Loved by a Soldier: A Military Romance Collection

by Alison Mello

  Trinity sits on the edge of her bed with her face in the palms of her hands. She wishes more than anything that she could take away what happened, but she knows she can’t. All she can do is pray and have faith.

  “God, You already know what needs to be done, but I have to ask that You help Gates. Please, lay Your loving hands on him and heal him. Please take away his pain. I also want to ask You, Lord, to comfort the family of Derrick and his friends when they have to go through their pain of losing him. I pray that they will be able to deal with their loss. In Your name I pray, amen.”

  For the moment finished talking to the One she knows will always be with her, Trinity quickly takes her shower and gets things together for them both. She hopes the hospital will allow her to stay the night with Gates.

  ***

  An hour and a half later Trinity and Katherine walk into Gates’ room. He’s still knocked out from whatever the doctors gave him. They quietly sit the duffle bag Trinity packed for him on the floor and the dinner plate on the table by the bed. She hopes he will like what she chose for him to eat.

  Katherine motions for Trinity to follow her into the hall.

  “I really want to see him, but he looks like he’s really out of it. I have some things I need to do so I’m going to go ahead and head home. Please, tell him I was here and that I’m sorry I couldn’t stay, but I will call later to talk to him.”

  “Okay, I will. I know he’ll understand, as do I. Thank you again for everything.”

  They hug goodbye. Trinity walks back in the room and sits next to the bed. The aroma of the food she brought wafts through the air, and she hopes the nurses will reheat it for him when he wakes up. She sees his shoulder wrapped in what looks like an incredible amount of gauze and again has to fight back tears. She refuses to have him open his eyes and see her crying. Besides, she talked to God and knows everything will be okay. She can see his eyelids twitching and wonders what he’s dreaming about. A moment later he sighs and moves his head. When he opens his eyes she immediately smiles for him. His gaze rests on her and he sleepily grins.

  “Hey beautiful,” he murmurs.

  She takes his hand in hers and replies, “Hey to you, too, handsome. How are you feeling? Did you sleep okay?”

  “I’m okay. They have me on some drugs so my shoulder doesn’t hurt as much. I guess I slept okay. I was dreaming about someone very special to me,” he slurs.

  “And who might that be?” she asks, knowing it was her but going along with the joke. “Were you dreaming about Sheeba?”

  He laughs, but has to restrain himself so he doesn’t hurt his shoulder. “Very funny, but no it wasn’t her. I was dreaming about you.”

  “I was hoping it was me. What was I doing in your dream?”

  It’s his turn to play with her and he declines the chance to reveal his dream. “I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise for later.”

  “You can’t tell me?” She feigns hurt. “How long do I have to wait?”

  “That depends on you,” he tells her with a mischievous grin.

  “Okay, so now a riddle too. Okay, I will just take this yummy plate of food and give it to one of the nurses, then,” she says with a wink.

  “You wouldn’t.”

  She laughs and places it back on the table. “Of course I wouldn’t. I hope you like it.”

  “What is it? It smells great.”

  “I stopped at an Italian place down the street and got some lasagna. I got enough for both of us, but I was waiting for you.”

  Trinity does something she has never done for a man before. She feeds him. They are laughing at each other and enjoying the lasagna when the doctor walks in.

  He is pleased with Gates’ spirits. “I want to watch you to make sure you don’t get an infection. Assuming all goes well, you’ll be able to go home in a couple of days.”

  “I’m ready to go now.”

  “No, I don’t think so. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  After they finish eating, Trinity wants to talk about what’s next, now that she doesn’t “need” protection. She isn’t a hundred percent sure what Gates wants, and honestly, she isn’t too sure what she wants. She knows she has fallen in love with him, but living in his house with their deepening feelings can easily become difficult.

  “So, I was wondering if we can have a talk about something, if you feel up to it.”

  “Sure, I think I can handle a conversation with you,” he jokes.

  She grins at his attempt to make her laugh. “Now that things are different…I mean now that I don’t have to worry anymore about being in danger from Derrick, what is going to happen now?”

  His smile turns into a more serious expression. He thinks about his answer before replying. “I assume you are talking about us and where we go from here.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I want to talk about.”

  “Are you unsure about how you feel?”

  “About you? No, I’m definitely sure about my feelings for you.” She pauses and takes a deep breath. “It’s just that, well I have to be honest and I think you will agree, that we both have desires that are difficult to keep under control. As much as I would like to allow these feelings to happen, I don’t feel comfortable about it because I don’t want to feel guilty afterward.”

  “Because of your faith?”

  “Yes.” She pauses. “Please understand.”

  “I do…” he says, but she thinks she can see hurt in his eyes. “So I guess we need to figure something out. I will never do anything to make you uncomfortable.”

  “I know and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable either. I have an idea, though, that I think we can both live with.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “I haven’t talked to her about it yet, but I was thinking about asking Gloria, since she lives alone, if she would be interested in a roommate. I will get a job, of course, and rent from her. She lives in Moneta so we can still see each other, and it wouldn’t be putting pressure on either of us.”

