Serendipity
Casie L. Williams
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Copyright © 2021 Casie L. Williams
Cover Design by Rob with C5 Designs
First Edition: Casie L. Williams 2021
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance is coincidental.
All rights reserved. This publication is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this publication may be resold, reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission or the publisher or author, except In the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews or certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I cannot express my thanks to everyone who has helped me along this journey. Michael, Robin, Devon, Katelyn, and so many more who have believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. Thank you all so much.
Prologue
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
Chapter 21
Prologue
“Alexa, play soft ballads from the 80s,” I stated as I sat on the floor in the middle of my master closet. I was surrounded by the daunting task of spring cleaning. I hated spring cleaning. It never seemed to end. I always have way more crap to get rid of than I expect. Talk about anxiety; I have to psyche myself up for like a week before I even get started. You would think by now I wouldn’t have an issue, but I do.
Alexa began playing Guns ‘n Roses as I continued to sit and stare blankly at the junk piled up. Pulling my knees up and resting my head on them, I just listened as Axl Rose belted out the words to “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
Taking a deep breath, I hear the words, “Sweet child,
Sweet child of mine,” finishing the song.
“Well, this crap won’t clear itself out. Might as well as get to it.”
I stood up and started with the top shelf. I pulled down an old shoe box full to the brim with pictures and trinkets. The lid was just sitting on top, not even properly on because it was so full. Just as I was lifting the top, Jon Bon Jovi’s voice began low and slow, and I saw a picture of me laughing and instantly I was transported back to The Screaming Eagle bar.
Chapter 1
“Boy Dale, you sure can tell when it’s between paydays,” I sighed, wiping down the top of the nearly empty bar for the umpteenth time.
“Yup, it’s slower than a herd of turtles. Enjoy it, ‘cuz next weekend you’ll be runnin’ all over hell’s half acre.” Dale sat at the end of the bar smoking his cigarette while watching some sports commentary.
Just then, a small party of soldiers came bustling in. They were talking to a new guy.
“Yeah, this is the best waterin’ hole around. Can’t beat the prices,” someone stated.
I was watching to see how many as I started popping water glasses on the bartop and filling them and that’s when I really saw the new guy.
Damn…. Hold it girl, he’s a soldier, chillax.
“Hey guys, here’s some water to get ya started. Know what ya want?” I asked, placing the water glasses along with a pitcher in the center of the table.
I looked up as a few local college girls came barging in while Pat Benatar’s voice bellowed over the speakers. They started smiling when they saw the high and tight haircuts and I knew what they were thinking—soldiers!
The new guy had a great smile and was being friendly, talking to the coeds who were basically throwing themselves at the guys.
Really, don’t you know you sell yourself short by givin’ up the goods without getting to know the person properly?! Oh well, your life.
Watching the scene unfold, I began to roll my eyes. Typical soldier, willing to go after anything in a skirt.
I watched the two parties to see if they needed refills, my impression of the new guy quickly eroding as I watched the interaction. Except that he kept trying to steal glances at me.
Finally, the new guy came up to the bar. I figured it was to order another round. I gave my bartender smile,
“What can I get ya, darlin’?” I call almost everyone darlin’.
New guy smiled and almost seemed to blush a bit. His smile widened and he gave his name, Colin. I noticed how great his smile was, but checked myself, remembering the unabashed flirting going on between him and the coed who was eyeing me with daggers.
“What is your name, miss?”
“Jo.”
Smiling all the bigger, a hint of dimple surfaced. “Another round please? Also, more water,” he said, and headed back to his party, but not before doing a bit of a sideways glance back showing his crooked smile and his steel-grey captivating eyes.
Cool it girl! He’s just another soldier with a great smile and amazing eyes, with a great butt… No! Stop it now! Get his order and be done, girl!
I got the water and beer and brought them to the table. Colin made a point to stop paying attention to his coed friend and asked, “Where are you from?”
Coed bitterly huffed.
“Born and raised right here,” I answered quickly and left.
The nerve of that guy. Shamelessly flirting with one girl and then flirting with me right in front of her. Hope that girl doesn’t invite him back to her place.
I went back to the tables a few times over the course of the evening, picking up empty beer mugs and seeing if anyone needed refills. Meanwhile the few regulars at the bar slowly left, leaving Dale at his seat still smoking and watching another sports commentary and the soldiers with the coeds chatting away.
Every time I went by, Colin would smile or grin and ask me a random question or make some comment. And every time I answered politely and referred back to his ‘friend’, asking or saying something about her.
“Thanks, how’s your date goin’?” “So how do you two know each other?” Anything to let him know I wasn’t interested in being one of his first conquests at the base.
