Finding Faith

by Reana Malori

  Having visited the house next door a few times, she always felt that it was a beautiful home. Larger than most homes in the cul-de-sac, it had the feel of a family home. One that had been made for children to grow up in and thrive. Just two months ago, the former owners had put the house up for sale when the wife was offered a promotion. It came with a move to another state and a huge salary increase. Luckily for them, the husband was able to get a job transfer to the same location, so they packed up their kids and belongings and headed out west.

  They had been a friendly couple, but because she was single without a boyfriend or significant other, they didn’t get together all that often. Just for general group gatherings or when the wife tried to set Faith up with one of her husband’s friends. Her heart had always been in the right place and some of them had been the perfect catch, for anyone but her.

  Opening her curtains a bit more, she glanced out of the window and noticed a tall, blond man with an athletic build exiting a new model black SUV. “Now that is a one fine ass man! His wife is one lucky woman.”

  Craning her neck to get a better look, she guessed he had to be at least six feet two inches tall, and with a physique like that, his workout regimen had to be brutal. Even from this distance and seeing him in casual clothing, she doubted there was an ounce of fat on his body. It was Saturday, he was moving into a new home, and his clothing reflected a man ready for some hard work. He was outfitted in well-worn jeans that fit him like a second skin, with a black t-shirt emblazoned with the U.S. Army logo across the front.

  Taking her time to look him over, especially since he hadn’t yet seen her, she also noticed that he was very confident in both his actions and demeanor. The movers weren’t polished men, but he looked comfortable speaking with them. Not everyone could do that, but given his choice of clothing, maybe he was current or former military. Having never served in the military, she knew people from all walks of life joined and she heard that you gained the ability to be comfortable in any environment. It was like they were trained to act like a chameleon, changing their personality, tone, and behaviors to fit their surroundings.

  As he stood unmoving for a few moments next to his truck, a few more cars pulled up to the house. Maybe she would catch a glimpse of the wife. Rising to her toes, she balanced one hand on the wall next to her, just next to the window. So maybe she was a little nosey. Oh, well. It was important to know who was living next to you. After a few moments, she could see an older couple exit one car, while another older woman exited a second car alone. They greeted each other like old friends. “Must be the parents,” she commented to herself.

  The third car held another couple, who stepped out of their car and smiled up at her new neighbor. It was a younger couple. A tall white man, a short, thin, but curvy black woman, and a little girl with light skin and curly, light brown hair. Her new neighbor lifted his arm, waving to them just as something in his vehicle caught his eye. Smiling, he yelled out something to the younger couple and made his way to the back of the truck, opening the back door. Watching him lean in, she stood rooted to the spot as she saw a little girl, no more than four or five years old, run across the yard and over to the other little girl, giving her a big hug as they began to chat away. “Hmmm, where’s the wife?”

  Getting a little too nosey, she pulled the curtain back a little too much and the motion must have been noticed before she was able to steady herself. Her new neighbor and the younger couple all turned their heads toward her house, watching the window for a sign of any other movement. While the couple looked in her direction for a few more seconds, they quickly turned back to watching the two little girls. Her sexy neighbor on the other hand continued to watch the window for a few moments longer. Although her rational mind knew he couldn’t see her, she couldn’t prevent the thought that he could see inside and was aware that she had been staring at him.

  “Smooth move, Faith. Staring at a man moving into the house next door, and one who is clearly taken. Yup, you’ve lost it.” Even this was said in a whisper. Yup, she was definitely watching too much of this marathon. Maybe it was time to put on a comedy. What must he think of his new neighborhood now that she had behaved like a typical nosey busybody?

  One of the older ladies came over to him and touched his arm, saying something to him and the other people milling around. Turning his gaze away from the front of her house to respond, he then motioned for everyone to move toward the house. Taking one more glance in her direction, he turned and started walking toward his new home. Faith quickly moved back from the window. Hoping that she hadn’t been caught again, she knew her luck had already run out. As she thought about what had just occurred, her lips started quivering and she burst out in laughter.

  “Well, damn. Now I have to go introduce myself. Make a peace offering and all that jazz.” Slowly turning away from the window, she went into her kitchen and pulled out the makings for a simple pasta casserole.

  “I just hope he doesn’t tell his wife that they have a weirdo next door neighbor who doubles as a peeping Tom.” Never good at meeting new people, she was nervous about making the first move. But if she didn’t do it soon, she would lose her nerve and she would find herself too embarrassed to cross that bridge at a later date.

  No, she had to do this. After all, she had made a promise to herself to do more things that were completely out of character. It was time for Faith to find herself.

  “Okay, baby, stay here for just a few minutes while daddy gets this taken care of.” Cooper Branson turned toward the backseat as he spoke to his four-year old daughter.

  “Okay, daddy. But, is Bree coming over to see my new house today?” Looking in the backseat at his little girl, he knew this had been the right thing for them. This move was going to be a good thing. It was time for a fresh start.

  “Yes, baby, her parents are bringing her right now” he responded lovingly. “They were right behind your grandma. She’ll be here in just a few minutes and then I’ll take you out of your seat. Okay?”

