Loved by a Soldier: A Military Romance Collection

by Alison Mello

  He knows if it comes down to it, he will give his life for her. He has no doubt about that. She reaches down and rubs Sheeba’s head and turns to look at him. When she sees him staring at her she smiles and blows him a kiss. His heart jumps when the imaginary kiss hits him upside his head. He can only grin like a teenager watching the head cheerleader at a homecoming game, totally blindsided by her beauty.

  “Are you okay?” she asks him with a slight hint of a whisper.

  He barely hears her, but answers anyway. “I couldn’t be better.”

  She giggles. “Okay. I’m going to go put on a nightgown and I’ll be right back.”

  He mumbles “Okay” and watches her turn away.

  “God, if you are up there, if you are real like Trinity says you are, please help me.” He talks softly with his head laid back and his eyes closed. “If You really are listening to me, then You know what is happening. I don’t know why You allow things like that to happen to people like Trinity, but we need Your help. I need to keep her safe. I love her and I can’t lose her. Please help me, and God. One more thing. If You can find the time when this is all over down here, can you please help me…You know, make her happy. Amen.”

  A few minutes later Trinity walks into the living room in her nightgown and robe with Sheeba right beside her. She’s still grinning and Gates gazes at her as if he’s drugged. He wants to hold her, to kiss her, and badly wants to take her to bed and make love to her, but he will never push himself on her. If he ever has the honor and privilege of her giving herself to him, it will be on her terms. He’ll just suffer in silence.

  Trinity snuggles against him and he can smell the fragrance of her shampoo and body wash. He breathes in deeply, relishing her scent. He has to get a grip before he loses his mind. He places his arm around her and holds her close, enjoying every single second he has with her before things get crazy. They talk about their dinner with Katherine, and Gates asks what she thought.

  “Oh, you were right, I absolutely adore her. Thank you for taking me there.”

  “You’re welcome. It did look like you two hit it off fairly quick.”

  “Yeah, we did, right? She’s a great cook, too. I loved her beef stew and biscuits. I could eat more right now!”

  He laughs and says, “It’s a good thing she sent some home with us, then.”

  “Nah, it’s too late to be eating,” she comments and burrows her face into his shoulder.

  “Besides, I’m tired and think I’m going to bed in a few minutes.”

  He isn’t tired at all anymore. Trinity nestled against him like she is does the total opposite of making him tired.

  “Even though I can relate to some of her feelings and what she went through, I really feel sorry for her,” Trinity says. “But at the same time I admire her strength and faith in God. She has moved forward with her life. It speaks volumes about her. Thank you again for taking me there tonight.”

  “You’re welcome. I think she feels the same about you. I think you have made a lifelong friend.”

  “I think so too. I can use another one, that’s for sure.”

  Gates holds her against him, too many feelings coursing through him at the same time. He caresses her arm and says, “I think I’m going to take a shower before bed.” It will be a cold shower, but he doesn’t say that.

  Her hand slides around his stomach until her arm is all the way around him. She hugs him tightly, and he can feel the heat of her breath. Gates wonders if she has any idea what she is doing to him. He caresses her shoulder and kisses the top of her still damp head; neither of them say anything as they hold onto each other. Neither want to let go. After a few minutes Sheeba lets them know it’s her turn to get some of the loving. She places her paws on their legs and huffs, making them laugh.

  “I think someone is jealous,” Trinity says.

  “I think you’re right.”

  “Oh, you poor deprived baby!” Trinity coos as she blows kisses to Sheeba and rubs her head. The sudden attention gets the dog excited and she starts prancing, making them laugh harder.

  “I’m going for that shower now,” Gates says as he starts to stand. Trinity quickly tightens her grip around him and plants a quick kiss before he has the chance to get away. He smiles and kisses her back, making it quick. Not going soon may lead to something he won’t be able to stop. Trinity knows his predicament, and with a gleam in her eyes she lets him go.

  “Enjoy your shower.”

  Laughing, he replies “I will.”

  ***

  Trinity

  Trinity lies down on the couch and closes her eyes, knowing she should go to bed, but thoughts of Gates bounce around in her head. The temptation to be with him is attacking her and she struggles. It has been a long time since she’s felt what she feels now. She loves these feelings for him, but knows she cannot act on them. The devil is playing with her soul and body, doing his best to weaken her so she falls into sins of the flesh. She isn’t far from falling over the edge, but before she allows anything to happen she gets up, walks into her room, and falls to her knees, begging God to give her strength.

  “Lord Jesus, my Heavenly Father, I know You are aware of my struggles. I know You are aware of all that is going on in my life and I love You for always being here for me. I need Your strength right now, Lord. Temptations are strong in me. I am weak and I need help. I believe You want me to be with Gates, but I also know You want things to be right. Please, help us Lord. Please, help us both walk the path You have for us. In Your name I pray, amen.”

  ***

  Gates

  While Gates stands in the shower, he does his best to not think about his wants, about his overwhelming desire to be with the woman he has fallen for. He wants to show her his passion and feelings, but he also wants to respect her wishes and faith in the God she tries hard to live for. To do anything other than that would be wrong, and that’s an understatement.

