off balance if they hear you talking to the breeze.”
Her gaze darted between him and the various visitors of the park. “They can’t see you?”
“Not at the moment.”
“I take it they can’t hear you either?”
He shook his head. “Afraid not.”
“Well that’s probably a good thing. I hate to tell you this, but you do look a little out of place in your current state of dress.”
“No doubt.” He gazed toward the memorial and nodded. “Is there something else you’d like to see while you’re here? I swear I’ll be as silent as the grave while you enjoy what the park has to offer the visitors.”
The offhanded remark made her laugh. “No, that’s okay. I’ve done what I came here to do. Besides, I really should be heading back to Austin’s house before my dear, sweet mother has a fit of the vapors.” She peeked over at the small crowd moving their way. “The drive is a long one. So can you keep me company?”
“I’d love to keep you company. Perhaps you should at least visit the grave of your Uncle Max before we take off, though. After all, your mom might expect a picture of his memorial or something.”
“You heard us talk about that?”
“I did.”
She nodded. “You’re probably right. Do you know where he’s buried?”
He flashed a grin as he aimed his thumb to the right. “This way.”
****
Even with the delay, the journey back to Austin’s didn’t last very long. At least not in William’s eyes. But now the promise of other such adventures lay ahead of them both. All throughout the drive, Katie asked him countless questions. She now knew he favored the shade of blue that matched her eyes and that he loved sunrises and sunsets. He told her he loved wide-open fields, the smell of freshly mown hay, and damp earth after the rain. Katie could now name the small town he had once called home and even knew where to find it. She found delight in the fact that he too—let’s see, how did she put that?—grew up on a horse, behind a cow.
“Sarge!”
The greeting, if something said with such obvious exasperation could be called a greeting, sliced into his thoughts. He turned half-way around. Richard Barnett waved a hand as he lengthened his stride. Once he caught up, he fell into step beside him.
“Hello, Rich, nice to see you.”
He rolled his eyes skyward even as he shook his head. “You realize, don’t you, that I’ve only called your name three different times now? What’s the matter, got cotton in your ears or something?”
He warded off the silly grin that screamed for release. “The ‘or something’ might be a better fit. How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in a while.”
Richard’s own grin slowly broadened as he pinned his gaze to his. “You know, I think I’d rather know how you’re doing.”
He returned a nonchalant shrug. “Couldn’t be better.”
“Um-hmm and if I had to guess, I’d say that has something to do with your lady. Am I right?”
He couldn’t contain the joy within him any longer. “You are.”
Richard whooped in excitement. “You finally got through to Katie! You did, didn’t you?”
William nodded. “Yes, I did.”
“She can see you? She hears everything you say?”
“She can, and every word.”
“Does she know who you are?”
“I told her.”
He gave him a sideways glance. “How did she take it?”
“Well, she didn’t run for the nearest exit if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Now that, my friend, is incredible and for so many reasons. The guys will want to know how all of that came to pass. Mind if I gather them up and we can drop by your place a little later?”
He hesitated. The need to shelter and protect his boys had never waned. If anything, it had grown stronger and not just for the special ones he led through the portal on D-Day. He gave every soldier that followed the same consideration, compassion, and care. How would Donald Martin react to his success?
Richard knew his thoughts and shook his head. “I think it will give all of us in the same boat a little bit of hope—including Don. Don’t you?”
****
Despite her fatigue, Katie couldn’t sleep. Her chaotic thoughts wouldn’t let her. Did she really just spend the most incredible day of her life with a ghost who professed to love her with a passion second to none, past, present, or future? Or more likely had she lost her mind? Such a thing wasn’t unheard of. Psychiatric hospitals were full of people who lived with their delusions twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. For the most part, the world pitied them. Did she need their pity as well?
On the other hand, did she have the kind of fertile imagination necessary to conjure someone as unimaginably perfect as William Malloy Griffin? A short while ago she didn’t think such a man existed. Doubt gnawed at both heart and mind. After all, anyone could roam through a cemetery, stop at some random grave, and say, “Aha! I know who you are! You are my long-lost love. There is no escape now. I hereby decree we shall be together forever.”
The thought led her forward. Did some kind of proof exist that she in fact saw the spiritual form of the man buried inside that grave? No doubt she could find information regarding the Sergeant Griffin buried in Normandy on the internet. That should be easy enough. But could she find a picture of his face? If she did, would that face match the one she had spent the entire day with?
She tossed the covers off to the side and got out of bed. After she donned her blue silk robe, she tip-toed to the living room. Stubborn determination accompanied her toward Austin’s computer in the corner. Katie sat down, turned it on, and typed in her query. The search engine returned thousands of sites she could explore in regards to the casualties of D-Day. No surprise there.
She rubbed her hands together. “Okay, Katie, let’s get this show on the road.”
