A Soldier's Journey

by Patricia Potter

  “Nothing stopped you before,” he said as his eyebrow arched.

  “What would you think about an outdoor play about the founding of Covenant Falls?”

  She waited for the fallout.

  “That sounds like a lovely idea,” Sara exclaimed eagerly.

  Andy saw the denial in Al’s eyes. It was there instantly, but then he looked at Sara. Her eyes were alive with interest. There was actual color in her cheeks. She looked like a different woman than the one Andy had met just days earlier. Still frail. Her face still had that unhealthy pallor. But there was life in her eyes, and Andy knew Al saw it, too.

  “Who will write it?” he said.

  “I think your wife should spearhead it,” Andy replied.

  Sara glanced at her husband.

  He didn’t react—at least he didn’t say no.

  “I think a play sounds like a wonderful idea,” Sara said, “but me? It’s been years since I’ve written anything...”

  “I’m thinking a group effort,” Andy said. “You know the history better than anyone. You’ve read the journals and you live here. You taught English. You love stories. And that’s what this is, but it’s better than fiction because it’s true.

  “I talked to Nate about it,” she continued. “He thinks the high school’s music and drama teacher could work on music and help with the script, but they need someone to put it all together.”

  “What about you?” Sara asked. “Aren’t you writing a history of the town?”

  “Trying is a better word for it,” Andy replied.

  Sara looked at her for a long moment, then asked, “Is there a deadline?”

  “Seven weeks. Josh has some tourism officials and travel writers committed to be here then,” she said as she glanced at Al’s face.

  “That’s impossible,” Al interjected. “Sara can’t—”

  “Sara’s going to try,” Sara interrupted her husband. “I used to think about writing Angus’s story, and then Sam came to us.” She looked at Al, challenging him.

  “Then, do it,” he said with a hint of a smile. He turned to Andy. “I expect Eve had something to do with this.”

  “I don’t think so. I think it was all Nate Rowland this time.”

  He didn’t look convinced.

  “It may not happen,” Andy said. “It’s just in the idea stage, but I wanted Sara and you to know that the idea is being discussed. It’s really essential that you two be part of it.”

  “If I know Nate and Eve, it’s more or less certain,” Al said with a strained smile.

  “I don’t think anyone wants to go ahead unless you approve,” Andy said.

  “It’s not up to me to approve or disapprove. I’m not on the council now, and I couldn’t stop you if I wanted. When does all this begin?”

  “It has to be immediately if everyone agrees. In the meantime, I would love to read more of the journals.”

  “Come whenever you want,” he said. He turned and left the room, leaving Andy to stare behind him.

  “He’s a proud man,” Sara said softly. “What happened last fall, it hurt him. He loved Sam. I do, too, but I saw what was happening to him, and Al wouldn’t let himself see it.” She sighed. “He feels he hurt the town as well as the boy he thinks of as his son.”

  “How is Sam doing?”

  “I think he’s horrified at what he did,” Sara said. “I don’t know if you have heard the whole story, but one thing led to another and got out of control. I think Josh is the man Sam wanted to be and he...” Her voice broke.

  After a few seconds, she said, “I visited him a few days ago, and he’s doing well. He’s taking several correspondence college courses and will be out in a year, thanks to Eve and Josh. It could have been a lot worse, but they spoke on his behalf.”

  Andy mentally added that piece of information to the puzzle that was Covenant Falls. Peaceful to the eye, but apparently there were ripples under the surface. She simply nodded. “Sometimes people just need a wake-up call.”

  Sara looked hopeful but diverted the subject. “What is the next step if you go ahead with the play?”

  “Nate and Josh are trying to determine whether there’s enough interest from the drama teacher and others in town to pull something like this together. I don’t think they would try without you and Al. You’re at the heart of the story. Because of the time element, there will be a meeting to toss around ideas. Can I tell them you and Al are in?”

  Sara nodded. “Maybe a good place to start is with a narrator opening the first journal and reading an entry. Then the actors could dramatize it.”

  “I know nothing about plays,” Andy said. “But it sounds good to me. The secret would be choosing the pertinent journal entries.”

  “I can certainly help there,” Sara said.

  Andy felt her excitement building. Sara’s reaction was far more than she’d expected, and Al’s more or less favorable attitude unexpected. She could hardly wait to tell Nate.

  That sudden thought startled her. How could Nate become important so quickly? A lifeline? But she didn’t want a lifeline. She didn’t want a complication.

  “Will you join us for dinner?” Sara asked.

  “Thank you,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady, “but I left Joseph home and he probably has to go outside.”

  “Please bring him next time,” Sara said. “I truly enjoyed having him here.”

  “I’m sure and Stephanie could find one for you,” Andy said.

  “Al...”

  “If I’ve noticed anything,” Andy said, “it’s how much your husband loves you. I fought the idea of getting Joseph. Too much trouble. I didn’t want to be emotionally involved. I didn’t want to lose someone again. Adopting Joseph is one of the best things I’ve ever done. And when I lose him—which I hope is many, many years away—I’ll be pounding on the front door of the nearest shelter to get another.”