  “Okay,” his daughter responded. Within seconds she was playing with her pink and purple polka-dot notebook and drawing squiggly lines that only she knew the meaning of.

  Stepping out of his SUV, Cooper ran a hand down his face. Damn, he was exhausted. Looking at the house in front of him and the surrounding neighborhood, he knew that this is where they needed to be. Inside, he knew that at this moment, he belonged here.

  Without warning, a tingling feeling in his stomach started to make itself known. He stilled for a few seconds as awareness of what that meant sank in. There was no reason why he should be getting a feeling that something momentous was about to occur. Unless it was just the change in environment and the general move. It was a new home for him and his daughter, so that could explain it.

  Plus, he hadn’t felt something this strong in his gut since the day his wife had died. Quickly looking over at the car where his daughter sat, he forced himself to calm his racing heart. “She’s fine, Cooper,” he whispered under his breath.

  Inhaling deeply, he pointedly ignored the feeling. He had to remember that he was not overseas fighting with insurgents, nor could he live his life constantly expecting the other shoe to drop.

  Excitement and sadness warred within him as he tried to get his mind prepared for the task in front of him. Today was going to be a good day. Hell, every day he had in front of him would be better than the one before it. Nothing, and no one, could tell him that this wasn’t the right choice. It had been almost four years since his wife had died and it had simply been time for change.

  More than anyone, he knew that living in their old home had kept him trapped in a never-ending loop of reliving every memory they had made together. Sleeping in their bedroom had become torture. Her smell lingered. Her voice whispered to him from every corner of the room. Memories of every moment they had lived together within those four walls had almost strangled him. Eventually, just so that he could get a good night’s sleep, he had moved to the v
acant guest room.

  Every morning as he took a shower, images of their lovemaking would roll through his mind like a movie. As he remembered the way she looked standing there in the steam, her come-hither smile driving him crazy with lust and desire, his breath would catch and his heart would skip a beat, as if just realizing that it was still beating. How was he still alive when his wife was gone? Never again able to experience any of life’s joy, anger, or see their little girl grow up?

  While it had been difficult for him to leave the home he and Heather had purchased in their second year of marriage, he knew it was for the best. There were good memories in that home, but he needed to be whole for his daughter. After he talked it over with both his parents and hers, he set out to find a house that represented renewal.

  As soon as the realtor walked him through the front door of this house, he knew. This would be the place for them to have a new beginning. Taking deep breaths as he walked around, judging room sizes and picturing Madison growing up in this home, his decision had been made. Rebuild their lives, focus on work, and live a life focused on simply making it through each day.

  “Mr. Branson, can you look over this order real quick?” The moving truck driver was standing a few feet away from him with a clipboard in his hand.

  “Sure.” As he grabbed the pen and clipboard, he heard vehicles pull up to the front of the house and looked up. His eyes glanced over at the house next to his and he saw the slightest movement in the window, as if someone were looking out. After a few seconds, he shrugged off the feeling of being watched. That type of thing was to be expected.

  Everyone wanted to know what the new neighbors looked like and he couldn’t fault them for that. Turning back to the cars pulling up to his new home, he ignored his nosey neighbor for the moment. His late wife’s parents, Stan and Marge Tompkins, exited their car. His mother also had arrived right behind them. Lastly, his friends Rob and Leslie Morrison pulled up to the house, along with their little girl, and Madison’s best friend, Bree. It was good to have all of them here.

  After Heather’s death, these were the people who had helped him continue to cope with the loss. They had stayed with him night and day. Every one of them had cooked and cleaned for him without complaint. In their own way, each of them had helped him understand that although Heather was gone from this world, he was not. It was Heather’s father who had given him a swift kick in the rear, reminding him that he had lived through too much, come out on the other side of too much death and destruction in the military, to let her death beat him now. Chuckling under his breath at the old man’s words, it was very clear that Stan Tompkins was not going to let his son-in-law wallow in self-pity.

  Finishing his review of the work order, he signed his name and handed the clipboard back to the man standing in front of him. “Thanks, man. Everything looks in order. We’ll try to stay out of the way as you and your guys get everything in the house.”

  “Appreciate that, we’ll get the living room and dining room set up first so that you and your family have somewhere to sit,” the driver responded. Tilting his head to the people walking toward them, the driver turned back to his crew and set them to work getting Cooper’s furniture from the truck.

  He gave Rob and Leslie a wave and went to grab Madison from the truck and placed her on the ground. As soon as she noticed Bree standing by her parent’s car, she ran over and gave the little girl a tight hug. Shaking his head, he laughed at their antics. If he didn’t know any better, he would think those two hadn’t seen each other in years, instead of just yesterday at preschool. Walking over to the group of people, he gave greetings and hugs all around.

  “Good to see you, Stan, Marge. I’m glad you could make it today.”

  “Son, we wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” his father-in-law responded.

  Hearing the giggles of the two little girls talking animatedly with their hands, he put his hands in his pockets as he watched his mother walk over and give her granddaughter a kiss on the forehead.

