Remember the Night: a Heroes of the Night military romance novel

by Nicole Leiren

  Not Cody. Her eyes closed as she thought of the man, the enigma, the unwavering champion of the woman hidden far behind layers of pretend and pretense.

  "If it won't disturb your nap, Grayson would like to see you in his office." Nevil's sarcasm grated on her final remaining nerve.

  Leaving her eyes closed, she delivered an equal dose. "Don't you have real work to do, or is messenger boy part of your job description now? It might be hard to fit 'Ass-kissing Messenger Boy' on a business card, but maybe if they make the font tiny, you can squeeze it in." She stopped herself short of suggesting his familiarity with fitting tiny things into places. That would be going too far.

  "Enjoy the corner office while you can."

  What a sniveling, annoying little man. She couldn't prove it but knew he'd been the origin of the Evelyn slept her way to partnership rumor that circled the ranks the first few months after she received the promotion to senior partner over him. With only working fifty hours a week, no way would his sarcastic, slimy personality ever sit in her seat.

  She locked her computer and headed to Grayson's office. The admin nodded her through. A quick knock on the door later, she entered the inner sanctum. "You wanted to see me?"

  His back remained to her as he stared out the window. "The partners will be voting on your status this Friday. There's concern your billable hours have dropped to a level that no longer support your status as a senior named partner. I wanted to inform you as a courtesy."

  With each word, her organs started a rapid descent to the floor. Heart to stomach. Stomach to her feet. All the while, her brain started on a never-ending ride of a tilt-a-whirl as her knees dissolved to jelly. A courtesy? More like time to pack her desk and look for another job. The rest of the partners consisted of men with trophy wives who wouldn't understand responsibilities outside of work if you skewered the message through their cold hearts. "I appreciate the courtesy. Is there anything else?" She had to get out of there before she collapsed or murdered someone—either scenario possible at the moment.

  "I appreciate everything you've brought to the firm over the years."

  Anger, disbelief, and underlying horror at the realization she would most likely not have a job in less than a week loosened the control she held on her tongue. "Just not my ovaries and uterus. I get it. No further explanation needed."

  She slammed the door on her way out. Completely childish, but she didn't care. She needed a strategy, a way to fight back, a way to make them pay. Blinking rapidly, she made a detour to the ladies' room before returning to her office. First things first: the emotions had to be dealt with. Then she'd figure out starting over again.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  "You keep pacing and you'll wear the carpet out."

  Cody shot an irritated glance at his sister. "How can you sit there? My nerves are firing more than the Afghans in an ambush."

  "Cody!"

  He stopped short at his mother's harsh tone. "Sorry, Mom. I didn't mean it like that."

  "You leave the war over there, you hear me? We're a peaceful family." The accusations and implied judgment drove hot pokers through each scar he bore defending the peace his family loved so dearly.

  The worry lines creased around his mother's grey eyes kept him from starting the tireless debate they'd engaged in since the moment he signed his name on the enlistment papers.

  "Again…sorry."

  "That damn war changed you. Now that you're home, we'll get you set straight again. Nothing like some farm work to re-center you and give you purpose again. Right, Janice?"

  His jaw clenched as he bit hard enough on his tongue to draw blood. He closed his eyes in an effort to stem the rising tide of anger. His mother meant well, but today wasn't the day. Not when dad's life hung in the balance, and the uncertainty of everyone's future maintained a predatory watch on the vigil they kept while the surgeons worked their magic.

  Janice came to his rescue. "Mom, please. Not today. We'll make those decisions after Dad is home and feeling better again. Okay?"

  His mother's accusing eyes softened when they turned to his sister. She'd always been the golden child. Not because of anything she did, more so because of what she didn't do. Didn't leave Wisconsin. Didn't leave to pursue her dreams. Didn't disappoint her parents on a regular basis. "Of course, dear."

  All momentary irritation with his sister fled. She'd been the buffer between him and his parents for years now. She deserved his consideration and respect.

