Love Is a Battlefield

by Annalisa Daughety

She followed him to the door. Uh-oh. Thus far, she had avoided much physical contact with him. But her luck might’ve just run out. He definitely had that look in his eye, as if he thought it was time in the schedule to try for a kiss. And it wasn’t that she was repulsed by him. It was just that she wasn’t sure she was ready to take their relationship to the next level. At this point, they were just friends. But one kiss and she had the feeling Robert would think it meant they were headed for a future with little Rose and James Robert soon to follow.

  “Thanks for dinner. It was fun.” she hung back a little to keep some distance between them.

  He lingered at the door. “Why don’t you walk me out?”

  She desperately willed the phone to ring so she’d have an excuse to stay inside, but it didn’t. She followed him out to the car.

  “We’ll have to do this again soon.” He grinned at her.

  The next thing she knew, he’d pulled her in for a hug. “I had a nice time,” he said softly next to her ear.

  The second he released her, she took a large step back and gave him a smile. “Talk to you soon.”

  His brows drew together and he looked like he was about to say something, but he gave her a little wave and got in the car.

  Whew. She’d dodged the kiss she was pretty sure he’d planned to attempt. She watched as he backed out of the driveway then turned to walk back to the porch.

  Kristy froze. The trash cans at the side of her house had been knocked over. She stepped off the concrete to where the cans lay. All of her trash bags had been opened, and several days’ worth of trash was strewn about. A frown settled on her face. She knew she’d closed the lids tightly as she always did. Something bigger than a cat must’ve knocked them over and pulled the lids off. A raccoon, maybe? she hated to blame General Grant for anything else. She’d already complained about him being the likely culprit who pulled up her flowers.

  Kristy dragged the trash cans back to their normal spot and put them back upright. She glanced around at the mounds of garbage she could see strewn across her yard in the darkness. Had an animal wreaked this much havoc? Or had the vandal decided to branch out a little? Maybe pull up a few flowers and spread some trash around as kind of a vandalism appetizer? An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. Whoever did this, it didn’t feel like an animal.

  It felt personal.

  CHAPTER 38

  The next week, Kristy found herself wondering if she’d stepped into some kind of alternate universe. Not only had her trash cans been turned upside down again, making her late for work, but she came in to find Owen, starry-eyed, telling Ace and Matthew about his latest date.

  It seemed like her matchmaking plan had worked a little too well. Owen and Dorothy had had a wonderful time at the concert and had even gotten together once since then. “And it’s all thanks to Kristy,” Owen said as she slunk to the front desk, hoping they were all so engrossed in Owen’s story they wouldn’t notice that she was nearly fifteen minutes late. At least she hadn’t run into Arnie or Hank on her way in.

  Ace stepped into her office later, a gorgeous grin dancing across his face. “interesting that someone who doesn’t believe in love would play Cupid.”

  She looked up from her computer and rolled her eyes. “Companionship. That’s what I was going for. Just someone for Owen to hang out with sometimes. No one said anything about love.”

  “Try telling him that. He’s in his office right now ordering flowers to be sent to her office.” He leaned against the file cabinet. “And the woman is who? Your boyfriend’s mother?”

  “He’s not my boyfriend.”

  Ace let out a disbelieving snort.

  Kristy busied herself at the computer, hoping her silence would prompt Ace to leave her alone. But no such luck. He walked over and stood behind her, staring at the computer screen.

  “Flowers pulled up. Trash cans knocked over. Trash cans knocked over again,” he read over her shoulder. She pushed the power button on her monitor and stared at the gray screen.

  “What is this?” he asked quietly.

  She shrugged. “Just a list of things.”

  “Things? Things that have happened at your house lately?” The caring in his voice brought her gaze up to his face.

  His brown eyes were full of concern. “I thought your flowers disappearing was an isolated event.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  She shivered then quickly converted the shiver into another shrug. “I don’t know. I wasn’t sure it was anything.” Get a handle on this, Ranger O’Neal, she warned herself. Shivering when he touches your shoulder falls dangerously near Cupid territory. “besides, what are we going to have to do now? stake out my place?” she forced a chuckle.

  He patted her shoulder and dropped his hand. “That might not be a bad idea.”

  “Ace, I was kidding! You are not spending your off time at my house.”

  He took a step back.

  If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought that was hurt that flashed across his face. Still, she hadn’t meant to sound so blunt. “You know what I mean.”

  He nodded. “I’ll drop it for now if you promise to keep me posted on anything else that happens.”

  “Scout’s honor,” she said and crossed her heart with her finger.

  He narrowed his eyes in mock suspicion. “You weren’t a Girl scout, were you?”

  “Nope. But I’m a ranger.” she grinned at him. “So ranger’s honor. Is that better?”

  He grinned. “I trust you.” He stepped out then stuck his head back in. “Completely.”

  She sat there for several minutes thinking about that assurance. She believed he did completely trust her.

  And to her surprise, the feeling was mutual.

  CHAPTER 39

  “Were we featured on the Travel Channel and no one bothered to tell us?” Kristy asked Owen as she emerged from starting the movie for a full theater.

