“You love those kids.” Collier stepped over a tree branch lying along the path.
“I’m glad it’s obvious.” She intertwined her fingers with his—where they belonged. “They may be five and six years old, but those kids are strong and good to the core.”
“Jameson too?”
“Ha.” Whitleigh threw her head back. “Jameson too.”
“He put glue in a little girl’s hair.”
“Lilly said she wanted her hair to sparkle.” Whitleigh giggled and swung her arm out to the side, dodging another fallen limb on the ground. “Jameson was helping the glitter stay.”
“Our kids will be just as mischievous.”
Our kids. Whitleigh’s lungs filled with air, but it sure seemed more like delight. She pressed her lips together and fought the burning in her cheeks.
Collier cleared his throat. He must be nervous about proposing.
“Whit.” He stopped and turned to face her. Her shoes fell from her hand and onto the ground. They could stay there. “I know you think you’re not brave and strong, but you are.” His eyes, pools of blue, invited her to dive in. Could this be the proposal? She formed her lips to speak, but perhaps he had more to say. “Day in and day out you’re at the school volunteering to help all of those kids.”
“Most come from poor fam—”
“You work double shifts waitressing, and refurbishing old stuff to sell.”
“Got to make a living.” Whitleigh blew a piece of hair from her face. “And I want to go on the mission trip to Honduras next summer—though leaving here kind of terrifies me.”
Collier held a finger over her mouth and smiled.
Whitleigh twisted her lips to the side, lowering her eyes from his. If she didn’t keep quiet, she would ruin her own proposal. Her gal pals, Reese and Lennon would flip.
“You don’t see how wonderful you are. How special.” He lifted her chin with a finger. His lips fit perfectly against hers. Whitleigh’s body weakened as she sighed.
A brash upturned wind swept through the woods. Leaves swirled around them. The moment as nearly magical.
The breeze settled, but her heartbeat did not. Whitleigh kept her eyes closed.
“Now that’s a kiss.” Collier brushed a leaf from her hair and placed one more kiss on her cheek. “Even Mother Nature agrees.”
“You had something you wanted to ask me, right?” She tucked her bottom lip beneath her front teeth. “The letter said, um.” Stop talking. Whitleigh licked her lips as her stomach worked itself into knots. The anxiety was too much to handle.
“A little further and we’ll talk. Promise.”
Whitleigh knit her brows together, but followed at his side. She stepped over stones and divots. The woods were alive and overflowing with proof of God’s creative genius. Her eyes scanned the vastness of her surroundings, but could not process all of the details. Collier picked the most incredible setting to ask for her hand in marriage. Her cheeks lifted. Who should she call first? Mom and Dad? Reese and Lennon?
“Beautiful, huh?”
“I love the woods.” Whitleigh squeezed his hand. She closed her eyes, breathing in the earthy scent.
Collier coughed. His palms dampened.
“How about here?”
“Huh?”
“For our picnic.” Collier stopped and nodded to a clearing in the woods off to the right.
“Oh.” Picnic. Focus Whitleigh.
Collier placed the wicker basket on the ground. Twigs crunched beneath its weight. He shook out the quilt and spread it on the ground.
Trees in the early stages of their autumn transformation created a pleasant awning. “It’s beautiful.”
Collier sat on the edge of the patchwork quilt and extended a hand. Whitleigh reached out to join him.
“Your life calling.” He propped himself up with one arm. “Am I a part of it?”
Didn’t he already know? Her throat tightened. “The most certain part.”
He nodded, bowing his head as if to hide a grin. Collier took her hands in his. They warmed at his touch. “You’re a part of my life calling too, Whit, but….” he trailed off as he looked away.
“But?” Her eyes searched his face.
“There’s another part. A part I’ve been fighting for some time.”
Whitleigh crossed her legs and leaned forward. What wasn’t he telling her?
“I know you don’t believe you’re as brave as Brady, but I think you are.”
“What are you getting at Collier?”
“You want to be with me, and I want to be with you.”
“Of course.”
