The Marine's New Family

by Roz Dunbar

  After picking up the wicker hamper, he walked the ladies to the cheerful golf cart and stowed the basket safely in the back. “Yes, ma’am, I’m positive, and please don’t mention money again. It’s my pleasure to help. We’ll get the chairs and tables moved onto the screened porch and run up to the market to get provisions for your guest,” he assured them. “Where are you off to next?”

  “First stop is Praise Bee to pick up a gift for Tess, then off to the mayor’s office to put in our two cents’ worth about the Fourth of July festival.” Katie neatly positioned a pair of black-and-white zebra-striped sunglasses on the bridge of her nose as she spoke, looking at Luke over the rims.

  “You have a wonderful child there, Luke. I’m so glad you found each other.” Annie climbed into the cart as she spoke.

  Luke looked across the yard to his son, who was lying on the dock, munching cookies and watching the dolphins, which were putting on quite a show today.

  “Thank you, Miss Annie. He’s a good kid. Things have been a little rocky here and there, but like a creek going downhill, we’ll find our way. I just wish his mother had told me about him years ago.”

  “Well, you know now and that’s all that counts. I’m glad that she stipulated in her will that he was to go to you if anything happened to her. And she named him Caleb Barrett, using your last name. I think in the end, she tried to do the right thing.” Annie reached out and touched Luke’s cheek as she spoke, her brown eyes filled with compassion for the tragic death of a young woman she had never met.

  “She did. I regret not having him in my life sooner, though.”

  Katie shook her head. “You can’t live with regrets, Luke. You take the hand God deals and make the most of it. You have him now, and what a wonderful gift your child is.”

  Luke nodded, a lump forming in his throat at their kind words.

  “And don’t forget about the breakfast after church tomorrow. You will be there, Luke? Sarah is making that delicious breakfast casserole that you so love.” Katie paused, taking a breath as if considering her next words carefully. “She’s been asking about you. Since Caleb has been here, she says she rarely sees you. Is there something going on there that we should know about?”

  Luke was caught off guard by the question. “Not that I know of. But I appreciate your interest.”

  He had gone out with Sarah Fulcher a few times, long before Caleb had come on the scene, but nothing in any way that was serious. Since Jen, he had always felt that his life was too unsettled for a wife and family. That was, after all, why his wife had left him all those years ago, not even telling him that she was pregnant at the time.

  After Jen’s death, when Caleb came into his life, Luke’s perspective had taken a radical shift. Now he actively sought stability, where there had been none before. On the surface, Sarah could provide some of that stability. She was the minister’s daughter, she was well respected in town and she’d had the sort of idyllic childhood that he wanted to give his son. But there was something about Sarah that made him not want to rush into anything with her. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it was there. He enjoyed her company, but not enough for the serious relationship she was looking for. At least not right now.

  Both ladies nodded as if they totally understood, taking his words at face value.

  Katie pushed her sunglasses up with purpose. “Well, we’re off. I honestly do not know how this village would function without us. Three thousand people and half of them don’t have a clue!” Skillfully, she put the cart in Reverse as Annie blew a kiss to Luke, her eyes sparkling playfully behind her leopard-print sunglasses.

  “Good thing they have us.” Annie patted her sister’s hand soothingly before the golf cart bounced away from Moon Gate Cottage down the shady, sandy lane.

  Luke shook his head, smiling as he watched their departure. It’s a good thing we do have you, he thought. Looking at the list in his hand, he called for Caleb to come with him before making his way to his truck to do the shopping.

  *

  Tess drank in the view as she crossed the bridge that led into the charming hamlet of Swansboro. Large brown pelicans flew in lazy circles near the bridge before veering off toward a sun-bleached wooden dock to her right. Several men sat on benches in front of the boats, mending nets and throwing small silver fish to the birds from buckets sitting near their feet. To her left a number of miniature lush green islands dotted the water. She turned off the air conditioner in the car and rolled down the windows, her senses delightfully assaulted by the scent of fresh salty air combined with the vibrant perfume of the white, pink and red oleander that lined the narrow street she had just turned onto.

