by L. Wilder
I held out my palm, showing him the ring, and watched as his eyes filled with sentiment as I handed him the note. “It’s from Daniel.”
After he read it, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his set of keys. As he showed me his promise ring, which was connected to his keychain, he said, “I’ve kept mine right here, so I’d always have a piece of you with me wherever I went.”
“Oh my God! I can’t believe you’ve kept it after all this time.”
“Of course I kept it, but I gotta say.” He took a step towards me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me over to him. “I think it’s probably time we get some new ones.”
“You do?”
“Definitely. When I gave that promise ring to you, I know I said it was just so you’d always have a piece of my heart with you, but I always hoped I’d be able to replace it with the real thing sooner or later. You’re it for me, Harper Campbell. I knew it then, and I know it now.”
I knew he meant every word, but I couldn’t stop myself from teasing him. “Okay, but what if I get fat?”
“Just more of you to love.”
“What if I’m a bad cook?”
“Then I’ll cook or we’ll order out.”
“What if I get stressed with work and all the deadlines?”
He waggled his eyebrows and replied, “Hmm … I know some pretty good ways to relieve stress, if you know what I mean .”
“What if I leave the dishes in the sink?”
“Then, I’ll wash ’em.”
“Okay, well … what if I snore in my sleep?”
A wicked smile spread across his face as he answered, “You already snore, babe.”
“What? I do not!”
He laughed deep in his chest as he nodded. “Oh yeah! You definitely snore, but it’s cute. It’s kind of like a puppy’s snore … soft and muffled.”
“You can stop,” I huffed. “What if—”
He cut me off by saying, “Harper, there’s nothing in this world that’s going to change how I feel about you. I know I’ve got a good thing, and I’m not letting you go.”
“Well, that’s good, because I feel the same way about you,” I told him as I snaked my arms around his neck. “Even though you’re totally wrong about the whole snoring thing.”
CHAPTER 23
Max
A s I drove towards Nitro’s office, I found myself thinking about the day I’d met him. It was a year after I’d left the Marines. I’d spent all my time and most of my money trying to run from the memories and heartache, and it had gotten me nowhere. I was at the airport, trying to decide where to go next, and I couldn’t make up my mind, so I decided to go get a beer from the airport bar. I went up to the counter and sat down, not even realizing there was someone sitting next to me. When he looked over to me and tried to strike up a conversation, I considered blowing him off, but there was something about him that drew my attention. Before it was all said and done, he’d convinced me to follow him to Port Angeles. To this day, I don’t know what he saw in me that day, but that brief conversation we shared altered my life in ways I couldn’t even begin to comprehend. I learned a lot from him, both good and bad, and even though I had no reservations about quitting my job, it wouldn’t be easy to walk away. Nitro wasn’t only my boss, he was my friend—a good friend. And as I walked into his office, I had no regrets.
He glanced up from his computer for just a moment before looking back down at his screen. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today. Is everything okay with Harper?”
I sat in the chair in front of him. “She’s fine.”
“Yeah. I heard all about it. Ryder said Harper had everything under control by the time you got there.” Nitro smirked. “She’s a smart one.”
“That, she is.”
“Ryder said he was taking the old guy over to the border to meet his daughter or something.”
“Um-hmm.” I nodded. “He left early this morning. He should be back in a couple of hours.”
“Okay, then. Everything should be good.” Turning his attention away from his computer, he leaned back in his chair and looked at me with a serious expression. “So, what the hell is going on with you? Why do I feel like I’ve got bad news coming my way?”
“There’s something we need to talk about.”
“Okay. Then, let’s talk.”
“I’ve known you long enough to know that there’s no point in sugarcoating it, so I’m just going to say it. I’m done, Nitro. I can’t do this anymore.”
His eye brows furrowed as he spat, “Done with what?”
“This. All of it.” I motioned between us. “I’m out.”
He ran his hand over his face, which was never a good sign. It was always one of the things he did right before he blew a gasket. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I don’t know what else you want me to say here. I’ve done my job. I’ve been damn good at it, too … but I’m done with it, man. I’m not doing it anymore.”
His face grew red with anger as he shouted, “So, you think you can just walk in here and tell me you’re fucking done? Are you out of your goddamn mind?”
“I get that you’re pissed.”
“You’re damn right I’m fucking pissed!” he roared. “You can’t just walk away. You know too fucking much. You know things that no one else—”
“Yes, I know things. I know plenty. But from the day I started working for you, I’ve stood by you—through thick and thin. I’ve put my life on the line not only for you, but for Ryder and the others. Hell, it wasn’t long ago that I took a few bullets for Tristen. I’ve been loyal to you, Nathan, and you know it. That’s not going to change when I walk out that door. I’ll be loyal to you till the day I take my last breath. Not because of the job, but because you’re family.”
“I know you’ve been loyal in the past, Max, but I’m just supposed to believe that you’re going to walk away and never speak of anything that’s happened here?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what you’re supposed to believe, because it’s true .” I leaned towards him and looked him square in the eye. “You know me, Nathan. You know the kind of man I am. Hell, you knew it even before I did. That’s why you brought me on in the first place.”
