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“Don’t leave me.” The hoarsely whispered plea was heartfelt.
Luke had looked at the woman with surprise, his eyes locking with hers. He hadn’t thought she was capable of speaking or that she was even aware of what was going on.
Smiling, he told her, “You’ll be all right. You’re in the best hands possible. I’ll check up on you. Promise.”
He watched her nod slowly and close her eyes. The corpsman saw Luke hesitate and assured him that they had her and would take care of her. “According to comm she’s in pretty bad shape. We’ll get her to Kabul as soon as possible. They’ve got the best medical officers there.”
“Can you let me know how she does?” Luke still hesitated, not wanting to leave her for some reason.
“Can’t say that we can or can’t. They don’t tell us much because of HIPAA laws, and she’s a civilian.”
Luke nodded and backed away from the medical helicopter, watching it as it lifted from the landing zone and took his charge away. And he prayed, just as he had prayed for her every step they took together down the mountain. He knew that God was everywhere, even in that remote part of Afghanistan.
Shaking his head, he came back to the present. He had tried to find her, follow up on her, but without a name to help him identify her, he couldn’t seem to find any information. He had run into one dead end after another and had finally given up. But he prayed for her each day. He had never stopped doing that. It was all he could do.
Yet now she was right in front of him. He felt guilty for staring. It wasn’t fair somehow. She was vulnerable in sleep and he did not want to wake her. But he couldn’t look away. Then his eyes caught sight of the cane next to the chair and he felt a sharp stab of compassion. The soft lavender sundress she was wearing hid any scars that might be on her legs, but he knew they were there. One thing he was sure of: if God had brought her here, He had a reason.
“Hey, Dad, I finished with the chairs. Can I go to... Hey, who’s that?”
Luke put his finger to his lips, “Shhh.”
“Who’s she?” Caleb whispered.
“She’s the new tenant we built the screened porch for,” he explained simply, as he tried to usher his son out of the room.
“We don’t have to whisper no more. She’s awake.”
“Awake?” Luke turned sharply to see that Caleb was right. The woman was sitting up and looking at them with shock.
“Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” Her tone was low and even, but she was obviously frightened and disoriented, judging by the way her small, white hands were clutching the arms of the chair.
Luke immediately tried to diffuse the situation. “I’m sorry, ma’am. We didn’t know you were here yet. We brought groceries for your pantry.”
“Groceries?” He watched her closely as she slowly digested what he had just said.
“Yeah, the ladies asked us to do it,” Caleb tossed in helpfully.
“The ladies?” she repeated, still looking slightly disoriented.
“He means the Salter sisters, Katie and Annie.”
Luke watched as recognition dawned in her green eyes, and her hands visibly relaxed their death grip on the chair.
“Oh, the aunts.” She summoned a small smile as she shook her head slightly. “I’m sorry. I fell asleep.”
She has a lovely smile, Luke thought inconsequentially. She’s lovely, period. And she didn’t recognize him. That much he was certain of. There was no spark of recognition in her eyes.
“My name is Luke, ma’am, and this is my son, Caleb.”
“Hello, Luke and Caleb. I’m Tess. Tess Greenwood.” The smile again.
“Hello, Tess. Nice to meet you. Say hello to Miss Greenwood, Caleb.”
“Hello,” Caleb muttered, before adding, “Can we go now, Dad? Joey is waiting for me.”
“Yes, son, we’re leaving now. Everything has been put away, Tess. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call on us. My number is on the calendar in the kitchen.”
“It is?” Tess and Caleb spoke at the same time, and Luke smiled.
“It is. I do work on the cottages for the Salters from time to time and they asked me to leave a number, just in case.”
“Oh, I see. Well, thank you for the groceries. If you give me a receipt I’ll reimburse you.” The smile had faded and her voice had become distant. “And I’m sure I won’t need anything else, but thank you.”
Luke hesitated at her tone, but nodded as he ushered Caleb out of the living room to the back of the cottage. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that that she was here, literally on his doorstep. He would see her and have a chance to speak with her later, he assured himself. For now, he needed to concentrate on his son.
