Loved by a Soldier: A Military Romance Collection

by Alison Mello

  ***

  Later that evening, Gates takes the locked safe from beneath his bed and sets it on the dresser. Unlocking it, he looks at what lies within—something he hasn’t had to use in years and he hopes he won’t have to for a very long time. Unfortunately, he has a feeling he may not have a choice. Removing the SIG SAUER P226 from the safe, he’s immediately swarmed with memories he doesn’t like. Turning it over in his hands, he knows that even though he hasn’t used it in a while, he will never forget how. He’s had more than enough rounds leave the barrel on this baby. He takes the time to make sure it’s clean and loaded before setting it beneath his pillow. He has to be prepared for anything now. He has to keep Trinity safe under all circumstances.

  ***

  Derrick

  “You are one hundred percent certain that it’s her?” Derrick asks the detective over the phone.

  “Totally, one hundred percent, yes. I have her picture and I watched the news clip several times before I called you. I even recorded it to make sure. It’s her all right.”

  “Okay, thanks. The rest of your money will be in the bank by the end of the hour.”

  Derrick ends the call he wasn’t actually expecting so soon. He figured it would take a little longer, but he’s not complaining. He’s thrilled, but surprised. Moneta, Virginia? Who does she know down there? It doesn’t matter. He knows where she is now, or at least the general area. She will be so surprised when she sees him. He laughs out loud when he imagines the look that will be on her face.

  “Sweetheart, you will be coming home soon to be with Daddy, whether you like it or not. You should know better than to run from me.”

  He picks up the picture of them together that was taken during the spring. He stares at it for a long moment then throws it in the trash. He has plans and logs onto the computer to start making them happen.

  Chapter 10

  Gates

  “I don’t understand why I can’t go find a job. I’m tired of being stuck in the house.” Trinity is doing her best to control her temper as she glares at Gates. “Explain to me why you think it’s best that I don’t. Come on, I want to hear it.”

  Gates frowns and squeezes his hands until his knuckles turn white. He doesn’t like her tone, but he can see the frustration all over her face and can certainly hear it in her voice. He knows she should be able to work, and he understands her being upset. She’s been living in his house for close to a month and a half, and if the roles were switched he would feel the same way or worse. He has no choice but to be honest with her.

  “You remember last Sunday when I went to church with you?” he asks as he looks into her beautiful, angry eyes.

  “Yes; what does that have to do with anything?”

  “Afterward, when we witnessed that accident and the cameras were all around us, did you see them? We were on the news even though we didn’t talk to anyone in the media.”

  Her expression immediately changed and she asks with a higher tone in her voice, “Are you sure? You saw us on the news?”

  He nods. “I did. I watched the news that night, but I didn’t say anything about it because I didn’t want to worry you. This has been on my mind ever since.”

  She lowers her gaze to the table as if she isn’t sure what to say. “What, exactly, does this mean?”

  “It means if your boyfriend, or anyone else you know was watching, there’s a chance they saw you. That means they know you are in or near Moneta.”

  She sighs heavily and rests her face in her palms. Fear creeps up her spine and into her heart. Neither of them speaks for a few seconds, but he finally asks if she’s okay.

  “I don’t know…I don’t know. I understand what you mean now, I think. I’m sorry I got so upset with you.”

  “You are here for me to help you, Trinity. It’s my responsibility to protect you.”

  She still isn’t able to say a word. As he speaks, he can see her shoulders begin to tremble as her emotions take over. He stands and takes her in his arms, holding her as she cries into his shoulder. Fear of Derrick finding her and what may happen if he does probably consumes her.

  She remains in Gates’ arms until she can breathe and regain control of herself.

  He holds her at arms’ length, lifts her face to look at her, and says, “I will not let anything happen to you. You are more than just someone I am helping. You have become so much more to me than that. Do you trust me?”

  She nods, telling him she does. She sniffs and takes a deep breath, and her eyes rest on his again. Without warning, she stands on her toes, leans into him, wraps her arms around his neck and presses her lips against his. Surprised, but more than willing, he pulls her into his embrace and takes her lips with passion. He can tell she wants to be with him and he certainly knows he wants her, but how far can they let it go? He doesn’t want to push her for anything she isn’t willing to do. Their lips are locked together and the world outside of them disappears. Their body heat rises rapidly and once again they separate before they can’t stop. This time it’s Gates who pulls back first.

  He closes his eyes, breathing hard, and steps back. He can hear Trinity sigh out loud. “I had to stop,” he tells her quickly. “I didn’t want too, but I had to.”

  She takes his hand in hers and says, “I know, it was getting…intense. I’m sorry.” She leans into his arms again without another word.

  He holds her and can feel his heart hammering. “Never, ever say you are sorry for what just happened. I’m not sorry.” A moment passes and he steps back, leaning against the counter still holding her hand. With his other hand he runs his fingers through his hair and shakes his head.

  “What’s happening here, Trinity?”

  “What do you mean? Between us?”

