Mallory strolled toward the desk the bouquet of flowers in hand. The arrangement was full of white roses, carnations, and Peruvian lilies, with blue delphinium added in for color. The baby’s breath and assorted greenery rounded out the beautiful bouquet.
“Glad you think so. They were just dropped off for you. Where would you like them?”
“What?” Emily scooted her chair away from her desk and rose. “For me? From who? There must be a mistake.”
“They’re for you, but I don’t know from who. Guess you’ll have to read the card.” Mallory plucked the card off the stick and handed it out to Emily. “I was in the office when they were delivered and since I was headed back to my class I offered to drop them off to you.”
“But…” Emily wasn’t sure what she almost said as she accepted the card. “Thank you.”
“I’ll just set them here.” Mallory placed them on the free corner of her desk and stepped back. “I’ve got to get back to my students.”
“Thank you again.” Emily carried her gaze focused on the unopened card.
“Emily.” Mallory paused waiting for her to look up. “It’s flowers, not a snake. Enjoy them.”
“Okay.” She tried not to show the unease turning her stomach. Flowers. She never received flowers before and couldn’t think who they could be from.
“Trust me. A man who will send flowers when it’s not a special occasion is a keeper. Don’t let him slip through your fingers.”
Mallory was gone before Emily could argue there wasn’t anyone special in her life. At least not someone who’d send me flowers. Daniel was the only special person in her life and he was a friend. One she might want to see more of, but he didn’t know that. At least not yet.
Sitting back down at her desk the planning long forgotten as she slid the card from the envelope.
Check your e-mail. Love, Daniel
At the sight of his name her heart skipped a beat. Daniel sent me flowers. What does that mean? Her gaze slid back to the love part. They’d signed a few e-mails like that over their last several weeks, but she wasn’t sure what to make of it. The feelings she had for him were frightening enough without thinking about love or what he might be feeling. They hadn’t even met yet—since she couldn’t really count the rescue mission—and she had already given her heart to him.
“This is sad. At thirty-one I should know better. He could be a lunatic.” She sat the card on the desk and glanced back at the glass vase of flowers.
Shifting the papers to the side, she slid her laptop to the center of her desk and brought up her e-mail. As her inbox opened an e-mail from Daniel popped up in her inbox as if it was just sent. Was he back in the states yet? She knew they were due back soon, but neither he nor Hazel mentioned when. Surely Hazel would have heard from him if he was already home.
Emily,
By now you should have received the flowers. If not, you might want to note delayed e-mail delivery doesn’t work. If I ruined the surprise I’m sorry.
There were things I needed to say that I didn’t want the florist to write on the card. Since the delivery should happen while I’m somewhere between Iraq and South Carolina this was the only way.
Em, you’re beautiful inside and out. I’m looking forward to coming to Blessing to finally meet you in person. It seems that I’ve waited so long already and the weeks until I’m there seem even longer. There was a reason you came into my life at this time. I hope you will allow us the opportunity to explore where this can go.
I believe it’s time for us to take this to the next level. Let me call you when I’m back in South Carolina. I want to hear your voice.
Love,
Daniel
Without giving her brain a chance to come up with a list of reasons she should move forward she hit the reply button.
Daniel,
The flowers are beautiful. Thank you!
I agree. Let’s do it. Call me soon.
As the bell rang, dismissing her students from lunch and sending them back to her classroom, she quickly added her cell phone number and hit send.
Maybe he does feel something more than friendship. The very thought of that made a smile spread across her face. While it wasn’t completely unexpected it was still surprising. She never expected to feel anything more than friendship for him. He was Hazel’s brother and Emily still wasn’t sure how she’d react when she found out there might be something developing between Emily and Daniel. Time will tell. She only hoped it wouldn’t explode in her face.
Chapter Eighteen: Stateside
Leaning against the railing on his apartment balcony Daniel gazed out at horizon. His life in South Carolina was coming to an end, but there was something waiting for him that was even better. Since returning stateside more than two weeks ago his relationship with Emily had transitioned from e-mails to phone calls. In another week they’d be face to face. That was the moment he was looking forward to.
“Are you even listening to me?” Barrett stood in the sliding glass doorway, a beer in hand.
“Yeah.” Daniel glanced at him. “You asked me if you could get another beer.”
“Ten minutes ago.” He brought his beer to his lips and took a swig. “I asked you if you wanted to crash at my place tonight. It’s better than a hotel room.”
“Huh?” Daniel reached for the bottle of beer he sat on the railing.
“Man, this is why I don’t let women get this close to me. You haven’t seen Emily in years and yet she consumes your thoughts. Just wait until you get to Blessing.” Barrett let out a loud chuckle. “You have to be out of your apartment tonight. It’s sleeping in your truck, get a hotel room, or at my place.”
“I’m good.” No longer interested in the beer he held it waiting for Barrett to move out of the doorway. “I’m picking Hazel up at six tomorrow morning and we’ll hit the road. So, I’m going to get a hotel room near the airport.”