“She must have been pretty tired. She was sleeping and it’s still daytime,” Caleb said as he buckled his seat belt in the truck.
“I think you’re right. She must be pretty tired. So, ready to go swimming with Joey and his dad?”
“I guess so.” Caleb shrugged his slender shoulders and looked out the window.
“You guess so? I thought you couldn’t wait to get there.”
“I can’t. Let’s just go, okay?”
One step forward and two steps back, Luke thought as he started the truck. It was as if the boy was afraid to let down his guard for any length of time. Luke had thought it had been a good day. Caleb had been more animated than he’d ever seen him since his son had gotten to Swansboro six months ago. Things had seemed to be changing, but now Luke couldn’t be sure. He knew that Caleb missed his mother terribly, but Luke couldn’t get him to talk about her. Would the boy ever feel comfortable opening up to his father? Only time would tell. But one thing was certain. Luke had never known that he had the capacity to love anyone the way he now loved his son. Not even his ex-wife.
Was that the problem? Had he not loved her enough? They’d been little more than kids, high on puppy love, when they’d gotten married. They hadn’t really known yet the people they’d grow up to be—or that the years to come would pull them apart instead of binding them together. Was that why she hadn’t told him he was going to be a father?
He could understand why she’d left him, and he didn’t hold a grudge. She couldn’t take the moves and deployments. He didn’t blame her; being a military spouse was a tough job and required sacrifices that normal married couples didn’t have to make. He’d wanted her to be happy, and she’d made it clear that she wouldn’t find that happiness waiting at home for him month after endless month, year after year. So he’d let her go. After the divorce papers were signed, there was no further contact. It was as though their three years together had never happened.
But the proof of their marriage and their love—short-lived though it had been—was sitting in the seat right next to him. Why had she kept him from his child? Surely she had known that he would have made certain that he was in Caleb’s life. Luke would have helped Jen raise their son, would have taken care of them both. He had thanked God every day for the past six months that Jen had had the foresight to write a will giving him guardianship. He couldn’t imagine life without Caleb now.
But now there might be a fight ahead to keep his son with him. Jen’s parents, Dave and Katherine Lockard, had made it pretty clear that they wanted custody of their grandson. They had been in Caleb’s young life since he was born. Uprooting him was wrong, they claimed. No matter that he was with his biological father. They were going to petition the courts for full custody.
Luke had gone to great pains to assure both Caleb and his grandparents that they could see each other anytime they wished. He wasn’t trying to keep them apart; in fact, he had taken Caleb to Tennessee for a visit last month. But there was no way he was going to hand over custody. In a world where it was prudent to pick and choose your battles wisely, Luke knew with everything in him that his son was worth fighting for. He just needed to figure out what was best for Caleb. He prayed that God would show him the way.
“Well, you’ve earned it, after all the hard work you’ve done today.” He grinned at Caleb as they headed down the sandy lane. The boy kept his head averted and didn’t reply. It was like climbing a mountain with no ropes. For both of them. God, help us, Luke prayed silently.
Chapter Three
“We are so glad you came to church with us.” Annie Salter reached for Tess’s hand and gave it a small squeeze.
It was early Sunday morning and Tess found herself sitting at the end of a dark, polished pew in a handsome old church. It all felt too familiar, too much like her memories of childhood, in the comfort of her local church. Back then, coming to church had filled her with joy and given her a sense that she belonged. She didn’t feel that anymore.
She had not wanted to go with the aunts and had honestly tried to think of a good reason why she couldn’t join them. But they had been so welcoming when they found out she had arrived yesterday, inviting her to dinner and making sure she was settled comfortably, that she could not refuse them this small thing. It had seemed so important to them. Besides, it didn’t mean that she had to talk to God about anything just because she was in His house. She was just visiting with friends, she told herself and Him firmly. Don’t expect anything from me. Not until You tell me why. Give me a reason that I can accept.
“I’m glad I came, too.” She smiled at Annie. Well, it wasn’t a lie, she told herself. She was glad she came with the sisters. She enjoyed their company.
“Oh, look, there’s Luke.” Katie pointed to the front of the church.
Tess followed the direction of her finger, but couldn’t identify him from behind. He could have been any one of at least ten men sitting in front of them.