He took in a deep breath and shook his head slowly from side to side. “And who the hell am I going to get to take your place?”
“I’m sure you’ll come up with someone.” I smiled. “I think Ryder has shown some real promise over the past year.”
“I don’t know, man.” Nitro’s eyes drifted to the ceiling. “He’s a hot head.”
“He’s quick on his feet, and he’s got heart.” I offered.
“He’s just a kid.”
“And so were we when we got started. You’ll teach him what he needs to know.” He sat there looking at me for a moment, and without him saying the words, I knew what he was thinking. “I know it won’t be the same, but we’ll keep in touch. And you know if you ever really need me, I’ll be here.”
“You give me your word on that?”
“I do.” I stood up and extended my hand to him, but he refused to accept it as he stood up and walked around his desk. He approached me with his arms opened wide, and when he reached me, he hugged me tightly. I patted him on the back and said, “Thanks for everything.”
He took a step back and looked at me. “Don’t think I don’t know that I’m losing a good man today. You were right. I knew I was meant to come across you in that bar, but deep down, I also knew this day would come. You’re too good for this shit. I’ve always known that, but I still appreciate what you’ve done for me, and for Tristen. Oh hell … She’s not going to like that you’re leaving.”
“I don’t know. I think she’ll understand better than anyone.” Nitro nodded and watched as I started towards the door. “I’ll get what I want out of the condo. Tell Ryder, the rest is his.”
“I want to know where you end up, and I don’t want Ryder to have to hunt you down.”
“Understood.” Before I walked out, I looked over to him and said, “Goodbye, Nathan. See ya on the flip side.”
I headed out to my car and drove straight to my condo. Before I went back over to the cabin, I wanted to pack up my stuff. There wasn’t much I wanted to take with me, just a few odds and ends and my clothes. When I walked in, there was no moment of reminiscing, no thinking back on fond memories, because there were none. The condo wasn’t my home. It was just a place where I laid my head at night, so there was no second guessing as I pulled my clothes out of my drawers and loaded them into my duffle bags. I grabbed the picture off my night stand, a few trinkets I collected while in the Marines, all my suits and shoes from the closet, and I was set to go. I was about to walk out the door, when I passed by the picture hanging over the fireplace. Knowing that was one thing I couldn’t leave behind, I took it down from the wall and carried it out to my car.
Once I had everything loaded I locked the door, and just as I turned around, Tristen was standing behind me. “Were you even going to tell me goodbye?”
“I wasn’t sure it was a good idea.”
“And why not? Was I really nothing more than just a stupid job to you?” she cried. “I thought we were friends.”
“You know that wasn’t the case, Tristen.”
Her eyes were filled with disappointment as she said, “Then, you should’ve told me you were leaving.”
I nodded. “You’re right. I should have. I’m sorry, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. Like I told Nathan, you two are like family to me.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “What am I going to do without you? Who’s going to give me advice when things get crazy around here? Where am I supposed to get all those infinite words of wisdom you’re always dishing out”
“Tristen, you’re going to be fine. You don’t need me, and you know it .”
“I don’t know about that,” she sighed. “So, where are you going anyway?”
“Don’t know yet, but when I do, I’ll let you know.”
“You promise?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
“I promise.”
She reached up and gave me a hug. “Goodbye, Max. I’m really going to miss you.”
Knowing she meant it, I looked at her and smiled. “I’ll miss you, too, Tristen. Take care of yourself.”
“I’ll do my best.”
As soon as she headed back upstairs, I went back out to my car. I sat there for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts. It wasn’t going to be easy to leave my friends behind, but in the long run, I knew it would all be worth it. Knowing I still had one more person I needed to talk to before I could get home to Harper, I got out my phone and dialed Ryder’s number. As soon as he answered, I asked, “Where are you?”
“Just coming into town. Why?”
“Need to talk to you. Meet me at the parking lot beside my condo.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in two minutes.”
After I hung up, I started the car and pulled across the street. While I waited for him, I took the keys to the condo off my keyring and slipped them into my pocket. When I saw him pulling in, I got out and started walking towards him. Once he stopped, I opened the passenger door and got in next to him. As soon as I closed the door, he asked, “Is everything alright?”
“I just left Nitro’s office.”
“And?”
“I quit, Ryder.”
“You did what ?”
“Look. I already hashed all this out with him. I’m not going through it all over again with you.” I reached in my pocket for the keys and handed them over to him. “Here are the keys to my place. They’re yours now. Along with everything inside.”
“Okay?”
Ignoring the confused look on his face, I said, “Nitro is good at what he does. So, even when it doesn’t make sense, just listen to him … do what he says.”
Ryder nodded.
“You know he has a temper. It’s best to just let him blow up and get it all out before you try to talk to him. You’ll just be wasting oxygen if you try hashing it out with him.”
He nodded, again.
“Like always, you watch his back, and he’ll watch yours.”
