After an hour the two women retired to one of the guest cottages Zane had built for their future retreat. Vinnie and Sara would occupy another when they arrived later that afternoon. But for now they had some time together.
Zane grabbed her by the waist and gave her a hug. “Alone at last. I want to tell you what happened.”
He sounded good, no signs of strain. “Give me a kiss first. I missed you today.”
He swung her into his arms and lifted her high enough that her feet didn’t touch the ground. As he walked her to the couch, he nibbled at her neck.
“You smell good, Margo Zanelli. Like something spicy to eat.”
“I made the pies, and you’ll be glad to know they turned out perfect.” And how was Rita? she wanted to ask.
Anxious, yet knowing she had to be patient, she waited until he’d hung up his leather jacket, checked out the pies, and then finally settled on the couch. She sat beside him, admiring the handsome look the blow-cut hairstyle gave him.
For the first time a frown creased his brow. “It was hard. Telling her what happened.”
“But you did.”
He nodded and sipped the iced drink she’d set out for them. Before he started talking he put the glass down.
“What did she say?” Had she flung accusations as he’d feared?
He placed his right arm on the back of the couch and stretched his legs under the table. He looked tired now as he recalled the ordeal. She wanted to curl against him, but she remained still, waiting.
“She didn’t say much about what actually happened. She cried.” He rubbed his left hand along his jaw. “And to be honest, for the first time that I’ve told that story, I cried too.” He took a deep breath. “We both sat there and just let it all out.”
That news had her sagging against the back of the couch in relief. Crying was a release. He’d finally admitted to Rita what had happened and then let the emotions flow out of him. It would make a difference. The therapy sessions had been rough on him these past two years. But Ray had done wonders and, combined with Zane’s determination, Zane had made tremendous progress – even to the point that he was leading sessions at the V.A. Center in Eureka. But this was a new conquest for Zane. The psychologist part of her was elated.
She listened as he continued to describe his visit. “Finally, at the end, she told me she was glad to know why I had broken up with her. I guess the way I did it left a lot of loose ends.”
Margo nodded, knowing how she’d react. He sat silent and contemplative. Margo fidgeted, debating whether to ask the questions she really wanted answered. Her curiosity won out.
“Are you sorry you broke it off?”
His gaze slid to hers. “What?”
Uncomfortable under the scrutiny, she shrugged. “You know. Do you have regrets?”
“Margo, that was years ago. A lifetime ago.” He lifted his hand off the back of the couch and slid her hair behind her ear. She had to force herself not to act like a kitten and nuzzle for more. But she really felt foolish when he started to chuckle.
“You aren’t jealous, are you?”
She shook her head in denial.
“Come here.” He pulled her into his arms, exactly where she wanted to be.
“You do love me?” she asked.
“How can there be any doubt?”
Now that was what she wanted to hear.
“Think about that first day you saw me, and be truthful. Didn’t you fall madly in love at first sight?”
“To be honest, Margo, when I saw the determined look in your eye, the set of your chin, and sensed the woman power in you, I was scared to death.”
She sat up. “What? You weren’t scared.”
“That proves how good I was at hiding my feelings. Lady, you had me shaking in my boots.”
She reached up and cupped his face with her hands. “Good. That’s exactly how I want you, because we have lots to do for tomorrow’s dinner and you promised to help with the turkey.”
He kissed her hand. She melted against him.
“Just what I need. A tough boss,” he said.
“Just so you remember who’s boss,” she murmured as she kissed him back.
Slowly he stood and pulled her up with him. “Let’s go upstairs.”
She made no objection. His loving was exactly what she needed.
***
Zane patted his full stomach before he joined his family in the living room. The Thanksgiving dinner had been delicious and the company enjoyable.
He glanced around the room. Vinnie and Sara were sitting on the hearth enjoying the fire. His niece and nephew were sprawled on the floor, heads together in a world of their own, while his younger nephew, Dom, napped in his portable playpen. In the two chairs across from the couch, Bettina and his mother sat chatting about the last opera they’d gone to. Margo had invited Fred, but he had a new woman in his life and was spending the holiday with her.
Zane settled into the cushions. His service to his country had exacted a costly toll, but like his fellow Americans, he had a lot to be grateful for on this Thanksgiving Day. He was with his family and surrounded by people who cared. He had meaningful work preparing to open the retreat with Margo, and he honestly felt he’d helped others face their demons as he had learned to do. It was a good day to celebrate.
Content, he sipped his coffee and placed his mug on the table. Margo entered the room, her presence as always bringing warmth and sunshine. He smiled and patted the seat beside him, beckoning the number-one reason he was thankful.
Her scent wafted around him when she sat down. “What did you and Vinnie have to talk about so seriously after dinner?”
Her question dimmed his glow of well-being. Vinnie had followed him outside while the women volunteered to clean up. His brother had pointed to the shed and asked if Zane had decided to finish the statue. “He thinks the statue should be part of the retreat in one of the redwood groves.”
“I knew he was going to ask you.”
“You knew?” He eyed her pleased smile. “Why didn’t you stop him?”
Her smile disappeared.
He felt like a heel, but she had to know. “I can’t finish that statue.”
“But it’s all done. Except for Al’s eyes. Surely now you can finish them.”
Old pain crept in, reminding him of how far he’d come. He didn’t want to travel back in that hell. He’d have to make her understand.
“What could I put in his eyes, Margo? Hatred? Condemnation? Regret? No one wants to be reminded of that.”
“Is that what you saw, Zane?” She grabbed his hand and shared her strength.
He closed his eyes as the memories focused. He tried to picture that last instant when he’d sung the song. Its refrain echoed in his head.
A shudder tore through him as he traveled from the jungle back to the security of his home. He looked at Vinnie and at his mother and saw them looking at him. Their loving smiles brought warmth back into his heart.
Margo’s hand covered his. He stared into her dark-eyed gaze. He stared and stared and suddenly he knew. Like a flash of light the answer came and he knew what he had to carve. Now he remembered what he’d seen in Al’s eyes. The same thing he saw now.
Love.
Acknowledgements
I want to thank all those who serve in the Armed Forces to protect this country.
About the Author
Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com.
You can connect with Sandra on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. You can also find her and her talented writing buddies at the Seekerville blog.
Other Romance Novels by Sandra Leesmith
The Price of Victory, Published by Montlake Romance (2011)
Available in hardcov
er, paperback, and Kindle e-book formats
Current of Love, Published by Montlake Romance (2012)
Available in paperback and Kindle e-book formats
Table of Contents
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Dedication
“Forever Friends”
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Other Romance Novels by Sandra Leesmith
Love's Miracles Page 31