So, it was easy to roll out of bed each morning and greet the day with less weight on his shoulders. He pulled on his uniform and stared at his reflection. For so many years his self-worth had been wrapped up only in how he could serve his country, the livelihood of his unit, and his personal performance. It had never occurred to him to serve one person above others, to stick to one community, to evaluate himself on his relationship to others. But that would be his life moving forward.
“Ready?”
Brandon looked up to Chase and Ortega standing in the door to his home. Like him, the men were decked out in their uniforms.
“Man,” said Ortega. “Who would have thought that when we came here for a little R&R it would lead to a wedding. In just a week.”
“Dylan warned us,” said Brandon. “You two should be on the lookout.”
Ortega snorted. “Yeah, no. I’m pretty sure we’re good.”
The two single men raised their fists and tapped their knuckles. Brandon got the sense that those were famous last words.
The three men walked out of the front door and down to the pavilion near the small body of water in the center of the ranch. A white gazebo trimmed with vines and flowers was the focal point. The rows of white chairs spread out before the gazebo were filled with a few rows of standing individuals.
It appeared the entire community had gathered for the wedding. Brandon recognized the soldiers from the ranch and their wives seated in the front. He also saw some familiar faces from the church choir.
“Thank you for your service,” a kid said. The words were said with a lisp as the little boy was missing two front teeth.
Brandon reached down and gave the kid’s head a pat. He heard the sentiment a few more times as he made his way to the gazebo where his nuptials would take place. Instead of getting annoyed at the sentiment, his heart swelled at the gratitude displayed.
He had served his country well. He was proud of that service. Now he would serve this community. Starting with taking care of their favorite daughter.
Music started to play from a speaker, and he saw her. Brandon’s heart stopped for a few beats as she walked toward him. She was a vision in white, but more importantly, she was his.
Reegan walked on the arm of Pastor Barrett. The man glared at Brandon as he came closer. Brandon stood with his back even straighter. He met the man’s glare with wide eyes and an open heart. If the pastor didn’t see that he would do everything in his power to cherish the woman coming toward him, then Brandon would spend the rest of his life showing it to the man of the cloth. He’d spend his life showing it to everyone in this town that he was the best man for Reegan.
At the end of the aisle, Pastor Barrett turned to Reegan. She beamed up at the man who was a second father. His stern expression broke. It softened into love and adoration. A small smile remained in place when he turned to Brandon and presented him with his bride.
Brandon nodded his thanks. He stuck out his hand. Pastor Barrett’s grip was strong. It also felt sure.
Turning his attention to Reegan, Brandon felt a little unsteady on his feet. She looked up at him with such trust, such certainty, such love. How had he come to deserve her?
A light wind brought the scent of honeyed flowers from the gardens. Mixed with that was the hint of hay from the barns. He hadn’t believed in anything magical before setting foot on this ranch. Now he was a believer that there was something special about this place.
Love was in the rich soil underfoot. It blossomed for those who came here. Chase and Ortega didn’t stand a chance if they planned to stay here for any length of time.
Brandon tucked Reegan’s hand in the crook of his elbow and turned them to face Dr. Patel. The delight in the doctor’s features eclipsed that of any other attendee. The knowing glint in his eyes made Brandon wonder if the man had foreseen this scene playing out.
After all, it had been Patel who’d sent him to the gardens instead of horseback riding. The man hadn’t even blinked when, just days later, Brandon had proposed marriage to the woman who’d been tending the soil on that same day.
“Before we begin,” said Dr. Patel, “Corporal Lucas has prepared some words.”
Brandon cleared his throat. Turning to face Reegan, he took both her hands in his. Once again, her beauty and trust shook something inside until his knees quivered, but he did not hesitate, he did not falter.
“There’s so much we don’t know about each other, but I’m excited for the rest of my life. What I do know is that you’re loyal and fierce. You feel deeply. So deeply that you’ve reached inside and forged a connection. I feel it. It’s beyond my heart. It’s in my soul. Though we’re about to be parted for some time, I understand that you are a part of me, and I’m a part of you.”
