by Leanne Banks
Angie shrugged. “Sorry. I guess I’m tired from the dinner event last night.”
“We should give the girl a break,” Rose said. “Look at those circles under her eyes. Been burning the candle at both ends?”
Angie automatically lifted her finger to touch beneath her eyes. She rarely wore much makeup, but she realized she should have reached for the concealer this morning. “I’m sure I’ll be better tomorrow.”
The three women finished the cleanup in record time.
Her brother Austin appeared in the doorway. “Any chance there’s more pie left?” he asked.
Rose gave her husband a hug. “You’re in luck. Angie brought two.”
Angie felt her heart twist at the easy affection the couple displayed. She wondered if Forrest would ever be able to express his feelings for her with such ease.
“Hey,” Haley said, grabbing Angie’s hand. “I wanted to ask your opinion on something for ROOTS, but I left it upstairs. Come with me. We’ll be right back,” she said to Rose and Austin.
“No worries,” Austin said. “We have pie to keep us company.”
Rose gently nudged him. “Silly.”
Angie followed her sister upstairs to a small office where Haley closed the door behind them. “What’s on your mind?” Angie asked.
“I’m more concerned about what’s on your mind, especially after that discussion we had at lunch last week. You seem very distracted today,” Haley said, and squeezed Angie’s shoulder. “I’m worried about you. What’s going on?”
Angie sighed and turned away. Darn Haley’s intuition. Her sister had always sensed when something was wrong with Angie. “Forrest didn’t just help with the dinner. He stayed overnight,” Angie said and met her sister’s gaze.
Haley opened her mouth then closed it. “I don’t know what to say. Are you okay?”
“I’m wonderful,” Angie said. “It was the most amazing night of my life, and I have no regrets. I’m just not sure Forrest feels the same way.”
“Why not? From what you’ve said, he doesn’t seem the type to conquer and disappear.”
“He’s not,” Angie said. “I think he was upset when he first found out that I was a virgin, but we got past it. The problem was that he had a terrible nightmare. He wouldn’t talk about it, but I’m sure it was about Iraq, and from the way he acted, it wasn’t the first time it had happened.”
“Hmm,” Haley said. “I was worried about this. Post-traumatic stress disorder isn’t only hard on soldiers, but also hard on everyone around them. This may be more difficult than you planned, and maybe he’s not the right one for—”
Angie lifted her hand. “Don’t even suggest it. Forrest is a complicated man, but he’s worth everything to me. Besides, if you think about it, we’re all complicated. Look at our family background. How’s that for messy? How about some of the kids who come into ROOTS? How complicated are they? You haven’t shied away from tough situations. Why should I?”
Haley sighed and gave a wry smile. “Because you’re my little sister and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Your little sister has grown up. I’m finally in love, Haley. Don’t tell me to give up on the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
Chapter Ten
Forrest bounced Clay’s son Bennett on his knee while Antonia put the finishing touches on dinner. Antonia had timed things so that the kids would get a nap before dinner. Forrest could tell she was a natural mother and wouldn’t be surprised if Clay and Antonia ended up with a whole passel of kids. If anyone could handle them, Clay and Antonia could.
At the moment, Clay was hauling the baby, Lucy, in some kind of contraption on his chest while he set the table. “Are you sure I can’t help?” Forrest asked.
“You’re taking care of Bennett,” Antonia called. “You’re helping.”
A couple moments later, Antonia entered the den. “Dinner is served.” She lifted her hands to Bennett. “Let’s wash our hands, big boy.”
Bennett shot her a sweet smile and scrambled toward her. His nephew made some kind of unintelligible noise, but it sounded happy, so that was good enough for Forrest. He rose from the couch to go to the table and a sharp pain shot through his leg. He winced.
“Leg bothering you?” Clay asked. “You’re gonna need to be careful with the holidays coming up. It will be easy for you to do too much.”
