The Soldier's Sister

by Giusti, Debby

  Brody reached into the backseat and pulled out a sketch pad. “I’ve started drawing again.” He flipped the pages and stopped at a charcoal sketch of the lake with a boat—The Upton Queen—sailing toward the rising sun.

  “You’ve faced your fears, Stephanie, just as I faced mine. If it wasn’t for the past, I never would have gone into the CID, and you never would have taken the job at Fort Rickman. But because of what happened to both of us, we found each other.”

  She smiled. “The sketch is beautiful, Brody.” She pointed to the boat. “You even included the maritime bell.”

  “I titled it ‘New Day Dawning.’”

  She nodded, appreciating the significance for both of them. A new day, a fresh start, a lifetime waiting for them to share together.

  “Let’s take a drive,” she suggested.

  “Where?”

  “Someplace special.”

  * * *

  It didn’t take Brody long to realize where they were headed. Stephanie directed him through town, where they picked up a picnic lunch, and then to the open road that led to the place she had most dreaded at one time. A place that had been tragic as well as redemptive, providing the healing that she and Ted had needed.

  Brody pulled into the marina and held the car door for her. She grabbed her purse and the bag containing their lunch.

  “You’ve got your new EpiPens, don’t you?”

  She smiled. “Two of them, as well as the keys to The Upton Queen.”

  They untied the moorings and headed out of the marina, where Stephanie turned the controls over to him. Brody steered the craft away from Big Island and then eased back on the throttle. Letting the boat rock gently on the waves, he turned to face Stephanie.

  “I know your mother must have been a beautiful woman.”

  Stephanie tilted her head.

  “Because she had such a beautiful daughter.”

  Smiling, she took his hand. “She must have known about Dad’s affair with Hazel, but she stayed with him. She was always so forgiving. I wanted to be more like her, but I seemed to have my father’s practicality.”

  “A mix that’s perfect in my eyes.”

  “You know so little about me,” she said.

  “I know you’re strong and determined, and when you care for someone, you’ll do anything to help them. I know you’ve made me think about the future instead of the past, and that when I’m with you the day seems brighter.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. “I know we haven’t known each other long in terms of time, but—”

  She stared at him, her eyes wide.

  “But I love you more than anything, and—”

  “Oh, Brody.”

  “I know, I know,” he said. “We need to take it one day at a time.”

  She smiled. “I’d like that.”

  “Really?”

  “Cross my heart.”

  She laughed and playfully kissed his lips. Pulling back, the laughter in her eyes changed, and he saw the love he had been hoping she would feel for him. He drew her closer and lowered his lips to hers, feeling at home with her in his arms.

  At some point, they ate. Brody never wanted to stop being with Stephanie, so the boat lolled on the lake until the sun was starting to set.

  Pulling back into the marina, they laughed at the gulls overhead. The breeze caught Stephanie’s hair, brushing it across Brody’s face. He turned again to capture her lips, never wanting the day to end.

  But as they walked together back to his car, he knew they’d have more days, so many more. With the setting sun would come the promise of tomorrow and a new day dawning. A new day filled with love and hope, filled with Stephanie.

  EPILOGUE

  “I don’t remember November ever being this warm,” Stephanie said as she placed a basket of potato chips on the glass-topped patio table.

  Nikki opened the ice bucket and dropped three cubes into her insulated plastic glass. “I’m glad you had this get-together.” She glanced at Ted, sitting next to Brody in the wrought-iron chairs near the pool. “The two guys have become such good friends. Ted told me Brody’s like an older brother.”

  “He’s a good role model, which is what Ted needed. The counselor keeps praising his progress.”

  “I’m glad you came back to Freemont, Stephanie.” The younger woman paused, her expression suddenly serious. “Ted needed you, even if he didn’t realize it.”

  “That goes both ways. I needed him, as well.”

  “And your dad?”

  “He’s working on being a father, which is a huge change.”

  “Ted said he’s in Europe again.”

  “But it’s just a short trip this time. He insisted we use his house for the gathering today.” Stephanie laughed. “He knew my apartment was too small for a Veterans Day party.”

  Nikki poured iced tea into the glass she held. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “Everything’s done. Enjoy the afternoon.”

  Nikki walked to where Ted sat by the pool. Brody offered her his chair and then joined Stephanie at the table.

  “You’re working too hard,” he said, reaching for her hand.

  She wrapped her fingers through his, appreciating his concern for her well-being. “Thanks for arriving early and getting the patio ready.” Glancing at the sunny sky, she added, “Even Mother Nature cooperated so we could be outdoors. The weather is perfect.”

  “When do you want me to start the grill?”

  “After a few more of the guests arrive. I invited Ted’s care team and Major Jenkins. They should be here shortly, along with some of the other folks from work.”

  “What about Josh?”

