He shook his head. The damn woman was a contradiction to everything he thought about women and relationships. If anyone told him he would be crying in front of a woman, especially Leah, he would’ve told them to get a psychiatric evaluation because no way in hell would that ever happen. As usual though, everything with Leah seemed to break the rules of normalcy or at least what he’d always thought was the norm.
The sound of the front door opening caught his attention. He looked up while he took the steps of the front porch two at a time. Penny was standing in the doorway, her hands held out to him.
“Cole, it’s been too long since you’ve stopped by. I’m making your favorite for lunch,” she said, putting her arms around him.
He placed a kiss to her cheek and smiled. “Don’t tell me, Reubens on dark pumpernickel with extra sauerkraut?”
“Of course.” She ushered him inside. “Aaron is in the family room watching…well, I don’t know. He’s watching something. You go on inside. I’ll bring you a beer in a few minutes.”
“Actually, I was hoping you could give us a little bit. I need to talk to him about something kind of important.”
She looked at him curiously. “Is everything okay, dear? Is it Leah? She called me last night and said she was okay and unhurt despite the shooting at the high school. She is okay, isn’t she?”
“I promise she’s okay. I just need to talk to Aaron about something.”
“Okay then. You go on. Lunch won’t be ready for a half an hour or so. I’ll just give you two a holler.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a smile which she returned, and he hoped it wouldn’t be the last time she showed her kindness toward him.
A few seconds later he entered the family room. Aaron had his feet up on the ottoman, the remote in one hand and a beer in the other. NASCAR was on the television, and he didn’t notice Cole walk in.
“Afternoon, Aaron. Who’s winning?”
The truth was he didn’t follow car racing, and he wouldn’t know who half of the drivers were, but his nerves forced him to break the ice.
“Cole. What’s it been? Close to a month now since you’ve been by, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah, about that long,” he answered.
“You can’t stay a stranger that long. Penny drives me crazy some days. Leah isn’t around much anymore either.”
Aaron didn’t get up but held his hand out to him. They shook, and Cole took a spot on the chair next to him. Suddenly his heart was racing. Despite all his combat tours, he couldn’t remember ever being so scared. It was just a simple conversation.
“How have you been? You seem troubled? Is my little princess being a pain in your ass?”
Wow, of all the understatements, he wasn’t expecting that one. She was a pain in the ass. Or at least she had been for a while, but now she was amazing.
“No, Leah’s fine. I mean she can be tenacious as all get out, but that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Aaron turned his head and raised an inquisitive brow at him. “Okay. Is this a beer-on-the-porch kind of talk? Or a turn-off-the-TV kind of talk?”
Cole motioned toward the television. “I think maybe you should turn it off.”
He waited while Aaron pressed the red power button on the black remote. Time seemed to move in slow motion as Aaron set down the remote control and turned to face him.
“Okay, you have my attention. So what’s going on?”
Aaron Allbright had been like a second father to him for years. He was a good man, one who worked hard for his family and only asked that they were happy. Cole was there when the grown man who normally showed no weakness had wept like a baby over the death of his only son.
He never admitted to Aaron, let alone Leah, that many nights he’d felt guilty that he survived that IED only by sheer dumb luck. He was supposed to be riding in the vehicle with Dex but ended up riding behind them. So many times he wondered if it should have been him who was killed that day.
“Cole, you look like a deer in headlights. What’s eating you?”
How could he tell him that he was sleeping with his daughter, the only child he had left?
Damn.
This was twenty times harder than he thought it would ever be. He’d barely slept last night as Leah lay in his arms. Several variations of this scenario went through his mind. Silently he had gone over a million different ways to drop this bombshell on Aaron. Somehow all of those possibilities escaped him in this moment and time.
“Look, Cole. I pride myself on remaining calm and collected in all situations, but if you don’t say something soon I am going to really start to worry. Is Leah okay? She hasn’t been around much lately. Her mother assumed she’s seeing someone, but your odd behavior coupled with your silence is starting to really make me nervous.”
“I’m sorry. The truth is, I’m not sure how to say this.”
“Try the truth,” Aaron urged.
Cole let out a deep breath he hadn’t even realized he had been holding in. Nodding, he mustered all the courage he could and decided to take a leap of faith, hoping and praying that whatever words came out didn’t complicate things.
“Penny is right. Leah is seeing someone. They’re umm…they’re pretty serious about each other. In fact, they’re in love.”
Aaron looked at him for a moment before getting up from his chair and walking toward the window which overlooked the backyard.
With his back turned to Cole, he asked, “Are you sure they’re in love?”
He was surprised by the question but knew there was no turning back now. “Yes. I’m sure. They are very much in love.”
“Huh,” Aaron muttered and shook his head.
Despite his years of being able to read people, he couldn’t figure out what was going through Aaron’s mind. He seemed in disbelief of the possibility their daughter had fallen in love.