  Addressing his in-laws, he motioned toward the movers, “We’re here a little earlier than expected, but these guys are going to get some of the basic furniture in the house for us first. We’ll have somewhere to sit while they move the other items inside.”

  “No problem, Cooper,” his mother-in-law answered. “Your mother and I brought some food for dinner, so we’ll at least have food.”

  Motioning to Leslie, who was cuddled up close to her husband while smiling and looking toward the house, he asked, “Did you tell Leslie to bring a dish? You know she’s a sous chef at that new restaurant in DC on 12th and 7th?”

  Surprisingly, his mother-in-law waved his question away, “Oh, I’m sure she’ll be fine. We don’t need any help. She can watch the kids while your mother and I take care of the food.”

  Before he could question her about it, Leslie’s voice caught his attention, “I swear, those two are like two peas in a pod. I don’t know how in the world they have that much to talk about. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since they saw each other last.” She smiled at Cooper as she and her husband walked up to him. Leaning over, he kissed her on the temple.

  “Oh, let them be. They’re like BFF’s or something. At least that’s what I hear all the young kids are saying nowadays,” he responded.

  “Hey, man, she’s taken,” his friend Rob laughingly exclaimed as he pulled his wife closer to him.

  Leslie laughed and kissed her husband lightly on the lips before turning back to greet Cooper’s in-laws and his mother.

  If Cooper was an envious man, he would admit that he missed having that type of relationship. Someone that was simply there for you. No judgement, just comfort and partnership.

  As Leslie spoke to the grandparents, he caught Rob looking over at him. He raised his chin and then went in for a handshake and half-hug. “How are you doing, Coop? You all right?”

  Without saying the words, Cooper knew what Rob was asking. Was he okay with the move, with giving up the house, basically, with moving on with his life?

  “Yeah, man, I’m good.” And as he said the words, he knew it was true. At that moment, both he and Rob turned toward the house next door. That feeling had come back again and he knew the house, or better yet, the person in that house, had something to do with it. Someone was there and they were watching.

  Rob had been in Special Forces with Cooper and if he felt it, then so did his former Army brother. Leslie automatically turned to look as well. She had often picked up on their tendency to react to things at the same time. The running joke was that the two of them had gone through an experiment in the Army and their brains had been sliced in half, with each getting fifty-percent of the other’s brain. If it weren’t so wrong, he could actually believe it happened. There was no one he trusted more to have his back, to keep him sane, and to stand beside him than Rob Morrison.

  It was the same house where he saw the woman peeking out of the window just a few minutes earlier. When Rob and Leslie turned away and began looking over the girls, laughing at their antics, Cooper continued to look at the window. Something kept his attention glued to that house and he wanted to know what, or who, it was.

  It didn’t feel like a threat. No, Rob would not have relaxed that soon if had been a threat to their families. But for some reason he couldn’t look away just yet. He felt a soft hand on his arm and was forced to look away from the house. Looking down into the light blue eyes of his mother, he gave her a smile.

  “Hi, Mom. Welcome to my home.”

  “Hi, honey. I’m so glad to be here. We all are. I see Madison and Bree haven’t let go of each other since they stepped out of the cars.” Laughing, she turned to him, “Did you buy that second bed for her?”

  Laughing out loud, he grabbed her hand and tucked her arm over his as they walked toward the middle of the front yard where the others had gathered, “As if I could get away with not getting it. Do you remember the last time these two whirlwinds spent the night? Oh
no, they’re each having their own space.”

  Although he was drawn into the conversation and felt lighter than he had in months, something kept calling for his attention. As he motioned for everyone to go into the house, the need to look over and see if he could catch a glimpse of the woman looking at him through her front window took over. He glanced over just as she ducked out of the way. “Hmmm, interesting.”

  “What was that dear?” His mother-in-law looked over at him in curiosity.

  “Oh nothing, just getting my bearings in the neighborhood.”

  Chapter Three

  Listening to the sweet voice of his daughter as she and her best friend talked about everything that happened to them in the last twelve hours since they had been separated, he smiled. Walking into his new home, the start of the next chapter in his life, Cooper could appreciate that things had not turned out the way he had expected. Far from it.

  A widower at thirty-eight was not his idea of a perfect life. Having his wife of twelve years die in a car crash six months after giving birth to their beautiful little girl had never been in the cards. It had taken him almost two years to get over the pain and hurt of losing Heather on that warm day in June.

  He could still remember the moment he got the call from his boss and was asked to come to his office. Walking into the large corner office and seeing the two police officers waiting for him, he had no idea what to think. There would be no reason for the police to want to talk with him and he knew it, which only caused his confusion to grow. Never in a million years would he have expected their words to haunt him in his sleep for months, even years, after that meeting.

  The officer who spoke first had a deep, raspy voice. “My name is Sergeant Isles from the Arlington County Police Department. Are you Cooper Branson, the husband of Heather Branson, of 321 Lee Boulevard?”

  Looking toward my boss, I immediately noticed the look of sadness in his eyes before I turned back to the police and answered their questions, “What is this about?” My tone was a tad curter than the situation called for, but even in the few seconds I stood there, I knew it would be bad.