  “He asked if he could bring a friend.”

  Brody raised his brow. “A girl?”

  Stephanie nodded. “She works with Nikki at the Post Exchange. They seem to be hitting it off.”

  “I’m glad. Josh is a good guy.”

  “Keith offered him a job managing some of the rental properties in town as soon as his discharge from the army comes through. Josh is telling everyone he’s only got a few weeks left on active duty.”

  Ted’s smart phone rang. He pulled it to his ear and nodded. “You can do it, buddy.”

  Hanging up, he grabbed Nikki’s hand. “That was Josh. He’s out front and has a surprise for us.” The young couple left the patio and rounded the house.

  Stephanie started after them, but Brody pulled her back into his arms. “We’re alone, at least for a few minutes. I wanted to tell you how beautiful you look today.”

  “We had to be alone for you to pay me a compliment?” she teased.

  His upper lip twitched. “I also wanted a kiss.”

  She stepped closer and snuggled more deeply into his arms. Looking up, she raised her brow. “What are you waiting for?”

  He smiled ever so slightly and then his expression changed. What she saw in his eyes made her breath hitch. She waited for what seemed like an eternity as he slowly—ever so slowly—dropped his lips to hers.

  Fireworks.

  She saw red, white and blue fireworks even though her eyes were closed. Her heart seemed to explode with joy at the same time her knees went weak.

  Luckily, Brody was supporting her.

  “You’ve been kissing me for three months, Special Agent Goodman,” she said as their lips parted.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And I still get goose bumps even on a warm day.”

  “So you like my kisses?” His eyes twinkled.

  “I like everything about you.”

  “Funny, but I feel the same about you.” He hesitated, his gaze even more intense. “It’s not the right time, is it?”

  She
tried to calm the excitement bubbling within her. “Sometimes you just have to seize the moment.”

  “You know what I’m thinking?”

  She shrugged innocently. “Are you thinking about kissing me again?”

  “I’m thinking about spending the rest of my life with you.”

  She blinked. “Really?”

  “Really? But only if that sounds good to you.”

  She nodded, unable to put words to the emotion welling up inside her.

  “I don’t want to rush you. We’ll do it the right way, with dinner and candlelight.”

  “A day on the lake would also work.”

  He nodded. “We could do both.”

  “I got Dad’s permission to change the name of The Princess.”

  “New Day Dawning?”

  “It’s a perfect fit.”

  “Just like us.”

  He kissed her again and time stood still. When she eventually pulled back, she glanced over her shoulder to see Ted and Nikki, standing with Josh, who was wearing his new prosthetic legs. Next to him stood a petite blonde who gripped his hand.

  Keith came up behind them. “Did I miss something?”

  Ted laughed. “Only if Brody and Stephanie have some good news to share.”

  “You’ll be the first to know,” Stephanie said with a wink.

  Brody shook Joshua’s hand after he had walked across the patio, his gait slow but steady. “Way to go, Josh.”

  “Thank you, sir.” He introduced his girlfriend, who smiled briefly at Brody and then turned her gaze back to Josh.

  The military and civilians from the Warrior Transitional Battalion arrived and seemed to enjoy the afternoon. By nightfall, most of them had said their goodbyes.

  Josh and his girlfriend had left earlier, along with Keith, who planned to visit his mom at the nursing home. Ted and Nikki helped with the cleanup and then returned to the patio to watch the sunset.

  “We need a new way to celebrate the good times,” he told Stephanie when she and Brody joined them there. “In the past, I rang the maritime bell when I was filled with pain, but today, I’m bursting with happiness.” He smiled at Nikki and then back at Stephanie.

  She understood the way her brother felt. “Like you, I’m ready for a fresh start, Ted.”

  He and Nikki walked to the bell. Ted grabbed the cord and pulled. The sound was sweet as it filled the night, like a church bell calling worshippers to prayer and a reminder of the healing power of love.

  As the sun set on the horizon, the bell continued to ring. Brody wrapped Stephanie in his arms and pulled her close. She could feel the steady beat of his heart and the strength of his embrace.

  She had come home to help her brother and had found Brody. She had also found her lost faith. Tomorrow a new day would dawn, filled with the promise of God’s many blessings.

  A man to love, a formal proposal and a wedding in the future. On post or in the little brick church on Third Street, she wasn’t sure, just so she and Brody could be joined together in a covenant of love with the Lord, but she was getting ahead of herself. Right now she had something very important to do.

  She rose on tiptoe, her lips so close to his. “I love you, Brody,” she whispered.

  “Oh, Stephanie, I love you more than my own life. You’re my today, my tomorrow, my forever.” He hesitated, staring into her eyes. “You’re my everything.”

  Then he kissed her, and once again fireworks illuminated the sky, only this time over the golf course to celebrate Veterans Day. With Brody, every day would be special; every day would be a celebration.