“He’s the one sitting next to the woman with the bleached-blond hair,” Annie said to Tess with an impish grin.
“Hush, sister! They might hear you.” Katie adjusted the brim on her flower-laden straw hat as she spoke, but her eyes were laughing. Leaning across Annie, she whispered, “Peroxide. She definitely owes the color to a lot of peroxide. I wonder if Luke knows it’s not natural,” she added thoughtfully.
“Of course he does!” Annie whispered back, staunchly defending him.
“Don’t be so certain. Men are rarely smart about such things, in my experience,” Katie asserted roundly.
“Oh, like you have so much experience!” Annie’s eyes twinkled teasingly as she spoke.
Tess couldn’t hold back a loud giggle that had every head in front of them turning in their direction. Thankfully, the service had not started yet, and thinking quickly, Tess also turned around, as if looking for the source of the laugh. The sisters admirably maintained straight faces as they looked back questioningly at the people who were looking at them, until the minister cleared his throat, wished everyone a good morning and the first hymn began.
Tess listened politely as the reverend began the service, but she could not help looking for the blonde the Salter sisters had mentioned. After a quick search, her eyes lit on the back of a slender woman with beautiful silvery-blond hair caught up in an elegant French twist. But it was the man sitting next to her that drew Tess’s attention. Luke.
He had very broad shoulders that exuded a subtle power, even though he was relaxing casually in the pew, his attention obviously focused on the sermon. His hair was very short and dark, showing the back of a tanned, strong neck that was set off by the collar of a white dress shirt. When she’d seen him the day before, she’d been so startled, and so shaken from her dream, that she’d managed to get only a general impression of him. She hadn’t realized just how imposing he truly was. But of course, the one thing she had noticed was seated on the other side of him—a small boy with the same dark hair that the man had. Caleb.
They made a striking family, at least from behind. Tess could imagine that they were well matched in looks from the front, as well. The aunts thought so highly of him, this Luke who had surprised her in the cottage yesterday. They had told her about his help in getting the house ready for her, building the new screened porch, and buying groceries. He had certainly made her trip to the grocery store much easier. She had had to purchase just a few more things to round out the pantry offerings.
The service was not overly long and after a final hymn the sisters led Tess to a large community room that was set up with long tables and folding chairs. The delicious mixed aromas of breakfast flirted with her nose as she entered the room. Sausage, ham, bacon, eggs and casserole dishes took the place of honor on a steam table next to another table set up with all types of fruit and bread. It was a grand buffet and Tess suddenly found the appetite that had eluded her for months. Her mouth was watering as the aunts ushered her to a nearby seat, taking her cane and leaning it against the table next to her.
“We’ll get you a plate, dear. You just relax. You’re our guest,” Annie said, before she and Katie moved over to the buffet and began loading a plate without asking her what she wanted.
“No, wait.” Tess tried to stop them. She was not helpless, she wanted to say. She could get her own food. She shut her mouth when she could see that her words would only fall on empty air.
The hall was filling rapidly with a crowd of people moving toward her table. Her first instinct was to get up and leave. Then she recognized Joe Mason from the police station among them. He was smiling broadly.
“Hey, Tess. Good to see you again. This is my wife, Linda, and our son, Joey.”
Linda gave her a warm smile and reached for her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Tess. Joe says you’re a physician assistant? They certainly could use some help at the clinic. Doc Anderson isn’t able to handle the traffic all by himself.”
“I’m not sure that I’ll be here long enough to help out.” Tess smiled what she hoped was an apologetic smile and shook her head. No way would she go anywhere near their clinic. She just couldn’t do it. Period.
“Well, if you’d just consider it, that would be great. Folks are going to Jacksonville or Morehead City to get medical help.” In a not-so-subtle movement she nudged the towheaded, freckle-faced boy forward. He looked anything but happy to be there.
I know just how you feel, kiddo, Tess thought.
“Shake hands with Miss Tess,” his mother ordered. The boy quickly put his small hand in hers, then withdrew it just as fast.
“Hey, you’re pretty. Mom, I have to go outside now. Mark said that Caleb found a snake by the playground last week and we have to go see if it’s still there.”
