Help Our Heroes: A Military Charity Anthology

by T. L. Wainwright

  She followed him over to the porch steps and sat down while he took a sip of his beer.

  “Makes you wonder what?” he asked.

  “When did you allow yourself to fall apart and feel the loss?”

  She rested her head on her arms, watching him from the side, but he was no longer focused on her, and the smile had left his face.

  “Who said you have to fall apart?”

  She shrugged. “Yeah, who says a soldier has to have feelings and live them?”

  He snorted, almost sounding disbelieving. “I have feelings,” he insisted.

  She leveled him with a hard stare. “You do? Can’t remember Elton ever telling us that you showed weakness, or emotions and—”

  “When I heard Elton had fallen, I beat up a private for being an ass.”

  She arched a brow. “What did he do?”

  “Crowded a female soldier and was trying to grope her.”

  She snorted. “He deserved it.”

  Micah shook his head, guilt written all over his face. “I shouldn’t have lost it with him. I should be better than that. However, lucky for me there won’t be repercussions. It could’ve cost me everything.”

  “You can lose it here, Micah. You can kick trees and the barn, and the truck even. Elton used to do that. You can scream and cry. You can miss all those people and—”

  “I’m fine.”

  She didn’t believe that and wondered how far to push him.

  “Are you? Is that why you don’t date, why you don’t have a girlfriend? Or a boyfriend? Is that why you aren’t spending that much time with your family? Is that—”

  He stood so suddenly, she winced. His eyes were hard as they met her gaze. “What did you say earlier? You don’t know me? Yeah, same. Just because your brother told you tons about me, or so you think, doesn’t mean you know anything about me,” he forced out and then hesitated before placing the bottle of beer down and walking around the house. She glanced at her family, but they acted oblivious, making it clear they expected her to get him back.

  But… did she even want that? Having him there confused her because she had no idea what Elton had thought she could do for Micah.

  Besides, she didn’t have the feeling Micah even knew how much he absolutely wasn’t okay.

  ***

  Micah fumed as he walked away from the Timber’s farm. Who exactly was Sarah to think she’d pecked him fully? Knew what he was or wasn’t feeling?

  He couldn’t believe Timber had told his family so much about him, especially because it had been years since they’d last met.

  “Micah, wait.”

  No, he didn’t want to wait, especially not for Sarah. He saw the sunshine within her, saw the cracks in the broken exterior, and could imagine vividly how she’d been before Timber had died.

  He could all but see her laughing out loud, dancing around and enjoying the rain falling on her face. She’d probably been ever-smiling, and would joke and wink all the time.

  Sometimes he saw it on her face, a playful wink there, and it twisted a knife in his heart because he could understand why Timber had been as protective of her as he’d been.

  Someone like her needed a good guy, and no guy could ever reach up to the standard required. He was sure about that because in his mind no one would be able to match up. Suddenly a small hand wrapped around his wrist and she pulled him to a stop.

  “I’m sorry,” Sarah said, her cheeks flushed while he almost smirked. He’d forgotten how much distance he could cover when he was angry. “Come back.”

  At this he shook his head because he’d been there too long anyway. He’d wanted to do nothing more than give Timber’s parents his condolences.

  Two days there had been two days too long.

  “I’m not coming back. Tell your family thank you for everything, will you?”

  Her brows furrowed and he wanted to reach out to smooth her forehead.

  “That’s it? You’re running? Was that why you didn’t talk to Timber anymore? Because he said things you didn’t like and didn’t want to hear? Is that why you don’t face your family?”

  He coughed in disbelief, wondering what he could say to her, but then decided her accusations weren’t even worth a reply. Instead he stepped around her.

  “You need us, Micah, just like we need you,” she called after him.

  “I’m not Timber, and I’m certainly not here to fill the shoes you expect me to fill.” He didn’t bother turning for that, just hoped the wind would carry it back.

  “You couldn’t be Timber because he let people close, and you’re a block of ice.”

  Finally he threw up his hands, turning to her. “What do you want me to say, Sarah? You have me all figured out. You know what I feel and think. You know how I am. After just a little over twenty-four hours around me, you figured me out.” He walked back to her, surprised to see angry tears in her eyes, but then he assumed it was the sarcasm dripping from his voice.

  “Where are you gonna go, huh? What are you gonna do?” she asked harshly.

  He didn’t know, but considered just driving a car across the country roads, pausing only occasionally to check out the landscape, and then he’d count down the days until his next deployment.

  Or could he stay there? Because that was ultimately what she was asking for, wasn’t it?

  For a moment he entertained the idea. Being on the farm, helping out. Visiting Timber’s grave regularly, talking to him.

  Having a place and a reason to be in the US besides counting down the days.

  Then again, this wasn’t his place to be. Timber should be standing where he was standing.

  “See my family.” And that literally meant to drop by, say hi and show he was alive, then he’d be off.

  She arched a brow. “And then?”

