The Soldier's Unexpected Family

by Tanya Agler

  Natalie slipped out the doorway, and took part of him with her, too. He should go after her. Danny, though, slept nearby, and he couldn’t leave him alone. Waking up to no one in the house would scare him too much.

  He walked over to the table and collapsed in a chair. He’d always bounced back before, emerging from his losses strong and in control. No, that is a lie. He’d thought he’d been in control since he quit relying on emotion, using the convenient excuse that being in the military demanded that kind of discipline. In fact, he’d relied on that as a crutch, burying feelings that became messy, that hurt too much.

  While he assumed he’d find someone staid, someone who wouldn’t challenge him to feel again, someone who’d accept security in exchange for companionship, he hadn’t counted on Natalie.

  He hadn’t counted on Natalie in so many ways, but she’d proved herself time and time again. Once more, Aidan had taken the safe way out. This time he’d hurt both him and the whirling sandstorm.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  NATALIE PICKED UP the picture of her, Shelby and Danny, all smiling in happier times. She’d met Danny the day he was born, and her heart had belonged to him ever since. She’d cemented her promise to Shelby that day.

  What was the exact promise?

  If anything happens to me, make sure Danny is taken care of. Promise me, Nat. The words flooded back, and Natalie’s legs collapsed under her. In the picture, Danny was almost a miniature version of Aidan. Someday, he’d resemble his handsome uncle with high cheekbones, eyes that read a person like no other, with a tall stature and a whole lot of honor.

  Aidan hadn’t stayed away from their lives out of anything other than duty, she reminded herself. Over the past couple of weeks, he’d proven he’d always do what was best for Danny. The bond between uncle and nephew tightened yesterday, with Danny’s small, fragile hand in Aidan’s strong larger one, Danny’s laughter ringing out during the fireworks display.

  Aidan would not only take Danny with him when he flew to Fort Lewis. He’d be taking her heart, too.

  The cry escaped her throat as the notion of what was right washed over her. Aidan needed his nephew. She knew him well enough to believe he would form a support group at Fort Lewis for Danny. Aidan was a man of his word.

  Yesterday showed how much Danny needed Aidan. Unlike the pie contest compromise, this situation resembled the basketball game where only one of them could come out the victor, except there wasn’t a winner or loser here. This was all about Danny.

  She wanted to be upset with Aidan for marching in here and stealing her heart and Danny, but she couldn’t. The ache was too raw. She loved his commitment and the way they grounded each other while pushing each other to new limits. Too bad he hadn’t trusted her with his heart or even told her the truth about when he’d received his orders.

  Every inch of her screamed with a deep-down hurt, but she knew what she had to do. As much as she dreaded relinquishing custody of Danny, it made sense. For both Aidan and Danny. They understood each other on a basic level that would serve Danny best for the long run.

  Finding her phone, she dialed Penelope’s office. To her surprise, Penelope had a spare moment, and they talked. Natalie outlined her plan and hung up after assuring Penelope she’d be there at one to sign the necessary papers.

  Her couch never looked so inviting, and she clutched her big, fluffy purple pillow to her chest. Her mother stepped forward from the back hallway, Pippa in her arms.

  Natalie gasped. “Mom! Where did you come from?”

  “Didn’t you see my car in the driveway?” Diane sat next to her on the sofa, taking care with Pippa.

  “I used the back door.”

  “Becks called. Thank goodness Mike wasn’t operating the speed gun in one of his usual spots today.” Her mom jostled Pippa on her lap, her niece’s thin, downy red hair lying flat on her small head. “Who’s a good baby?”

  Last night was her first introduction to her niece, and she’d instantly flashed back to Danny’s full head of brown hair and his small features. Somehow, Pippa therapy might be the right answer to losing the two Murphy males. Natalie wasn’t quite sure yet. She’d have plenty of time to find out the answer.

  Why had Aidan assumed she wouldn’t want to know right away about his orders to report back two weeks ahead of schedule?

