Heart of a Soldier

by Belle Calhoune

  “That’s him...Dylan,” she explained to the girls, her voice sounding way calmer than she felt on the inside. In response, Regina let out a low whistle. Her friend’s enthusiasm made Holly smile.

  There was no denying Dylan’s masculine appeal. The short dark hair paired with the startling green eyes. His chiseled features. His rugged, manly build. She imagined his good looks garnered a lot of female attention wherever he went. She stuffed down the twinge of jealousy she felt at the idea of Dylan being sought after by the female population in West Falls. After all, it wasn’t as if she had any claim on him. He was as free as a bird.

  “He is handsome, isn’t he?” she asked the roses. All three women nodded their heads at Holly, echoing her sentiment. She felt her pulse quicken at the thought of Dylan being in such close proximity. Although she was trying to play it cool, she felt a huge grin overtaking her face.

  “He’s coming this way,” Regina announced, her voice laced with excitement.

  Holly felt a stab of uncertainty in her midsection. This might not be the most pleasant encounter in light of the fiery words they’d exchanged yesterday at the stables. There hadn’t been an opportunity to clear the air, and it wouldn’t have surprised her a single bit if he tried to avoid her. Seconds later she heard the clicking sound of cowboy boots on the parquet floor, right before she felt a tall, solid presence looming beside her. Holly tilted up her head, her pulse pounding as she met his gaze head-on. His brilliant green eyes glittered with an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher. Dylan took off his cowboy hat and held it against his chest. He ran a hand through his rumpled hair.

  “Afternoon, Holly,” he said with a nod. His husky voice sent goose bumps racing up her arms. He scanned the faces around the table and nodded his head in greeting as he murmured, “Ladies. Nice to see you.”

  “Dylan, these are my friends, Jenna and Regina. You’ve already met Cassidy.” Dylan’s expression as he locked gazes with Cassidy could only be described as guarded. Turning toward Holly, he held up a to-go bag. With a sheepish grin that showcased his dimples he said, “These curly fries are addictive. This is my third order this week.”

  The knot in her stomach slowly began to ease up. Their spat seemed to be forgotten. “You’re preaching to the choir. We’ve been eating them for most of our lives.”

  “Would you care to join us? We can pull up a seat,” Regina offered.

  “No, I’ve got to head back to the ranch. But thanks for asking.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “Holly, I’ve got some free time this afternoon if you’d like a riding lesson.”

  She fidgeted uncomfortably in the booth. “A-are you sure? I wouldn’t want to put you out.”

  “The only thing that would put me out is if you didn’t accept my offer,” he said smoothly, an expectant expression on his face. “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Well, then, I accept,” she said, trying not to give in to the wild impulse to wrap her arms around his neck and place a grateful kiss on his cheek. He was instantly forgiven for being ornery yesterday. Words couldn’t express how desperate she was to get back in the saddle. This unexpected offer from Dylan filled her with joy.

  A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. His handsome face held a relieved expression. “Well, then, I’ll see you at two o’clock or so.” He placed his cowboy hat back on his head and drawled, “Nice to meet you, roses.”

  After saying their goodbyes, silence reigned at the table until it was clear Dylan was out of earshot.

  “Be still my heart,” Regina murmured as she fanned herself with her hand.

  Cassidy turned to Holly and raised her eyebrow. “I thought you said the two of you were just friends?”

  “We are,” Holly insisted, resisting the impulse to turn around and catch a last glimpse of Dylan as he exited the diner. She knew if she did the roses would never let her live it down.

  Jenna playfully rolled her eyes. “Friends, huh? Is that why your face is lit up like a Christmas tree?”

  Regina sent Holly an all-knowing look. “He’s crazy about you. I can tell.”

  Holly felt her cheeks reddening. “No, he’s not.”

  “She’s right. He couldn’t take his eyes off you,” Jenna added. “Just be sure he’s someone you can trust.” She blurted out the words almost against her will. A shadow crossed her face and she broke eye contact, suddenly immersing herself in the contents of her plate.

  Although Holly appreciated the subtle warning from Jenna, she sensed her friend was coming from a place of hurt. She couldn’t put her finger on it, and Jenna had never revealed a single thing to confirm her suspicions, but she firmly believed something had happened to wound her soul. Something life changing.

  Not for the first time, she prayed Jenna would find healing.

  With regards to Dylan, she knew she could trust him. He was a good man, a strong and courageous soldier who’d devoted himself to keeping America out of harm’s way. And he was a forgiving person. If not, he would have left West Falls as soon as he discovered her closely guarded secret. He’d never given her even the slightest reason not to have faith in him.

  This was all foreign territory for her, Holly realized. It had been ages since she’d sat with the roses and talked about boys and tender feelings. There hadn’t been any romantic prospects in her life for eight long years. And although Dylan was a far cry from a boy, she still had nervous flutters in her stomach when it came to him, the same ones she’d dealt with as a teenager with her first crush. In the aftermath of the accident she’d been so focused on getting her bearings that she’d put romance on the back burner. Although it was a heady feeling to be the center of attention because a handsome cowboy paid attention to you, she was determined not to get carried away. Doing so had already caused a big mess and created friction between herself and Dylan. Besides, he wasn’t interested in anything more complicated than friendship. He’d told her as much the other day.