  “You piss me off. I can’t remember when I last met someone who managed so easily to rile me up. I don’t owe you explanations.” But he suddenly wanted to give them to her, and that was what sealed the deal for him.

  No more wondering, no more what ifs.

  “I piss you off because you know I’m right, and because—”

  “No,” he interrupted. “You piss me off because you think you have a right to talk about me being closed off and all, but you’re hiding here. Go and work. Date. Live. Don’t stay here, and maybe when you do, so will I.”

  He wouldn’t. He belonged in the army and that was what he’d live for until they didn’t want him any longer.

  Tears were streaming down her face and it caused him to lick his lips, acknowledging the fact that he wanted to make her feel better.

  “The letter was in the truck because he wanted you to have it. Take it. No matter where, take it. You were like his brother, and he gave something to his family, to each of us. You got the truck,” she whispered.

  Micah gaped at her, knowing how her heart was stuck to that truck, and he couldn’t believe Timber would’ve put that in his will, wanted Micah to own that truck. He stepped even closer to her, framing her face.

  “No, you keep it. I couldn’t bring it anywhere with me and—”

  “Stay and drive it here. Work the farm with my dad. Help us out. We need it. Do something normal, something that has nothing to do with weapons or desert heat. Please, Micah. Please.”

  He should’ve let go of her face, should’ve stopped brushing the tears from her cheeks, but he didn’t.

  He should’ve also wondered why she was so insistent, but he didn’t do that, either.

  “I cannot stay, Sarah. I’m not ready to…” He trailed off, not sure what he wanted to say.

  “Be whole?” she offered and he rested his forehead against hers.

  The gesture felt so right and yet so foreign, making him realize that he’d never before felt the need to be close to a woman that way.

  “Keep the truck safe for me until I’m back, okay?” He knew he was lying about coming back, but it seemed to placate her.

  Someone like Sarah deserved
more than another soldier in her life, because she’d been through enough with losing her brother, and if Micah stayed around, the whole family was at risk of losing someone else they’d included.

  “You have some weeks before you have to leave. I know they ground you before letting you go again. Stay,” she begged again.

  “No.” The word wasn’t more than a breath because he was tempted. Having her so close he wanted to stick around just to tickle Timber’s Sarah out of the broken girl, but that bore a whole new danger.

  “Yes.”

  “Sarah.”

  New tears started to fall then, hitting his fingers where they still lay against her cheeks, framing her face.

  “I’ll light a candle for you and put it my window so you’ll you find your way back no matter how far you’re lost in darkness. You were Elton’s best friend. You have a place with this family, Micah, whenever you need it. Promise me you won’t forget that,” she begged and he did something he probably shouldn’t have done.

  He kissed her, kissed her until he was breathless.

  He didn’t believe she’d put on a candle every night, but he also knew he’d never find out because…

  Sarah was a woman to fall in love with and Micah had no mind to risk something like that.

  “Goodbye, Sarah,” he whispered against her lips and then pulled back.

  She didn’t let go, and he grabbed her wrists, wanting to make her let go without hurting her.

  “Just don’t fucking die because we’d never find out,” she called after him and he hung his head, wondering if he should be putting her name in where they asked about who should be informed in case of him being killed in action.

  Then again, he hoped to forget about her soon. Women were a distraction he couldn’t deal with when trying to free kidnapped people; to fight in a war that wasn’t his own and yet could be decided by a single man.

  Micah wasn’t made for relationships and perfect images.

  Micah was made to help young soldiers out in situations that were all about killing dreams.

  His life was about making sure others survived long enough to see their dreams come true.

  ***

  She’d failed. That was all Sarah could think as she watched Micah’s retreating back. She knew when a fight was lost, and Micah didn’t want anyone in his world.

  He’d not be back, either, but she hadn’t thought telling him she knew would’ve changed anything.

  However, she knew it wouldn’t keep her from lighting a candle because holy hell, she was lost in darkness, but at least she saw stars occasionally.

  Micah on the other hand? He had nothing to guide him home safely, and that was what truly broke her heart.

  Epilogue

  Sarah,

  When he’s there. Don’t let him go. Micah is on a one-way-street to self-destruct, and keeping people at arm’s length is his specialty.

  Yours is touching hearts, so do your magic, touch his.

  He gave up on his family when his parents died, gave up on the notion of happiness when he was too young to give it up.

  His sister gave up on him, too, I think. She no longer tries, but I know our family. We have so much room for lost people, so I know you can get him to feel something, to not risk it all.

  Sarah, I owe him everything. Many people do. He’s my best friend, was from the moment we started basic training together.

  Don’t let him get killed, without him ever knowing what it meant to love, to hope, because he forgot.

  He forgot what it was like to truly smile, too.

  I found my smile in Cathy.

  He can find his in our family.

  Dad needs the help on the farm.

  Mom needs someone to take care of.

  You are the only one who can convince him to stay.

  Do it.

  He needs a family, and I need to know you’ll heal each other.