After several unlucky site searches, she found a D-Day site that focused solely on the Americans who died in that battle, a site that boasted a ton of photographs. Without doubt, his profile would be in their database, but would it have the picture she needed? She held her breath as she clicked on the search box and typed in his name. One more click and she arrived at his personal file. She gave the breath she’d held a slow, uneven release. At the same time, she clasped her fingers together and raised her trembling hands to her mouth. All the while tears filled her eyes as she gazed at the black and white photograph. Sergeant William M. Griffin, so very handsome in his dress uniform, gazed back. Her butterflies once again began a wild ruckus.
The profile told her he voluntarily joined the army at the age of twenty-eight. He signed on from his hometown in Arizona, just as he said earlier. Not quite two years later, death claimed him on the shore of Easy Red Sector, at Omaha Beach. The pictures the site had of that bloody battle turned her stomach. Especially when she thought of him lying there, broken and bleeding. On a whim, she ordered his Individual Deceased Personnel File from the United States Army, via the Freedom of Information Act. Along with the IDPF, she also ordered his Military Service Record. The files would give her far more information than any D-Day website provided.
Once she copied his photograph to her phone, she shut down the computer. Right now, she wouldn’t share William with anyone. Not even her mom. A time for that might come, but not now.
“Katie?” Her mother sounded surprised and perhaps a little frightened.
She swiveled around in the office chair and faced her.
Diane put a hand over her heart as she gulped. “What are you doing up so late? I thought someone had broken into the house.”
Katie dismissed her concern with a wave of her hand. “Don’t be silly. I don’t think anyone would dare break into Austin’s house. They’d fear the consequences of such a
foolish act, I’m sure. After all, he’s an expert marksman and heavily armed. Now, as to what I’m doing? Well, I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d do a little military research.”
“I’m sure that could’ve waited until the morning.”
“Yes, it could’ve, but I needed something to do that would knock me out. Reading usually does it.”
“Maybe some warm milk might help. Would you like me to get you a cup?”
Katie laughed. “Now that’s something you haven’t offered me since grade school. And just to let you in on a little secret? I didn’t like it even then.”
“Well, how about some herbal tea instead? Austin has some chamomile and valerian in the cupboard.”
“That I would take, but only if you’ll join me.”
Once they settled onto the sofa with cups in hand, Katie took a sip and nodded. “This is good.”
Diane wrinkled her nose as she gazed down at the contents. “I’ve never cared much for it.”
The comment made Katie smile. “Then why are you drinking it?”
“Well, because you asked me to.”
The smile turned into a quiet giggle. “I’m sure you could’ve found yourself something a little more agreeable.”
“Perhaps.” Despite her obvious distaste for the beverage, her mom took a couple more sips. “Anyway, would you like to tell me why you can’t sleep?”
“What makes you think there’s a specific reason?”
“Because you can sleep like a log and at the drop of a hat when you’ve a mind to. So what’s the reason? Is something wrong?”
“I think it’s just the emotion of the last couple of days.” She paused as she gathered her thoughts. “You know, as I walked through all of the cemeteries, I read countless names of soldiers whose lives were cut way too short. Many of them were still in their teens. Others surely left young widows and families behind. I couldn’t help but think of all they didn’t experience during their lifetimes and it made me sad.”
Diane nodded. “Now you know why I avoid those places.”
“Yes, but haven’t you ever wondered what happens to them?”
She knit her brow. “What happens to them? I don’t know what you mean?”
Katie set her cup down on the tea table and drew her legs up onto the sofa. “Oh, come on, Mom. You’ve read numerous books on near-death-experiences. Your library is full of them. In addition you’ve watched just as many television shows where life after death is the sole topic. You’ve always had a passion for that sort of thing and shared it with anyone who would listen. After all of that, haven’t you wondered what happens to those who didn’t have a chance to live a full life? You think they just flit around Heaven with golden harps in hand and never fall in love with anyone? Do you think they even care about such things?”
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Dead serious.”
Diane placed her cup on the coaster beside Katie’s and leaned back against the cushion. She searched her eyes with an intensity that made her a bit uncomfortable. Did she look for something in particular? If so, Katie didn’t have a clue as to what.
“You know, ever since your accident, I’ve wondered if perhaps you had an experience of your own. You never said, and I thought if you did, you would tell me about it when you were ready. But the questions you’re asking tell me you don’t remember anything at all that happened during the time you were gone from us.”
She shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t. Those minutes are a complete blank.”
“That’s too bad. I would’ve liked to get your perspective, and well—” She shrugged. “Okay, you want to know what I think. I don’t think Heaven would be Heaven without someone special to share it with.”
Intense chills raced up and down Katie’s spine as her mother all but repeated the same statement William had made.
“The opinion is my own, of course. But I can’t help but believe in my heart of heart’s there’s at least a bit of truth to the notion, if not a whole lot of truth. I just can’t imagine a life in a Heaven that didn’t include your dad by my side.”
