“With your help, of course,” he cut in.
She rolled her eyes as she let go of a breath. “Mashing potatoes isn’t really a specialty dish, William. Anyone can do it.”
“Not, I hear, with the same flair as you do. Need I also mention the pumpkin pie that no one will eat unless you make it? What about your homemade orange-dipped rolls, hmm? I could add a bit more to that menu if you’d like. You forget how long I’ve been around.”
“Okay, okay. Everyone enjoyed dinner, all right?”
He chuckled. “Without a doubt. What about Rachel? How did she take the insanity of your family gathering?”
“Far better than I expected she would.” She smiled as she recalled the events of the day and her dear friend’s reaction to it. “Everyone made her feel welcome and right at home. I’m so glad I talked her into coming. I truly expected a firm but polite refusal. Still, I think she had fun and it helped her pass the time until she and the boys could board their plane and head for home. She could hardly wait for Don’s promised visit tonight, you know. That’s all she talked about whenever we were alone. You should see the joy that fills her eyes now. The emptiness and despair are both gone.”
“I can imagine.” William grinned. “Just so you know, he’s with her as we speak. With any amount of luck, we’ll both have several hours of uninterrupted time with the beautiful women we love.”
Her heart dropped. “You’re not expecting otherwise, are you?”
“No, but as you know, that can change at any given moment.”
“Well then just in case, let’s not waste one precious second of the time we have, shall we?” She slid toward the edge of the cushion, turned, and gave him the smile she couldn’t hold back any longer. “I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” He searched her eyes. “Sounds mysterious. So what, pray tell, is making those beautiful eyes of yours sparkle with such mischievous delight?”
“My Christmas present to you, of course.” She bounded to her feet and headed for the candles. Once she had them lit, she turned and faced him. “I thought and thought about it. I mean, what gift does one get a ghost—excuse me—a spirit for Christmas? It’s not like you need a watch for keeping track of time, or a scarf to ward off the chill of winter. I don’t know if stuff like that is even allowed. So I could only come up with just one thing. I hope you like it.”
Katie turned about and walked over to her computer. She clicked on the Christmas tree icon on her desktop. As the toe-tapping music began, she snapped her fingers to the beat of the music. “All right, soldier, get up and dance with me!”
Just as Mrs. Johansson had taught her, she kept her shoulders straight and level as her feet glided along the carpet toward the middle of the floor. At the same time she swayed back and forth while she beckoned him with a wave of her hand. William burst out laughing as he took her up on the invitation.
For the next hour and a half they danced to all of the songs—all ancient and at times quite irritating—on the playlist she created just for William. He not only knew them well, he sang many of them to her as they danced. Especially those that spoke of the forever kind of love they shared.
Though quite out of breath as the final song ended, Katie wished now she had added a few more. Maybe next time.
With a broad smile on his face, William stepped back and shook his head. “Where did you learn the jitterbug and why didn’t I know about it?”
“A Christmas gift should be a surprise, shouldn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose it should. I loved it more than you could possibly guess, so thank you very much. I’ll treasure the memory.”
“You’re very welcome. That’s what I hoped for. Now, in answer to your question, Mrs. Johansson taught me the dance. The dear soul had such patience as she taught me the steps. I wished you could see how agile she still is. You’d never know she’s in her eighties. I’m also surprised—in a delightful sort of way—that you never caught sight of us while I practiced.” Katie turned her head to the side as she narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t, did you?”
“You can trust that I didn’t. Now I believe it’s my turn to give my gift to you.” He took hold of her hand and led her toward the kitchen. He stopped just under the archway and glanced up at the mistletoe she had hung there. “In case you didn’t think I noticed—”
The moment William touched his lips to hers, her entire being filled with a love so pure, so wondrous, and so deep she thought her heart would surely burst. The emotion shattered all sense of time and space. At once Katie felt as though a million iridescent stars carried them into a majestic realm, both strange and at once familiar. Hand in hand she walked with William down a luminescent fairy path, so beautiful that it took away her breath. He led her toward a crystal blue pond, surrounded by unimaginable elegant flowers and lush vegetation of every kind in every hue. Near the pool Katie spied an intricate white bench which sat underneath a magnificent magnolia tree unlike any she’d ever seen before. Somehow she knew—she knew—that long, long ago, they claimed this spot as their own.
In fact, without any doubt whatsoever, she had lived this very moment with William once upon a long forgotten time ago. At that moment an assortment of emotions filled both heart and soul.
As they sat down, he brushed away the tears that trickled down her face. She gazed into his captivating eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cry—it’s just that this is all so unexpected.”
“I know it is, and I’m so sorry. But when they asked for volunteers for the coming conflict, I just couldn’t say no.”
“No, you of all people couldn’t. I know that. In fact, the honorable and courageous man I fell in love with probably pushed everyone else out of the way and stepped forward first.” She paused. “In truth, I would’ve been disappointed if you hadn’t.”
“Then why the tears and the heartache? Our separation will be but a brief moment in time considering the eons ahead of us.”
She dropped her gaze as she shook her head. “I don’t know. Fear, I guess.”