  He presses his lips together, giving him a serious expression. With a gaze filled with compassion and love he nods. “I’m willing to do whatever you think is best. I have to admit that over a short period of time we have fallen into a relationship we weren’t expecting. I think it’s a great idea, to be honest.”

  Surprised that the talk she dreaded is going so well, she asks, “Really? You think it’s a good thing then?”

  “Yes, I really do. If you think about it, it will give us the space we need, such as you being able to not worry about how you dress with me in the house, or when either one of us is coming out of the bathroom, you know, things like that. And we can take time to really get to know each other the way we should.”

  Her face beams with delight that he understands. “Thank you. You have no idea how much it means to me that you are willing to do this. I was actually a little worried that you wouldn’t understand.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” he says to her and holds her hand. “In time, we will learn how the other thinks, how we both feel about certain things, and when we do spend time together it will always be great. Don’t get me wrong…in the past few weeks I have grown used to you being with me, so I will miss you. It’ll take some getting used to again, being alone.”

  “I’ll miss you, too.”

  “When do you think you’ll talk to Gloria?”

  “I’ll wait until Sunday when I see her at church and I guess I will stay at your place until you heal a little more so I can take care of you.”

  “You are going to spoil me.”

  “Don’t get too used to it,” she teases.

  Chapter 16

  Gates

  The last couple of days at the hospital go by slower for Gates than he wants, but Trinity being with him most of the time makes the wait more tolerable. When she isn’t there he has time to think about a lot of things. More things than he wants to have bombarding his mind at the same time. He’s been out of the ser
vice for years, and hasn’t been shot at or come close to dying until now. The experience made his eyes open more than they used to be. Certainly, with living on the lake, nature, and his lifestyle of being more down to earth he isn’t the man he used to be, but he begins to think about his spiritual life…and how Trinity fits into all of that.

  One thing he is quickly loving about her, among a lot of other things, is her passion to live how she believes to be the right way to live. She loves going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and when he hears her say she wants to live for Jesus Christ, he wonders how that makes her feel. He has never given his life to Christ before.

  Is his brush with death a hint from God? Is he being given a chance to get himself together with God? He needs to seriously think about making some changes in his life. He bought them both a Bible; so since he has one, he should probably start reading it and continue going to church with her. Not only because she’s going, but because he needs the lessons being taught there. He doesn’t tell her because he doesn’t want her to worry any more than he knows she already is, but the fact that he could’ve died did shake him up. Honestly…it scared him. Enough to where he can feel a tug on his heart from Someone above to get himself straight, and soon.

  He thinks about talking to her, but isn’t sure how to go about it. It’s Thursday when he gets home from the hospital and there isn’t a lot he can do. Trinity won’t let him do anything around the house, so he sits, watches television, and reads. He is pretty much bored out of his mind. By the time Saturday night arrives, he thinks he will lose his mind. Thankfully, she surprises him by inviting Gloria and Katherine over for dinner and she cooks chicken parmesan with a Greek salad. He enjoys the company more than he thought he would since he isn’t used to having three women in his house at the same time.

  With the house filled with their voices, Sheeba excited by the extra attention, and the aroma of the fine cooking, he has to admit it is one of the best days he has had in a long time. In a way it feels like a holiday. As they eat Sheeba sits near them with her pitiful, begging eyes. They talk about various things that, for once, don’t have to do with him getting shot.

  “So, have you thought anything about getting your things from Connecticut?” Katherine asks Trinity.

  “Yes, it has definitely crossed my mind quite a bit. I’m not sure how I’m going to do it yet, but I don’t have much there I really want. Mainly my car, my cameras and photo albums, and my clothes. Most of what I have there I can donate somewhere.”

  “How long do you think it would take you to do what you have to do?” Gates asks her. “I can take you whenever you want to go.”

  “And I can go with you if it’s okay,” Katherine offers. “As long as it’s not going to take more than a few days.”

  “Oh, the drive there and back will take longer than what needs to be done. I need to talk to the landlord and let him know I’m moving out. I’m sure he’ll want to know how long it will take to get everything out so he can rent the place, which means Derrick’s family will need to get involved. I dread having to talk to any of them, but it will need to be done, I guess.”

  “God will be with you all the way,” Gloria tells her. “Have faith and you’ll be okay, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.”

  “Thank you, I know He will. I have Him and all of you to get me through whatever happens. I am truly blessed.”

  Gates watches her expressions as she talks about something that will probably be painful for her. Through everything she has been through, he knows she has more strength than most men. He listens to her talk to her friends about God, and can’t help but admire the beauty that glows from her every pore. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but more importantly her personality and love for God stands out like nothing he has ever seen before. How can a man hurt her, in any way, shape or form? He doesn’t understand it, but he knows he will never harm her. He’s too far gone with his feelings for her and will do anything to prove it.

  “There’s something else I wanted to talk about too, Gloria. I was wondering since you have an extra room if you would be interested in renting it out to me. I’ll be looking for a job once I get back from Connecticut, and I already have a bank account. I can pay my rent with no problem.”