Linda cringed a little at the word snake. “I don’t think so. You’re going to have breakfast and then you can play while we’re cleaning up, but stay away from snakes.” She rolled her eyes at Tess.
This time, Tess’s smile was not forced as she asked Joey, “So, between snakes and snapping turtles, which is your favorite?”
Wide brown eyes lit up as he looked at her with renewed interest. “Do you like ’em, too?”
“Well, I like snapping turtles more than snakes, but snakes have a certain charm all their own.”
“Wanna help us catch some?”
Tess laughed delightedly at the eager look he gave her. She knew she had just become an interesting adult in his small world. She loved children, loved working with them and being around them. Pediatrics was her specialty and that was what had led her to Hope Corps, and ultimately, Afghanistan.
“I’m sorry, Joey, I don’t have my snake-catching clothes on right now.” Tess pointed to the softly flowing yellow skirt and blouse she was wearing.
“Shame, I could use an assistant to hold the snake bag.”
“No, you do not need an assistant. You are not catching any more snakes!” Linda Mason said as she hustled her young son away. “We’ll talk later, Tess. It was so nice to meet you.”
“See ya, Miss Tess.” The boy called the words over his shoulder, protesting as his mom hurried him toward the breakfast buffet.
“Bye, Joey.”
“I told you.” Joe laughed as he nodded in the direction of his departing son. “Every critter he finds ends up at the house. Boy’s going to either be a vet or end up wrestling alligators for a living. It’s going to be a fine line between the two.” Seeing the small crowd gathering around them—clearly eager to meet the new arrival—Joe began making introductions.
The next few minutes were taken up by warm welcomes from the fellowship surrounding the table. Everyone was so kind and friendly, but Tess wasn’t feeling in the spirit of it. She just wanted to leave and get back to the cottage. Her heart wasn’t into socializing just yet. She hoped it didn’t show on her face. Truly, she did not want to offend anyone.
As people slowly broke away from her and began moving toward the buffet tables, she noticed the aunts talking to Luke, Caleb and the woman with the lovely silver hair. After a minute all of them began to come toward her, balancing full plates in their hands. As they approached, Tess’s gaze moved curiously from the woman to Luke, who was walking beside her. They really were well matched. Tall and willowy, she moved gracefully toward the table, laughing at something that Katie had said. He moved with an easy grace that belied his size. He was all muscle and confidence, and he reminded Tess of someone she had met. In fact, she was certain she had met him before, somewhere. He was not the type of man a woman forgot easily. As he drew closer, she looked into his azure eyes.
“Tess, this is Sarah Fulcher. Her father is the pastor at this church. And you’ve met Luke and his son, Caleb.”
As Annie made the introductions, Tess smiled. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you, Sarah,” she said. Still that nagging feeling of familiarity about Luke tugged at her senses. It was starting to get frustrating. She really felt that she should know him, and was struggling to place him.
Tess noticed a change in his eyes when he glanced at her, but it was gone so quickly she thought she had imagined it. A slow smile slanted across his handsome face. She looked from him to Sarah. The woman was also smiling, although it did not quite reach her violet eyes. Well, that’s nice, we’re all smiling, Tess thought. What now?
“Hello, Tess.”
Luke chose a seat next to her, and Sarah sat next to him. Katie pulled Caleb over to sit between her and Annie, after putting a plate of food in front of Tess. Tess thanked her, but she had lost the appetite that she had so recently found. The food could have been cardboard, for all she noticed it. For some reason she felt uneasy in the midst of the warmth emanating from every soul in the room. Well, almost everyone. She looked at Sarah again and saw pure dislike in the women’s eyes before it was hidden behind a courteous mask. Tess shivered slightly, reaching for her cane instinctively as she glanced quickly away.
“It looks delicious,” she said, giving Katie a brilliant smile she did not feel. She was conscious of Luke’s strong arm where it brushed against hers as he reached for the saltshaker. Please go away. Just go away, she urged silently. Everyone just go away.