  Maybe because he hadn’t wanted to ruin her favorite holiday. Maybe because the second he told her, she gave up and took the easy way out. She’d left his house faster than a college track star.

  Considering how Cathy stopped trying to draw him out after Shelby was born, she could see how fear played into his response. Hadn’t he helped her work through her fear of committing to anything on more than a superficial level?

  Didn’t he deserve the same consideration? Someone to show him he was worthy of the kind of dedication he put into everything?

  “Becks filled me in while you were gone.” Diane cooed at Pippa, her gentle tone soothing. “I know you need to talk, too.”

  What is there to say? Natalie clutched the pillow tighter against her chest, the ache growing instead of subsiding. Aidan would leave, and she’d rally her troops around her. Wasn’t that what she did best? Retreat to home base when her world fell apart?

  “Hard to talk about myself when Becks is hurting.”

  Like Jack breaking his vows to Becks, Natalie would also be going back on a promise, sort of. No, she wouldn’t. She’d be fulfilling hers to Shelby. Promising to do what was best for Danny always. In the process, though, she’d risked her heart again, but she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Because in the end, every life had to have an anchor, purpose and meaning in the midst of the storm.

  “I listened to Becks. Now it’s time to listen to you.” Diane continued the same low, rhythmic sound, careful not to disturb Pippa, who mirrored Diane’s facial expressions. “I heard you on the phone a couple of minutes ago.”

  “I’m signing over full custody to Aidan. Danny belongs with him. You were right.” Doesn’t every parent want their child to admit that? “I bit off more than I can chew.”

  That’s me to the core. Dive in and hope for the best. Her hometown would help her heal. She counted on the residents to shelter her and provide her enough room for her big ideas and bigger dreams.

  Diane moved Pippa to her car seat and carried it over before opening her arms to Natalie. A hug never felt so good.

  “Darling, that’s your personality. Becks is cautious and independent. Mike’s funny and driven by duty.” Diane leaned back from Natalie and chucked her under the chin. “And you’re the one who created a beautiful float that was my favorite yesterday. You’re my dreamer who brings energy to everything and everyone around her.”

  Natalie hiccupped and squeezed the bright purple pillow, her new best friend. “Danny laughed at Aidan, not me. Danny needs Aidan more, and Aidan needs his plans more than he needs...”

  More than he needs me. She lowered her gaze, not wanting to look into her mother’s wise eyes right now.

  Her mother tapped her arm. “Those aren’t exclusive things, you know. You can like plans and be in love with someone who’s a dreamer at the same time. Once I almost gave up on your father.”

  Natalie froze. Her parents were an institution to her, one of her anchors. They’d just celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary. “But you didn’t.”

  “Actually, I did. He wanted to go on a trip around the world, get away from Hollydale. I took that as a rejection of our life, a rejection of my desire for children after my miscarriages.”

  Natalie glanced at Pippa, her eyes closing as she rested in her car seat. Then she inched toward her mother. “I can’t stay away from Hollydale. I tried. I really did, but everything I love is here.”

  “I think that was true a year ago, but I also think you’re stronger than you realize.”

  “What are
you saying?” Natalie failed to grasp her mother’s meaning.

  “If you love Aidan, and I believe you do, you have to decide where your heart lies.”

  Becks staggered into the living room, her eyes bloodshot and tired. “Did I hear the word love? You want my opinion?”

  “Later. Much later.” Diane rose and guided Becks into the kitchen. “After a nice cup of coffee.”

  “Coffee is full of caffeine and chemicals, and I’m breastfeeding Pippa.” Becks narrowed her eyes. “Herbal tea is much better for a person. Someday, not today or tomorrow or next month even, I’ll look back and realize I stayed true to myself. That’s the only way I’m going to get through this.”

  Her gaze connected with Becks, her usually unperturbable sister adrift but still her twin. Becks scooped up her daughter and left the room. Someday she’d have her ducks lined up and when that happened, the world had better watch out.

