Steadfast Soldier Read online

  “We all see it. I wish he did. How’s Ivan?”

  “Chance will work with him on exercises while I’m gone. Ivan agreed to comply as long as I keep bringing home-cooked meals.”

  “Awww! How sweet.” Mandy giggled.

  “I don’t have anybody to cook for, so I don’t mind. I like it.”

  “Maybe you’ll help Chance get his appetite back.”

  For whatever reason, Chloe blushed. It had thrilled her when Chance had complimented her in his slow drawl. “He said he looks forward to sharing more of my food and my time after I return from Chicago. I have to go back to replace Fiona, my right hand in the program there. She is on bed rest in a high-risk pregnancy.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but how exciting that Chance likes to spend time with you.”

  “He could have been being polite.”

  “Or he could have been hinting at a date.”

  The thought thrust her brain into a tailspin and made her feel too warm and fuzzy for comfort. “Anyway, tell Mom I’ll meet her at the restaurant. Feel free to join us.”

  “Thanks, maybe another time. I have a hot date with my hubby this evening. Joel, their team leader, encourages the married guys to have date nights with their spouses.”

  “That’s smart, I suppose.”

  “Chance is one of the two single guys, by the way. Brock is the other one.”

  The neck flush returned to Chloe. Why would Mandy feel the need to point that out?

  Chloe had no intention whatsoever of letting any ministry-minded man, no matter how enticing, push her dreams to the back burner, or worse, snuff them altogether.

  Yep, best to forget the strapping PJ’s piercing green eyes. Unlike her green with gold streaks, his were gold with green flecks. And she ought to be ashamed of herself for noticing that sort of thing while on the job.

  Nope. She had no intention of following in her mother’s footsteps and falling for a man consumed by his work, his faith or both.

  One week later, footsteps pounded the boardwalk outside the B&B Friday evening as Chance waited for Brock to get out of the shower. He peered out the window to see a black flurry rushing past, dragging something that stumbled to keep up.

  He opened the door. “Chloe?”

  She tripped over bright skirts and hit the deck, legs and arms sprawled every which way. He rushed to her side.

  She rolled over, moaned, then started laughing.

  Midnight chased a cardinal off the white wraparound porch rail. Chance offered Chloe a hand up and held her gaze with his. “Welcome back!” He nodded toward Midnight. “You know, he is a bird dog after all.”

  Chloe shook her head. “Thanks. And there are countless birds here. Unlike Chicago. He’s not supposed to chase things, being a therapy dog, but he’s still learning. Speaking of, I know better than to wrap his leash around my wrist. Ow!” She rubbed it.

  The paramedic in him kicking in, Chance reached for her hand and turned it over to assess the angry red line the leash had burned into her delicate skin. He felt a spark run through him as he held her hand, but he tried to focus on her injury. “He’s a strong dog. This is just a surface wound though. You’ll be okay.”

  Because she seemed acutely uncomfortable with his touch, he released her wrist. “Try icing it.”

  She groaned at Midnight, now after a robin. “I’ll never catch him at this rate.”

  She brushed a smoothing hand along the sundress that barely skimmed her knees. “Do you jog often?” Chance asked.

  She turned from watching Midnight frolic in the yard and glanced quizzically at him. “Huh?”

  “You have a runner’s physique.”

  “Thanks, I think. But no. I exercise as little as humanly possible. The only running I do is after that hairy hooligan when he gets a notion to go after something feathered or furry.”

  Midnight must run off frequently then, because she had very shapely legs. He forced his eyes to retrain on her face. “How’d the trip go?”

  Frustration fluttered across Chloe’s face. “Not as well as I’d hoped. Fiona is doing okay, but she will remain on bed rest, and I only found a temporary replacement for her. Which reminds me, I have work to do. I’d better get going.” She corralled Midnight with Chance’s help and stepped into her unit.

  Brock’s door opened, and he poked his head out. Water droplets clung to his red hair. “What’s the racket? Sounded like we were back dodging bombs in Baghdad.”

  Chance grinned. “Need you ask?”

  “Chloe’s back, and Midnight is after another squirrel?”

  “Yep, she’s back. And no squirrels. Birds this time.” Chance followed Brock inside so he could finish getting ready. “Yo, you primp like a girl.”

  “That’s because I’d like to get a girl.”

  “Well, don’t get one with asthma unless you’re packin’ an arsenal of EpiPens, because all that cologne you’ve slathered on will send her into a deadly attack.”

  Laughing, Brock stepped in front of the hall mirror and slapped gel on his buzz so he could spike it. Chance grabbed a swig of high-pulp orange juice he’d left in the fridge while Brock searched in his closet, presumably for shoes.

  Once outdoors, Chance eyed Chloe’s door as they passed it to get to the steps. “Maybe we should invite her along.”

  Brock paused on the boardwalk. “Go for it. No one needs to sit home alone on a Friday night.”

  “She said she had work to do.”

  “So tell her she can do it later. We’re going to the first show, then we’ll grab a bite to eat. We can always bring her back early if she doesn’t want to eat with us.”

  Hoping like crazy she would want to go, Chance rapped knuckles on Chloe’s door.

  It opened quickly. Her eyes and smile widened in pleasant surprise when she saw them. “Hey, guys.” She peered around Brock at Chance. “What’s going on?”

  Chance clammed up.

  Brock jabbed his ribs from the back.

  “Uh, we w-were headed to the m-movies. Wanna c-come?”

  She’d turn him down. He knew she would.

  She turned to eye the papers on her table while nibbling her lip. “I suppose I could work on my stuff tomorrow morning.” She refocused on Chance. “Sure. I’d love to.” She grabbed her purse off the table, then stopped. “Oh, wait. I need to freshen up. Are we in a hurry?”