  Sara was staring at her, and Andy suddenly felt embarrassed about being so vehement. Dr. Payne would be proud.

  “Have you ever told him you wanted a dog?” Andy asked in a gentler voice.

  “No, but Sam did, and he refused to even talk about it, and he loved Sam.”

  “Maybe he didn’t think Sam could take care of one.”

  “There’s that,” Sara admitted.

  “Maybe he would like a well-disciplined dog,” Andy ventured. “They adopt out retired military dogs.”

  Sara looked doubtful.

  “I’d best be on my way,” Andy said.

  “Would you like to take one of the journals home?” Sara asked.

  “I thought...”

  “Al and I talked about it. We trust you...and we know you can’t spend all your time here.”

  “You don’t know me,” Andy protested.

  Sara smiled. “I think we do.”

  Andy was touched by Sara’s words and felt unworthy. She had become involved to save herself, not anyone else. She stood. “I really should go.”

  Sara said, “Call me if you have any questions.”

  “Will I read about Chiweta?”

  “Yes,” she said with a smile. “And her brother.”

  “I’ll call you when I hear from Nate about a meeting.” Andy left quickly, the heavy journal in her hands. She felt as if she had a treasure chest in them. She also felt she’d made a friend in Sara, one of the few she’d had outside the military. Sara obviously ached from not having children and having so little purpose now.

  That was why she’d suddenly decided that Sara, rather than the drama or English teacher at the school, should head the writing committee. If, indeed, there was one. She hoped she hadn’t raised Sara’s interest for nothing.

  She also hoped that Nate and the others would agree. There obviously
were troubled waters between the Monroe family and the rest of town.

  Had she overstepped?

  Probably.

  How had she ever become so involved?

  Because she had nothing else.

  How Jared would have hated that thought.

  She arrived at the cabin, parked and hurried inside. Joseph ran in circles of joy as if she had been gone for weeks.

  After a few minutes of affection, she hitched the leash to Joseph’s collar. “Walk time.”

  Joseph patiently waited until she opened the door and they went outside.

  They walked halfway up the trail, then turned back. She should call Nate, and yet she was avoiding doing that. She wondered whether he had talked to anyone, received any response. She feared returning to the nothingness she’d felt in the months following Jared’s death, and yet she equally feared becoming so involved in other lives. She didn’t want to care deeply again. It just plain hurt too much.

  Joseph whined as if he could read her thoughts.

  “You’re different,” she assured him.

  Halfway back, she saw Nate. He was sitting cross-legged on her dock.

  There was no mistaking his lanky form. His hair fell over his forehead and he looked so darn comfortable with himself. He rose slowly as she approached and limped toward her. “Hi,” he said as he reached down and ran his fingers through Joseph’s fur. The dog actually grinned.

  “You should be using crutches,” she scolded.

  He shrugged. “Too much trouble.”

  “Too much macho,” she retorted.

  “I have news, and you didn’t answer the phone.” His grin was downright irresistible.

  “I do, too.”

  “You go first, then.”

  “Sara Monroe,” she said. “She’s excited about a play and I suggested she head the writing committee.”

  “Writing committee?”

  She shrugged. “She’s really excited about participating.” She paused, then asked, “Do you think I overstepped by asking her to head the committee?”

  He stared at her, then threw his arms around her and swung her around. When he set her down, she tried to scowl at him. “Your ankle,” she protested.

  “To hell with my ankle. You’ve just managed a miracle. Does Al approve?”

  “Let’s say he doesn’t disapprove.”

  He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Spontaneous and quick, but it sent quivers down her back. He straightened quickly and his face lost its exuberance. “I’m sorry,” he said. “But you’re a wonder. And hell no, I’m not sorry.”

  She stood there, stunned, both by his action and her body’s response.

  He straightened and looked rueful. “Can I come in and get the details?” he asked. “I promise to be good.”

  She smiled. “Of course.” She started to lead the way to the cabin, but he caught up with her and they walked in companionable silence. Once inside, she turned to him. “Coffee?”

  He nodded and she went straight to the kitchen and brewed coffee, but she was only too aware of his presence. Her body was, as well. She told it to behave. Nate was a friend. Nothing else. She certainly didn’t want anything else.

  After she brewed the coffee, Nate carried the cups outside. She avoided the double swing and sat in one of the two chairs. “You had something to tell me?” she said carefully in a cool voice.

  “First,” he said, “is that book on the table what I think it is?”

  “It is.”

  “Did you steal it?” he asked conversationally.

  “Nope.”

  “Find it?”

  “Not that, either.”

  “I give up.”

  “Sara loaned it to me.”

  He looked at her in total disbelief. Then that slow smile spread over his face. “Can I read it?”

  “Maybe. Now what is your news?”

  “I’m embarrassed to mention it now.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I won’t belittle you.”

  “Oh, you’re cocky,” he said.

  She laughed.