  I’m sorry I left before you ever got married. I love you, Sarah. I love you so much, and I’ll haunt all the idiots trying to date you because no one is good enough.

  Find someone who almost is.

  Love, El

  Author – Bio

  Once upon a time there was a young girl with her head full of dreams and her heart full of stories. Her parents, though not a unit, always supported her and told her more stories, encouraging her to become what she wanted to be. The problem was, young Sam didn't know what she wanted to be, so after getting her A-levels she started studying Computer Science and Media. After not even one year she realized it wasn't what her heart wanted, and so she stopped, staying home and trying to find her purpose in life. Through some detours she landed an internship and eventually an apprenticeship in a company that sells cell phones. Not a dreamy career, but hey. Today she's doing an accounting job from nine-to-five, which mainly consists of daydreaming and scribbling notes wherever she can.

  All through that time little Sam never once lost the stories in her heart, writing a few little of them here and there, writing for and with her best friend, who always told her to take that last step.

  Only when a certain twin-couple entered her mind, bothering her with ideas and talking to her nonstop did she start to write down their story - getting as far as thinking she could finish it. Through the help of some author friends, and the encouragement of earlier mentioned best friend, little Sam, now not so little anymore and in her twenty-seventh year, she decided to try her luck as an Indie author. She finished the story of the first twin, Jaden, and realized she couldn't ever stop.

  So, it really is only after five that the real Sam comes out. The one that hungers for love, romance, some blood, a good story, and, at the end of the day, a nice hot cup of Chai Tea Latte.

  And if the boys are still talking to her, she'll write happily ever after.

  Stalker Links

  Website: https://www.samdestiny.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamDestinyAuthor

  Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/samdestiny

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamDestinyAuthr

  Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sam-destiny

  Man Down

  by

  Alice La Roux

  Blurb

  Cororal James Rees is trapped in a world of pain. Injured in an attack upon his convoy in Afghanistan, he refuses to believe that he will ever heal. As his life crumbles around him, his parents struggling, his fiancée in denial, in walks his new physio, Beatrice. She’s a sassy, smart-mouthed optimist who takes crap from no one, including him. When these two butt heads over his recovery, sparks fly. But will the man who is afraid of being burned accept that his prison is partly of his own making. Self-pity will get him nowhere where Beatrice Taylor is concerned.

  Note from the Author

  What you’re about to read is the beginning of Man Down. What started as a short story has now grown and the full length book will be released later this year but this means that there’s a bit of a cliff-hanger. If you want raw and gritty with just a hint of alpha male, then please give Man Down a chance and enjoy this little taster of what’s to come!

  Beatrice

  “Come on big boy, stop being a wimp,” I call out across the room, standing with my hands on my hips.

  “I am not a wimp―I have fought in wars!”

  “And yet you’re chickening out of a little leg action?” I raise my eyebrow at the soldier sat in his chair before me. I was goading him, of course I was. If these army boys responded to anything it was a challenge, daring them to do something. Proving me wrong over the next few weeks would be the only thing that kept him going some days, that’s why it was important to build a good relationship with my clients. I wasn’t just their physio―I was the person who kept on at them. It was easy to push away a family member, to shut yourself in a cocoon of hurt―not so easy with a stranger who is holding you accountable. That would mean defeat and these soldiers, they weren't quitters, and they’d merely had a stumble is all.

/>   Scowling, Lieutenant William Keen, put one foot on the floor, followed by the other and very slowly stood. I could hear his breathing speed up as the knee pain kicked in but I was here to see progress so I couldn’t let him sit his arse back down.

  “See was that so hard? Now take a step towards me, gently―and use the bars if you need to,” I say indicating to the bars either side of him.

  “If I need to. Pffft!” He scoffs, taking that step.

  We had been working on building up strength in his leg after the accident so far with swimming and using a peddling exerciser, but this was the first time he had his whole weight behind him and I was impressed. I nodded to my colleague and quickly jotted down some notes on my clipboard about how the knee was looking. It was going to take weeks of little movements, a step or two and then resting, swimming and exercising the muscle before he would see a huge improvement but these men don’t need huge―they just need that first step. I can see the determination on his face and that’s when I know he’s realised that the treatment plan works. The sweat beading on his forehead is an indicator that he’s getting tired; his body isn’t ready to be pushed hard just yet.

  “Take a seat Lieutenant, we’re done on the bars for a moment. Let's do some stretches on the floor shall we?”

  I help him lower himself onto the mats and plonk myself down beside him. Now was the hard part, reining him in from his victory so that he didn’t cause further damage to himself by trying to do too much in one go. Reading body language and facial expressions is a large part of this job, the body tells you what the patient won’t. So the giant shit eating grin on his face told me that I was in for a long afternoon.

  ***

  “Bea is that you?” A voice calls out into the darkness.

  “Who else is it going to be Poppy?” I sigh, wondering why the hell the flat was having a blackout.