  He nodded in her direction, conveying his thanks. "I'm going to step outside for a minute. When I come back, I'll check with the nurses to see if they have any updates."

  "Thanks, Bro."

  The moment he stepped outside, his phone buzzed. Voice mail. The brick wall supporting the hospital provided a perfect spot to lean on. The cool fall air whispered across his face, easing some of the turmoil and uncertainty. He'd tried to talk to his parents about the horrors of war, without specific details, but they'd not wanted to hear. The gleam of pride in their eyes snuffed out completely when he came home after being shot a second time. No medal for bravery this time. He'd left out the minor detail about killing a man at point blank range. They'd never understand. Hell, he didn't understand. What in God's name was wrong with him? It was self-defense. That was what he kept telling himself, despite the anger in himself and others for not reporting the private's odd behavior. Thank God the review board had finally called and concurred with the self-defense assessment. At least one small area of trouble had been erased.

  It's what you were trained to do. Evelyn's words brought a small measure of comfort to his troubled soul. She understood.

  He needed to remember to share the review board results with her as well. A quick vibration reminded him of the voice mail. Pressing the icon for voicemail on his phone, he listened to the messages.

  You have two new messages. First message received eight a.m. today. Good morning, Private Jenkins. This is Lieutenant Jeffrey Donaldson, commander of the army recruitment office in Milwaukee. I'm just calling to confirm the details of your new duty assignment. We expect you to report for duty next Monday at oh six hundred hours. We'll do an orientation and then get you started on your assignment. We look forward to having you serve out your tour with us here.

  He pinched his eyes together, not wanting to think about reporting for duty again. Less than two months left. He'd hoped, after being shot twice, they'd give him an honorable or medical discharge, and he could get back to his life. No such luck. He pressed nine to save the details. Still better than prison.

  Next message received two p.m. today. He checked his watch, three o'clock. They'd already been at the hospital for nine hours. Longest day ever. Hi, Cody, it's Evelyn. I'm sure you have your phone turned off or no signal in the hospital. Hope all is well with your dad. Wanted to let you know the papers to dismiss the case have been filed with the court this afternoon. The thorn we've been dealing with is now lodged solely with your former employer and their client. A letter of apology along with a sizeable check for your trouble should arrive at your parents' home by messenger tomorrow afternoon. They also covered my fees. I wasn't going to charge you but decided to gouge them for the max possible billing. Take care, and I'll see you Wednesday for the party.

  Damn, she was good…and right. She'd told him if he could remember how Alpha got his sketch, she could use that to win the case. Not only did she get it dismissed but added a check and an apology. If it took an entire paycheck, he'd treat her to a dinner she'd never forget. And, he amended, allowing a small bit of fantasy to weave into his gratitude, he'd happily feed her every morsel from the expensive meal. The way her tongue slid across his fingers… Subject change. The hospital totally wasn't an appropriate venue for such carnal thoughts.

  His energy renewed and faith in humanity restored, he noticed an extra bounce in his step as he made his way back to the surgical ward. Finally, he could be the bearer of good news.

  All joy drained from his frame at the sig
ht of his mother and sister huddled in a hug, tears running down their faces. The doctor, who they met earlier and performed the surgery, stood by silently, a grave expression on his face. Figured he'd stepped out for less than ten minutes and news, bad news, had been delivered. Dammit, once again he wasn't there for his family.

  "What's going on?"

  Janice turned to him, the tears streaming down her face tore at his very soul. "Dad's heart was worse than they thought. He almost died twice on the table."

  Almost. She'd said almost. Nothing else mattered as long as the word "almost" remained in the sentence. "He's okay now?" His attention turned to the doctor.

  "Not out of the woods completely but stable for the moment. I just shared with your mother that his days of working on the farm are over. Time for retirement or a less physically demanding job."