“Are you okay? I know she’s your little girl, but surely you knew she would fall in love at some point in her life.”
Turning to face him, Aaron asked, “So, you’ve met this man? This person who claims to love her? You approve?”
Shit. He was doing this all wrong. Not only was he giving Aaron news that was shocking, but he was convoluting the damn truth. The worst part was, it wasn’t even intentional. His damn nerves were making him mumble like a fool. Man up, he told himself.
“Aaron, I wasn’t clear. He’s—” He was interrupted before he had a chance to begin.
“I guess I’m just surprised. Don’t get me wrong. I know my daughter is a beautiful and intelligent woman. I just…” He shook his head again. “I never thought…wow. I can’t really find the words. I’m truly shocked.”
Okay, now he was confused. Leah was a beautiful and intelligent woman. So why was it so hard to believe that she had finally fallen in love?
“Wow? With all due respect, I’m not really understanding your shock over this news.”
Aaron shrugged his shoulders and let out a sigh. “I guess I’m just surprised, and I must admit a little disappointed. I always assumed when my baby girl settled down and wanted to start her life with someone, it would’ve been with you.”
Cole jerked his head back in surprise. If the man had walked up and coldcocked him, he couldn’t be more surprised than he was right then. The words played back in his memory. Aaron had always assumed it would be him.
What the fuck?
Aaron must have caught on to his look of confusion and quickly interjected. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’s a great guy. I mean, he got my daughter to fall for him, right? I guess I just saw something that…and then Dex’s letter…anyway, so what’s he like?”
In spite of his mind whirling with bewilderment, he didn’t miss the comment about Dex.
“Wait, what letter?” he asked.
Aaron dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. “It’s really nothing to concern yourself with now. I never told you about it because I didn’t want it to influence any decisions you mad
e. Clearly that was for the best.”
“Dex wrote a letter?” he persisted.
Aaron sighed. “Cole, please forget I mentioned it. I shouldn’t have said anything. Tell me about this man. I’m curious to hear who the man is who captured my baby’s heart.”
No longer patient and anxious to hear more about the letter, he stood up and looked Leah’s father square in the eyes. “I’m the man. I’m a great guy, and I love your daughter. Now, please, tell me about this letter.”
The loud echo of laughter filled the room at his declaration. Aaron not only didn’t seem surprised by the news, but oddly relieved and happy about their misunderstanding.
“Oh my, son. You’ll have to forgive me, but you worried me for a minute there. I thought I was going to have to smile and nod as some other man came into my baby’s life, despite knowing that she was meant to be with you.” He came over and placed his hand on Cole’s shoulder.
Out of all the situations he’d imagined the night before, this was not one of them. What the hell was going on?”
“You said Dex wrote a letter. Can I see it?”
Aaron nodded. “Of course.”
He walked toward an oak credenza that sat under the window. From the bottom drawer he pulled out a leather bound memory book of some kind. As he leafed through the pages, Cole could see photos of Dex, and the memories of last night came back full force.
After leafing through several pages, Aaron pulled an envelope out and closed the book then set it back on the desk. He turned slowly, and Cole could swear he saw a glisten of tears in the saddened father’s eyes right before he handed it to him.
“I’m going to leave you alone with that. I’m…very happy for you two, son. There is no one I would trust more with my little girl than you.”
Cole was struck by the man’s words but didn’t respond. It was clear Aaron was barely holding onto his composure. His hands shook along with his voice, and tears filled his eyes. So, in response he nodded and remained silent while Aaron left the room.
Once he was alone, he sat back down on the chair and opened the envelope. It wasn’t until then that he realized his hands also shook. He wasn’t sure what he was afraid of. Uncertainty and a fear of the unknown perhaps, but he wouldn’t let that get in the way of finding out what Dex had written in this letter.
He opened the pages and allowed the familiarity of the handwriting to soak in. How many times had he seen these same chicken scratches written on so many things? He took a deep breath and started to read what Dex’s family had kept hidden for all these years.
Dear Mom and Dad,
If you’re reading this, that can only mean I won’t be coming home this time. Or at least not in the same way you all had hoped. I’m not going to lie to you both, I’m not very happy about it either. Oh, come on, Mom. Don’t cry. I was just trying to make you smile. I know you’re sad. I’m sad, too, but I want you both to know that I didn’t go down without a fight. I promise you that whatever took me from this earth did not do so easily.
I love you guys. I want you to know that. Being adopted by you two was the most enormous blessing. The love you two gave me was the best gift I ever could have asked for. I turned into the man who became a marine because you both taught me that there was nothing I couldn’t do. There will never be a way I can express to you how much you have meant to me. You guys truly are the best parents I ever could have hoped for.
My baby sister is what I’m worried about now. I promised her that I would always be there for her. I know that was a promise I had no right to make, but she’s my little pip-squeak, and her happiness means more to me than anything. Thank you both for making that tenacious little brat that I love more than my own life. I know she and I would tease each other at times, but she is an amazing young lady. You both did good raising her. I don’t mind saying I’m proud to have played a part in the young woman she is becoming. It’s because of that I want to share something with you. It’s something I’ve never even discussed with Cole.
