"I'll go with you." Tesha stood at the doorway. Her face was flushed and her eyes bright.
"How many glasses of wine have you had?"
"Two," she said and held up three fingers. She looked at her fingers and began to giggle. "Okay maybe I had three."
His mother walked out and looked at her husband. "Where are Jensen and Caden?"
Half an hour later, they all huddled around the table and ate a huge pot-roast Cassie and Tesha had cooked. Adam seemed to be the only one with an appetite. He ate seconds and eyed Tesha's plate contemplating finishing hers. Jensen and Cassie avoided looking at each other. Caden eyed Adam with suspicion and Mrs. Miller kept refilling everyone's drinks.
Boom! The loud sound made everyone jump. Tesha hiccupped, her rounded eyes on him.
Jensen growled and stood. "I'll tell 'em to stop immediately."
Adam stood. Everyone watched him with varying expressions that ranged from fearful, Cassie, to cautious, his mother. He met Tesha's gaze and held out his hand to her. "Let's go outside and watch."
Unlike everyone else, Tesha jumped up and clapped her hands. "Yes, let's." She gripped his hand and smiled up at him.
They trouped outside and before long were settled into either blankets on the ground or lawn chairs. Jensen brought some beers for the men and the women held refilled wine glasses.
Fireworks burst in the sky, different shimmering colors crisscrossing the darkness. With his woman settled between his legs, Adam leaned back on his arms enjoying Tesha's soft curves.
She looked up at him. "Are you okay?"
Adam frowned. "Not really."
"Do you want to go inside?"
He wagged his eyebrows. "I need to hide under the blanket with you."
The sound of Tesha's laughter made his mother look over and she beamed at them. Lights burst overhead a myriad of colorful sparks rained down and his heart burst with pride. He loved this country and the one thing this holiday was about. His country.
This was what home felt like, fireworks overhead, his family surrounding him, and his woman in his arms.
Finally, he understood what Vince meant by living a life that was enough for his too.
He'd do his best to honor his friend by making it a great life. With Tesha beside him, he couldn't fail.
"I love you," he whispered into Tesha's ear.
Tesha looked up at him and he kissed her lightly. "I know," she replied.
Chapter Thirty
"You have not stopped grinning since you walked in." Cassie eyed Tesha while frosting cupcakes.
It was early afternoon and they were at Cassie's cupcake shop, Tesha at her usual corner table drinking coffee and toying with an espresso cupcake Cassie asked her to test.
It was good, but not as good as her favorite caramel one. "I'm so happy I'm terrified," Tesha admitted. "Is it strange to feel as if it's too good to be true?"
Cassie shook her head. "I don't think so. Especially after all you've been through."
In a few weeks, the movie production in Lovely would be done and other than a couple of short one or two day returns in the next few months, everything would return to its normal quiet pace. Tesha couldn't wait to find out what it entailed for her and Adam. He would go back to Nashville during the week to work and come home for the weekends.
She wasn't overly happy with that arrangement, and already they planned for her to come and stay in his corporate apartment in Nashville the following week.
Cassie leaned on the high table and rested her chin on her hands. "It's all so romantic. The way you two look at each other, my goodness you can set things on fire with all those sparks."
They laughed and Tesha couldn't help but grin. "I know, he's so yummy isn't he?"
"He is," Cassie agreed. "Too bad his brother is a clod hopper."
"I don't think Jensen is so bad. He's a bit of a character, but it may be he's spoiled." Tesha laughed at Cassie's eye roll. "You know what I think? I think you find him attractive and it bugs you."
"Oh, look, here comes Mrs. Miller." Cassie hurried to the door with too much enthusiasm.
Mrs. Miller bustled in and looked from Cassie to Tesha. "Oh, I didn't think I'd find you two here. Cassie don't you take a day off, goodness sakes, it's Sunday." She turned to Tesha. "What about you, I figured you'd be spending the day with Adam."
"He went to Nashville, he has an early appointment with Dr. Mitchell in the morning." Tesha pointed to Cassie. "She has no excuse for being here, other than she's avoiding Jensen Ford."