  Staying true to myself. Home was family, and family was home, no matter the location. She loved Hollydale, but dreams and people mattered more. A year ago, she’d been homesick something awful for the town, for the people, for her family and friends.

  However, family wasn’t just the people related by blood, and dreams weren’t tied to a geographical core. She kissed her mother on the cheek, and something shivered inside of her. “Mom, I might be jumping off the high dive.”

  Her mother patted Natalie’s cheek and smiled. “That’s the Natalie I know and love. And whether Becks realizes it or not, she’ll have to jump off the high dive someday. It’s the only way to live.” A small crash came from the kitchen. Diane stopped halfway there and looked back, rolling her eyes. “Becks, let’s get you that herbal tea.”

  Her mom strode into the kitchen. Natalie understood her mother. When Becks finally absorbed the shock of the water when she dove off that board, it might be the biggest belly flop of all, but she’d survive. Meanwhile, Natalie had performed her own disastrous dive this morning. She gritted her teeth. She might not be in Hollydale to help Becks out of the pool.

  Then again, that was what video calls were for.

  “Wish me luck. I’ll be online,” Natalie called out.

  Her mother ducked her head into the living room and winked. “Any school in Seattle will be lucky to have you.”

  * * *

  AIDAN WALKED DOWNTOWN hand in hand with Danny. The familiar storefronts welcomed them, Timber River Outfitters, Miss Louise’s Ice Cream Parlor and A New You hair salon. Though he’d memorized the layout and security details of each retail establishment within a day of his arrival, they’d become more than bricks and mortar in the past couple of weeks.

  This sense of community, prevalent in the military, had never centered in one place for him before, since his service was spent in Texas, California, Germany and Iraq, among many other spots. In a short amount of time, however, Hollydale had imprinted itself on his heart.

  So had a certain redhead, whose bangle bracelets, cowboy boots and sundresses matched her personality.

  Shelby once warned him that nothing could prepare him for meeting Natalie.

  Shelby had been right.

  Danny squeezed his hand. “You make good pancakes. Not as good as Aunt Natalie, though, cause hers are in the shape of dinosaurs and flowers. She knows I like the dinosaurs better. She makes both, but she always laughs when I bite the head off the T. rex first.”

  He giggled at the memory before his face scrunched up, almost like he was in pain.

  Aidan squeezed his hand in return, understanding what Danny was feeling. “Your mom wouldn’t want you to second-guess yourself every time you laugh. She loved you, and she’d want you to be happy. To live life to the fullest without holding back.” He could say the same about his mother, too.

  They arrived at the storefront that would have been Snickerdoodles had Shelby lived. Would he have made time to visit when his half sister opened the restaurant?

  Deep down, he knew the answer was no.

  The Realtor insisted he had to come right away as he’d never believe who’d made an offer this morning for the property. Robin herself didn’t believe it, and Aidan had shaken his head at that. Realtors should be prepared for every contingency.

  He and Danny walked into the establishment, and his jaw dropped. He didn’t believe it either. Next to Robin stood Hyacinth and Belinda in the same room. Hyacinth noticed him and clapped her hands together. Her free-flowing dress, a kaleidoscope of color, contrasted with Belinda in her navy capris and matching T-shirt.

  “Major Murphy! How delightful to see you again so soon. Isn’t it wonderful!”

  Robin stepped forward, her black leather portfolio in hand. “I thought he needed to see both of you ladies in the same room when I filled him in on the details.”

  Belinda folded her arms and pursed her lips. “How was he supposed to make a decision without the pertinent information?”

  “Because it’s going to be beautiful, and the fall crowds are going to be utterly delighted with our new tea room.” Hyacinth went over and hugged Belinda. “You were so right, suggesting we turn professional.”

  “Tea room?” Aidan echoed, still getting over the shock of Hyacinth embracing Belinda as if they were old friends instead of sworn enemies.