  She could easily see gentle, kind Livie growing up in this beautiful seaside town. The place was storybook perfect, and for the first time in months, Tess genuinely smiled, feeling innumerable layers of stress and pain begin to dissolve, at least a little. Her experiences overseas had wounded her in body and spirit. Both sets of injuries were slow to heal. But coming to this town to rest and recover was helping her already. It was a beginning and she would take what she could get.

  Her first order of business was to get directions to the house. She had told Livie she would call the aunts when she got to Swansboro, but she wanted to do this on her own. She was glad that Livie had given her a key. There was no need to bother anyone. Besides, there had been too much fussing over her and doing for her lately, and she wanted to establish her independence again—something she had sorely missed the past eight months.

  Spying the police station on a nearby corner, she pulled into an empty parking spot and reached for the aluminum cane that had been her constant companion since she had finished rehab. With some difficulty she stood up, leaning heavily on it. Her left leg was sore and stiff from the three hour drive, but she managed to keep her balance as she made her way slowly into the building.

  “Can I help you?” The bald, portly man behind the outsize oak desk seemed distracted by something on the floor as he glanced up quickly at Tess, then back to the vicinity of his feet. She couldn’t see what the distraction was, but the man seemed very anxious about something down there.

  “Yes, I’m looking for this address.” As Tess tried to hand him the paper, the man yelped and jumped to his feet. Startled, she moved back a few steps, wobbling as she grasped the cane firmly to keep from falling.

  “Are you all right?” Surprise mingled with concern in her voice.

  As he moved to the center of the room, shaking his leg, Tess spied the problem. A small turtle had attached itself to the police officer’s pant leg. Determination glinted in the turtle’s beady black eyes as the beak-like mouth maintained its firm grip, unwilling to release its prey until it had brought him down.

  “Snapping turtle,” the officer puffed, continuing his awkward dance around the little room.

  “Are you hurt?” For the life of her, Tess could not figure out how to help the poor man.

  “No, just has the pant leg, not the skin.”

  “Maybe if you tried to pull it off with your hands?” she ventured, on the verge of laughter as the dance became more comical by the second. For a big man he certainly could move.

  “Not a good idea. Don’t want to rip the uniform.”

  “Of course not,” Tess murmured, as she watched the duel between the man and the little snapping turtle continue.

  This was just too funny and she worked hard to keep her face free of any expression other than polite concern. She had to admit she had smiled more since she had arrived in this picturesque town than she had in the past eight months combined. Maybe Livie was right.

  With one more mighty shake of his leg the officer managed to dislodge the gray-green turtle, which landed with a thud next to a shiny metal bench. He immediately went over to check the reptile to make sure it was not hurt. The turtle stared at them both accusingly and snapped its powerful little jaws once more, as if to make a point.

  “Aw, he’s just fine. Good thing he’s a b
aby or I’d have never gotten the little critter off me. Fierce animals.”

  “Is he a pet?”

  “Well, now, I suppose you could say he was for about twelve hours or so. My wife found him in my son’s room this morning in a box, with a whole head of lettuce sitting next to him. Boy brings home every creature he finds.” The policeman shook his head, smiling broadly. “The wife threw out the lettuce, I got the turtle and the kid got another lecture on appropriate pets. It’s all good. Just can’t figure out how he got out of the box.”

  “Are you sure he didn’t bite you?” Tess asked with concern. Animal bites could become easily infected.

  “A small nip on the leg. No big deal.”

  “I can look at it if you like,” she offered.

  “You a doc?” He glanced at her with interest as he sat down behind the desk.

  “No, physician assistant.”

  “Close.” He seemed impressed. “Are you in town to apply for a position at the clinic? It’d be nice to finally get someone qualified in there. Real shame it’s only open every other Monday.”