"I am not." Cassie started the mixer and turned her back to them.
Mrs. Miller shrugged and sat down with Tesha. "I was out for my afternoon walk and saw the lights on in here." She tapped her fingers on the tabletop. "Have you seen Bruce Willis?"
"It's not him," Tesha told her, unable to stop the giggle. "It's a cameraman who looks a lot like him, but I assure you Bruce Willis is not here, Mrs. Miller. And no, I have not seen him. They are not around today. Most of them went to Nashville yesterday as soon as filming was done for the week."
"Hmpf." Mrs. Miller stood. "Cassie girl, give me three pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes. I'm off, need to get home and straighten up. With my trip up north and all this catering business, I have a lot of housework to do and I need fuel."
* * *
Tesha loved the view from Adam's corporate apartment. It overlooked Nashville, all the lights and contagious excitement seemed to float in the air. They'd dined in a beautiful posh restaurant and now she held a glass of wine and waited for him to come from the bedroom. He'd said to wait a minute. She assumed he was in the bathroom and took advantage to explore the spacious home.
It was elegant, but sterile. The only personal affect in the living room was a picture of Adam and his brothers on the fireplace mantle. The couches were black leather. On both sides, matching clean cut pecan Swedish tables and lamps.
Just as she put the glass down Adam walked out and she lost her breath. He'd removed his black suit jacket and loosened the tie. His hair just to the top of his collar was styled and perfectly in place. Above his eyes, his brows were hard slashes and his sensuous lips curved in a soft smile. "You look beautiful with the lights behind you." He came closer and kissed her.
"You are amazingly handsome. I love looking at you." Tesha allowed him to pull her into an embrace.
They walked onto the balcony and looked down at the city. "It's a perfect night," Tesha told him. "I have been to Nashville before, but it's so much better from up here."
Adam kissed her temple. "I agree. I love this town."
She took a fortifying breath. "Adam, do you plan to move back here? You can't work in Nashville and live in Lovely. It will be too much."
"I've been thinking about it." He frowned. "I can work four days a week and spend three days in Lovely. I'm sure it will work since Tristan plans to remain CEO and I'm a partner, but keeping more of a secondary role."
"Were you the CEO before?"
He nodded. "Yes, I took over Ford Enterprises after my father retired."
"Then why did you leave and go into the Army?"
He looked to the lights for a while before answering. "I was a young CEO, too young really. My business partner, Alex Grey, died in the Twin Towers attack. Time passed and I couldn't stand not doing anything about it. When Caden decided to join the Army, I wanted to go with him, protect him. He lied and had joined the Air Force ‘cause he figured one of us would follow him." He smiled and shook his head.
"Anyway, once I convinced Tristan to take over for me, I joined up and went over. Probably a dumb thing, it's not like it brought Alex back."
Tesha leaned against him and took his hand. "Three men are alive because you chose to go. Everything happens for a reason."
"Yes, I spent six years in the military, almost all of it over there." He shrugged. "But it's behind me now. From now on, you're my life."
It was good to hear he could speak of such things and not drop the walls and shut her out. Instead h
e remained relaxed although a bit restless. He flexed the fingers of the hand she wasn't holding.
"Are you all right, Adam?"
He pressed his lips together and then blew out. "I'm a bit nervous."
"Maybe we should sit. I can give you a back rub."
His eyebrows rose. "Would you?"
She chuckled. Men were so easy sometimes. "Of course."
He didn't move, the worrisome wariness became apparent and Tesha braced herself. Something was amiss. She'd tried to ignore it all day, but the way he kept studying her when thinking she didn't notice was something new. As if he assessed something. It had put her on edge.
"Tesha," Adam started and then swallowed. "There are times when I'm still not sure it’s possible for me to have a normal life."
Where was this going? She took a step back and held on to the bannister. "You have to give yourself time, Adam. I understand if you need space. If at any time, you want me to give you time alone, just let me know. It won't be easy, but I will do it. I'll stay in Lovely and not see you. But I won't give up on us."