  “Sweet Shelby’s Tea Room,” Belinda blurted out before her gaze softened. “With your permission, of course.”

  Hyacinth hooked her arm through his. “It’s our way of honoring your sister.”

  Danny shifted his weight, and Aidan removed the backpack from the boy’s shoulders. “Why don’t you go over to that corner where I can keep an eye on you?”

  Danny didn’t need a second invitation. He accepted the bag and darted to the corner.

  Robin opened her portfolio and glanced at the papers. “I’ll email you everything, but the two of them arrived at my office with a reasonable offer. You can take your time to look it over, and we can discuss it at your leisure.”

  Aidan hesitated. Leisure was the one thing he didn’t have since he’d be leaving for Seattle tomorrow. His afternoon meeting with the lawyer loomed large. And he still hadn’t told Danny of his impending departure.

  Natalie was right. Danny was flourishing here. He couldn’t take his nephew with him. Danny’s best interests had to come before his own.

  How could he go into Penelope’s office, though, with Natalie’s rejection stinging worse than the knife wound had? How could he ever face her again?

  “Major M.?” Only Hyacinth called him that, and he looked her way. “Do we have your permission to use your sister’s name? When you visit Danny in Hollydale on your leave, you’ll have to come by and make sure we served her memory with honor.”

  “And for some of the best pie you’ve ever eaten.” Belinda nodded firmly. “It’s always about the pie.”

  “And the ambience. A hot pot of soothing tea, cute little finger sandwiches and...” Hyacinth giggled and shrugged. “Maybe we’ll create a special corner for little boys and girls to dream and create.”

  He’d miss seeing these strong women butt heads. “I don’t know when I’m coming back.”

  Hyacinth moved with him toward the large front window, smudged, but clear enough to see out onto the street. “Of course you’re coming back soon. You’ll be flying home the first chance you get. Many come in the fall to see the gorgeous display of color with the oaks and maples showcasing their glorious red, yellow and orange foliage. For them, Hollydale is just one day, a temporary respite from their everyday lives. You, however, have put down roots here. You’ve found your heart, and I daresay you’ve claimed someone else’s heart. You’ll be back.”

  For so long, he’d depended on the rigor of schedules and planning as those were a constant in a world of change, a world of emotion. Now he wasn’t sure of anything. Even something as scheduled and planned as the military came with no guarantees, a built-in
danger in its very existence. He’d seen too many casualties to not realize the truth in that statement. His own arm proved that.

  “Natalie walked out on me.” He stared out the window at the bustling sidewalk of Maple Drive, a hive of activity on this gray day. “She doesn’t want to come for Danny at the end of the summer. She won’t meet me in the middle.”

  Hyacinth tapped his shoulder, and he faced her. “For so long, Belinda and I made everything about competition, trying to one-up the other. Last night, she came over to my house with this plan for a tea house that sounded preposterous, but it was genuine. It captured my heart. When something’s right, competition flies out the window. This is about us coming together and bringing something fresh to Hollydale. If you search your heart, you’ll find the truth. You and Natalie will be a family, not just for Danny, but for you and her as well.”

  The mayor and Hyacinth both believed he had something valuable to contribute to the town, but what about his country? For fifteen years, he’d served his country, and he wanted to continue doing so in a vital way.

  He glanced at Danny in the corner, playing with Aidan’s tablet, laughing at the screen. It might seem like that change had happened in him overnight, but Aidan knew so much of that groundwork was laid while he was overseas, with Laurel, Toby and especially Natalie pouring a solid foundation.

  Natalie. Everything always came back to her. Two weeks ago, life was simple, comforting in its predictable pattern. She’d turned his life upside down with her spirit, kisses and heart.

  Did he have the capacity to be so much more if he didn’t hold back? His parents had given up on him because he’d mistakenly given up on them. This time, he wasn’t going to give up on love, because he loved her.

  He loved Natalie.