  A myriad of emotions warred for first place in the reaction contest. The hopeful yet desperate look in his mother's eyes told him she needed him to honor the family legacy and return to the farm to take his place in the operations. A discussion for another day. "No worries, Doc. We'll make sure he takes it easy and find a way to force him into retirement."

  The doctor smiled. "I've spent a little time with your father. Good luck with that."

  "Thanks, Doc. We'll be sure to call you if we need some sedatives for him or us when he gets irritable."

  "He won't be in any condition to argue with you for a while, but with proper rest and care, he will be back to his ornery self soon enough."

  Cody flashed a quick glance in his sister's direction. She'd received the message loud and clear. The wide grin on his mother's face indicated she wouldn't be prepared for the long recovery period. Dad had always been her stalwart of strength—the center of the family. It would be a big adjustment for everyone. He shook the doctor's hand before he left to tend to other patients or maybe take a well-deserved break. Cody held a new appreciation for both legal and medical professionals today. "How about I buy both of you beautiful women lunch to celebrate Pop while we wait for him to wake up from recovery?"

  His mother nodded. "As long as we're not gone too long. I want to be here when he wakes up."

  "The food downstairs is served cafeteria style. Quick and easy." Janice smiled and gestured toward the door of the waiting room.

  Cody winked at his sister. "Cheap dates, you both are."

  Janice's expression darkened. "We need to watch our money anyway. Things aren't great on the farm right now and with this lawsuit hanging over our heads…"

  He'd been so caught up in the teeter-totter of emotions with his father, he'd not shared the news yet. "No more, little sis."

  The dark green of her eyes flashed, and his mother moved closer. "What do you mean? We have a hearing this week."

  Cody shook his head. "Daniel's sister-in-law, Evelyn, the attorney I told you about, left a message. I checked my voice mail while outside. Not only did she get them to dismiss the suit, but they're issuing a formal letter of apology and sending a check for damages."

  "Shut up!"

  The grin on his face wouldn't be stifled, even if they were still in the surgical waiting room. Thankfully, no other families were there at the moment. "I wouldn't lie to you, Sis."

  "I'd like to meet this friend of yours." His mother joined the conversation.

  All of the elation filling his lungs disappeared with the pinprick of her statement. "She's a high-powered attorney in Chicago, Mom. No time to visit the rolling countryside in Wisconsin."

  "Invite her up for the weekend. Only farmers work on the weekend. We could use an extra set of hands, with your dad out of commission."

  The thought of Evelyn in a pair of ripped blue jeans, a plaid farmer shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of work boots tickled him until the chuckle escaped. "First, other professions work weekends. Ev works most weekends and lots of late nights. You don't get as good as she is without putting in the time." His chest puffed out with pride, like he was her boyfriend or something, "In fact, she's the only female partner at her law firm. Second, she has two sons. What free time she has goes to them."

  "She can bring the boys. The more hands the better. Ask her." With her final command, she excused herself to the bathroom located in the back of the waiting area.

  Janice elbowed him. "Ev? Sounds like more than a professional acquaintance to me."

  The scowl returned to his face. "Don't go there. I've already asked her to come. She said no."

  "Ask again. Since when did you take no for an answer, especially after only asking once?"

  "We don't have time for me to go chasing after her. She has a life, and I'm needed here."

  Janice's expression sobered. "We'll figure it out. I know you don't want to be here."

  "I can't be here, not for a little while, anyway. Have to finish paying my debt to Uncle Sam and serving out my time. After that, I'll come home and pay my debt to our family. High time I did that. Sorry you've had to shoulder that responsibility alone." He really was sorry he'd been able to pursue his dreams full-time while Janice could only give what crumbs of energy remained after seeing to the responsibilities of the farm.

  "Stop beating yourself up, big brother. I have no regrets. You shouldn't either. We make our choices and need to find our happiness in those choices. You've not had an easy go of things either." She nudged him again. "At least none of the cows have tried to shoot me."