  Tess felt a brief stab of panic at the thought of working again. She was not sure she could ever go back to practicing medicine, no matter how much she loved what she did. She just didn’t have the heart for it any longer. She only wanted to forget, and that was an exercise in futility when the pain in her leg and the heavier pain in her heart reminded her each day. She used to believe that God had a plan for everyone. Not anymore. God hadn’t been there on that awful day, and if that was His plan, she could well do without it. She cleared the lump that had formed in her throat, before speaking.

  “Sorry, but no. I do hope you find someone, though. Actually, I’m looking for directions to this address. Can you help me?” She handed the paper to the officer again. The dull ache in her leg reminded her that she had been standing on it a little too long.

  “Sure can.” Taking the sheet, he glanced at it briefly. “You’re almost there. Just make a right at the next block and follow the road all the way to the end. Take the dirt road to your left and you’ll be there. It’s right on the water.” He looked at her thoughtfully. “Beautiful place, Moon Gate Cottage. You must be renting?”

  “Something like that.” The cottage was actually Livie and Adam’s. From what her sister-in-law had told her, it was part of a cluster of cottages built by Livie’s great-grandparents as rental properties in the 1930s. Apparently, everyone in the family owned one of them now, but they were frequently rented out during the summer.

  The policeman probably knew Livie—and definitely knew the aunts—so if Tess was going to have peace and quiet for the next few hours, she’d likely be best served by keeping her personal business private for now. Otherwise, if what she’d heard about Annie and Katie Salter was true, they’d be rushing over to make a fuss about her arrival.

  “Well, my name is Joe Mason. If you need any help just call the station.” He quickly scribbled a number on the paper, slanting a quick glance at her cane.

  “Tess Greenwood.” Extending her hand, she thanked him. “I hope the turtle finds a good home.” She couldn’t hide her smile as she remembered the frantic dance the large man had done a few minutes ago.

  “He will. He’s going straight back to the marsh near the river where he belongs. Just need to get him and me there all in one piece.”

  The officer moved to open the door for her and walked her to her car, keeping pace with her stiff movements.

  “I mean it. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call. We’re a small community and we take care of each other.”

  The sincerity in his voice was obvious and Tess did not doubt for an instant that he meant what he said, but the offer of help grated on her nerves. Everyone wanted to help and she was grateful, yet so irritated by the offers. She was not helpless. Better not to say anything at all. Besides, all she wanted right now was to put her leg up and take a nap. Suddenly, she was very tired.

  “Thanks again.” She gave a small wave as she put the car in Reverse and headed in the direction of the cottage.

  Less than ten minutes later Tess was sitting in her car looking at one of the most invitingly charming bungalows she had ever seen. From the blue-green patina of the aged copper roof to the pastel yellow paint that seemed to lovingly caress the outside walls, the place was enchanting. Several steps led to a wide front porch, which hosted the obligatory hanging flower baskets and rocking chairs that were so common at the homes in the village.

  But this cottage went a step further. The white porch swing attached to the veranda roof was moving lazily with the gentle breeze. A colorful flag sporting a dolphin flapped gently from its perch on one of the white pillars that supported the porch. The velvety green yard was surrounded by a neat white picket fence. At the end of the driveway, directly in front of her, was a low stone wall covered in ivy and attached to the end of the house. The wall had a higher circular opening in the center that appeared to lead to a superbly tended garden.

  The moon gate. Livie had told her about it. Legend had it that people who walked through a moon gate together, especially young lovers and honeymooners, were blessed with good luck. The sloping roof of the gate represented the half moon of Chinese summers, and each tile on it stood for long life, serenity and peace. But it was the view beyond the garden that caused Tess to catch her breath. Like the frame on a fine work of art, the round gate perfectly outlined the water glistening serenely a short distance away.

