WHITEOUT: Above And Beyond (Beauty 0f Life Book 10)

by Laura Acton

  He twisted his neck and caught the man’s eyes again. “Two years back, my first holiday without Brody, I was in a world of pain, like you. I took a walk since I had no place to be. I ended up in the park across the street, and well, as I exited, something nudged my shoulder in this direction. This is quite weird, but I think Brody pushed me to come to Mayfield. I learned from Caroline he volunteered here before he joined the military. Spooky, huh?”

  Though goosebumps covered his arms, Andrew shook his head and tapped the door beside him. “This is my son’s truck. All beat up now, but it is the first new vehicle I ever bought. When I got another one, I gave this to my boy when he turned sixteen. I drive this one now because I feel him in there.

  “I haven’t moved any of his belongings. His cap still sits on the dash, and his Army shirt is folded on the back seat. I don’t care for country music, but I refuse to change the dial, and I crank it up like he used to do. When I’m driving, it is as if he is sitting next to me, and it drowns out the pain. Sound crazy?”

  “No. Not at all.” Dan leaned against the rear tire. “When I’m missing Brody, I drive the truck he gave me and listen to the CDs of his voice, remembering all the fun times.” Not sure why, but sensing it to be necessary, Dan shared his discovery. “I think you might’ve saved me one night many years ago.”

  Andrew’s brows scrunched. “What do you mean?”

  Dan rubbed his ear as a light buzzing persisted, and he tried to ignore the odd sensation. It often preceded something significant or gave him a sense of comfort … yeah, weird, bizarre, abnormal … something he truly wouldn’t reveal to anyone.

  “When I was sixteen, six guys jumped me at school in February. It kinda screwed with my head, and I ran away believing my father would blame me somehow. The general and I didn’t have a good relationship back then. I understand now, he wouldn’t have, but teens aren’t always rational.

  “I wanted to get far away, and when I came to a gas station in Ottawa, I climbed in the back of a truck and hid. I fell asleep and woke up in Toronto. It was this truck. I remember the RUN FREE plate and Sullivan Sports Supply holder. I figured fate gave me a hand since I desired to be free, and I loved running.”

  Dan peered at Andrew. “I ended up living with a family friend. Those were some terrific years. If not for your truck, I’m not sure what would’ve happened to me. Thank you for being there when I needed you. I want to return the favor if you let me.”

  Unsure of what to say, Andrew still didn’t think it would be right to burden Dan with the knowledge Brant died at Whitehall. This young man carries enough weight as it is. Oh, I wish Brant could’ve been reached, and he could’ve reconnected with his childhood inspiration. An idea entered Andrew’s mind, as a soft buzzing filled his ear. “Would you like to go for a ride for old times’ sake?”

  Recognizing the man didn’t want to be alone, something Dan understood, he grinned. “Yeah, sounds cool. No pressure, but perhaps you can tell me about your son if you want.” He stood and offered a hand to Andrew.

  Taking Dan’s hand, Andrew rose, and said, “My son was a decent and kind man. He loved Shakespeare, and his favorite quote was, ‘How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.’”

  Inside Mayfield Soup Kitchen – 1:20 p.m.

  Dan strolled into the kitchen, thinking on the Shakespeare quote, knowing it was slightly amended. In The Merchant of Venice, Portia used the word naughty, not weary, but he didn’t correct Andrew. Naughty or weary, the concept of the light of a single candle could dispel darkness, still held.

  Today Dan believed two candles had been lit as he and Andrew shared memories. Once on the road, with country music blaring, the father opened up and told many stories about his boy, many of them bringing much-needed laughter. Andrew spoke in general terms, and Dan didn’t push for details, allowing the grieving man to direct the conversation. Though a little strange, Andrew never mentioned his son’s name, and Dan chalked it up to a heartbroken father finding it difficult to say his son’s name out loud yet.

  When they returned, Andrew thanked him for letting him reminisce and wished him a Happy Thanksgiving before driving off and cranking the volume up on the stereo.

  Spotting Caroline, Dan headed straight for her needing to apologize for bailing out on her for about an hour. “I’m sorry I left without saying anything. That guy, Andrew, who came to volunteer, he needed someone to listen for a bit. He recently lost his son and is grieving hard.”