  He leans forward with his hands on the walls of the shower and hangs his head, letting the water beat down on him. The water is as cold as he can stand it. He shivers, but it seems to be helping a little. He makes his mind go somewhere he isn’t yet accustomed to, and he starts talking to the God he hopes is real and listening.

  “God, I know only a few minutes ago I asked for Your help. Obviously, I will be asking for it a lot, but in the other room is a woman who has been put in my life for a reason. I know she’s here for me to help her, but I’m thinking, too, that You brought her here for us to be together. I hope I’m not wrong about that. I haven’t known her long, but she’s so beautiful in every way that I couldn’t help but fall in love. The last thing I want to do is hurt her by being a pig and pushing myself on her, so I’m begging You, if You are listening, please help me be strong for her.”

  He remains standing under the water with his eyes closed and tries to think of nothing, to clear his mind before finishing his shower. Instead of rushing to get out of the cold, he finally turns the heat up to almost blistering and relishes in the steam. Slowly he showers and once he’s finished he feels confident enough to go to bed without any mishaps. He dries off, gets his robe on, and quickly walks into his room, shutting the door.

  He doesn’t hear anything from Trinity’s room so he figures she’s gone to bed. He wants to tell her goodnight, but slides between his own sheets instead. It’s going to be a long night.

  ***

  Derrick

  Derrick isn’t far from his destination, but his eyes have grown dangerously tired so he gets a room at a small hotel. As much as he wants to find Trinity and have her in his arms again, there’s no real reason to be hasty. Lying on the bed he listens to the news without much interest. He has more important things on his mind. He is tired when he stops, but once he lies down his brain seems to say Oh no you don’t, you ain’t going to sleep yet!

  Images run through his mind about the night she left. He remembers running through the rain, calling her name. He searched the parking lot and peered into ca
rs, but didn’t see her. He even tried opening a few of them, but they were all locked. He remembers picking up a large rock, seriously thinking about bashing in some of the windows. Thankfully some common sense showed up and stopped him. He didn’t particularly want to go to jail, on that night or any other. He couldn’t think of where she disappeared to so quickly. Maybe she planned it and had someone help her by meeting her outside, but he doubted it. He had enough of a hold on her so he knew all of her so-called friends. At least he thought he did.

  He holds her picture in his hands and looks at her smile. God, she’s beautiful. If she was with him right then he would be making love to her. He misses that part, too. He thinks about getting a prostitute, but decides he would be lowering his standards by doing that. No, he wants her and he will have her. The hardest part will be finding her.

  He knows she’s in Moneta, but he doesn’t know exactly where. From what he found on Google it’s a very small town, so someone has to have seen her. He decides to stop thinking about her and tries to get some sleep. He has a feeling he will have a long day ahead of him.

  Chapter 13

  Derrick arrives in Moneta around nine o’clock and the traffic is light. Of course, it’s a small country town and since it’s Sunday morning, he doesn’t expect to see a lot of people out and about. If he wasn’t looking for her he would probably still be in bed himself. He drives around thinking about where to start looking. The image of her standing on the side of the road on the news makes him think about where she could have been that day. It had been a Sunday, and she was wearing a dress. He shakes his head and realizes the chance of her having been to church was very good. Did she go alone or with someone?

  He doubts she was able to get herself a car since her name hasn’t come up in any records of any kind. He also realizes that in this hick town, there are probably thousands of small roads. If he has to drive around, it can take a while.

  Driving past an elementary school, he observes his surroundings and wonders why anyone would want to live where there is so little to do. What could be so great about living in such a horrendously boring place? He thinks about what kind of churches there would be in Moneta. Churches? Where would there be a church? There can only be a few of them, he thinks. He will find one and park, waiting to see if she shows up. First he needs a cup of coffee. When he sees a country store up ahead he slows and pulls into the gravel parking lot.

  He slowly walks around the store, smirking at how simple and plain it looks. Compared to what he is used to there isn’t much to offer, unless someone is fishing, hunting, or a junk food junkie. When he sees the small refrigerator holding nightcrawlers, he shakes his head and walks around, still looking for coffee. He is surprised they actually have a decent coffee bar near the back of the store. After paying, he returns to his car, thinking there is no possible way he could live somewhere like this.

  He stays in the small gravel lot for a few more minutes, holding her picture and staring at it. His eyes are pained as he takes a long draw from his cigarette and blows a cloud of smoke through the cracked window. He realizes he should ask the cashier if anyone has seen her around. He throws the remaining unsmoked cigarette onto the gravel and walks back into the store.

  “Excuse me. I was wondering if you have seen this lady around anytime recently?”

  The woman behind the counter takes the picture. Over her glasses she looks at it and answers, “She’s very pretty. I think I would remember her, but no, I can’t say that I have. I’m sorry.”