  “You know how it is. Last-chance family vacations before the kids start having band, football, and cheerleading practices.” He wiped his brow. “But it has been a madhouse.”

  Visitors had been lined up at the door that morning before they even opened—a sure sign of a busy day. Kristy supposed Owen was right. There weren’t too many Saturdays left before summer would be over. In fact, Matthew and Mason didn’t have much time left until they headed back to college. Seasonals who were in college rarely stayed on until Labor Day due to the start of classes. So before long, Kristy would have the seasonal office all to herself again. But only for a short time, because come Labor Day, she’d be out of a job.

  She knew she should start making plans for whatever would come next but was putting it off. Tomorrow she’d make herself get a Sunday paper and begin the tedious task of searching for a job. The problem was, the only thing she’d ever wanted to be was a park ranger. She sighed loudly.

  “You sound like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.” Owen’s tone was jovial, but his eyes let her know he was concerned.

  She shrugged. “Just trying to figure out what to do next.”

  He looked at his watch. “My advice would be ... lunch.” He grinned.

  “You know what I mean. Next in life.” she cut her eyes at him. “Not in the next fifteen minutes.”

  He chuckled. “We’re all trying to figure out what to do next in life. My advice is just to keep your focus on the moment you’re currently living. We aren’t promised anything more than that.”

  “In that case, perhaps I will go to lunch. Is that okay?”

  “Yep. Me and the twins can hold down the fort. Why don’t you take the full hour today? I know you’ve been cutting them short lately. We’ll get along okay until you get back.”

  She had been cutting her lunches short but didn’t know anyone had noticed. Things had been so hectic lately, and Matthew and Mason sometimes got overloaded with visitors. She knew it was time to let them sink or swim on their own, but she couldn’t help feeling respo
nsible for them still.

  On the way out the door, she mentally went over the contents of her refrigerator. It didn’t take long. Saying she was overdue for a trip to the grocery store would be an understatement. She was so engrossed in her thoughts, she didn’t see the blue truck pull up beside her until it honked. She looked up.

  Ace smiled at her from the driver’s seat. “Hey,” he called. “You headed to lunch?”

  She nodded.

  “Why don’t you hop in and go eat with me?”

  She thought for a moment. Sam would be fine. She could always go let him out when she got back. “Sure.”

  She climbed up in the truck. “What are you doing at the visitor center on your day off?”

  “Actually, I was coming to find you.” He stopped to let a family cross in front of the truck on their way to the park bookstore. “Thought I’d see if you wanted to have lunch with me today.”

  “That was nice. I was just thinking that I don’t have many groceries in my house.”

  “How’s Hagy’s?” he asked.

  “That sounds good.” Okay, it sounded better than good, but she’d contain her excitement. She took her hat off and placed it on the floorboard. “But we’ve had a ton of visitors today, so it might be really crowded.”

  “Let’s take our chances,” he said as he turned onto Highway 22, headed toward the restaurant. “They’re pretty quick, so even if we have to wait, it shouldn’t be long.”

  At Hagy’s, she cringed at the crowded parking. Ace put their name on the list and guided her to a seat outside on the large deck overlooking the Tennessee River.

  They sank into wooden chairs shaped like fish. She sighed contentedly.

  Ace looked over at her inquisitively. “Was that good or bad?”

  “Definitely good. I love sitting out here looking at the river roll by.” she gazed out at the river. “Isn’t it beautiful?” “it sure is.”

  “Kennedy, party of two.”

  They followed the hostess to their table. Several families that had visited the park earlier in the day called out greetings to Kristy along the way.

  “Does that make you feel like a celebrity?” Ace pulled her seat out for her, and she slid into the chair.

  “Very funny. If I didn’t have on my uniform, they wouldn’t even know I was the same person.”

  “Do you know what you want, or do you need a minute?” the waitress asked, each word punctuated by the chomp of her gum.

  Ace looked at Kristy, and she shook her head.

  “I think we’re ready,” he said. “You first.” He nodded his head at Kristy.

  “I’ll have the catfish platter with a baked potato, coleslaw, and sweet tea.” she didn’t have to think twice about her order. Some might say she was in a rut, always ordering the same thing. But to Kristy, there was no need to risk ordering something new when she knew she’d be happy with the same thing she always ordered.

  “I’ll have the same, please.” Ace passed his menu to the waitress.

  “So it’s been a crazy day?” he asked once they had their drinks.

  “Nonstop. It seems that today is a popular day for family reunions and boy scout campouts.”

  “I see.” He took a sip of his tea. “Anything else going on?”

  “Not really.”

  “Anything else happen at your house?” His eyes were filled with concern.

  She shook her head. “No. And the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced it was probably just an animal. Possum, raccoon, General Grant, or maybe even a dog or a coyote.” she ticked the potential suspects off on her fingers.

  He shook his head. “I’m just not sure an animal could get the lids off your trash cans. I definitely think that would take opposable thumbs.”

  She sat back in her seat. “So you’re convinced a person did it?” “I’m convinced you need to be careful. And be aware of your surroundings.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “And I’ll be worried.”

  They eyed each other.