“Even if we face unknowns, possibly the same uncertainties as Brady and his family?”
“I don’t understand.”
Collier sighed. He tucked his chin and then lifted his head. His blue eyes watered. “Whit, I’m joining the Army.”
Whitleigh’s hand shot over her mouth. She worked to breathe. Her trembling fingers broke free from his embrace. How could Collier do such a thing?
Her tears ran faster than what her feet could take her. Away. She needed to get away from him as quickly as possible. Whitleigh ran and held her arms tight across her chest. Falling apart could wait. She ignored Collier as he called out. The dorms, blurred through her teary vision, came into sight over the hill. Her feet patted against the ground. A few more strides and she’d be in the safety of her room, able to lock out the man who threatened to crush her dreams.
Chapter 2
“I don’t know what went wrong.” Collier wrung his hands over his face. He dialed Whit’s number. It rang. No answer. He tossed the cellphone on the beat up beanbag and growled. “One minute she’s saying she wants to be with me and the next she’s running away crying.”
“Women.” Bryant coughed into his fist. Collier threw darts with his eyes. Bryant lowered his head.
“You should’ve proposed first, man.” Blaine sat on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees.
“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t appreciate that.” Collier shook his head. “Thanks for marrying me Whit, oh, and by the way, I’m joining the Army.”
Blaine laid back on the bed. “Point taken.”
“Besides, now’s not the right time to go asking her to marry me.” Right? Collier drew in a long breath and raked a hand through his hair.
Bryant didn’t have much to say, other than his snide comment. He and Blaine, though twins, couldn’t be more different. Bryant sat nestled down in an old orange lounge chair in the corner of their dorm. His smug stare caused Collier’s eyes to narrow. No matter how often Bryant denied it, his silence proved he still had feelings for Whit.
“I bet you’re loving this.” Collier’s words bit more than intended.
“Don’t drag me into this, Collier.” Bryant held out open palms. “I told you Whit wouldn’t go for it.”
“’Cause you know her so much better, right?” Those words were intended to bite. Collier gritted his teeth.
“We grew up together. What do you think?” Lines appeared across Bryant’s forehead as his tone deepened.
“I’ve grown up with her too.” Collier stepped toward Bryant. Bryant rose from the lounge chair.
“C’mon guys. We’re all friends here.” Blaine placed a palm on their shoulders.
“Roommates don’t have to be friends.” Bryant’s nostrils flared.
Collier didn’t back down. “I can live with that.”
“Guys. For real?” Blaine pushed between them. “We’ve always been friends. Don’t do this over a girl.”
“A girl?” Bryant shoved his brother to the side. Blaine frowned, dusted off his plaid button up shirt, and rolled his eyes. “Whit’s not just any girl.”
Collier tightened his bottom lip, fist ready to fly.
Bryant folded his arms and arched his back. “Whit’s a small-town girl. Simple. Sweet. She wants a calm life with security.”
“And what, Bryant?” Collier narrowed his eyes. “You’re
the one to give her that life? You’re gonna be in the Army, too, in a couple of years.”
“That’s right. I will be.” Bryant tightened his jaw. “And you’ll be saluting me.”
Ouch. Collier swallowed.
“Bryant, dude.” Blaine pushed his brother back. “Dad would go nuts if he heard you talking like that. Officer or not, we will respect all ranks.”
Bryant lowered his head.
Collier’s stomach twisted. He stood down and relaxed his stance. “Bryant, man, I’m sorry.” He ran a hand over the back of his head. “I shouldn’t be taking all this out on you.”
“Whit loves you, Collier.” Bryant’s eyes glanced to the side. He slid his hands into the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. “I know she loves you.” He shifted his stance and shrugged. “She and I had our chance and it didn’t work out.”
The two stared at one another for a solid minute. Could Bryant be trusted? He only had Whit’s best interest in mind.
Collier nodded and extended a hand. “Friends?”
Bryant’s shook it with a firm grip. “Friends.”