Long after the conversation ended, Katie wandered out onto the patio. The brilliance of the night sky stole her gaze as she sat down on the white wicker rocking chair. While the melody of nocturnal creatures kept her company, she thought about what her mother had said. Her thoughts, beliefs, and insights surprised her. Perhaps one day she could tell her mother about William. Maybe she might even believe her. If she did, what would she think of William’s intention to win her heart? What would she think of him? Would he ever allow her to see him? Better yet, could he? Did her own “near-death” experience have anything to do with her ability to see her William now?
Her William. But was he really hers?
What would become of them in the end? An unconventional relationship between a ghost and mortal just didn’t sound reasonable. Yet he acted as if such a thing was a normal, everyday thing to do. Was it? Were there mortals out there right now in love with ghosts? If so, would she be one of them? Did she love him already and willfully denied that truth regardless of the brief wave of intense emotion she felt during her vision? Did she fear it? Without a doubt she felt a powerful connection to him, but then again, she always had.
She retrieved her phone and brought up his picture. For a time she studied every detail the old photograph offered. The thoughtful but serious expression he carried made her wonder if he somehow knew he wouldn’t make it home.
“That’s not the best picture I’ve ever taken you know. I think I could rustle you up a better one if you’d like. One more in my element.”
A rush of liquid excitement filled her as she turned toward him. “William! I didn’t expect a visit from you quite this soon or at this hour.”
He grinned as he offered her the flower he had in his hand. Though not quite at half-bloom, its exquisite outer petals were an iridescent shade of lavender blue with shimmering pink undertones. Even so, the feeble description didn’t do the flower, or its colors, justice.
“For you.”
“Wow, you weren’t kidding about the flowers.”
“No, ma’am.”
“I’ve never seen one quite like this.” The moment she had it in hand she took in a deep breath of the potent fragrance someone ought to use for a prestigious line of perfume. “Umm. Smells so good. From your garden?”
“Yep, I thought you might like it. Unlike the one pressed inside your book, or the now battered and wilted one you carried here today, this one is fresh. Might last longer than you think it should if you put it in some water.”
“I love it, thank you—and of course I will.” With a sweep of her hand, she offered him one of the empty chairs. He chose the one beside her. “As I said, I really didn’t expect to see you quite this soon.”
“I know. But since you were awake, I thought I’d stop by since I probably won’t get another chance for a little while.”
Her heart dropped even as her throat tightened. Did he think better of his avowal to court her and decided in this way he could let her down easy? Such a thing wouldn’t surprise her. In fact she had half-way expected him to cast her off—just like Chad did. “Oh, I see.”
Somehow he took hold of her hand without passing through it, gave it a gentle press, and then released her from his grasp. How did he do things like that?
“No need for thinking what you’re thinking. In fact you’re way off base.”
“How would you know what I’m thinking?”
“Regardless of the emotions you keep hidden from the world, you have the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re quite informative if one cares to look. And trust me, I’ve never tired of looking.”
A blush stained her cheeks. She could feel the heat. “If you don’t mind my asking, why can’t you—”
“I’ve already told you I don’t mind your questions,” he cut in. “Don’t ever be afraid to ask them, okay?”
She gave him a half-
hearted smile. “Okay.”
“I’ll be gone for awhile because I have assignments I must take care of, that’s all. Though possibly hard for you to believe, I do have far more important things to do than float along on some billowy cloud while I strum a harp.”
The image her mind had conjured earlier of him in that very pose made her laugh. “That’s probably good. You don’t look like the harp-strumming type.”
“No?”
“No. So as an alternative to that, what do you do in this heavenly realm of yours?”
“Well, let’s see. How shall I put this?”
He paused far longer than she had anticipated. Had she stepped into forbidden territory?
“In one way or another, soldiers, past and present, die every single day, Katie. I’m sure this is something you’re well aware of. Because of my own background and experience, one of my duties—as well as my greatest honor and privilege—is to help some of them when they cross over. Most especially those soldiers who have suffered horrendous trauma in the moment they die. A handful of those individuals need a little more help and understanding than most. Under the directive of General George Henry Thomas, I belong to a company of men and women that give it.”
“You do?”
William nodded. “I do.”
As she mulled that over, she discovered the notion didn’t surprise her. After all, she had experienced his understanding and comfort many times over. She smiled. “I can see why you’d be given an assignment like that. You’re very good at it.”
Chapter Seven
William craved a visit with Katie like he never had before. He hadn’t seen her for several weeks and he missed her. Now that he had some free time, he’d step into her realm and take her into his arms. But he couldn’t. At least not yet. Not before he checked on Don.
As expected, William found him in the park near his home. He sat underneath the majestic oak tree, resting his back against the trunk.
“I thought you’d be here. You seem to favor this spot.” William placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “How are you doing, my friend?”
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