  The waitress set two steaming plates of fried catfish in front of them.

  “Do you mind if I say a prayer before we eat?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  Ace bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, thank You for the meal we are about to eat. We are humbled by the many blessings You give us every day. Please help us to be Your hands and feet as we go about our daily lives.” He cleared his throat. “Lord, please be with Kristy. Keep her safe and show her the path You have for her life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Amen,” Kristy said. She was touched, actually. It was rare that she heard anyone pray specifically for her. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time.

  “How’s your food?” he asked.

  “Delicious. This is my favorite place.”

  “I know. Why do you think I suggested it?” He smiled. “Haven’t you figured out that I try to make you happy?”

  For a second her stomach felt fluttery. More and more often lately, a smile from him affected her that way.

  “So did you do anything fun last night? On one of your few nights to not be stuck in the truck with me?” he asked, dipping a piece of fish into his tartar sauce.

  “I went to a movie with Robert.”

  She saw a look flash across his face. Just for a moment. Almost as if she’d slapped him.

  “That sounds fun. Did you see anything good?” Ace asked, grabbing a hush puppy from the basket between them.

  “Some action movie.” She shrugged. “It was okay. If you like movies about futuristic robots taking over the world.”

  Which she didn’t. Somehow, each date she went on with Robert seemed more awkward than the last. She couldn’t put her finger on it. He was always pleasant and polite. But at the end of the night, she always felt like he still had no idea who she was.

  Vickie and Ainsley had both accused her of spending time with Robert because there was no danger of falling for him. Ace, on the other hand ... She glanced across the table. Ace might as well have a Caution: Danger sign flashing on his forehead. Suddenly, looking into the beautiful brown eyes of the man opposite her, she knew what she had to do.

  CHAPTER 40

  Kristy had always hated breaking things off. She wondered if it made her a masochist that she’d rather be on the receiving end than have to do the actual breaking up. Maybe not quite the way Mark had handled it, but a nice “it’s not you; it’s me” kind of conversation. That would be much easier than having to actually let a guy down. People talk about letting someone down easily. There’s nothing easy about it. Rejection is hard to take. And when you’re the kind of girl who always considers the feelings of those around you, it’s also almost impossible to dish out.

  Kristy couldn’t even count the number of guys she’d dated a lot longer than she should have, just because she didn’t have the heart to break theirs. In fact, in the past, she’d shamefully done things specifically to get on their nerves in the hopes that they’d instigate the breakup.

  But she knew this time that wasn’t an option. For one thing, she was too old to keep playing the same old games. For another, she couldn’t keep Robert hanging on any longer. She did like him. But as much as her mother tried to make him be, he just wasn’t right for her.

  He’d seemed surprised when she’d called this afternoon. She never called him while he was at work, but figured it would be okay just this once. Especially since after today she didn’t intend to call him again.

  So they were going to meet for coffee. She needed to go to Jackson anyway. Her empty pantry cried out for a visit to their supercenter, and her wardrobe called out for a visit to the mall. Or at least Kohl’s.

  Robert had put up a little bit of a fuss when she’d suggested Starbucks. “Five dollars for a cup of coffee. I can brew several pots for that.”

  She’d finally convinced him by saying she had a gift card that desperately needed to be used. It was true. Except for the desperate part. Honestly, she just wanted
to meet him in a public place. But not for dinner. Definitely not at his house. And besides, a venti caramel macchiato would do wonders for her nerves.

  She rehearsed her little speech all the way to Jackson. Highway 45 had never flown by so fast. By the time she pulled her Jeep into the parking lot, she didn’t feel any more prepared for the conversation than when she left the park grounds.

  Robert was waiting at one of the outside tables. He waved her over.

  “Hi,” she said nervously, hoping he didn’t sense the impending conversation. On second thought, maybe it would be best if he did have an idea. She didn’t know which way would be worse for him. Either way was bad for her.

  “Did you enjoy your day off?” he asked as he held the door open for her.

  She inhaled deeply as the sweet smell of coffee filled her senses. If she could bottle up that scent, she would. “I had a nice day. Just kicked around the house. Did laundry. Nothing too exciting.”

  He nodded.

  Once at the counter, she tried to explain the different coffees to him. Mocha, cappuccino, latte. He treated them all as foreign delicacies, especially when he caught sight of the prices that went along with them. Finally, a venti caramel macchiato for her and a plain black coffee of the day for him were ready. They slid their cups into cardboard sleeves, and she followed him to a table outside.

  She took a sip. Courage. Give me a little courage, please.

  He watched her curiously. “Is it good?” he asked.

  “The best.” she smiled.

  Robert started telling a story about a coworker’s vacation to Mexico that was filled with mishaps.

  Kristy watched him and made the appropriate interested expressions and nods. But the whole time, she couldn’t help but try to figure out what it was that made him so wrong for her. Robert was perfect on paper. He was very cute. He was well dressed in a conservative, preppy way. And he was nice. Just an all-around nice guy. The kind of man who would probably stop on the side of the road to help an old lady change a flat tire. Or who would rescue a kitten from a tree. He was just one of those guys. But despite his good qualities, he wasn’t for her.