“See.” Blaine nodded and gave his hands a quick clap. “It’s all good.”
Their hands fell to their sides in silent secession.
Collier sighed. “I don’t want to lose her.” He bit at his thumbnail. “I don’t know how to make this right. I mean,” he huffed, “I’ve prayed about this.”
“Prayed about joining the Army?” Blaine’s brows lifted.
“Of course. Haven’t you? I’m supposed to go.”
Blaine offered a half shrug and sat back down on the bottom bunk.
Bryant leaned against the concrete wall of their dorm room, arms folded across his chest. “And what about marrying her? You prayed about that?”
“What other reason did I have for dragging you guys to a jewelry store?” Collier bit at the inside of his lip. “I know she and I are supposed to be together.”
Bryant sighed, his mouth turned down.
“So what’s the holdup?” Blaine’s face folded. Geez, he and Bryant looked way too much alike with those crazy green eyes. Spooky. “They were having great sales on engagement rings. You should’ve taken advantage of those.”
Collier squinted and Bryant shook his head, lips pressed into a thin line.
“What?” Blaine lifted his shoulders.
“I worry about you sometimes.” Bryant planted a punch into his twin’s shoulder.
Collier cracked a smile. “Well.” He scratched at his cheek. Hints of stubble scraped beneath his fingers. “I’m not sure what the holdup is. I guess I’m waiting for the right time. Right conditions, you know?”
Bryant scoffed. “And what are those?”
Collier pinched the bridge of his nose. “Maybe when she graduates in two years? I’ll be stable by then. You know, able to provide a better life for her.” The kind of life he never had. The kind of life she deserved.
“You think she’ll wait that long for you?” Bryant’s tone carried hints of hope in his own favor.
Collier flinched as if the words smacked him across the face. Would she wait?
“It’s a legitimate question.” Blaine nodded and rested a closed hand on his chin.
“You better figure it out soon, Collier.” Bryant lifted his chin higher. “Whit’s a good girl and I’d hate to see her hurt.” He pulled the hood of his hoodie over his head. “C’mon Blaine, there’s a million other things we could be doing right now.”
Collier stood near the large open dorm window, his back away from the door. It shut with a thud. The sound echoed through the room.
He leaned against the window sill and lifted his eyes. “What do I do now?”
A prayer was a prayer, even if sent up as a question.
COLLIER rocked back on the heels of his shoes and shoved his hands into his coat pocket. If Whit wouldn’t answer his calls, then maybe she’d wait his table.
The bells on the door jingled as he entered the barbecue joint. A wave of warmth swirled around his face from the raging fireplace. He held his hands toward the heat and the chill from the September night air melted away.
He scanned the small space. Concrete floors. Booths made with barn wood and dressed in red and white gingham. Metal cutouts of happy pigs holding BBQ sauce hung on the barn wood walls. Doubt the pigs in that place were too happy. Collier smiled at his joke and cleared his throat. For a Friday night, The Feeding Trawf looked unusually empty. A few families chatted over their meal and a couple of older men sucked on root beers at the bar. He strained his neck, looking around the corner of the fireplace. No Whit.
“Can I help you?” Reese snarled at him from the hostess stand. Collier’s face warmed. What did Reese know about anything anyway? Not the whole story, that’s for sure.
“You make me feel so welcome.”
“Then I’m not doing my job well.”
“C’mon Reese.” Collier’s chest rose and fell. “Can you put me in Whit’s section?”
“I’m sure you’d rather Lennon serve you tonight.”
“She probably hates me right now too.”
“Who doesn’t?” Reese squinted as her voice rose a few octaves. “But she’s less likely to poison your food than Whit.”
Nice. Collier nodded and twisted his mouth to the side.
“Good thing I’m not too hungry tonight.”
Reese grumbled as she grabbed a menu.
Whit pushed through the kitchen swinging doors near the back of the restaurant. With an arm in the air, she balanced a large round tray on one hand. A few strands of hair hung loose around her face, falling from her ponytail. Beautiful.