"I don't want that." He looked away toward the city scene as if the answer to whatever bothered him were out there. "Damn it, Tesha, I am so fucking confused."
"What about, Adam?" She took his hands and pulled him inside. "Let's sit down. Tell me what you're thinking."
He didn't sit. Instead he paced from one end of the room to the other and then stopped and looked at her. Fear and anxiety mixed in the depths of his eyes. "We've been through so much. You and I have lost a part of ourselves to that damn war. I am never going to be a whole man. I know you will always miss David. Sometimes I hate it all so much."
"I know." Tesha blinked to keep tears at bay. "How I wish there was a way to take your pain. The flashbacks that torment you."
Adam closed his eyes and took a shaky breath. "Because of you, I am a better man. Deep down I know it will be a long road. It's not fair to put the burden on you." His hand shook when he raked his fingers through is hair. "Do you think it's possible for us to have a good life together? Because I can't imagine it without you."
Her heart skipped and Tesha stood. She didn't go to him, instead managed a watery smile. "No, Adam. You and I will never have a good life together. We will have a great life. Because we," she motioned back and forth between them, "we appreciate each day. The one good thing to come from the crap life dealt us is that we know things can always be worse. So we appreciate each good moment more."
Adam walked to her and pulled Tesha into his arms. She leaned against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. His voice was husky with emotion. "You're right. How did I get so lucky to find you?"
The sound of his heart thumping steadily against her ear was reassuring and Tesha closed her eyes marveling at how much she loved him. "God Adam, you are my new life. I love you so much."
"I have something important to ask you." Adam took her chin and lifted her face to him. Her heart skipped. What more could he want to say?
"I have been second guessing all day whether or not I could convince you to share your life with me. I want you to be my wife. Be my partner for the rest of my life." Adam lowered on one knee and held up a ring. "Will you please marry me?"
Her mouth fell open and then she grinned down at him.
"Tesha, will you marry me and move to Nashville."
Tesha nodded and let out a shaky breath. "Yes. Oh my God, yes!"
He slipped the ring onto her finger and stood, pulling her to him and kissing her until she was dizzy with want. He lifted his face and smiled down at her. "Now, how about that back rub?"
Her mind began to spin. "I'll move to Nashville, once we get married. I want to finish up my job with the movie production and then decide about the house." Tesha bit her lip. "I'm not sure what I want to do. I love that house."
"Hire a manager and keep it to run as you planned," he told her pulling her toward the bedroom.
"What a great idea." Tesha beamed at him and then let out a peal of laughter when she didn't move fast enough and he picked her up and carried her the rest of the way. His mouth took hers and she forgot about anything other than the wonderful man who would be her husband.
Later that night Tesha slipped from the bed. After ensuring Adam slept soundly, she went through the living room to the open balcony.
Her robe flapped in the breeze as she took in the night sky. "David. I wanted to tell you that I am in love. I'm getting married again." She waited for a few beats and smiled. "You would like Adam. He's a good man. A brave man, who will make an amazing husband. I miss you, and know you are happy for me."
Adam came up behind her. He looked groggy and adorable with his hair all mused up. "Are you okay? It's like three o'clock in the morning."
Bare-chested, he wore only an old pair of sweatpants he must have pulled on when not finding her in the bed. Tesha's gaze traveled from his chiseled chest down the washboard stomach to the soft trail of hair. "You know..." she tapped her finger on his chin, "I am reminded of a day months ago when I knocked on your door and you opened it wearing those. I wanted to explore that forbidden trail the first day I saw you."
He scratched his head and yawned. "What trail?" He looked to his stomach and his eyes widened. "Oh."
She took his hands and walked backwards to the bedroom. "Yes. Oh."
The End.
Thank you for reading Even Heroes Cry. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book and shed quite a few tears in the process. As a former soldier, who was lucky enough to serve during peacetime, I have a great admiration for those who have served during the war.
The next in the Fords of Nashville series will be a bit lighter, The Last Hero, is Jensen and Cassie's story.
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Keep Calm and Read On!!
Even Heroes Cry, Fords of Nashville, Book 1 Page 19