  “We had a pretty intense connection over the past year, but I could tell when we met in person he was uncomfortable with my being in a wheelchair. It was written all over his face,” she confessed.

  “Holly! That’s not fair,” Cassidy protested, her emerald eyes flashing with indignation. “He was taken by surprise, that’s all. Anyone would have felt uncomfortable under the circumstances.”

  “I suppose you’re right, Cass. I have to own that,” she admitted, shrugging her shoulders.

  “None of it matters anyway. He’s only here for a short time, until his lease with Doc runs out.”

  “That’s what I said when I came back to West Falls,” Cassidy said drily. The roses laughed as she wiggled her engagement ring at them.

  Yes, indeed. Cassidy had gotten her happily ever after with Tate. And she was now a permanent fixture in West Falls, even though she’d only planned on staying for the summer to care for her ill mother. But you’re not Cassidy, a little voice whispered. All you shared with Dylan were poignant letters exchanged during a period in his life when he was in a war zone and seeking normalcy. It wasn’t real life!

  Perhaps their connection wasn’t as strong as she’d hoped. In her fantasies she’d imagined a glorious future for the two of them, filled with a courtship, a wedding and a white picket fence. No, she wasn’t going to wrap her head around those pipe dreams. She just couldn’t. Allowing herself to hope for something to blossom between her and Dylan was asking for trouble. And a world of hurt. Because, regardless of what the roses seemed to think, she couldn’t shake the feeling that when Dylan looked at her he couldn’t see past her lie of omission about being in a wheelchair and the complications it presented.

  * * *

  Two hours later Dylan had saddled up Sundance and assisted Holly in the process of mounting her horse. It surprised him how smoothly things were going. With the ramp, Holly was able to mount Sundance at the top of the pla
tform where her wheelchair was level with the horse. His assistance was primarily making sure the horse was steady, lifting her up by the waist and helping her get situated on Sundance. Her upper-body strength showcased amazing power. Despite the fear gnawing at him, everything was working out just fine. Way better than he’d imagined.

  As he’d discussed with Malachi, Holly’s skills were rapidly improving, fueled by an increase in her endurance and a boost in confidence. After an hour’s worth of riding, he could see the fatigue etched on Holly’s face. Even though she didn’t want to stop the lesson, he knew she’d reached her limit. Pushing her past it wasn’t a good idea. Malachi had warned him about such a scenario. Against her wishes, he put an end to the session, earning himself a gigantic smile by promising to give her another one tomorrow. Once he’d helped Holly dismount and get back in her chair, she wheeled herself toward the stables, coming back out in a matter of minutes with a picnic basket and a blanket in her lap. She smiled at him mischievously.

  “I think we’ve earned a little break,” she said, holding out the blanket to him. He looked around him for the perfect place to set up, noticing a small tree a few feet away from the stables. When he reached the spot, he began spreading out the black-and-red checkered blanket, appreciative of the shade the tree provided. Holly was right behind him, the picnic basket in her hands. After taking it from her, Dylan watched as Holly put the brake on her chair, then lowered herself down onto the blanket. He settled himself beside her, marveling at her quiet strength and independence.

  Barely able to contain his curiosity, Dylan asked, “So what’s in the basket?”

  “It’s a peace offering of sorts.” Holly looked him straight in the eye, her face full of contrition. “I had no business blowing up at you the other day.”

  “Are you kidding me? You had every right to blow off some steam. It makes me cringe just thinking how I must have sounded.” He made a clucking sound with his teeth. “I know you must have been calling me all kinds of a fool.”

  “Were your ears burning?” she asked, sending him a mischievous look.

  Holly flipped the lid of the picnic basket and pulled out two napkins and two bottles of water, then reached in again and pulled out two mouthwatering cupcakes. She placed one in front of him on the napkin.

  “Are these carrot cakes?” The sight of the sweet treat had him practically salivating. A low rumble began emanating from his stomach, causing Holly to laugh.

  “Yes, they are. I remember you writing in one of your letters how you couldn’t wait to get one of your mother’s carrot cakes.” She held up her hands. “Doc deserves the credit, though. I bought them at the diner.”

  “She made me a batch for my homecoming ceremony.” He reached out and picked up one from his napkin, letting out a sound of satisfaction as the rich taste hit his tongue. “Mmm. They’ve always been my favorite.” He put a finger to his lips. “Just don’t tell my mama, but these are almost as good.”

  Amusement flickered in Holly’s eyes. “I’m glad you’re enjoying them.”

  Gratitude swelled inside him for Holly’s thoughtful gesture. More and more he was seeing the complete picture of Holly and who she was as a person based on her unselfish actions and sweet nature. Caring. Giving. Grateful. Ever faithful.

  “You didn’t have to do this, Holly.”

  “Are you kidding me? You’ve gone above and beyond with the riding lessons. The least I could do is feed you.”

  “I’m grateful for it, but you don’t have to be beholden to me. I’m an employee here.”