She smiled at the folks sitting in one of her section booths and placed their food in front of each of them. A little boy thanked her and she patted him on the head, handing him an extra set of crayons with an “our little secret” wink.
That woman…
“Pick your jaw up and stop drooling.” Reese’s eyebrow nearly touched her hairline. “C’mon Romeo. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Collier slid into a corner booth. For now, Whit hadn’t seen him. Andy, the night manager passed by.
“What’s up Collier?” He gave a high five. “Always good to see you.”
Collier returned the five with a smile. “You know Trawf is spelled wrong?”
“So you keep telling me.” Andy smacked Collier’s shoulder and carried on as usual. “The owner thinks it’s a clever play on words.”
“So you keep telling me.” Collier shook his head.
“Oops.” Lennon came from nowhere, falling forward with drinks in her hand.
Collier had no place to go. He lunged forward, knocking over the booth table. Barbecue bottles flew in the air. Soda drenched his pants. Ice cubes fell to the concrete floor as Collier jumped from his seat and reached for the glass bottles. He missed and they crashed onto the floor, splattering an impressive amount of sauce into many different directions.
After a few gasps The Feeding Trawf fell silent. Lennon stood, wide eyed, with both hands hovering over her mouth. Three shades of barbecue speckled Andy's body. Collier stood, carbonated pants and all. He grabbed napkins scattered about the floor and wiped off his arms. The vinegar smell remained. Whit saw that. The whole place saw that.
She stared at him, mouth closed, eyes filled with words… questions.
Collier shrugged.
“I’m so sorry Collier.” Lennon dabbed at the stains on his fleece jacket with the end of her apron. “I didn’t mean to, I mean—”
“You mean you didn’t think accidentally spilling drinks on me would turn into this big of a mess?” Collier frowned.
“Something like that.” Lennon’s cheeks matched the darker shade of barbecue sauce decorating the floor.
“I’m okay, Andy.” Collier threw up a short wave.
Andy nodded and hurried back with a mop and bucket. He peered over his thick glasses at Lennon. “I think you know how to use this.”
She huf
fed, but grabbed the mop and got busy.
Andy pointed to Whit. “Take fifteen. I got your tables covered.”
She nodded, untied her apron, slipped it over her head, and passed by Collier without even looking in his direction. Collier’s shoulders fell. Maybe coming here wouldn’t help.
He followed her into the kitchen, past the broilers and ovens, and into a break room the size of a closet. Whit scooted a metal chair from beneath a beat-up card table, and sat. He missed her smile, even the one meant for customers.
“Can we talk?” Collier inched toward her and eased into the creaking chair across from her.
“I didn’t mean to run away like that today.” Her lashes skimmed the tops of her cheeks. She lifted her eyes. “I didn’t know what else to do.” She held her arms as if cradling herself. Collier moved a hand toward her, but then pulled back. Now wasn’t the time to hold her. Now was the time to listen.
“Were you, um, are you, we are okay, right?” His voice tripped over his thoughts. Collier licked his lips.
Whit’s chin dropped to her neck. Not a good sign. Collier held his breath.
“I’m sorry about what Lennon did to you.” Her voice sounded above a whisper.
“This?” Collier licked the remnants of sauce from his thumb and squeezed soda from his pant leg. He forced a laugh. “Nah. I’ve had worse. She’s just being a good friend.”
A smirk grew across Whit’s face. Collier’s chest rose. He smiled back and reached for her hand. She didn’t pull away and he cradled her palms between his.
“Whit, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He brushed her wrists with both thumbs. “Springing news like that on you must’ve been hard to hear.”
She sat back and released a sigh too heavy for his liking. “I thought you were going to propose.”
“What?” Collier’s throat constricted. “What gave you that idea?” He worked to swallow and almost missed her wince.
Her lashes fluttered faster than the red reaching her cheeks. “Lennon and Reese saw you at the mall.”
“Oh.” He leaned forward, touching their hands to his forehead. “I’m the one who should be sorry.”
Wedding a Warrior Page 2