  Caroline patted Dan on the back. “Thank you for taking the time to help him. When he ran out, I wanted to go after him, but …” she waved her hand around the room, “I was needed here. You’re a caring man, Dan. I’m thankful for all you do here, but you should be with your family and friends now.”

  Dan shook his head. “I got another forty minutes. They shifted dinner time for me. What task is up next?”

  Caroline laughed. “I need more volunteers like you, Dan. Can I clone you?”

  Dan grinned. “Been done already. I’m the spitting image of my cousin Scott. He’s eight years older, and his hands are full with almost three-month-old fraternal twins.” He pulled out his phone to share the latest photos Scott sent of Jerrell and Anna before he set to work again.

  At two o’clock, as Dan prepared to leave, Gladys approached him with a paper bag. “I made some of your favorite oatmeal raisin walnut cookies.”

  Dan peeked into the bag, inhaled the aroma, reached in, pulled one out, and took a bite. Leaning down, he planted a quick kiss on the grandmotherly woman’s cheek. “These are delicious. Thank you. See ya next month.”

  Gladys blushed at the kiss and waved bye. Dan is such a delightful young man, so sweet, kind, and helpful. If only I were a much younger woman. I hope he finds a lady who deserves him. She turned her attention back to the next round of pumpkin pies she needed to put in the ovens.

  Cultivating Friendships

  14

  October 8

  Bram’s Home – 5:10 p.m.

  The men of Alpha Team succumbed to turkey-overload induced comas, also known as post-Thanksgiving meal naps, lay sprawled out on the couches and chairs in the family room. On her way back from checking on Bram’s girls upstairs, Lexa stopped and peeked in the room. A smile blossomed as she fished out her phone and snapped several photos.

  Strolling to the kitchen where the ladies congregated, she thought about Dan’s arrival. Barely through the door, Allie raced to reach Dan, almost bowling him over in a rush to claim her Prince Charming. His dessert entry would’ve become a casualty of the pint-sized whirlwind if not for Tia entering behind him. Fortunately, she rescued the pie, thwarting disaster.

  Her mind revisited Dan’s heartfelt apology. After greeting everyone, Dan asked her to step outside for a private chat. His sincere, ‘I’m sorry for singing that song at the bar and hurting a valued friend. Though no excuse, I can be an emotional drunk and make stupid decisions, which I wholeheartedly regret later. Can you forgive me for being a jackass?’ along with his hopeful expression, had her nodding.

  Lexa expressed her remorse also when she replied, ‘I used words to wound too. I regret what I said in Timmy’s. We both want to be friends, and if we take things slow—’

  Dan grinned and finished her thought, ‘We can eventually return to a burgers and beers friendship.’ She nodded and gave him a quick hug.

  Some of the guilt she carried eased as they reentered Bram’s house. Today turned out better than she imagined, and at dinner, when they took turns sharing what they were thankful for, she beamed as she directed her gaze at Dan and said, ‘My family and friends because they nourish the soul.’

  Entering Kellie’s kitchen, Lexa slid into her seat and chuckled as she turned her phone to the others at the table. “Wonder how much the guys might be willing to pay me not to show these pictures around TRF?”

  Kellie laughed. “Oh, Lexa, you’re so wicked sometimes.”

  “Hey, I’m not the one sleeping wit
h my pants unbuttoned because I overate, or with pumpkin on my face because I battled for pie,” Lexa quipped.

  Tia grabbed the phone and flipped through the photos and laughed. “Ah, Loki is so cute cuddled up next to Dan ... wait, is he drooling?”

  “Who, Dan or Loki?” Maurita leaned over to view and giggled. “Loki’s drooling … Dan’s smiling. Never seen anyone smile in his sleep.”

  “Dan does that sometimes,” Kellie shared. The times he stayed with them, she would often peek in to check on him, like she did her girls, and finding him grinning while asleep warmed her heart.

  “Probably dreaming about Lexa’s pumpkin pie.” Jen pinned a fake glare on Lexa. “Unfair letting slip that you used crushed walnuts in your crust. They all had to vote for yours, or you’d snipe them.”

  Tia nodded as she snickered. “Or at least bruise their biceps.”

  Lexa tilted her head and grinned as the golden flecks in her hazel eyes twinkled. “All’s fair in love and pie wars.”