  Nodding, Derrick takes the picture back, thanks her and walks out. He asks the guy who is walking in, but he gets the same response. Once he is in his car he shakes his head with frustration; someone has to have seen her. He will find her. It’s just a matter of time. For now he will drive around, stop at a few places to show her picture around and ask the same questions. When he thinks church should be letting out, he will be sure to be sitting outside of one, watching for her.

  He leaves the small store and takes a left where he sees a sign that reads Smith Mountain Lake. There should be some places around there where he can stop and ask about her. Probably some other stores and restaurants.

  ***

  Gates

  Both Trinity and Gates oversleep and have to rush around getting ready. They try not to run into each other in the process. Trinity has no intention of missing church and hearing the gospel. Gates wants to go mainly to make sure she will be safe, but with his struggles he knows being in the house of God certainly won’t hurt him. While she is rushing around, he makes sure he sticks the SIG SAUER P226 in the back of his pants, nice and snug against his back. He hopes she won’t notice he is carrying, and that he won’t have to pull it out. He feels bad enough as it is about having it in church. He covers it with a sports jacket and walks out into the kitchen to wait for Trinity. They don’t bother with breakfast; she takes Sheeba out to do her business then jumps in the car. They didn’t even have time to get coffee, so on the way she says they still have a few minutes and asks him to stop at the store that’s near the church so they can get a cup.

  “Is it okay to take coffee in church?” he asks.

  Trinity giggles. “You are so cute. Yes, it’s okay.”

  They pull into the small lot of the country store that’s on the way. Hand in hand they walk in and go down the aisle where the assortment of junk food and drinks are plentiful. Since they had to skip breakfast both of them are hungry, but eating will have to wait until later. Gates mentions possibly getting some lunch as soon as they get out of church.

  ***

  Derrick

  Neither of them see Derrick as they turn the end of the aisle and walk to the coffee bar, talking as they go. The unmistakable sound of her voice catches Derrick by surprise and he turns toward her in complete shock. There she stands, only a few feet away, unaware of his presence.

  His first emotion is anger, then he sees how beautiful she is. When he realizes she’s with the man next to her, the anger returns ten-fold and he has no choice but to confront them. Not that he would have waited anyhow.

  “Trinity,” he says her name with a shaky voice. At first, he doesn’t think she hears him so he repeats her name louder. “Trinity!”

  The sound of her name fills the air and immediately she recognizes the voice. It’s one she’ll never be able to get out of her head. Fear envelopes her and she stops stirring her coffee. She freezes and doesn’t want to turn around, but Gates does. By her reaction and because another man speaks her name with a tone of anger, he knows who it is. He turns toward Derrick with every nerve, every cell in his body ready for action. His instincts kick in and as Trinity slowly turns toward the man she fears most, one of Gates’ hands rests on her waist as the other prepares to reach behind his back.

  With a quivering voice, full of emotion and fear, Trinity asks, “Derrick…why are you here? Why can’t you leave me alone?”

  “I want you to come home with me, honey. Let’s not make a scene. I don’t want any trouble. I only want to take you home where you belong. Please, Trinity. Let’s go home.”

  “She doesn’t want to be with you,” Gates interrupts. “She is afraid of you. Can’t you see that?”

  Their eyes meet; Derrick isn’t able to control himself and his words burst forth with enough intensity to turn every head in the building. “Who are you? She belongs to me!” Derrick throws his cup to the floor and coffee splatters over everything around it. He pulls his 9mm from his jacket and points it at them. “She is coming with me and she’s coming now! I am not playing games!”

  Screams fill the store once everyone sees what is happening. The store clerk pushes the red button beneath the counter, alerting the police department, and ducks down onto the floor. Gates wants to reach for his gun, but he knows he won’t be able to get it before Derrick gets a shot off. He can’t take the chance of Trinity getting shot.

  “Derrick, please don’t do this,” she begs him as tears burn her eyes.

  “Like
I said, you are coming home with me. I will change sweetheart, just give me a chance,” he tells her as he continues to point the gun at them. “What can he do for you that I can’t? I love you. Please don’t make me do this. Come home.”

  “Derrick…” His name leaves her lips, a pained whisper, and she takes a step forward. As she moves, Derrick begins to lower his gun. In an instant Gates is pulling his out from behind his back. Derrick sees the movement; he’s close enough to grab Trinity before Gates is fully prepared. Fear courses through Trinity like a lightning strike. Her eyes bulge; she can see Gates wants to do something, anything, to keep her safe.

  “Don’t…even…think about it!” Derrick screams at him, barely loud enough to be heard over Trinity’s frightening shriek. She struggles in his iron grip, caught between two men who are both willing to kill over her. With her fingers digging into Derrick’s arm, she cries out, begging for him to let her go and he begins to back away.

  ***

  Trinity

  “She’s mine! Back off now or I will shoot!” he threatens. Gates takes a step forward as Derrick backs away with no intention of giving in. It is obvious to all that Derrick is willing to die for her. In her head, Trinity pleads with God to help them, to save them from this disaster.

  Another voice rings through the air, one no one expected to hear.

  “Drop the guns and put your hands above your heads!” a deputy yells at them. A moment later the police officer walks around where Trinity can see him.