He tilted her chin upward as he looked deep into her eyes. “What are you afraid of?”
“That you won’t be able to find me…that once you step into the mortal realm and give your life for the noble cause, I’ll never see you again. I’ll never see you again because…because you won’t remember me.”
A small grin accompanied the slight shake of his head. “Impossible. Such a thing could never happen.”
“What makes you so sure? After all, our mortal lives will never touch. There will be nothing to spark the memory.”
“Not so. There is nothing in any realm—at any possible notch in time—that could erase you from my heart, mind, or soul. You are rooted in there too far too deeply, my love. You are mine, as I am yours. That’s something that cannot and will not ever be forgotten. After all is said and done in fulfillment of my destiny, I give you my solemn promise, I will find you again. I’ll find you if even I must search the entire universe.”
“Even if you do find me, how will I know you’re there? How will I recognize you if I can’t see you, or hear you, or…or touch you?”
He cuddled her against his chest as he brushed his fingers through her hair. “Somehow, and in some way, you’ll know. Perhaps you’ll simply feel my presence at your side. If such is the case, I’ll add warmth to the sunshine of your days. With my mighty sword, I’ll dispel all of your shadows. Should that be all you recognize, know that I will fight until the last barrier between us is torn down and destroyed, all right?”
She smiled. “So not even a crumb remains behind?”
“Not even so much as an infinitesimal speck.”
“Do you promise?”
“On my word of honor, I so swear. Will that do?”
“That will do.” The most glorious, once in a lifetime kiss followed his promise. In a way she couldn’t explain, the power of that kiss forever melded their hearts and souls together. Of a certainty, nothing in existence could break th
at bond. Brightness beyond description radiated from within as she traveled forward through time and space. She arrived at the here and now of Christmas evening despite the desire to remain in the place William had taken her.
He took a half-step back and as he broke the kiss, his fingers traced the contours of her cheek and jaw. “That distant moment, my dearest love, is my Christmas gift to you.”
Even though she needed it, she couldn’t find room for a breath of air. She didn’t have the words that could possibly convey how she felt right now either. “Oh, William, I…I didn’t know. I—”
He put gentle fingers against her lips. “You needn’t say anything, Katie. The wonder I see shining within the depths of those beautiful eyes of yours speaks louder than anything you could possibly say.”
“Well that’s good, because there are no words. There are no words—just—thank you for sharing that beautiful memory with me. I’ve never had a gift that has or ever could equal it.” She settled her hand over her heart. “Your gift has made me feel incredibly loved and unbelievably cherished. I only hope I make you feel the same way in return.”
In response to the heartfelt desire, William kissed her again. In fact, he kissed her many times over as the magical night moved toward the dawn. Along the way, they laughed, they talked, and even took a stroll underneath the stars. The walk ended when he noticed the shiver she had held at bay until now.
Soon after they returned to her living room, William stopped in the middle of a story about his final Christmas in his mortal state. He dropped his gaze and turned his head to the side.
She glanced in the same direction. “Is something wrong?”
He took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m afraid so. A soldier has just arrived.”
Though her heart sank, she put a smile on her face. “Then you’ve got to go. I’m sure he needs you.”
As they both stood, he took her into his arms. “This is not the way I envisioned the end of our Christmas day.”
She shrugged as she pasted a smile on her face. “Could be worse you know.”
“How so?”
“Well—let’s see.” She tapped her finger against her lips. “Our wondrous Christmas magic could’ve worn off at midnight. If it had, you’d now be looking for the maiden who lost the ridiculous glass slipper. A slipper, I might add, she should never have worn in the first place. In all likelihood she was thrilled to death when the bell sounded at midnight. The pain in her feet would’ve been excruciating by then. Anyway, I digress. During your frantic search for me, you would never have looked twice at the tattered girl drenched from head to toe in foul-smelling pumpkin gunk. As a tragic result, our courtship would’ve come to an abrupt end as duty called you away from the search.”
William chuckled and as he cupped her face with his hands, his lips hovered just above hers. “Not so. Unlike the stupid prince in the story, I would’ve recognized you without the idiotic slipper and despite the pumpkin gunk.”
****
Katie fell asleep with his whispered “I love you,” echoing in her ears, and his goodnight kisses still warm on her lips. A beautiful end to the most wonderful evening of her life. She would never, ever forget it.
“You aren’t stupid enough to actually believe the garbage that tumbled out of his mouth tonight, are you?”
The hateful voice crept inside her mind long before his terrible image made an appearance there. Gustavus Jameson sneered as he gazed into her eyes. Her heart began to race.
“Go away, Gustavus. You’re not welcome here.”
He shrugged. “You weren’t welcome in my home either. Still, you entered anyway.”
“You may not have welcomed us, but Quinn did, and with arms wide open. Now leave.”
“Why are you so insistent I go? Are you afraid of what I might say? Are you afraid you cannot withstand the truth?”
“Truth? You wouldn’t know the truth if it stared you in the face. Go back to whatever slimy pit you came from. I’m in no mood for your hatred or your lies.”
“As marvelous and fun as that sounds, I needn’t utter a single falsehood. The truth will work far better than any lie I could possibly tell you.”