Forrest knew he’d given his leg a workout yesterday for the military family dinner, but he wondered if his lovemaking with Angie added to his pain. Maybe he deserved it, he thought. What had he been thinking, getting involved with Angie? She was way too sweet and innocent for someone like him. Angie may have gone through some rough times in her life, but she didn’t act like she had any baggage. Forrest had a leg that didn’t work right and these damned nightmares.
He hadn’t told her that the nightmare he’d had last night was hardly a one-time occurrence, but he’d been scared spitless to go back to sleep. What if he’d accidentally hurt her by thrashing around?
He’d been fooling himself if he thought something between them would work. What was worse, though, was that he’d fooled her too. She didn’t deserve to have to suffer heartache because of him. Angie kept calling him her so-called hero, but he knew the truth. There were times that he could barely hold himself together.
“Hey. Stop frowning at your plate,” Clay said, drawing him out of his reverie. “You’ll hurt Antonia’s feelings. Act a little cheerful. At least you’re getting a good meal tonight.”
“Sorry,” Forrest said. “My mind was on something else. The food looks great and you were nice to invite me.”
Antonia entered the room with Bennett in tow. “Well, of course you’re invited,” she said as she helped Bennett into his high chair. “You’re family. Which means you should be joining us for other meals,” she said with a meaningful glance.
“I’m just trying to give the lovebirds the chance to adjust to each other. Plus, with the babies, you two need every moment you can grab together,” Forrest said.
“Well, we would like some more moments with you. Stop being such a stranger,” she said, putting her hand over his. “And now, let’s have a blessing and eat during our babies’ happy hour, which may last twenty minutes.”
After dinner, Forrest returned to his suite in the boardinghouse. He wasn’t tired, so he took a walk in the snow. He couldn’t help remembering taking the same path with Angie when he’d been sick. Looking up at the full moon, he fought the urge to howl. He sure as hell felt like a dog. Angie deserved better, but she’d been too hard for him to resist.
He took a deep breath and remembered staring at that same moon in the Iraq desert. He shouldn’t pity himself. There was someone else out there now in that desert defending our country.
Forrest sucked in another deep breath and returned home. His leg ached as he walked inside the den. A dozen football games beckoned, but his mind was too busy. His guilt was too strong. He’d taken Angie’s innocence and he shouldn’t have. She deserved a man who was different than he was. A man who didn’t dodge bullets in his dreams. A man who didn’t panic at the sound of a car backfiring.
Even after his walk, Forrest was still restless. He decided to take a hot shower and immediately turn in. Praying for sleep, he sank onto his bed and, for once, his prayers were answered.
The following morning when Forrest awakened, he knew he had to talk to Angie. He showered, fixed himself a piece of toast then called her cell.
“Hi,” she said in breathy voice that grabbed at his gut. “How was your Thanksgiving?”
“Antonia fixed a great meal and the kids went to sleep early,” he said.
“You lucky duck,” she said with a sexy giggle.
His gut twisted again, but he knew what he had to do. “I need to talk to you. When can we get together?”
“I’m at a retirement home right now,” she said. “And I’ve got three more on my schedule today.”
“Retirement home?” he echoed.
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br /> “Yep. I’m decorating for Christmas. Some of them are adamant that I don’t put up a tree before Thanksgiving. I decorated several others a couple weeks before Thanksgiving.”
Forrest looked at his den, which was completely free of Christmas decorations. “Wow. Who knew? I thought it was rushing decorations before December tenth.”
“Apparently, some people agree with you. I could take a break for lunch. Would that work?” she asked.
“Yes,” Forrest said. “But I have to be back for my brother’s wedding.”
“Oh, that’s right. So exciting,” she said.
“Yeah,” Forrest said, but wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic. “I’ll meet you at noon. Where will you be?”
“Thunder Canyon Retirement Center. Please bring two sandwiches,” she said.
As he drove to the retirement center, Forrest tried to put together the words he needed to say to Angie. Nothing sounded right. He picked up a couple sandwiches and walked inside, looking for her.