  “Yes. When I picked you up from Howard and Mattie’s, neither of us thought for a second anything like this would happen. Now look at us, barely able to control ourselves. Don’t get me wrong—I’m certainly not complaining.”

  Unable to look away or lie to him, she whispers, “I know it’s getting really difficult and it does kind of sound like you are complaining, but I know you aren’t.”

  “My feelings for you have grown deep, Trinity.”

  “I feel the same way. Honestly, I’m worried.”

  “About what? I mean other than what might happen with your ex.”

  She steps back, biting her bottom lip and sits at the table with a serious look. Folding her arms, she stares at Sheeba who is lying a few feet away, staring back with her sad eyes and thumping her tail on the floor.

  “I need to do some serious praying…about everything. About Derrick possibly coming here. About what’s happening between us and the Christian I am supposed to be. I want to live like I believe Jesus wants me to. I truly do, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but we are quickly getting into a situation that is very tempting and difficult.”

  “I’m not taking it the wrong way. I know how difficult it is. I support you with your faith and since I went to church with you, I’ve been thinking about it a lot myself.”

  “You have?” She looks up at him.

  “Yeah, and it’s weird in a way. I mean, I’ve always known there’s a higher power of sorts, and I guess I’ve always believed there’s a God. I also have always had a hard time having faith or trying to live for someone I can’t even see or talk to, especially with all I saw overseas. Some things in life make it hard to understand so much about religion. All of the insanity and misery in the world—I think a lot of that held me back for a long time.”

  “I know that pain, at least some of it, but I want you to ask yourself something.”

  “Okay, I’ll try.”

  “How many times when you were deployed while on active duty did you face death? How many times do you think you should have been killed, but instead you are sitting here with me?”

  Looking deep into her eyes he answers, “More times than I care to think about.”

  “Do you think you are
alive today because God wanted you to be here for some reason?”

  He thinks about what she’s asking him and rubs his eyes. He wants to believe that’s why he is still here, that God wants him here. Maybe God has always had a plan for him. Maybe he is supposed to be here helping women in need, or more specifically, helping Trinity. He’s not sure, but he’s beginning to think there’s definitely a God upstairs loving him, even though he feels he doesn’t deserve that love.

  “You know what, Trinity? There’s a lot I don’t understand or know, but I do know that I’m tired of going through life wondering and not being sure why I’m here. I’m tired of thinking God is up there wanting the best for me, and me not doing whatever it is I’m supposed to be doing with my life.”

  “Maybe you are doing some of it right now by being here for me.”

  “Maybe, yeah, I thought about that, but I think…no, I know I want to keep going to church with you. If you want to, I would also like to start reading the Bible with you. Maybe I will learn and understand things better that way.”

  ***

  Trinity

  She can’t believe what she hears; her heart swells and her smile widens. “I would love that so much.”

  “I wonder too…” he stops, unsure if he should finish what he wants to say.

  “What? What are you wondering?”

  “Do you think God put you here with me for more than your protection?”

  She thinks about what he’s asking, and hopes with all her heart that he’s right. Even though she has been in his life for only a short time, she is falling for him.

  “Yes,” she whispers. “I think He put us together for more than that. I think there’s a very good chance God wants us to be together to love each other. I’m really beginning to believe that.”

  Smiling, he tenderly holds her hand, lifts it to his lips and kisses the back of it. “I’m beginning to believe that too.”

  She gets up from her chair and leaves the room, telling him she’ll be right back. Confused, he sits there wondering what she’s up to. A moment later she returns and sits beside him, holding both Bibles.

  “Why don’t we start with a prayer?” They smile, hold hands and close their eyes.

  ***

  Derrick

  Derrick doesn’t think it will be difficult to bring Trinity home where she belongs. He doesn’t know her exact location, but he will find her easily enough. From what he found on Google, Moneta, Virginia is a small country town. He feels she had to have been seen enough that if he shows her picture around he will be able to find her. He also thinks she’s probably staying with someone because she hasn’t touched her money in the bank the entire time she’s been gone. Someone has to be helping her. Whoever that person is will do one of two things. They will either believe the lies he will tell about Trinity—that she is mentally unstable and he needs to look after her—or they will regret getting involved. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone; he only wants the woman he loves to be with him. In the end, when this is all over, he believes she will be.

  Derrick finishes packing a small suitcase with clothes and toiletries. He picks up the handgun he hopes he won’t have to use. He has to admit though, it looks and feels great in his hands. A lightweight 9mm he purchased the day after Trinity decided to run off. He was still pretty upset at the time, otherwise he probably wouldn’t have bought it. Since he knows where she is he’s calmed down, but he is going to take it just in case matters turn down a different path than he wants them to go.

  Tonight, he will rest and get mentally ready for what is waiting for him. Will it turn out to be violent? He doesn’t know, but he’s ready for that if it comes down to it. The one thing he really doesn’t like about walking into this is that he has no idea who is helping Trinity. It could be a man or a woman. If her friend is a man, is he dangerous? Not knowing anything about the person bothers him, but he can take care of business either way. The less drama the better. He will just have to wait and see what goes down.