  Another round of mirth ensued. While the guys and little girls enjoyed their siesta, Kent took Joey with him to Brent’s house to play touch football with his friends, leaving the women to enjoy a rare moment of female-only camaraderie. As they sipped coffee and tea, their conversation included fashion, kids, and general topics.

  Dan woke with a slight crick in his neck and a weight on his right side. He softly chuckled, noticing Loki curled up beside him with drool running down one side of his face. Scanning the room, he spotted Ray on Leslie’s neon green bean bag, happily snoozing. Kicked back in Bram’s favorite chair, Boss was conked out too with the button of his pants undone to create a bit more room for the fantastic meal and all the pie they consumed.

  He overate too, but luckily, Dan didn’t feel the same need as Boss for a little extra room. Jon would surely razz Nick about this at the weigh-in on Wednesday. Cruel to schedule it so close to the official, once a year pig-out day. Tomorrow Dan would be taking an extra-long bike ride to burn off what he plowed through this afternoon.

  Cheerful voices and Lexa’s laugh wafting in from the kitchen made him smile. His mediation with Sean and Roger inspired him to make amends with Lexa. Her response to his apology had been more than he could’ve hoped for, and their awkward hug, he would cherish. He thought about inviting her to join him cycling tomorrow, but taking it slow meant just that, so he settled on asking Loki earlier, surprised yet pleased when the techie agreed to go.

  Dan’s gaze shifted to Jon and Bram, noting pumpkin still dotting their cheeks and the top of Jon’s bald head. Everyone broke out in gut-splitting laughter when those two fought over the last slice of Lexa’s pie. More ended up on them than in their mouths as the piece went flying into the air and splatted in their faces as they both tried to catch it.

  Sighing, relaxed and comfortable in Bram’s home, Dan glanced at the fireplace, and his original outlandish thought the first time he laid eyes on this room came back to him. Yeah, Bram’s family room doles out hugs. Someday I hope to have a place this warm and inviting. A soft sound caused Dan to turn towards the entry. He shifted slightly and beckoned Allie to him.

  She padded over to him, dragging her dolly and blanket behind her. Dan reached down and picked Allie up and cuddled her in his lap. She nuzzled up close and sighed. He draped the blanket over her as the sweetest little girl shut her eyes. Dan leaned back and lightly rubbed her back as his mind returned to his first Christmas with Alpha Team.

  Little Allie wrapped him around her pinkie early Christmas morning, and she kept him firmly attached ever since. Dan envied Bram and Jon in some ways. He wanted a little one like Allie, Leslie, Emilie, Sharlie, Kent, or Joey, but unless a miracle happened and Lexa changed her mind, children would not be in his future.

  Drifting back to sleep while holding Allie, Dan decided to focus on what he did have instead of what he didn’t. I’m grateful for all my family and friends, the ability to make a positive difference, and for simple pleasures, such as a nap with Allie. I lucked out and found a beautiful place to belong.

  October 9

  Loki’s Home – 10:05 a.m.

  Dan finished off the last of his water as he knocked on Loki’s front door. With Loki’s dislike of the woods, he chose to do his mountain bike trails this morning, rising early enough to make it to his favorite spot before dawn. The day burst into beauty as the sun crested the horizon, and the rays of light dispelled the lingering pockets of darkness. He stood for a long while enjoying the solitude, allowing his mind to wander.

  An old memory filtered in, and for the past several hours, Dan let it percolate and rise to the surface. By the time he reached Loki’s, Dan was sure he was right but needed his teammate’s assistance to validate.

  Opening the door, Loki grinned at his sweaty friend. “Wow, you got that wet riding over here,” he peeked out further, “is it raining?”

  Chuckling, Dan entered. “Not raining, been at it since before sunrise. I didn’t think you would appreciate my normal routes … woods and all.”

  “You can say that again.” Loki shut his door and noted Dan’s empty bottle. “Want a refill?”

  “Yeah. Thanks.” He handed over the plastic bottle and followed Loki towards the kitchen. Leaning on the doorjamb, he asked, “Are you still able to log into the vehicle registration database from your computer here?”

  “Uh-huh, why?” Loki stopped at the fridge.

  “Want to find out who owns a truck.”

  “Did someone hit you again?”

  “No.”