Forrest immediately spotted her decorating a Christmas tree in the lobby. There were enough multicolored lights on that tree to choke a reindeer. “Hi,” he said.
Angie immediately turned toward him with a smile that lifted his heart and broke it at the same time. “Hi to you,” she said. “And look, you brought food.”
“You asked for—”
“And you delivered,” she said. “Let’s eat in the activity room. Despite its name, it’s quieter at this time of day because everyone’s getting lunch.”
She led him to a room with long windows that invited the sun. Sitting at a table, she invited him to do the same. “Isn’t this nice?”
“Not bad,” he said and pulled out the sandwiches. “Here’s yours. I took a guess and added more vegetables and less meat.”
“Perfect,” she said with a smile and unwrapped the sandwich. She took a bite and gave a groan. “Delicious.”
“You must be starving,” he said, amused despite what he needed to say to her.
“I am,” she admitted and took another bite. “My sister made an amazing meal yesterday, but something strange happened and I’m hungry again today,” she said, lifting her hand in consternation.
“I know what you mean,” Forrest said. “Antonia prepared a great dinner last night, but now, it’s like it never happened.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked, lifting her fist to his for a fist-bump. Angie took several bites of her sandwich. “This is perfect.”
He chuckled. “Food is always perfect when you’re hungry.”
She nodded and gobbled most of the rest of her sandwich. “Thank you,” she said. “You saved my life.”
Forrest’s heart sank. She wouldn’t be thinking he’d saved her life in a few moments. “We need to talk about the other night.”
“You were amazing,” she said. “I’ll never regret that you were my first.”
Forrest bit his lip. This was going to be horrible. “Angie,” he said, forcing himself to do the right thing. “What we did that night—”
His cell phone rang. Forrest glanced at it and saw his brother’s number in the caller ID. He swore under his breath. “Sorry, just a minute,” he said and answered the phone.
“Forrest, I need your help,” Clay said. “We just heard from the minister who agreed to marry Antonia and me. He’s stuck in Kansas. Antonia is freakin’ out. I’ve never seen her this way,” he said in a low voice. “We need to find another minister or go to the justice of the peace.”
“Give me a couple minutes and I’ll call you back. Let me see what I can do,” Forrest said.
“Don’t take too long,” Clay said.
“I won’t,” Forrest said and hung up. “Do you know anyone who could conduct a marriage ceremony for my brother and Antonia?”
Angie blinked. “What happened?”
“The minister is stuck in Kansas. We need someone else. Today.”
“Give me a minute,” she said, putting her finger to her mouth as she searched her mind for a long moment. “I have an idea,” she said. “Let me make a call.” He watched her punch in a few numbers. “Mary, how are you?” Silence followed. “Just curious. Do you still have your license to marry people?”
Silence followed again. “Great,” she said, glancing at Forrest and nodded.
“Can you do a marriage ceremony this afternoon?”
Angie ended the call and turned to Forrest. “Mary Hillbocken will conduct the ceremony in an hour, but you have to go to her house.”
“Hillbocken?” Forrest echoed. “Where does she live?”
“About an hour outside of town,” Angie said. “She’s a little kooky, but she can get the job done as long as you have the license taken care of.”
“That’s all good,” Forrest said. “I’ll call Clay.”
“And remember, you’ll need two witnesses. Mary only has cats and sheep. Lots of cats and sheep.”
Forrest nodded. “Then plan on being a witness,” he said. “I don’t think a sheep or cat can sign.”
Two hours later, Clay, Antonia, the two babies, Forrest and Angie stood in the living room of Mary Hillbocken’s house. Mary owned ten cats and thirteen sheep. She was a sweet eighty-six-year-old lady with the legal ability to marry people. Dressed in fatigues and lace, she was ready to do her job today.
She cackled as she saw Angie. “Good to see you, girl,” she said. “It’s a good day for a wedding today, isn’t it? Thanksgiving day,” Mary said.