“Go away, Gustavus. Go away right now. I don’t want you here.” Why, oh why couldn’t she banish him when William found it so easy?
“Oh, I’ll go if that’s what you want, but not before I give you my Christmas gift.”
“You can keep it. I don’t want anything from you.”
“That very well may be. Nonetheless, I insist, because after all, I’m sure you would like to see William attending his present obligation, wouldn’t you? I promise it’ll be great fun.”
Before she could utter another word of protest, Gustavus disappeared from the dark corners of her mind. The swirling mist he left behind gave way to clarity. She could now see William strolling through a park filled with stately weeping willow trees. With a smile on his face, he brushed the long branches off to the side and stepped through them. That’s when Katie saw the beautiful, golden-haired woman who waited there under the canopy. The moment she spied William, she laughed and joyously threw her arms around his shoulders. In turn, he wrapped his arms around her waist, picked her up, and twirled her around. As he set her down on the ground, their lips met in a loving, passionate kiss.
Katie’s heart dropped deep into the pit of her stomach. A lump formed in her throat as she fought back the tears she would not have Gustavus see.
“Oh, William! I’m so happy to see you,” the woman cooed.
William caressed the side of her face. “My beautiful Laura Lea. I couldn’t wait another minute to hold you in my arms.”
Tears stung Katie’s eyes as she suddenly recalled the signature on the bottom of the letter in William’s personal file. Laura Lea Erickson. So this was the close family friend? In all the conversations she had with William, he never once mentioned her name. Why didn’t he? Why did he feel the need to keep her a secret?
“You were gone so long, I worried,” Laura said.
William shrugged. “As you know, the Christmas season is always a difficult one for a lot of our servicemen. Many of them choose this day, of all days, to journey from their realm into ours. When duty calls, I must answer. You know this.”
“Yes, and I’m so sorry. I had hoped this season would be different for us.” She brushed her fingers through his hair. “Maybe, my darling, I can help you overcome some of the sadness I see in your eyes?”
As he kissed her again, the scene faded away. Before Katie could recover, another such scene assaulted her with a ferocity that thrust her deeper into the depths of despair. This time a different woman held William’s attention. The lovely brunette gazed at him with the same love and passion as the first. The only difference? This woman appeared mortal, rather than immortal. She and William were holding hands across the table in what looked like a restaurant of some kind. From her state of dress, she’d say the scene took place several decades ago.
In the intimate setting, William caressed the top of her hand with his thumb. “We couldn’t have had a better ending to another perfect day.”
“I agree whole-heartedly. I’m so happy you could spend the entire day with me. I always miss you so much when you’re gone.”
“As I miss you.” He gave her the special look that spoke of his devotion. The same look he had given Katie just hours ago and one he just now shared with Laura Lea. “Just so you know? You’ve cheered me up when I needed it most.”
The pain not only echoed but intensified what she had endured when she saw Chad with Heather. Despite all will to the contrary, tears cascaded down her cheeks. She didn’t know if she could take another second.
Gustavus threw back his head and let loose a bout of evil, vile laughter. “Aww, tears already? But I have more such scenes I’ve gathered for your enjoyment. Don’t you want to see them? After all, I went to so much effort. Wouldn’t you like even a glimpse of the other mortal women he used and discarded
when age took a toll on their faces?”
Her body shook with silent sobs. She took in a deep, stuttered breath, yet she couldn’t manage a single word in response. How often had she worried over that very thing?
“Well, perhaps you’re in no mood, hmm? I can’t say I blame you. I’m sure those scenes filled you with a great deal of despair and sorrow. Still, I thought you’d like to see just how faithful your boyfriend really is to all of his women. All of them.”
His lengthy pause tortured her even further. Still she refused even the smallest uttered response.
“Of course, you of all people shouldn’t be surprised, right? I mean, what does a woman like you really have to offer a man like him anyway? He’ll tire of you soon enough. Just like your husband did, he’ll move on to someone else. When he does, it will be with someone far more beautiful. Perhaps you should prepare yourself for that.”
At that moment anger rose up and somehow surpassed her tremendous sorrow. Katie clamped down on her teeth. She squeezed her eyes shut and threw her hands over her ears. “GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT! NOW!”
Laughter exploded inside her mind until little by little it faded into nothingness. Throughout the remainder of the night, her tears fell. They fell until she didn’t have a single tear left. Her shattered heart lay in a million broken pieces. She felt dead inside. She couldn’t undo the damage Gustavus inflicted on her heart. No matter what she did, the awful, gut-wrenching scenes he presented played over and over inside her mind. So did his malicious words. They wouldn’t let her sleep and they wouldn’t let her forget. She even wondered over the scenes he wanted to show her and she refused to see.
Give William the benefit of the doubt. Gustavus is evil and vindictive. Though her heart whispered the words many times over, her mind countered: Do I really want to take the chance?
****
Days passed in solitude. Katie didn’t know how many, nor did she care. She turned off her phone as well as her computer. Right now she couldn’t talk to anyone—not even her family. She didn’t have the heart or the will.
Love Letters from Heaven Page 19