“I can’t believe your sister is flying in to drive across country with you. It’s less than two weeks until Christmas and if it was me I know I’d hit a fucking blizzard on that drive over the mountains. It’s going to take you what thirty hours to drive it. Man, you should have shipped your truck and booked a flight. I can’t even imagine being stuck in a car with Christopher for that long. I had enough of that shit when I was a kid. Family vacations suck.”
“It will give us a chance to catch up.” Daniel took a step away from the railing toward the door. “Come on inside. It’s getting cold.”
“You haven’t felt cold yet. You’ve climatized, it’s going to be an adjustment going back to Montana.” Shaking his head Barrett stepped back into the furnished bedroom apartment. This is where he had lived for years but it hadn’t ever been a home. Besides a couple pictures decorating the space none of the furnishings belonged to him. It had been easier that way.
“It will be good to be back home.”
“Are you sure it just won’t be good to be near Emily?”
Daniel sat his beer bottle on the kitchen counter and eyed the other man. “One day you’ll stop being a playboy and settle down. Mrs. Barrett wants lots of grand babies. You and Christopher aren’t getting any younger.”
“You sound like my dad. He’s hounding me to set a good example for Christopher, to commit to a steady girl at least, if not get married and have a son of my own. How can anyone want to bring kids into the world with all the shit that’s happening?” Barrett dragged a hand over his face. “Maybe I am getting old because I’m becoming slightly nostalgic.”
“You?” Daniel rose an eyebrow in question. “Doubt that. Christopher maybe, but you? No way.”
“I wish it was him instead of me.” He leaned back against the wall and crossed his ankles. “Remember the fun we had as kids? We didn’t have to be home until the streetlights came on and our parents didn’t have to worry about us being kidnapped from our front yard. We could run around the neighborhood and we were safe. No one thought twice of getting a lemonade at some kids’ lemon
ade stand. Now it’s all changed.”
“Depends on where you live.”
“Doubt that.” Barrett stared down at his beer. “After what we’ve seen you can’t honestly think you wouldn’t be terrified every time your kid strolled out the door.”
“If I learned one thing throughout my military career, it was to live life to the fullest. You can’t live in fear. No one is guaranteed tomorrow.” Daniel grabbed the laptop from the counter and sat it inside his duffle bag. “Yeah, I’d worry about my kid just like I worry about everyone else I care about. Fuck man, I’m worried about you and the guys I’m leaving behind. We’re family. I’m trusting you to keep your six covered and look out for the others.”
“It’s not the same.” Barrett reasoned.
“It’s not, but you know what? Next leave come to Blessing. Let me show you what my hometown is like. I haven’t been there in more than three years, but I know my town. Police Chief Jake Kirk and I went to school together. It’s the safest town in America but we keep that information to ourselves. We don’t need troublemakers looking for an easy target to put their sights on Blessing.” He pulled the zipper on the bag and turned his attention back to his friend. “Blessing is a town like you grew up in. I didn’t realize it until I left not everywhere is the same. Small town where everyone knows everyone, and the kids are able to play outside until the streetlights come on. Your word means something there. It’s a piece of Heaven.”
“Doesn’t everyone think their hometown is amazing?”
“Let me prove it.” He grabbed his bag and hoisted it onto his shoulder. “If you’re serious about finding a place like that, you’re welcome to take me up on my offer. Give me a couple weeks to find a place and get settled. Then come see for yourself. You’ve got another year with the Marines and then who knows. Maybe you’ll realize there’s more to life.”
“Maybe.” Lawrence polished off his beer. “I’ll grab the last box and take it down to your truck if you want to have a look around and make sure you didn’t forget anything.”
“Already did.” He grabbed the last bag and tossed his keys on the counter.
A few months ago, he was dreading this moment. Now with it here he couldn’t be more anxious. He was starting a new life and he couldn’t wait to get back to Blessing. It was everything he told Barrett and more. It was home.
Chapter Nineteen: Surprise
Butterflies danced in Emily’s stomach as she shifted her weekender bag on her shoulder. Her plane landed ten minutes ago and while the other passengers were gathering their bags she was preparing to meet Daniel for the first time. She still wasn’t sure how she ended up taking Hazel’s place. One minute they were enjoying a glass of wine, two bottles later she’d agreed to Hazel’s insane idea.
“Why did I let her talk me into this?” She mumbled to herself as the doors in front of her slid open.
As excited as she was for Daniel to arrive in Blessing, she hadn’t expected their meeting to be like this. What if they didn’t get along? What if they met face to face and ended up hating each other? The drive from South Carolina to Montana would be awkward, to say the least, if they didn’t hit it off like they did on the phone. Thirty hours of drive time and a short visit to United Homefront Ranch, owned by another Marine, stood in her way of getting this trip over. Though if it went anything like their e-mails and phone calls that time would fly by.
With the hopes that Daniel wasn’t early she took a step toward the door, forcing them to open again. The cool winter breeze met the heat from inside as she stepped outside. Quickly moving to the side, she stood there a moment, allowing herself another moment before she searched for Daniel.