  He recognized the statement for what it was—an effort to make him smile. He opened his mouth to reply when their mom rejoined them.

  "Are you going to feed me or not?"

  He extended both arms to escort them. "It would be my honor."

  Later that night, after visiting hours had ended, he stared at the ceiling of his childhood room. After an indeterminate amount of time had passed, he dialed Evelyn's number. He'd wanted to call earlier, but with the meddling women in his family, there was a grand fear one of them would snatch the phone from him. He didn't need that kind of embarrassment which prompted him to use extra caution and wait until they turned in for the night.

  "Hello?"

  "Hey, sweetheart. Sorry to call so late again. Been a long day."

  "How's your dad?" Anxiety and worry laced each syllable of the question.

  He kicked himself again for not calling her earlier with an update.

  "Rough time in surgery, but he's a tough ol' bird and is now in critical but stable condition."

  "Good. I've been worried."

  Guilt, raw and uncensored, poured into his heart. She'd done so much for his family. He was an ass. "God, I'm sorry, Ev."

  "Hey, no apologies. You were focused on your family. That's the way it should be."

  Wanting her to know how much her call earlier in the day had meant to him, he smiled. "Speaking of family, you're the hero of the day."

  She chuckled. "Pretty sure the surgeon or your dad should fill that spot."

  "Okay, they can be the hero. You're the heroine. Thanks for doing what you do and doing it so damn well."

  "Just doing my job."

  "Maybe, but your clients are very grateful. I want to say thank you with a fancy-shmansy dinner, one befitting your heroine status." His mother's voice urged him from the corner of his mind. Ask her again. "I want to buy you dinner. Mom and Janice want you and the boys to be our guests on the farm."

  "That's very sweet of them, but…"

  "You can't. I know." The irritation in his voice surprised even him.

  "But I want to. I really do. I have so much going on right now. I just can't be away. Please. I promise to try to find some time to come see where you grew up. I'm sorry."

  Despite his irritation, he picked up something in her voice. Something not good. "What's wrong?"

  "I really don't want to talk about it right now. It's been a long day, and I know it has been for you too."

  His neck may never recover from the constant whiplash of her opening up and shutting him out. He blew out a long breath. "I appreciate th
e explanation about the farm, and I understand. Convincing my mom and sis is another story, but I'll work on it. As for whatever's bothering you, I wish you would open up and trust me. You need to let someone in, Ev. You don't have to do this by yourself."

  There was a long pause, and he hoped that meant she was ready to share. "It's work stuff, and if I start talking about it, I'll cry. I don't want to cry anymore tonight. Now that I know your dad is okay, I want to crawl into bed and call it a day."

  "Get some rest. I'll try to call when I can. Need to focus on the family and everything with dad."

  "I understand. Good night, Cody."

  "Good night, Evelyn." He ended the call and tossed the phone on the couch. She'd asked for time—yet again—and he would give her a little more, but he was nearing the end of his patience. His time in Afghanistan brought him clarity. Life was a precious gift. Surviving the bullets had given him not one but two chances to make the most of that gift. Despite the aggravation she caused, he'd found an underlying sense of peace when he was with Evelyn. She brought out his creative side and fueled his need to protect her. Ironically, he was pretty sure the one person she needed protection from the most was herself.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Evelyn tried to share in the boys' excitement over going to their grandmother's house tonight. Normally, she wouldn't allow them to go to a party in the middle of the week, but no other night would work. Her sister was making the final move to live with her new family in Mississippi this weekend. Tears threatened again. She hadn't heard anything more from Cody, but that didn't surprise her. He'd mentioned focusing on his family, which made perfect sense. He had a lot going on in his life too. As the boys bounded down the stairs with their sport coats in hand, maternal pride surged. Despite the curveballs life had been hurling at them lately, she knew underneath all the attitude, they were amazing kids. This realization was one of many that had come to her during the sleepless nights she continued to endure.