Finally, Colin came up to the bar and leaned with crossed arms on the bartop. He started saying something, but by this time I was tired of watching him flirt with the coed and me simultaneously. Plus, I was so ready for my shift to be done.
“Look, I’ve tried to be nice, but you don’t seem to be getting the hint,” I said finally, frustration leaking into my tone.
Confusion swept his face. I grabbed the soda gun and pressed the water button, spraying him. That’s when Dale took notice and came over.
“Everythin’ ok, Jo?” His undeniably-protective stance made Colin back away, shaking out his hands.
“It’s ok, honest mistake.”
“Hey, why don’t you knock off early? I can close up. It’s last call anyways. Serious, hun, head out.” He always called me hun. He was way more than a boss; he was like an older brother, always making sure I was good and taken care of. He was my only family.
I took him up on the offer and headed home to forget the whole night.
*********
Weeks passed and I had all but forgotten that night, though Dale someti
mes gave me a wink when I was using the soda gun. I usually just rolled my eyes or elbowed him as I walked past. He was a big brother pickin’ on his little sister. A basic pain in the arse at my expense.
It was a typical Friday night—regulars socializing, jukebox playing, the sound of pool balls clinking and conversations rising in volume the later it got and the more drinks were consumed. By ten, it appeared we would have another weekend without soldiers. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Without warning, a group of fifteen to twenty already rowdy—not drunk—guys came bursting through the doors. Their haircuts gave them away: soldiers out for a night of fun and letting loose.
“JO!” several yelled in unison.
“Hey fellas, been awhile. Kinda missed ya,” I answered, smiling as I put the glasses and pitchers of water I had grabbed when they came in and watching as they pushed together five tables.
“Where ya been?” I asked no one in particular.
A guy answered, “Training for what seems like ever.” His smile caught me off guard; my mind did a mental stumble. I recognized him, but I hadn’t remembered his smile being so charming.
Regaining my faculties, I said, “Alrighty guys, most of you know the house rules, but I do see a few new faces.” I stared right at my mystery guy. “Hand over the keys and you’ve already got your water. What are we startin’ the night off with? Shots or beer?”
As the guys went searching for their car keys, they animatedly discussed what they would order first. I walked around with the key bucket collecting keys and smiling the whole time. These guys tended to crack me up with their banter. Honestly, I knew how it would play out. Some would say shots, some would say beer and I would suggest my usual.
“What do ya think guys? Beer or shots first?” one guy asked with a goofy side grin. I called it; some wanted shots, some couldn’t decide, and others wanted beer. So naturally I offered my suggestion.
“How about I start y’all with a round of what’s on tap? Unless you want buckets.”
The guys exchanged looks and turned to me all smiles. “Works for us, Jo. Draft it is!”
“Not a problem, but as always, I gotta see IDs fellas,” I added, smiling and winking as the guys half-heartedly groaned and reached for their IDs. I checked my mystery guy’s ID last, Colin Dawson. Unlike the rest, he made sure to hand me his ID while looking me in the eye. When I handed it back, our hands briefly touched, and something sparked between us. I tried to give him a goofy girly smile in response to the spark.
What had begun as a slow night quickly did a 180 with me doing laps around the bar. Dale was handling the patrons and regulars at the bar, leaving me to take care of the soldiers. In the first hour or so, I must have served two or three rounds of draft, refilled the waters twice, and brought a round of shots. Those boys had me running.
By last call, only the soldiers were left. Most were ready to call it, so Dale was making the cab calls while the guys settled their respective tabs. I thought they had all left when I popped my quarter in and selected Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses”. I looked around and saw Colin walking over to the bar with some beer mugs.
Smiling, I grabbed some as well and met him at the bar. “You don’t have to do that. Go, head back to the barracks. I got this.”
“I wanted to stay. This gave me a reason. See, I’ve been thinking about that night a few weeks back, and have been wondering why you sprayed me.” Though he was smiling, there seemed to be a hint of concern, even utter dumbfoundment at not getting me in the sack that night. Who knows.
“To be honest, after working all night and watching you drink and hit on that other girl, I really didn’t want to deal with ya. But you didn’t seem to get my subtle hints, so I figured I would make myself clear as crystal,” I said as I cleared more glasses.
His silence stopped me mid-step. He had this look of complete confusion contorting his features. Finally, I couldn’t take it. “What? What is so confusing?”
It came out harsher than I meant, but it was already past two in the morning and I was exhausted. He seemed taken aback by my question and tone.
He looked at me carefully and simply stated, “I wasn’t hitting on anyone but you that night. Though I can see what you mean. I tend to get that reaction. Sorry for the wrong impression.” At that, he turned and walked to the door.
I mentally kicked myself. Wow, I really put the ass into assumption. Here was this genuinely nice guy and I was a total witch. I turned and called out, “Colin, wait…” I walked over to him. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to guys just being friendly. I made an ass out of myself. Can we start over?”