  Gloria laughs out loud. “I’ve always believed that God steps in when the time is right. It’s funny that you ask me now, because I was planning on posting on the church’s community board tomorrow that I can use a roommate. Not only because it will help me pay the bills, but I do get lonely sometimes, being by myself.”

  Trinity beams when she hears Gloria tell them that. “That’s great! Yes, God is definitely good! How much are you thinking about renting the room for?”

  “Well, I was going to ask for five hundred a month and that includes utilities. Do you think you can handle that much?”

  Nodding, Trinity answers, “Yes, that won’t be a problem at all. Even with me not working at the moment I still make money from past jobs I had in other states for certain magazines.”

  “If you want to you can come over and look at it tomorrow after church, and you can bring your dog with you, too.”

  Gates and Trinity both laugh at the same time about Sheeba, but she speaks first. “Actually, she’s not mine, she’s Gates’, but the way she is with me you would think she is mine.”

  Gates speaks up. “I bought her thinking she would be good to have around here, but she doesn’t have nearly as much to do with me as she does Trinity. If you want to take her you can. She loves her like a momma. I can get another dog when Trinity moves out if I get too lonely.”

  “Are you sure?” she asks excitedly.

  Grinning, he says “Yes, of course.”

  Trinity blows him a kiss. “I love you.”

  Katherine and Gloria “oooh” and “ahhh” over this exchange. They all talk a little more about her moving and having to go to Connecticut, then they clean the kitchen. Trinity finally gives in to Sheeba begging for food and gives her a small treat.

  “Did you hear that girl? You will be moving with me and living with Gloria.” Sheeba isn’t paying her any attention. She’s too busy staring at the treat Trinity holds in her hand—something way more important at the moment.

  After everything is cleaned up and put away, Katherine and Gloria say goodnight.

  “Trinity, I will see you at church tomorrow,” Gloria says. “Gates, will you be there too?”

  “Yes, I think me being there would be in my best interest. I plan on going.”

  “Good, I look forward to seeing you both. After, we’ll go to my place so Trinity can see the house.”

  After they leave, Trinity gently hugs Gates, still being careful to not hurt his shoulder. She gives him a gorgeous smile and a kiss. “What did you mean by what you said to Gloria?”

  “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about getting my life right, like you are doing,” he tells her as he looks into her green eyes. “This experience truly opened my eyes and I need to go. I can feel it in my heart that I need to be there.”

  Trinity smiles at him and buries her face in his chest. She can hear his heartbeat and the sound almost makes her cry. She’s certainly grateful that God isn’t ready for him quite yet.

  “I’m so glad you feel that way. I can’t tell you how scared I was that I almost lost you forever.”

  He holds her with his good arm, his lips burn for hers to touch his, and he stares into her eyes, knowing he could get lost in them forever.

  ***

  Trinity

  Sunday morning turns out to be an incredibly gorgeous day. The temperature is warmer than the weather man predicted. Very few clouds touch the blue in the sky and the squirrels invade the back yard once more before winter starts to set in. Trinity wraps herself in her robe and steps out onto the deck to watch Sheeba play, and sits with Gates as they enjoy their first cup of coffee for the day.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” Gates greets her.

  Smiling
she replies, “Good morning to you, handsome. How’s your shoulder?”

  “It’s starting to feel better, but it’s still tender. I expect that it will be that way for a while, though. The last time I was shot it hurt for a month and the tenderness was there for at least three months.”

  Trinity’s expression saddens. “Is your shoulder still giving you trouble sleeping?”

  “Ehhh, not too bad I guess, but it could be better. I doubt I’ll get a good night’s sleep for another week or so. There are always naps in between though.”

  “That’s very true,” she agrees. “I’ve always loved a good long nap. Have you had any more bad dreams lately?”

  Shaking his head he says, “Thankfully, no. Which in a way surprises me, but I’m not complaining.”

  Sheeba barks at some squirrels and tries to catch one, making them laugh at her. Gates cheers her on as she does her best, but she never gets close enough to any of them.

  “I’m nervous,” Gates says out of the blue, making her look at him with some concern.

  “Why, baby? What are you nervous about?”

  “I don’t know, maybe nervous is the wrong word. I guess I mean anxious. I think it’s because of what the road ahead presents.”

  “What do you mean? Are you referring to me moving?

  He grins at her and assures her it isn’t that. “No, I think it’s because I know I need to do something that will change my life forever. I guess it’s about having faith more than anything else.”

  Trinity is beginning to get an idea about what he may be talking about. “Are you talking about church and about getting your life straight?”

  He nods and looks out at Sheeba, watching her, admiring her pure freedom as he sips his coffee. He looks at Trinity as she lays her soft hand on his arm and lightly squeezes. She can see his eyes becoming misty; she hasn’t seen the sensitive side of him like this before. It touches her soul to see it now.

  “Would you like to pray about it? God will always comfort you if you let Him.”