“It must be so difficult for you, being lame.” Sarah looked pointedly at the cane that Tess was holding on to for dear life. “I mean, what a tragedy that you were in that awful accident.” Insincerity was etched all over her lovely face. It was hard for Tess to miss it, but no one else at the table seemed to notice.
Startled, Tess looked at the woman. Did Sarah know how she had been injured? But no, she couldn’t possibly. The aunts didn’t even know the whole story. Before she could answer, Luke cut in.
“I’m sure that Tess doesn’t want to talk about what happened right now.” He looked directly into her eyes with concern and understanding.
“Well, darlin’, sometimes it’s better to talk about these things.” Sarah laid a possessive hand on Luke’s biceps as she spoke, and looked at Tess as if to say, Stay away. He’s mine.
She’s marking her territory, Tess thought faintly. It was so obvious that Katie and Annie looked at each other with slightly raised eyebrows, but didn’t say a word. Well, lady, you don’t have to worry about me. He’s the last person I want to be around. I’m not in the market for a man. For the first time in ages Tess said a silent prayer before speaking.
Please, Lord, give me strength. Let me be a peacemaker. Funny how prayers came to mind even when you didn’t want them to.
“Yes, it was a pretty nasty accident, Sarah.” Turning from the woman to Luke, she added, “I want to thank you for all of the help with getting the cottage ready. The aunts told me how wonderful you were. Also, I want to thank you and Caleb again for helping with the groceries.”
“It was our pleasure. I was on leave last week, so it worked out well for all of us. Caleb was a really big help and worked extra hard to get everything done.” Luke’s voice was deep and soothing, and the grin he gave her caused her stomach to do a slow flip.
All right, so you’re an attractive man, she conceded mentally. But that does not mean that you can charm me like you’ve obviously charmed every other woman at this table. I am not smitten. Not by a long stretch.
“Darlin’, you did her grocery shopping? You never said. Well, isn’t that just the most generous random act of kindness!” Sarah gushed as her well-manicured hand began to slowly caress the biceps under it. Luke seemed to tense and pull away from the bright pink nails, but the expression on his face remained composed and friendly.
“Well, I’m all about random acts of kindness.”
He didn’t miss a beat as he spoke, but Tess had noticed his slight withdrawal from Sarah’s hand. Interesting dynamic for a couple.
“I mean, I expect Tess has a difficult time with even the simplest of tasks, like shopping, cleaning and taking care of herself.”
“Oh, I get by just fine, Sarah. I’m taking it one day at a time, but thank you for your concern. My leg is healing nicely and soon I won’t need this cane at all.” She tapped the cane lightly on the tile floor for emphasis. Sarah looked less than happy with that prognosis, but wisely said nothing.
Smart move, Tess thought.
“Isn’t this breakfast casserole just the most delicious you have ever tasted?” Katie looked around the table as she spoke, winking at Tess.
“Why yes, it is,” she agreed, even though she had not eaten a single bite.
“Sarah made it. Luke just loves it. Seems he can never get enough of it,” Annie added, giving him a meaningful look.
“Why, thank you, Miss Annie. It’s my mama’s recipe, but I brightened it up a bit by adding a few more herbs. Luke does love my cooking.”
“I can see why,” Tess murmured politely.
She did not know what was going on between the aunts, Luke and Sarah, and frankly, she did not want to know. All she wanted was to go home and sit on the veranda with a good book. The morning had gone from pleasant to awkward at warp speed.
“Luke, are you and Caleb coming by the house after breakfast? Mama and Daddy would love to spend time with you.”
“I’ll have to pass, Sarah. Caleb and I have plans to go fishing this afternoon. Besides, I have duty tonight and have to get to the base after that.”
“Base?” Tess hadn’t realized that she had spoken aloud until Luke answered.
“Yes, Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base. It’s a few miles up the road. I’m stationed there.”
“Luke’s a marine, and an excellent one!” Annie spoke up.
“Oh, is he?” Tess said faintly. She didn’t know quite what to say as she remembered the last encounter she had had with marines. They had saved her life. Literally.
“Thank you for your service to our country,” she said sincerely as she looked at him. She tried to hold on to a smile, but it was a struggle as a wave of grief seemed to wash over her. The marines had saved her...but there had been so very many beyond saving.