  Entering the house, Tess drank it all in like a parched traveler at the end of a long desert crossing. Tranquillity was not a strong enough word to describe the place her sister-in-law had sent her to. Calm, quiet, zen, harmony and serenity were all apt descriptions. But there was something more in this special spot. Love immediately came to mind. It was obvious that the cottage had always been well loved. That showed everywhere she looked. The place was a peaceful oasis that was just what the doctor ordered for helping to heal a desperately hurt soul. At least Tess hoped so.

  She wasn’t really concerned with the physical pain she was in. The leg would heal, leaving her with perhaps a slight limp or a nagging ache on rainy days. It was her faith she was worried about. She couldn’t seem to find her faith in God since that awful day. He had always been so much a part of her and now He just wasn’t there. She had given each day to Him. She had always given Him credit for all that happened in her life, good and bad. Bad things happened for a reason, she knew. God had a plan, always. But it defied logic that He would abandon a group of innocent children on the day they needed Him most.

  She had no doubt that He was still here, still in this world where good and bad things happened. She just could not summon the strength that would bring her back to Him. Not right now. She was too angry. Would this place help her to find her way back to spiritual peace? Time would tell.

  With a grateful sigh, she sank into a large overstuffed blue-and-white-striped chair, propping her leg on the ottoman in front of it. Bringing in the luggage could wait. Exploring further could also wait. Grabbing her cell phone out of her bag, she sent a quick text to Livie, simply saying Thank you, and received an equally simple and quick We love you in return.

  Closing her eyes, Tess leaned her head back against the comfy chair. No better place for a quick nap. Exhausted by the day’s events and encouraged by the relief in her leg, she gently slid into sleep and began to dream.

  Chapter Two

  Though Tess fell asleep with a smile on her face, the smile soon faded as she was pulled back into the same horrible dream that had haunted her for months. The dream that replayed those awful events in Afghanistan.

  The day had started so well. She and her team had been welcomed warmly when they’d arrived at the Afghan orphanage with their medical supplies. As a member of Hope Corps, Tess had spent the past several years of her life bringing medical relief to underprivileged countries. That day had seemed just like any other. But then it had all gone horribly wrong.

  S
he had just finished vaccinating the four-year-old girl in front of her and was handing her a wrapped piece of candy when she felt the first explosion. Forcefully, she was sucked out of her chair as she instinctively reached for the child, gathering her close. As the air pressure equalized she fell to the floor, tucking the child beneath her in an attempt to shield her from whatever was happening around them.

  Acrid smoke began to fill the room, making it difficult to breathe. Dimly, she heard the frightened cries of children and the urgent voices of several adults who were making an effort to comfort them. Tess slowly raised her head, scanning the room. It was difficult to see through the smoke, but she could make out glass everywhere. Glass and chaos. Both covered the room like fine glitter. Several women dressed in loose-fitting burkas were lying on the ground, crying and speaking rapidly in Farsi as they began to get up from where they had been thrown. Two of them started to gather children and usher them out of the room as quickly as possible. Where they were going, Tess had no idea, but she realized it was probably not a good idea to stay where she was. She felt a small wiggle beneath her and heard a faint whimper. The child was struggling feebly to get free. Tess looked down into wide brown eyes filled with fear.

  “Are you all right?” she asked the little girl in stilted Farsi, and was reassured by the slight nod she received in response.

  Mentally, she went over the layout of the orphanage, trying desperately to remember if there was an exit nearby. Where were her coworkers? Was anyone hurt? If so she needed to give medical aid quickly. Her thoughts were a jumbled mix. Taking a deep breath she murmured a brief prayer. Dear Lord, please help me to think clearly.

  Immediately a sense of calm came over her as her thoughts cleared. Pushing herself up to a sitting position, she caught the eye of one of the Afghan women, who rushed over to take the little girl from her. As Tess was handing the youngster over, the second explosion sounded and the world caved in on top of them. The startled look of the woman who had just taken the little girl into her arms was the last thing Tess saw before losing consciousness.