Her winter coat draped over her arm, she enjoyed the coolness. For some this was cold winter air, but after living in Montana, this was nothing for her. The cold air filled her lungs and slowed the butterflies in her stomach. She could do this. If it was a disaster, there were airports along the way. Daniel could drop her off and she could catch a flight back. A bus or train were always possibilities as well. She’d even rent a car and drive herself if she had to. Anything rather than for her to make his trip home miserable.
“Emily?”
At the sound of the deep voice her eyelids popped opened. There before her was the man who had occupied her thoughts for months. In a dark gray long sleeve shirt and jeans that hung low on his hips, he was more attractive in person than pictures could ever do him justice. His short dark hair had a few strands of gray adding to the mixture, giving him a distinguished handsome look. Even with the early morning hour he looked wide awake. His deep green eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise. “Daniel.”
“What are you doing here? Where’s Hazel?” He glanced toward the door as if expecting to see his sister coming through.
“What? She didn’t tell you?” Her mouth went dry as their gazes met again. Oh shit!
“Tell me what?” Daniel’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t…” Betrayal rushed through her as realization dawned on her. Hazel had tricked her and seeing him there in front of her she couldn’t explain it. Hazel would have to do the cleanup work. Right now, all she could think about was getting back inside to a ticket counter. Flying home meant Daniel would have to make the drive by himself but it was better than this embarrassment. She took a step back toward the door, anxious to end the awkward moment.
“Wait.” He reached out grabbing hold of her wrist and gently guided her back toward him. “She sent you in her place, didn’t she?”
“I’m sorry.” Uncomfortable she stared down at the jacket drooped over her arm. She didn’t want to glance at his hand, which was still wrapped around her wrist. The innocent touch had drawn her back to him. Did that mean he wanted her to stay? No, he’s only being friendly.
“Don’t.” Removing his hand from her wrist he brought his forefinger under her chin, gently forcing her head up until she was looking at him. “Don’t apologize. There’s no one I’d rather have making the drive with me.”
If it wasn’t for his finger on the bottom of her chin she was certain her jaw would have dropped open. The whole plane trip she had warned herself not to get her hopes up. The chemistry that was there with them online or even over the phone, might not be there in person. Even with the reality checks, she couldn’t stop herself from hoping that the connection was there.
Before her brain could form the words, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was soft, almost soft enough she thought she might have imagined the whole thing.
“Sweet Em. You taste as good as I thought you would.” He looped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”
“No.” The single word came out breathy and her heart beat frantically against her ribcage.
His lips came down onto hers as his other hand tangled in her hair. Her lips parted, giving him access, and his tongue slid between her lips. She could taste the lingering coffee, making her want more of him as well as her own cup of coffee. As she reached up to touch his chest, her bag slipped from her shoulder. With one final kiss he pulled back.
“Let me take that.” He grabbed her bag and slid it onto his own shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Yeah, I mean we should get on the road.”
Without stepping back, he slipped his hand into hers and kept his gaze locked on hers. “School?”
“Huh?”
“Having you standing before me makes me feel like I’m sixteen again. Tongue-tied and terrified I’ll scare you away.” Giving her a sly smile, he shook his head. “Hazel had planned to use some of the personal leave she had saved over the years. We were going to spend a few days driving back to Montana, you know take it slow and stop by the United Homefront Ranch in Kentucky. It’s run by a buddy of mine. She wanted to visit our aunt, but I overruled her there. It wasn’t something I could handle just now. Too many questions. I promised I’d take a drive down with her this summer, but
not now. Great, now I’m rambling.”
“Hey…” She leaned closer and pressed her free hand on his chest. “You’re fine. You weren’t expecting me. I still can’t get over Hazel not calling you to explain.”
“It certainly would have been nice.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “It would have given me something to look forward to.”
“As for school, things are squared away.” Realization dawned on her and her jaw went slack. “Oh, she’s going to pay for this.”
“Retaliation is such a sweet word.” He shifted, coming to her side as he began to lead her away from the airport. “My truck is in the parking garage. It’s not far but you can explain on the way. Then we can revise our travel plans.”
“She planned this.” Not completely paying attention to her surroundings she glanced at Daniel, wanting to see his reaction. “She had my normal substitute teacher lined up. The principal Mr. Kline…damn it, even he had to be in on it because he told me his sister was going to come in and help the students finish their Christmas projects. She was the art teacher at Blessing Middle School before the birth of her twin sons and she left to be a stay-at-home parent.”
“You’re saying she never planned to come here.” Daniel glanced at her as she strolled passed a group of people waiting for the shuttle.
“I don’t think she did.” Her thoughts flashed back to Hazel handing her the ticket. “She had the ticket already.”
“When?”
“Two nights ago.” The wind blew a strand on her blonde hair free from the clip she had it in, forcing her to shift her coat to tuck the strand behind her ear as they entered the parking garage. “She invited me over for dinner Thursday night and afterwards we were sitting on her sofa with a glass of wine. By the time she opened the second bottle of wine she told me she couldn’t make the trip. Mr. Kline needed her help with the Christmas play. She begged me to come so you wouldn’t have to travel back alone.”
“I’d have been fine.” He reasoned as he let go of her hand to grab the keys from the front pocket of his jeans.
Touch of Home (Blessing Montana Book 2) Page 8