  Loki twisted to view Dan, wanting to check him over. His teammate had the worst luck with motorists turning left in front of him. The Ducati, a sad casualty of the most recent incident. And Dan had a nasty habit of hiding injuries, or not realizing he was hurt. “You witness a crime or something?”

  “No … it’s only … well, this isn’t strictly job-related. Can we still check, or is it out of bounds?”

  “A lady? You want the name of a hot chick you saw, don’t you? Well, can’t use police resources to help you there, buddy. Not that you need any help in the ladies department.” Loki handed over the filled container.

  Dan took a sip as he considered how to phrase his question. “Not a woman. I met a man yesterday, and he only told me his first name. He lost his son recently, a soldier. Sparked a memory, and I want to find out if Andrew is who I think he is. If he’s not, this goes no further, but if Andrew’s the man I believe him to be, I want to contact him and tell him it is okay to talk to me again.”

  “Mysterious.” Loki chuckled and said, “Computer’s on in my office. Go ahead and pull up the program and I’ll be with you in a minute, gonna grab my hoodie, the weatherman says it is gonna be colder than usual today.”

  The men walked down the hall, Dan entering the office as Loki continued to the master bedroom. Dan sat and moved the mouse, causing the screensaver to turn off and a document to appear. His eyes widened as he read the title. Proper Care and Feeding of Dantastic Manual – Rev. 3. Wondering what the heck Loki was up to, Dan began to peruse the file.

  THINGS WE KNOW ABOUT DAN

  · He is a protector. He will safeguard others before himself.

  · Much to Jon’s chagrin, Dan is the best-darned sniper any of us have ever seen. He never misses ... much to Dan’s dismay, there is a single shot he wishes with his whole heart and soul he missed … the one which brought him to our team.

  · Ladies ogle him. Yeah, he’s beautiful if you like the blond, blue-eyed, ruggedly handsome, macho he-man, sort of guy who also possesses a WOW smile with pearly white teeth.

  · Raised in a strict military household, Dan follows orders … which is the only way Jon can keep him from taking unnecessary risks. Yeah, I’m in Jon’s camp on this one. Though I can also see Dan’s point of view on occasion.

  · He’s as fast as the Roadrunner, but as injury prone as Wile E. Coyote. Yeah, … weird, huh?

  · Don’t give him narcotics unless you want to have fun watching him halluc
inate. Examples: believed his blanket was warm, dry snow, and defended Jon’s home from rabid raccoons with a broomstick rifle.

  · Scratch the previous … DO NOT GIVE DAN NARCOTICS not vetted by Jim Shea and Dr. Fraser because Dan almost fell off Jon’s roof. Refer to Medical Precautions for approved drugs.

  · Fine means Fucked-up, Insecure, Nervous, and Emotional. If Dan declares he’s fine, believe him and move him somewhere safe, preferably with Bram close by and contact Blaze or Dr. Tansy.

  · Dan bruises like a bright rainbow … usually appears worse than it is, BUT regardless of what Dan says on scene, make sure he is checked by EMS if …

  - He falls or jumps … he will hide sprains and strains that are sometimes fractures.

  - There is gunfire … um, he doesn’t always realize he is wounded.

  - You see blood on him … check above, seriously, his adrenaline and high pain tolerance cover many injuries.

  - Unicycles are involved … yeah, one weird day, which almost cost him his life.

  - He jumps on another damned concussion grenade. Can you say delayed concussion symptoms? Yep, maybe why they are called concussion grenades.

  - A subject is wielding a knife when Dan takes him down. Did I mention adrenaline? Well, it applies to minor knife wounds that require over twenty stitches to close. Dan’s definition of minor is a little skewed … make that A LOT.

  - Ah, heck … too many things to list … better to have Dan examined after every damned hot call.

  Dan couldn’t believe his eyes as he scanned the next section titled Medical Precautions and Requisites. It listed all the dos and don’ts, including meds deemed safe or counter-indicated, and included lots of jargon he didn’t understand. Though some were clear, like using a metered-dose pump so he could control his pain and allowing him to wear his clothes if hospitalized.

  The section also contained direct numbers for Jim, Heather, Dr. Fraser, and Dr. Pastore, which surprised him. Glancing at the door, Dan wondered if Loki realized he left this open or if he ever planned on telling him since the title indicated this to be the third revision. Like viewing a train wreck, he couldn’t prevent his gaze from returning to the screen to continue reading.