by Jillian Hart
He turned in the seat, against the restraint of the belt, to get a look at the shadows in the mirror. The shadow of a young woman slumped in a chair, with her face in her hands, a look of utter heartbreak. He had a perfect view of the Evanses’s back patio.
Lexie. Crying. He slammed on the brake, feeling his armor tumble down. He stared at her image, one of abject pain. She hurt that much? He thought back to her voice, rising out of the shadows, choked with a stifled sob. He’d known he was hurting her, but surely she didn’t feel so deeply about him. Surely she didn’t share this soul-binding, life-changing all-out love?
He opened the truck door and dropped to the road. He paced to the shoulder, searching through the night shadows for her. When he saw her again, his heart became whole. He hopped the fence and humped through the field, seed-topped grasses and wildflowers brushing him as he went. Horses in the pasture looked up, tracking him curiously as he vaulted the fence on the other side, landing behind Julie’s vegetable garden. He trailed the knee-high row of corn to the garden’s edge.
There she was, still as stone, except for the shake of her shoulders. He’d done this to her. He’d broken her heart. He could feel the waves of pain reeling into him. The strength ebbed from his knees. Vulnerable, he stumbled in the darkness, no longer lost, seeing only her. Just her and her love for him, strong enough to endure distance and time. He could see that now.
His dear, precious Lexie. He didn’t remember crossing the lawn or the moment his shoe hit the smooth concrete surface. His heart pulled him to her like a safety net, reeling him in. She sensed him, lifting her face from her hands, already stiffening up and swiping away her tears.
“Lexie.” He was on his knees, helping her wipe away those tears. Tenderness surged through him like a tidal wave, drowning out every doubt, every worry and every fear. For the first time in what felt like forever, he was in sync with the world, as if he was exactly where he was meant to be. He knew now that he belonged with her. His purpose in life, beyond duty, was to love her.
“Wh-what are you doing here?” She went to push him away, to protect herself, but he didn’t let her. He kept drying her tears, seeing the hurt he’d caused and hating himself for it. He would die before he would do it again.
“I came back.” He brushed the last tear from her cheek. “I didn’t realize how you felt. That you felt this much.”
“Not anymore I don’t.” At least, that’s the way she wanted it. She wanted to be able to turn off her heart, switch off her love for him and tell him she didn’t need him. “You can go back to town guilt-free.”
“I’m not here out of guilt.” He caught her hands with his and held them captive, gently but firmly. Her tears were wet on his warm fingers. “I’m not going anywhere, sunshine. Not until you answer my question.”
“You haven’t asked any questions.” Having him see her like this was torture. He’d seen her crying, he’d heard her sobbing and now he knew how much she’d loved him. “I know you said we were only going to be friends. I get that. You should leave.”
“When I’ve only just got here?” He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. “You can stop trying to push me away. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are. You’re going to you see your parents in the morning.” She pulled her hands from his grip. Every fiber of her being warned her to push him away and to keep pushing him. She was hurting and his presence here was sheer anguish.
“Change of plans.” He leaned closer. His hands came up to cradle her chin, so lovingly he was in danger of capturing her heart again. “I’m going to spend my leave right here with you.”
“With me?” She blinked furiously against the searing tears filling her eyes. “What about your folks?”
“They’ll understand.”
“What about Alaska?”
“Cancelled.”
She didn’t believe this. Her heart couldn’t take it. “But you said this isn’t what you signed on for. You said—”
“Forget what I said. Everything is different now.” His thumb traced gentle circles on her bottom lip, reminding them both of their beautiful kisses. “I realized something. I don’t want this to end. I’m in love with you. Flat out, all the way, point of no return in love.”
“You are?” Those pesky tears were falling against her will.
“I am.” His confirmation rang with whole truth and utter sincerity. “And if you feel the same way about me…?”
He let the question dangle, as if waiting for her answer. Trembling, she opened her heart the rest of the way, leaned her forehead on his wide, steely shoulder and let the tears fall. “Yes,” she said into his shirt. “I love you too much. This is scaring me and h-hurting.”
“For me, too.” His hand settled on the back of her neck, cupping her lightly, all solid comfort. She could feel the reliable thump of his heart and, in the silence, his pledge. “It’s going to be all right, sunshine, as long as you agree to one thing. Will you marry me?”
She straightened to look at him, joy leaking into her tears. “You want me to marry you?”
“That’s why I’m asking.”
Hope stirred in her heart, now healed and whole. She could see their future. A wedding with butter-yellow roses and a long white gown, a little house near his air base, spending every treasured moment they could together, the years going by bringing a baby or two and more joy than she could hold.
“There are a hundred reasons why I could say no,” she told him, “but only one reason to say yes. I love you. I want to spend my life being loved by you.”
“That’s the plan, sunshine.” He kissed her with exquisite tenderness, leaving no doubt that he was the one. The man she could trust above all others to love her for keeps.
Epilogue
Two years, five months later.
“Banzai!” A man’s shout rang behind her on the mountainside.
At the top of the run, Lexie Granger had just enough time to glance over her shoulder. A tall, muscled guy in black launched off the lift, dug in with his poles and flew toward her in a blur.