  As the bell pealed and the fireworks showered them in light, Stephanie stood wrapped in Brody’s arms, breathing in the essence of the man she loved and would love until the end of time.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from SEAL Under Siege by Liz Johnson.

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed THE SOLDIER’S SISTER, the fifth book in my Military Investigations Series, which features heroes and heroines in the army’s Criminal Investigation Division. Each story stands alone so you can read them in any order, either in print or as an ebook: THE OFFICER’S SECRET, book 1; THE CAPTAIN’S MISSION, book 2; THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTER, book 3; and THE GENERAL’S SECRETARY, book 4.

  I spent time with two AW2 advocates when I was researching this book: Nancy Carlisle and Ann Yingling. Both women care deeply about our wounded heroes and are working to improve their quality of life. I applaud all who reach out to our service members, and hope those of you reading this story will find ways to support returning military personnel in your local area.

  I want to hear from you. Email me at debby@debbygiusti.com or write me c/o Love Inspired, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY, 10279.

  Visit my website at www.DebbyGiusti.com and blog with me at www.seekerville.blogspot.com, www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com and www.crossmyheartprayerteam.blogspot.com. As always, I thank God for bringing us together through this story.

  Wishing you abundant blessings,

  Debby

  Questions for Discussion

  Why was Ted determined to shut Stephanie out of his life? When did their relationship finally heal?

  Compare Brody’s childhood to Stephanie’s. What did they both lack growing up? How did that affect them?

  What was the significance of the maritime bell?

  Why did Stephanie hesitate to take The Upton Queen onto the lake? What happened that forced her into the boat again?

  How did Brody turn the pain in his past into something positive?

  What did you learn about the Army Wounded Warrior program? Can you see how the AW2 advocates help the injured throughout their recuperation and, in fact, as long as they need assistance? How can you reach out to a wounded soldier in your area?

  Why did Stephanie feel responsible for Hayden’s death? Who else in the story struggled with guilt?

  Was Brody too antagonistic toward Ted or were his suspicions justified?

  Did you understand the villain’s motivation? Was the villain suffering from PTSD, and if so, would counseling have helped?

  Do you think Stephanie and Ted reconciled with their father? Why had he been so distant for so many years?

  What did Brody and Stephanie both learn about God’s forgiveness and mercy? Have you held on to a pain in your past that needs to be healed? Have you turned to the Lord and asked His help?

  What was the significance of Brody’s artwork? Why had he stopped drawing and what happened to cause him to begin sketching again?

  Why did Stephanie feel responsible for her brother? Did you agree with the doctor’s advice?

  Although Hayden was his mother’s favorite, Keith was the son who took care of her in her need. How was Keith able to forgive his mother?

  What was the significance of the last two secrets revealed in this story?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

  Visit Harlequin.com to find your next great read.

  We like you—why not like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  Read our blog for all the latest news on our authors and books: HarlequinBlog.com

  Subscribe to our newsletter for special offers, new releases, and more!

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  ONE

  Lt. Tristan Sawyer whispered into the mic
that brushed the corner of his mouth. “Rock, are you in position?”

  Night hung over him like a blanket, wrapping up all of his senses, except his hearing, as he waited for the sound of his senior chief’s voice. “Affirmative.”

  Across the street Petty Officer Will Gumble lurked next to the window of a crumbling single-story home. The house—not even a mile from the Persian Gulf—had been cleaned out, probably weeks ago, and Willie G. had swept it again to make sure there wouldn’t be any surprises when they moved in on their target.

  He took two short breaths and lifted his night vision goggles, giving the street another check. It was deserted except for the five stonelike figures hidden along the street. He spotted them only because he knew they were there. He’d scouted and scoped each location in preparation for this moment. He’d studied the maps and floor plans, packed his gear and prepared his mind.

  All for this moment.

  His blood began to pump harder, picking up speed. He tightened, then loosened his grip on the weapon in his hand, forcing his breath into a steady rhythm and his heart into an even pattern.

  He was ready. But he had to wait for the signal that their boats were nearly in place at the extraction point. If they moved too soon, they’d recover the “packages”—three American hostages—but have no place to deliver them. If they waited too long, they left the inflatable boats open to discovery.

  Timing was everything, so he schooled his muscles, keeping them alert yet relaxed until the signal.

  A double click came through his earpiece.

  Time to rock and roll.

  “Let’s go.” Just like they’d practiced, he swung around the back of the building where Senior Chief Matt Waterstone, also known as Rock, wrenched open a window on the basement level and slid into the darkness below. Tristan followed suit until his shoulder caught on the frame. He wiggled, his feet still not quite on the floor.

  The team was on radio silence for this part of the mission, but he didn’t need to see or hear his best friend to know Matt was laughing at him.