Smiling, I held out my right hand. “Hey, I’m Joleene, but everyone calls me Jo. Welcome to The Screaming Eagle, the best hole-in-the-wall bar around.”
For a moment I thought he was going to leave me hanging, not that I blamed him.
Then, smiling back, he gently took hold of my hand. “Hi Joleene, I’m Colin.”
His smile was so genuine, reaching all the way to his eyes, causing those cute little crinkles at the outside corners. The way his hand felt with the rough calluses combined with how he said my name sent a chill down my spine. It sounds corny, but how he simply said my name and held my hand seemed to stop time.
“Your cab is waitin’ buddy,” Dale called from behind the bar. And with that, the moment was gone.
“Thanks,” Colin replied without ever looking away.
He brought my hand to his lips and lightly kissed it, just as Bon Jovi sang the final line, ‘And lay you down on a bed of roses’.
“Good night, Joleene. It was nice meeting you. Maybe I’ll see ya ‘round.” And with that, he headed out to his waiting cab.
Honestly, that was all it took, I was in awe and completely smitten.
“Jo! Ya gonna stand there all night?” Dale called, pulling me from my thoughts.
Chapter 2
In the weeks that followed, Colin came in nearly every weekend, making sure to catch my eye when he came in. He would figure out where I was that night and ‘park’ himself where I would wait on him. I still laugh thinking about those nights. On the nights where it was crazy busy, I still made sure to stop and say hi, and when I did he would take hold of my hand and gently kiss it saying, “Hi, Joleene.”
I know I would smile like a giddy schoolgirl, but I didn’t care. Colin was amazing and everything I was told to look for in a guy. Kind to others, a gentleman, sweet, gentle, respectful even to those who weren’t so to him. He always seemed able to make me smile and blush, and the kind of guy I never really truly believed existed.
When Colin would show up, it was the highlight of my night. Though one time I asked him, “Why do you only order a soda?” His response took me back a bit.
“Honestly, I am not that big of a drinker. The night we met was a rarity. In fact, I think I have only ever drank like that one or maybe two other times.” He chuckled and bowed his head, looking at me somewhat from the side in that ‘aw shucks’ look.
I remember on one of my nights off, I was at my friend Layla’s place talking.
“Seriously, who does that? Who goes to a bar every weekend, orders soda only and wants to talk to me? I mean come on, what guy do you know who wants to be friends with a girl and get to know her before even asking her out on a date? Don’t get me wrong, Layla, I am so lovin’ it, I’m just not used to it is all.”
Grinning, Layla just sat there for a moment. Finally, she gave me her two cents,
“Well, the way I look at it, you can either accept the attention or you can tell him to bugger off. But if it were me, I would let things play out. Enjoy the attention and see where it leads. But that’s me, you do what you want,” she finished, looking at me as she raised her wine glass and took a sip.
Chapter 3
“Hey, Colin,” I grinned as I placed a beverage napkin with his usual Coke on top in front of him on the well-worn bartop. He returned the grin.
My heart began racing as it did every time I
saw that crooked smile.
Calm down, Jo. He hasn’t even asked you out. Chillax.
“Hi Joleene. How’s it been?”
“Not too busy. Fairly steady. You? How was your week?”
“Long. Weapons checks and extra PT in the afternoon. Then briefings and death by Powerpoint, then more weapon checks. Boring really.” A corner of his mouth hitched up into his amazing crooked smile as he half chuckled before taking a sip of his soda and giving me a wink with his steel-grey eyes.
Goodness, why do his eyes do that to me? I’m sure I look like one of those coeds who throw themselves at anyone in a uniform. That’s why he hasn’t asked me out yet. Duh!
Smiling, and blushing, I mentally shook myself from my revelry, pretending to wipe down the bar and hoping my thoughts weren’t plastered across my face.
“Hey Joleene, I would really like to take you out to dinner sometime. Could I?”
Pretty sure my mental double take showed through, because Colin seemed to straighten a bit.
“It’s ok if not. I probably seem kinda creepy hanging out here every weekend. Forget I said anything.” He quickly took a sip so try and hide his dismay.
I mentally kicked myself for showing my shock. You’re an idiot. Why not just smile and tell him yes, you moron. That’s what you’ve wanted. Now you’ve got him thinking you’re not interested. Stupid! Say something! Quick!
“Sorry, Colin, I would love to go to dinner with you. I didn’t mean to seem like I wasn’t interested. I just... I don’t know, sometimes I’m an idiot. And then I turn into a babbling idiot.” I laughed nervously at my own gibberish.
“I would love to go to dinner,” I said more calmly, making sure to look him square in his amazing steel-grey eyes while trying not to hold my breath.
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