Yeah, that was just what she expected of her husband, back from a thirteen-month tour of duty, glad to be hitting the slopes.
“I’ll see you at the bottom, handsome!” she called out. The only sign that he heard her was the flash of his smile and a quick salute. She watched him speed away, taking her heart with him as he always did.
“Banzai!” A second man shot off the lift, flying down the slope in a streak of red.
“Those two.” Lexie shook her head and adjusted her goggles.
“I know.” September joined her, a friend she’d made at Pogo’s riding stable and Hawk’s wife. “I don’t know exactly what is wrong with those two, but I like it.”
“Me, too.”
The Washington State sky was a soft winter blue, the perfect backdrop as she pushed off, digging in with her poles to join her husband racing down the slope. The snow was fast, the air was fresh and after a long week of managing her thriving practice, nothing could be better than stealing away on a Friday afternoon to ski with her husband and their friends.
He had been back on U.S. soil for eight days now, and after two years of marriage, they had survived their first long deployment just fine. Phone calls and e-mails weren’t the same as personal contact, but they had both tried hard to keep their love and relationship thriving.
As she rounded a curve, she caught sight of a black blur far down the run. Her soul brightened as it always did with love for her husband, for the man who had kept all his vows to her. He was faithful and tender and kind, and every day that passed she felt more treasured by him. Life was blissful, and their love perfection.
As he waited for her at the bottom of the run, she couldn’t get down the rest of the slope fast enough to his waiting arms. Once she was enfolded against his steely chest, safe and protected in his embrace, she held him tight, brimming with bliss.
“I’m glad to be with you again,” Pierce whispered
, low so that only she could hear. “I love you, sunshine.”
His words tinkled against her ear and she shivered, twinkling like starlight from the inside out. “I love you, Banzai Boy.”
“Lucky me.” His gaze searched hers, drawing out the moment, deepening their closeness.
They didn’t need to speak for her to know what he was thinking. This morning lazing in front of the fire sipping tea and sharing the morning paper, talk had drifted to their future. To his decision to accept a promotion, which would largely take him out of the field. To the house that was for sale not far from Pogo’s boarding stable. To planning for a baby sometime in the near future.
“No, lucky me,” she corrected. Although luck had nothing to do with it. She paused to give thanks to God for His leading. She had no doubt that the Lord had brought her here, to the shelter of Pierce’s arms, and their deep, enduring love that was the greatest blessing of all.
“How about another shot at that run?” Pierce’s challenge made them both smile.
“I would love nothing more.” Yes, she thought, it was going to be another wonderful day with the man she loved.
They took off together, side by side and heart to heart, graced by sunlight.
Dear Reader,
You may remember Kelly’s roommate Lexie from A Soldier for Christmas. I hope you do. When I was writing that book, the practical, interesting Lexie caught my attention. I wondered what her story was. Would she ever find a totally trustworthy man, like she was looking for? Why was she so distrustful in the first place? And because she gave Mitch, the hero in A Soldier for Christmas, a rare two thumbs up, I wondered if she might find a soldier of her own one day.
When I met Pierce Granger, I knew he was the man for Lexie. Stalwart, faithful, and a deeply committed Army Ranger. I could see him falling in love with her forever. But time had passed while I was writing the rest of the McKaslin Clan series, and Lexie had a few changes in her story. She was now in graduate school and coming off a painful breakup. She had trusted someone enough to open her heart, and she had been hurt. I wondered if she would keep Pierce at a safe distance forever and how she would find the strength to risk love another time. I hope you enjoyed watching God lead Lexie and Pierce to true love and their happily-ever-after.
Thank you so much for choosing A Soldier for Keeps.
Wishing you the best of blessings,
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
At the beginning of the story, how would you describe Lexie’s character? What are her weaknesses and her strengths? How has her past influenced who she is?
When Lexie first sees Pierce, she doesn’t have the best first impression of him. How does that change when he finds her injured on the slope? What character traits does she see in Pierce?
How does Lexie’s decision to stay friends change throughout the story? Why does it change?
Why does Pierce open up to Lexie and tell her of his brother’s loss? Why is this significant to him? How does it change his feelings toward her?
How does Pierce’s story of his brother’s loss change Lexie’s view of him?
Lexie is struggling with abandonment and trust issues. How does God lead her through her fears? Have you ever struggled with similar issues?
Pierce thinks he’s smart to be friends and nothing more with Lexie. He believes that it’s better to remember how much love can hurt and stay away from it. Why does he think this? What are the signs through the story that his beliefs are changing?
Do you think Pierce’s decision to stay in the Army is right or wrong? How is God’s leading evident?
What role does Pierce’s family play in the story?
When Lexie sits with Giselle waiting for news of Pierce, what does she learn? How does this affect the story?
What do you think are the important themes?
What makes Lexie realize she is totally and completely in love with Pierce?
How would you describe Lexie’s faith? Pierce’s faith? How are each strengthened through the story?
Why does Pierce finally believe that Lexie loves him enough to make a marriage work?
How do you know Pierce and Lexie will have a happy life together?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3033-4
A SOLDIER FOR KEEPS
Copyright © 2009 by Jill Strickler
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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