Broken Soldier: A Novel

by Clara Frost

  Her nails raked over his back. One hand cradled his head. They made love in a headlong rush, neither willing to wait. Hot water pounded over them, and when they finished, Emily took her time washing Rafa’s chest and back, kissing each inch of his skin as she went.

  They stayed in the shower a while longer, neither in a hurry to be anywhere else. At some point Rafa’s stomach growled.

  “Shall we get dried off and go find dinner?” Rafa asked.

  Emily turned off the water and slipped out of the shower, leaving Rafa standing there, dripping. “I was thinking we could call room service.” She grinned wickedly. “For the rest of the week.”

  “Is that right?” He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she toweled herself dry.

  “If it’s not right, I don’t know what it is.”

  Rafa grabbed a towel and wrapped it carefully around his waist. He closed the doors that opened onto the beach, giving them some privacy. It was going to be a long, glorious week. No, he thought, it was going to be a long glorious forever.

  Epilogue

  EMILY stood behind the bride’s table, her arms around the man that she loved. Her wedding dress swished at her feet, long, white and silk. Rafa wore his full military dress uniform, his chest covered with medals and ribbons.

  The people around her babbled in Spanish and English, and warm smiles met her from all sides. Maria even had tears in her eyes. To her right sat Paul and Christa, Paul with their three month old baby boy cradled in his arms.

  Christa stood and tapped a microphone. “I’ve known Emily for most of her life.” A hush fell over the room. “She is an amazing person, but I don’t have to tell most of you that.” She looked around the room. “For the rest of you, I hope you take the time to get to know her and learn just how wonderful she.” She turned to Rafa. “And so I’m happy that she’s found someone equally amazing. Here’s to you Emily, and you Rafa, and to many happy years ahead.”

  Paul stood and passed his son to Christa, taking the microphone in return.

  “Rafael and I grew up as Army brats. I, perhaps, was the brattier of the two, but I have always known him to be a man of conscience and a man of wisdom. But he’s always had a missing piece. When Rafael was injured last year, I was just thankful he was alive. When he told me he was coming back to Colorado to convalesce, I was overjoyed that I’d get to spend some time with him.

  “And then I introduced him to Emily.

  “So much for spending time with him.” The room erupted with laughter. “But when I saw them together, I realized that it was one of the best ideas I’ve ever had. I realized that she was the piece that completed him.”

  Paul gathered a champagne glass from the table and held it high. “So Rafa and Emily, this is for you. May your love be wider the ocean and deeper than the sea. May you live long and happy lives together.”

  Applause crashed against them like waves. Emily turned to Rafa, her hands tangling in the braids that ran down his arms, and gave him deep kiss.

  Rafa rose and addressed the room in Spanish. Emily recognized enough of the words to understand that he was thanking everyone for coming, and also introducing her.

  She rose beside him, and spoke, trying to keep her voice steady. “Gracias por venir. Estoy muy emocionada de estar aqui. Tener una noche maravillosa!”

  She paused and smoothed her dress, the elaborate stitching and embedded pearls rough against her palms, but well-concealing the faint bulge at her stomach. When she continued, it was in English, “Rafa and I have a very exciting announcement for you all.” She could feel Rafa beaming beside her.

  “We’re pregnant.”

  Applause thundered through the reception hall. It was interspersed with gasps, and Rafa’s mother actually swooned. Christa stared up at Emily, open-mouthed with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Copy cat,” she whispered when Emily sat. “How far along are you?”

  “Eight weeks.” Emily gave her a hug.

  “Are you ready to dance?” Rafa asked.

  “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

  Emily walked with her husband toward the dance floor. His grip was firm and strong and steady, and she knew with all her heart that she was with the man she wanted, the man she needed, and the man she loved.

  Thank You!

  Thank you so much for reading Broken Soldier: A Novel. I really hope you enjoyed it. Please consider leaving a review and telling a friend.

  I'm already working hard on my next novel. If you’d like to hear about it when it’s available, sign up for my mailing list at www.clarafrost.com.

  Thank you again,

  Clara

  About the Author

  Clara Frost is a romance writer based in the Midwestern United States.