  Chapter 11

  Trinity

  Her dream flirts with her as a scene of snow-capped mountains and pine trees passes gently through her mind. She sees soft and fluffy clouds above the tips of the far away peaks and her hair falls into her face as a breeze picks up. As she sits on the freshly cut grass and leans back onto her hands, she senses another presence and turns to see the form of a man approaching. Before she is able to see the face of the stranger or before either can speak, she hears a loud noise that breaks her away from the endearing moment.

  Trinity jerks awake and opens her eyes to the sound of Sheeba snoring beside her, and she can’t help but giggle. Sometimes she thinks her fur baby can sleep through anything. Trinity lies still for a while and thinks about how well she slept, which doesn’t surprise her since her life is better now and with a lot less stress. She tries to focus on the interrupted dream, but already it has begun to fade away into oblivion.

  Not long ago she would have been terrified, but for some reason she’s only a little nervous. For that alone she is extremely grateful. She knows there is a lot to be grateful for. First and foremost, she has a loving and powerful God in her life, and He loves her enough to keep her safe and alive by putting her with Gates. They are getting very close, a lot closer than she would have ever imagined when they first met. She finds it completely amazing how fast things have happened in such a short time. She wouldn’t change it for the world, not even the events that led up to their meeting. If all of those things hadn’t happened she probably would have never met Gates. The way he makes her smile and the way he holds her, kisses her and wants her makes her want to be with him as well.

  Suddenly, Sheeba raises her head and looks at her, panting. She sits up and leans forward, trying to give Trinity good morning kisses, making her laugh out loud.

  “Good morning to you too, sweetie!” she says, closing her eyes and turning her head to avoid getting licked to death. She quickly gets out of bed to remove herself from the dog’s loving attack and walks to the bathroom, Sheeba right behind her.

  “Do you have to follow me everywhere?” she asks the dog as she relieves herself then brushes her teeth. Sheeba sits on her rump looking at her as if she should already know the answer to that question. “Right, of course you do. Come on, let’s go outside.”

  Together they walk through the kitchen. Trinity can smell the coffee brewing and wonders where Gates is. When she takes Sheeba out, she sees him sitting on the back deck with his eyes closed and begins to worry if he’s okay.

  “Good morning,” she greets him as Sheeba nudges his hand to see if he’s awake. Opening his eyes he smiles at them both and rubs the dog’s head, letting her know he is okay.

  “Good morning, beautiful. How are you?”

  His sweet greeting makes her smile. “I’m great. How are you this morning? You worried me for a second when I saw you out here with your eyes closed.”

  “Just doing some meditation while I was waiting for two things.”

  “What two things?” “Coffee and you.”

  She laughs at him for being cute and leans down to kiss him. Sheeba runs between them and out into the yard to do her business. They can hear the gurgling noises coming from the kitchen and go back inside for coffee. Before she can reach for a cup, Gates wraps his arms around her stomach and pulls her back into him. She smiles and allows him to hug her and rests her hands on his.

  “I can’t help but tell you that you are incredibly gorgeous when you first wake up,” he whispers to her.

  She laughs out loud at him. “You must need glasses, mister. I look terrible in the morning, my hair is a mess, and I don’t have any make-up on, but thank you for your kind words.”

  He reaches for a cup for each of them. “I’ll have you know that my eyesight is perfect 20/20 vision in both eyes. And I think you are a natural beauty and don’t need make-up.”

  “Awww, well ain’t you the sweetheart this morning,” Trinity replies and kisses him on the cheek.
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  “Sometimes I try to be.”

  With their cups they walk back out onto the porch and watch Sheeba rolling around in the grass. There is a chill in the air, but it isn’t too bad. Soon she knows it will be too cold to be outside so early in the morning sitting on the deck, and not long afterward winter will be upon them. They are enjoying it while they can. Out of the blue Trinity says something and catches him off guard.

  “Thank you for last night. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

  “What? What did I do other than be honest about everything?”

  “That’s what I’m talking about. I’m not used to a man opening up to me like that. It really says a lot about you and it means the world to me. Thank you.”

  Staring out at the lake he takes a sip of his coffee. “Like I told you a couple of weeks ago, I’ve grown a lot since I’ve lived here. Meditation, being with nature, the quietness and exercise, and Tai Chi have really helped me come a long way. Honesty with myself is a part of it. Oh, that reminds me, since we are talking about honesty. It appears to me that laziness has crept upon us as of late.”

  She mocks being hurt from being called lazy and playfully slaps his arm.

  “Who are you calling lazy?”

  He laughs, holds up a hand in defense and says, “Just saying that the past couple of days we haven’t done much as far as workouts go. Not pointing any fingers at you; it’s my fault too.” They grin at each other and he continues. “To stay with the honesty thing, I also thank you for last night. Well, for everything actually.”

  “What have I done?”

  He looks at his cup and runs a finger around the rim. “You are a big part of the reason my eyes have been opened. With you here, I see a better meaning for my life, possibly why I’m still around.”