For years you’ve gotten to know my best friend, my fellow marine and brother, Cole Bottego. He’s a good man. I know you know this already, but there will come a time that he will come to mean more to you than you may have thought. He’s visited the family many times now. If you haven’t noticed it yet, Leah beams whenever Cole is around. She tries to hide it, but I know that girl like the back of my hand. She’s smitten and has the biggest crush on him. I’m not even sure she knows it yet.
Cole on the other hand, well, he’s a tough one to understand sometimes. Over the years I’ve gotten to know him well. He has a soft spot for my little sister. Like her, I’m not even sure he realizes it yet either, but I also know him well. He doesn’t give any woman the time or consideration he does to my little pip-squeak. I would’ve loved to have the pleasure of kicking his ass for falling in love with my sister in person, but if you’re reading this that means it’s up to you, Dad. Give him a swift kick in the ass. Then welcome him into the family. He’s a damn good man. There’s no one I would rather have look after my baby sister than the man who stood by my side in the corps.
I love you both so much. I can’t tell you that enough. Please know that I died doing what I love, defending our country. Being a marine is who I am. Please don’t be sad for my death, instead remember every moment that we smiled and laughed together. Love our Leah and accept Cole, I promise you won’t regret it.
Love always and forever,
Your son, Dexter
Cole sat motionless as emotion clogged in his throat. He was unable to breathe, let alone speak.
Dex knew. Even back then. Her parents had known. Even Leah had eventually figured it out. How in the hell had so many people been aware of his fate while he stumbled through the years completely unaware of the happiness that was right under his nose?
Leah Allbright. His Leah. Goddamn, he was one lucky man.
Chapter 15
Five weeks later…
Leah had taken the drive home extra slow, being more cautious than usual. Safety had always been important to her, but with the day she had and her unsteady nerves, she needed the extra time, if for no other reason to think and process all that had happened.
Her excitement over seeing Cole’s Tahoe parked out front quickly turned to disappointment when she pulled into the driveway and saw the house was dark. Cole had been working long hours lately, cracking down on the gang activity in the area. Jesse had cut a deal with the District Attorney and turned state’s evidence against his father who, as it turned out, was a key player in the drug ring in the surrounding communities.
The troubled kid who’d walked into the school with a shotgun that day would still end up doing time, but the good news was he would still have the chance at a life once he was released. It made her glad to know that his story wouldn’t have a horrific ending and there was still hope for him.
Not wanting to put either one of their careers in jeopardy, she’d ended up taking a position at a department in a neighboring community. After just her second week at her new job, she was fitting in nicely with the other officers. There were actually other women in the department, so that in itself was a blessing. Her new chief seemed to respect her, and so far she had gotten along well with her new partner. He was an older guy who was kind of set in his ways, but he still was nice and fun to work with. He spent most of their shift talking about his children and how proud he was of them.
All in all, it was a good move for her career. There were less chauvinistic men, and she no longer spent the day being tempted by images of Cole taking her on her desk. She was sure that wasn’t in the officer handbook, mostly because he had tried to argue it was, but she challenged him, and he was unable to provide proof.
She got out of the car and hit the alarm while walking to the front door. The past few days had proven longer than she realized, and fatigue was setting in. She took each step to her front door at a slow pace before she unlocked it.
Once inside, she kicked off
her shoes and locked the door. Not caring about her normal habit of neatly setting them aside, she instead kicked them so at least Cole wouldn’t trip on them when he got home.
She dropped her purse on the entryway table and laid her keys on top. The small bag she had kept with her since that morning was sticking out of it. She took out the package and decided to take it with her to the bedroom. The medication would do no good if it was in her purse and she forgot to take it.
She walked down the hall and opened the bedroom door. She let out a small scream and jumped as she took in what was before her. Several seconds passed before the sight registered, and she smiled.
Cole was on the floor, kneeling before her. Rose petals sprinkled on the surrounding carpet and bedspread. The faint flicker of candlelight cast a soft glow in the room. Still, in spite of the darkness she could see the look in his dark eyes. His love for her spoke to her just as loud as if he had been screaming it from the top of his lungs.
“Cole. What are you doing?” she asked, not as a complaint but in happiness.
Her smile disappeared and replaced by wide-eyed look of surprise as he pulled his hand out from behind his back. He held it up to her, revealing a sparkling diamond.
“Leah Allbright, you have knocked me on my ass more times than I can count. You drive me crazy in more ways than one. You’re tenacious, argumentative, and infuriate me so much sometimes. You’re beautiful, sexy, and sometimes I pick arguments with you just so I can see that gorgeous fire in your eyes. We spent years as friends. I’m asking you now to spend the rest of your life as my wife.”
When Promise Meets Passion Page 14