  “I like that,” he said, “and for that reason, I will tell you my good news. At least I thought it was until I heard yours. Anyway, the drama teacher thinks it’s a great idea. Because of money shortages, they weren’t planning a stage play this year. They will readily participate in ours. The principal gave his okay, as well. It helps that the drama teacher and principal are married. We can use their auditorium for rehearsals.”

  He leaned over and took her hand. “You said Sara Monroe wants to help write the play.”

  “She had this great idea.” Andy related Sara’s thought about a narrator reading directly from the journal.

  “Are the journals that good?”

  “I haven’t read them all, but, yes, I think so. Your Angus was a good writer. Succinct, yet somehow he makes you feel you’re there.”

  He stood. “Okay if I look at them now?”

  “Sure. Just don’t take the coffee anywhere near it.”

  “Right.” He went inside, put his cup in the kitchen sink, then came back to the leather-bound volume. Andy knew from her own experience that he would become engrossed in it.

  She fed Joseph, then poured herself another cup of coffee and sat in one of the big chairs and watched Nate. Joseph settled down next to her.

  She noticed the bandage on his head was still there. He barely limped, although she knew how painful his ankle must be. He probably still had a headache, as well. He should be home in bed.

  It felt pleasant having someone in the room with her. Nate was easy to be with.

  She didn’t know how long she sat there. An hour, maybe, before he lifted his head. “You’re right. You’re with him every mile. I see exactly what Sara has in mind.” He reluctantly closed the book. “Have you had dinner?”

  Andy shook her head. “I had a large lunch. I’m really not hungry.”

  She was. In fact, she was ravenous. But he was arousing feelings in her that frightened her. She wasn’t ready for them. She didn’t know what to do with them.

  He gave her a lopsided smile. “Then I should go.”

  She swallowed. She didn’t want him to go. But Jared intruded in her thoughts. He was standing there. Dominating the room.

  Andy stood and walked to the door, leaving Nate to follow. When he opened it, he turned and looked at her. He started to touch her face, but she flinched and stepped backward.

  She couldn’t believe she was tempted, that she wanted his touch, wanted the tenderness that was in his smile.

  But Jared was there, too, with his lopsided smile.

  “Good night,” she said, more curtly than she’d intended.

  “If you need anything...” he said softly, then he left.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  THE FIRST MEETING of the Covenant Falls Event Committee took place at 4:00 p.m. at the community center the next day. Maude sent sandwiches and drinks.

  Bill was at the center when Andy and Sara arrived just minutes before the meeting. They’d spent the morning scanning and copying passages from the journals. They wanted everyone to get a feel for Angus’s words.

  Louisa and Ames Daniel arrived next and Bill introduced them to Andy. Louisa was the drama and music teacher and her husband principal of the school. Nate arrived next with Josh and Eve.

  Louisa looked like a drama teacher. She had dark hair and vivid blue eyes and radiated energy. Ames had the look of an all-around good guy with a ready smile and hearty handshake. “Glad to have you in town,” he said. “Covenant Falls has grown better with the arrival of each vet, and I hear you’re no exception. Welcome.”

  Louisa leaned over and gave Andy a peck on the cheek, startling her. “Nate told us ab
out your idea. It’s an exciting one. I was planning a concert for the end of the year, but I’m really excited about the possibilities of an outdoor play. I think my kids will love it.”

  “It’s sort of a joint idea with Nate,” Andy said. “I really had very little to do with it...”

  “More than a little,” came a voice behind her, and she whirled around to face Nate. He’d offered to drive her to the meeting but she’d declined.

  Josh and Eve arrived next, followed by Clint and Stephanie.

  Josh grinned. “Clint just graduated from the police academy, and he and Stephanie are engaged. He told me I can tell everyone.”

  “I did no such thing,” Clint said, but he grinned and put an arm around Stephanie. “She wasn’t easy to persuade.”

  Stephanie smiled. “He’s a hard guy to say no to, and if you’re wondering why I am here, I’m told I’m the camel person.”

  Eyes widened around the circle.

  “More about that later,” Nate said. “In lieu of anyone else stepping up, I guess I’ll call this little gathering to order, so to speak. I think everyone knows everyone now, but I want to explain why you in particular were invited.

  “This started as a discussion about entertainment for the opening of what is now the Camel Trail Inn. We were able to get commitments for at least ten travel officials and/or writers, which was far more than I thought, and we were trying to come up with ways to entertain them.

  “At the same time,” he continued, “Sara Monroe was sharing Angus Monroe’s journals with Andy Stuart, who recently came here. While talking about the entries, Andy came up with the idea of an outdoor play or pageant about the founding and early years of Covenant Falls.

  “While it would benefit the inn, the idea grew. Covenant Falls has so much going for it—the lake, the mountains, the waterfall and its history—but no one knows about us. We are losing population and we are losing our young people. To be frank, we are dying out.

  “I know there are some who don’t want the town to change. I understand that, but with a healthy tourist industry, maybe we can maintain our town much as it is and develop enough jobs to keep our children here. I don’t mean anything brassy or cheap, but activities based on outdoor adventure and historical interest. We have the falls, lake, streams, abandoned gold mines, even the remnants of a ghost town if you count one broken-down cabin.