  Holly visibly stiffened and stopped nibbling her cupcake, midbite. Her eyes held a wounded expression. Within seconds she’d masked her countenance, no longer appearing stricken.

  “I didn’t mean—” He fumbled with his words. “That’s not the only reason I helped out today. You’re my friend, Holly. I enjoy spending time with you.”

  Friends? Who was he trying to kid? They were clearly more than friends, although he didn’t know how to categorize her. On some level, both of them knew he hadn’t come all the way to Texas for friendship. Even though things were more complicated than he’d imagined before coming to town, he still felt much more than friendship for her. Denying it wouldn’t change a thing. It was still there, resting against his heart. And it was growing stronger each and every day.

  “I’ve never felt as close to someone as I do to you,” he blurted. “And I’ve never properly thanked you for writing me. Your letters meant the world to me. In fact, hearing all about your life in West Falls opened up a whole new world for me. Hearing about this ranch kept me sane. It helped me stay strong in moments when I thought I couldn’t last another day over there. So thank you, Holly Lynch.”

  She sent a pearly grin in his direction. “You don’t have to thank me. I got as much from your letters as I gave to you. Your stories about military life made me want to be brave, even when I didn’t particularly feel like it.”

  Dylan frowned. “Something tells me you didn’t need me to give you courage. You’re pretty humble about your recovery, but Doc told me all about the accident and how you endured. You persevered, Holly. And now you’re thriving. That makes you a very strong woman.”

  “I’ve always had my family by my side, as well as the doctors. They make the world of difference.”

  The world of difference. He’d felt the same way when his mother had flown to his side at the military hospital and willed him back to good health with equal doses of prayer, love and devotion.

  “I know what you mean,” he admitted. “Mama did the same for me. She’d never even been on a plane before, but she flew all the way overseas to be with me. She pretty much used all her life savings to fly to the hospital and stay with me during my recovery.” His throat clogged, and tears pricked at his eyes. The memory of her dedication never failed to move him. “She was my lifeline.”

  Holly reached out and clasped his hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “From everything you wrote to me about her, she sounds like a good woman and an even greater mom.”

  He nodded, not even trusting himself to speak at the moment. His emotions were too close to the surface, too raw. For so long, it had been the two of them against the world, fighting all the battles together as a united front. She’d never let him down. Not one single time. She’d never missed any of his baseball games, and she’d sat in the bleachers and cheered for him at his high school graduation. He was overjoyed that she’d finally found a man worthy of her love and affection, even though her new life had led her to New Mexico.

  “My mother and I are going through a rough patch at the moment,” Holly said, her eyes swirling with emotion. “She kept some information from me that I had every right to know. Things have been strained between us for the past few months.”

  Dylan frowned. “I don’t mean to pry, but is it something that can be mended?” He knew all too well about fractured family dynamics.

  Holly shook her head, her expression muted. “I’m praying on it. Dad called me the other night. My parents will be back in a few days from their horse-scouting trip, so it might be a good time to try to mend some fences.”

  “I’m sure she’ll meet you halfway,” Dylan said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “From what you’ve told me about your family, there’s a lot of love and devotion there.”

  “Dylan, if you don’t mind my asking, what about your father? In all your letters, you never once mentioned him.”

  For a moment he hesitated. He felt his back tensing up. His hands tightened into fists. The topic of his father was a prickly one. There were still so many unresolved issues between them, so much animosity and bitterness. It was embarrassing to admit to this amazing woman that his father had never wanted him. He’d been cast off.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “Basically, I didn’t have a father. Not one to speak of anyway. He bailed
on me and Mama before I was even born.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Holly said in a mournful voice. “That must have been difficult.”

  He shrugged, not wanting Holly to pity him. “He and my mother loved each other at one point. Or so she says. They grew up together in Madden, even though she came from a rougher side of town. My mom says they were high school sweethearts. So when she found herself pregnant, he proposed.” He let out a ragged sigh. “They never made it down the aisle, though.”

  Holly’s blue eyes shone with surprise. “No? What happened?”

  “When the daughter of the richest man in town took a fancy to him, my so-called father took off in a flash.” He fiddled with his collar as heat suffused his neck. It was tough to admit his father was a man of such dubious morals. “I guess he saw a better deal with her.”

  She nibbled at her nail, then shoved her fingers under her legs so she wouldn’t be tempted to bite them. “Did he end up marrying the other woman?”

  Yes.” He spit the word out as if it were poison. “And he had two perfect kids with her, all the while refusing to do right by me and my mama. He never acknowledged me as his kid, although everyone figured it out and we became the target of the town gossipmongers. Every now and then he would throw me a bone and take me to a baseball game or the circus. It was usually in the next town over where no one would see us.”

  He fought past the lump in his throat. It was painful to dredge up a lifetime of hurt and disappointment. He wondered if he’d be choking on it for the rest of his life.

  She nodded, her eyes radiating compassion and understanding, even though he imagined Holly’s childhood had been picture-perfect. How in the world could she relate to such a messed-up situation? She chewed on her lip. “How awful, Dylan!”