He looked down at the keys in his hand and asked, “You’re really leaving?”
“I am.” I gave him a stern look as I continued, “And when it comes to Tristen, run everything by Nitro. Everything. Even when it seems trivial.”
“Okay.”
“I know I don’t have to say this, but watch yourself with her. She’d be an easy girl to fall for, but—”
“You can stop there, man. I want to keep my balls exactly where they are.”
“Then, I think you’re good.” I opened the door and as I started to get out, I said, “Take care of Nitro.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, man. I’ve never been one to believe in all that happy ending bullshit, but if I have one out there, I’m sure as hell going to try and find it.”
EPILOGUE
Five Years Later
I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes as I dug my feet deeper into the sand. With the rhythmic sounds of the waves rolling in, and the light, ocean breeze, I felt myself starting to drift off to sleep, but I knew my little siesta wouldn’t last long. I could hear their voices off in the distance, and just as I started to doze off, a loud squeal pulled me back. Then I heard Harper’s voice say, “Show Daddy what you found.”
I opened my eyes and found her standing in front of me with BR propped on her hip. A proud smile was planted on his face as he extended his chubby little hand in my direction. I reached for the sand dollar and smiled. “Well, look at that!”
His little eyebrows furrowed under his cap. “It’s mine.”
“I know, buddy. Here you go.” He snatched it out of my hand.
“It’s the first one of the summer,” Harper boasted as she looked down at our son and smiled. When he was born, we decided to name him, Brody Reid Lanheart, after her brother. We intended to call him Reid, but over the past year I started calling him BR, and the nickname stuck. He just turned two, and while I loved the kid to pieces, he gave new meaning to the phrase “terrible twos.” BR was into everything. I was thankful we’d bought a house on the beach, so there was plenty to keep him entertained. Harper reached into her shorts’ pocket and pulled out several shells. “We also found these.”
Glancing down at her hand, I said, “You did good, Mom.”
I was still looking at Harper’s treasures, when I heard, “Daddy! Daddy! Guess what we got!”
I looked over and saw Kaylee, our four-year-old, running towards me with Glenda and Tom, Harper’s folks, following close behind. Her face was rosy pink from being out in the sun for most of the afternoon, which only made her eyes seem that much wider, as she rushed over to me with her little pail of water. “It’s a starfish!”
I peered down into the bucket and spotted a small, orange starfish. I was pretty sure the thing was on its last leg, but I didn’t want to spoil her fun. “That’s really cool, sweetheart.”
“Grandpa found it for me. I’m going to put it in my fish tank.”
Harper acted fast by saying, “Starfish live in salt water, Kaylee. It can’t live in your fish tank. You’ll have to put it back in the ocean or it will die.”
“But, Mom ,” she whined.
“It’s just a baby, sweetie. I’m sure the poor little guy wants to be with its momma.”
“Oh.”
With that, Kaylee took her bucket and rushed over to the water’s edge, setting the starfish free. I looked up and smiled at Harper. “Damn, you’re good.”
“I know. It’s a gift.” She giggled.
Once Kaylee returned, Glenda reached for her hand and asked, “Are you ready to go back inside?”
“Can I have a snack?”
Glenda looked over to Harper. “That’s up to your mother.”
“Something small, Kaylee. We’ll b
e having dinner soon.”
When they started inside, Harper reached for her bag, but I told her, “I’ll get it. You take him on inside.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep. Once I get everything picked up, I’ll put the burgers on.”
“You’re awesome.” She smiled as she bent down and kissed me. “Thank you.”
I got up and started loading up all the chairs, toys, umbrellas, sunscreen, and towels into the utility wagon. I glanced back at our home, and even after living there for almost five years, I still had moments where I couldn’t believe it was mine. While it wasn’t right on the water, it was close enough for us to walk, and the views were incredible. With the money I’d saved up from my days of working with Nitro, I was able to buy exactly what we wanted and more. Once we were settled, I found a job with a legit security detail, in a real office with actual windows, and a full team of tech geeks. I actually liked it, a lot, and felt like I was doing a good job. Harper’s books were continuing to do well, each one selling better than the last, and she never failed to amaze me with the stories she had locked away in her head. We were doing good—really good. It was the life I’d always wanted for us, even before I knew I did, but there were still times I felt like I didn’t deserve this kind of happiness. I was having one of those moments, when Harper’s father came up beside me.
As he looked ahead, watching his daughter and wife walk his grandchildren back to the house, he said, “I’m really proud of you, son. I’ve always known you would, but you’ve done really well for yourself. Harper and those kids are lucky to have you.”
My chest tightened, and if I was a crying kind of man, I might’ve shed a tear or two. My father and I had come a long way over the years, but he’d never once told me that he was proud of what I’ve accomplished. While Tom wasn’t my father by blood, he was in the ways that counted, and hearing those words from him meant more to me than he would ever know. I turned to him and said, “I’m the one who’s lucky. I know I don’t deserve all this.”
“And why’s that?”