Angie hugged the woman. “Day after Thanksgiving, Mary. You should be shopping today.”
Mary shook her head. “I only shop online these days. Now, are you getting married?”
Forrest gulped. “My brother and his fiancée,” he quickly corrected.
“And look at those little babies. What a fine life you’ll have,” Mary said.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Clay said. “We appreciate you coming through at the last minute.”
“My pleasure,” she said. “You’re a lovely couple. Let me get my robe for the occasion.”
She left the room and returned a few moments later wearing a black robe and carrying a book. She brought a sheet of paper inscribed with calligraphy. “I can fill in your names after the ceremony. Do you have a preference for your vows?”
“We’re happy with traditional vows,” Antonia said as she jiggled her baby, Lucy. “Without the obey clause, of course.”
Mary cackled again. “I never include that one,” she said. “Unless the husband wants to make the promise.”
Clay nodded as he held Bennett. “Tradition works for me.”
“Okay, then, have your witnesses hold your babies during the ceremony. I want your full attention on your oaths,” Mary said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Clay said and handed Bennett to Forrest. Antonia handed off Lucy to Angie.
“We are gathered here together to join a man and woman in holy matrimony. It is one of the most holy, amazing events that can occur in our world, past and modern...”
Forrest held his nephew as Mary continued the makeshift ceremony. Despite the sudden nature of the event, the woman made it feel special and intimate. She mentioned the children and their future.
“And our beloved witnesses, Forrest and Angie, I charge you with supporting this loving couple and their family as they face their challenges and joys.”
Mary then continued to lead Clay and Antonia in their vows.
“I love you,” Antonia said impulsively.
“I love you,” Clay responded.
Forrest felt his chest grow tight at the emotion that flowed between his brother and Antonia. Bennett began to squirm.
Mary smiled. “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” she said. “You may kiss your bride.”
Clay pulled Antonia into his arms and kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss. Bennett babbled in happy delight while baby Lucy snored. Forrest couldn’t help glancing at Angie. She was swiping tears from her eyes as she swayed from side to side with the baby.
Her response grabbed at something deep inside him. He wondered how he could possibly tell her what he needed to say.
Clay turned around with a huge smile on his face. “We’re married!”
Mary apparently kept champagne around for the purpose of celebrating weddings. The eighty-six-year-old woman popped the cork on a bottle of Dom Pérignon. “I’m not sure we can afford this,” Forrest said to Angie.
Continuing to sway, Angie moved toward Mary and took the woman aside. After a moment, Angie waved her hand toward Forrest in an all-clear sign. Angie moved to Forrest’s side. “She says it’s on the house. Mary says she doesn’t usually get two babies. Can’t beat two babies.”
Bennett complained to be released and Forrest held his nephew’s hands and walked him around the room. Everyone except Forrest and the babies drank champagne and that was okay with him. The joy of the occasion permeated the air that he breathed, and he couldn’t have been happier for his brother.
Forrest just wished he could be more normal. Less messed up. Then maybe he could have the same experience with Angie. Well, minus the babies. But maybe later, he fantasized.
Forrest shut down his thoughts and focused on taking care of Bennett. Finally, Clay decided it was time to go. Mary enscribed Clay’s and Antonia’s names on the marriage certificate.
Moments later, Forrest and Angie helped tuck the babies into their safety seats in Clay’s truck. Forrest stood with Angie and watched as the newly married couple drove away.
“That was so sweet,” Angie said, swiping at her wet cheeks. “It was the sweetest wedding I’ve ever witnessed. It was the anti-show of what everyone else makes a show.”
Forrest nodded. He needed to talk to her. But it couldn’t be now. “Thank you for coming through with someone to marry Clay and Antonia.”
Angie nodded. “Mary’s the best.”
“How do you know her?” he asked.
“I met her through a charity group I was working for in high school. We visited elderly people in the hospital. We thought we were going to lose her, but she came through. She never forgot me,” Angie said.