It took a few moments for the gathered crowd to settle. Sobs and moans went up. Tissues were passed around. And all the while, Brandon gazed into Reegan’s eyes seeing the same certainty that he felt in his blood.
He meant every word, and he would prove it with actions. After years of fighting, peace settled over Brandon. Once the official vows were said by the two of them, he bent down and sealed his promise with a kiss. He embraced this new duty where he was ready, willing, and able to serve for his lifetime.
Epilogue
His eyes wrenched open. Though he was surrounded by gray and black shadows, he winced. A dull ache spread through his limbs now that he was conscious. His mouth was dry, and his mind was a swirling vortex of darkness.
He heard a voice next to him. Looking up, he saw someone whose face was covered in dark cloth. Only her eyes were visible. He knew it was a woman because of the length of her lashes, the kohl around her eyelids, and the soft lilt of her words.
He knew that she was no threat. Her words were hushed but not urgent. They were gentle but urging him into action. The words were also said on a foreign tongue. The sounds jumbled in his mind, but a second later, he understood them.
“What is your name?”
Four words. He understood their meaning, but he didn’t know the answer.
What was his name? He knew he had one. It was there, somewhere in his brain. He just needed a light to shine in the darkness.
When a shard of brightness from somewhere in the room met his gaze, he instantly shut his eyes. It was too late, a vision slipped through. His entire body shuddered at a pain that wasn’t his own. No, he would not go towards that light. Any illumination would only bring pain.
But he couldn’t keep his eyes closed forever. Especially since the voice asking him questions was growing louder, more insistent. And so he peeked out from under his lashes.
The woman held up an object. It was a bound book. Somehow he knew it belonged to him, and he reached for it.
It was small, brown, and leather bound. There were burn marks at the edges, and a few of the pages were charred. Daily Devotional Bible was written in gold letters on the front face.
With ginger fingers, he opened the book. A folded piece of paper fell out. The corners flapped like a bird's wings bringing it in for a landing.
His eyes scanned over the writing. He knew that writing. It was the first familiar thing. He picked out a few words.
Love you.
Always.
Marriage.
Beth.
Beth? He felt possessive over that name. It wasn’t his. Beth was a woman. Was she his woman?
I will always love you, Reece. If there’s a chance … marriage … always yours … Beth.
A feeling of serenity came over him. He wanted to be Reece. He wanted to have Beth’s love. He just wished he could remember who she was. He wished he could remember who he was.
You won’t want to miss the reunion
between Reece and Beth.
* * *
Watch as true love is realized in
Always On My Mind
the seventh book in The Brides of Purple Heart Ranch!
Also by Shanae Johnson
Shanae Johnson was raised by Saturday Morn
ing cartoons and After School Specials. She still doesn’t understand why there isn’t a life lesson that ties the issues of the day together just before bedtime. While she’s still waiting for the meaning of it all, she writes stories to try and figure it all out. Her books are wholesome and sweet, but her are heroes are hot and heroines are full of sass!
And by the way, the E elongates the A. So it’s pronounced Shan-aaaaaaaa. Perfect for a hero to call out across the moors, or up to a balcony, or to blare outside her window on a boombox. If you hear him calling her name, please send him her way!
Also By Shanae Johnson
* * *
The Soldiers of Purple Heart
* * *
The Corporal and the Choir Girl
The Private and the Pastor’s Daughter
The Soldier and the Socialite
The Sergeant and the Senator
* * *
The Brides of Purple Heart
* * *
On His Bended Knee
Hand Over His Heart
Offering His Arm
His Permanent Scar
Having His Back
* * *
The Rebel Royals series
The King and the Kindergarten Teacher
The Prince and the Pie Maker
The Duke and the DJ
The Marquis and the Magician’s Assistant
* * *
You can sign up for Shanae’s Reader Group at
http://bit.ly/ShanaeJohnsonReaders
In Over His Head Page 10