  Chance laughed. “Unless you take as much time as Brock getting ready, we should be fine.”

  Giggling, she stepped back. “Come on in. I’ll just be a minute.”

  Fifteen minutes later she emerged from putting on makeup and stood in front of the hallway mirror, fixing her hair. Chance lifted Midnight’s leash from the coat tree. “I’ll take him outside before we go.”

  Chloe snickered on her way to the bathroom. Chance wasn’t sure why.

  Brock walked with Chance around the yard while Midnight did his business. Every time he tried to chase whatever rustled in the bushes edging the woods, Chance pulled up on his leash and issued a firm “No.”

  Moments later Chloe came outside. Wow, her efforts to spruce herself up were certainly worth it. Chance realized he was gawking again when Brock wrestled the leash from his hands so a bright-eyed Chloe could put the dog inside. Both with her vividly hued makeup and without, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

  “He didn’t try to run off?” She looked at Chance.

  “He tried.” Chance studied her in return.

  “He didn’t get loose?” Arched eyebrows drew inward.

  “Nope.”

  “Wow. He listens to you better than me.”

  So that’s why she’d snickered earlier. She’d expected Midnight to drag him through the woods. Chance grinned and felt a touch of pride, especially when respect escalated in her eyes.

  Small victory.

  She tucked a purse under her arm. “Ready?”

  During the evening, Brock left an open place beside Chloe so Chance could sit next to her. Chance owed his buddy,
big-time.

  They opted to watch a comedy rather than an action flick since Chloe said she loved to laugh, which suited Chance because he loved to hear her.

  He enjoyed watching her more than the movie. She even let him buy popcorn and soda for her. Of course, he paid for Brock’s too, since he guilted Chance into it. That made Chloe laugh again, which definitely made the twenty bucks for refreshments worth it. Afterward, the three went to enjoy a hearty dinner at the authentic Mexican restaurant near Manny’s.

  The owner’s children entered with their mother just after Chance, Chloe and Brock sat down. “She had them later in life, like Mom had me,” Chance said as the woman shuffled in and sighed.

  “She looks pretty winded,” Brock noted as the kids took off and their mom tried unsuccessfully to catch them before they dashed into the kitchen.

  The owner carried the children out and sat with his wife.

  “They both look haggard, like it’s too much for them to keep up with their youngsters’ energetic demands.” Compassion for the family filled Chance. “Exactly why I want kids while I’m young.”

  He didn’t miss the way Chloe’s face pinched. “There are also drawbacks to having kids while you’re young, you know.”

  Chance nodded. “I guess it’s all a matter of preference.”

  “I’m definitely not having kids when I’m young.” She dabbed her mouth with a napkin and watched the children who tried to drag their parents up from sitting. The parents looked extremely exhausted, like they needed a two-day nap.

  Memories resurfaced of his own parents’ inability to play sports or games or anything that required much physical activity. Chance clenched his jaw.

  He wanted a family while he was young. And he would not relent on that. He wanted to be the best dad possible to his children, and he wanted his wife to be healthy and energetic.

  Everyone on his team knew he was on the hunt for a wife, but he wasn’t in a hurry to get the wrong one.

  Chance’s vision slipped from the family to Chloe who smiled kindly at the fatigued parents and waved playfully at the children.

  While he was attracted to her and even saw her as someone he could possibly fall in love with and marry, he knew there were obstacles. She was ambitious, and she’d just made it very clear where she stood on having children while she was young. Still, he wondered how adamant she was about that.

  “Mmm. So good.” Chloe licked enchilada sauce off her fingers. Chance paused midbite. His throat dried and his pulse ramped up a notch. Wanting his mind to honor God rather than linger on her lips, he diverted his attention to his plate.

  And surprisingly found it empty.

  He couldn’t recall another time in the last six months when he’d polished off an entire meal. But he had eaten every bite of this one during the course of being immersed in conversation with Chloe.

  Brock noticed because he eyed Chance’s plate, then Chloe, and grinned. Slowly and smugly. Yet gratefully. Chance recognized the appreciation in Brock’s brown, introspective eyes. Same way Chance felt.

  His team loved and lived like brothers. When one suffered, they all did and rallied in undying support. When one celebrated, the entire team went all out to share it.

  Yeah, way more therapy going on than he’d planned for. Chloe was like Midas to gold. She brightened everyone she touched.

  Which meant trouble, real trouble to his heart if it ever went into a free fall and hers stayed grounded.

  Chapter Seven

  She was in real trouble. She’d had a great time last night with Chance. Well, Brock too. But it was obvious by his attention that Chance was the one interested in her.

  And as much as she didn’t want to be, she was interested right back. More than once she’d found herself wishing Chance would try to hold her hand during the movie or steal a kiss at the end of the evening. If Brock hadn’t been there, would he have?

  It didn’t help that the movie had been a romantic comedy. Her phone trilled, jolting her from her reverie. Mallory’s number appeared on the caller ID.

  “So…who were you at dinner with when I called last night?” was the first question out of her cousin’s mouth.

  Chloe laughed. “I knew you’d be asking if you heard their voices in the background.”

  “Their? More than one?”

  “Yeah, it was a friendship outing.”

  “Why?”

  Chloe laughed. “Because I need friends and I think they picked up on that.”

  “Too bad. You need a boyfriend more. So who was the one with the rocker dude, deep DJ voice?”

  “That was Brock.”

  “Sounds cute.”

  Wow. It had been a long time since Mallory had mentioned a guy other than her fiancé in a positive light. Could something be going on in Mal’s relationship?

  “He is very cute.” Cuter than your fiancé. Nicer too. “But the other one’s cuter.” Though Mal would probably disagree since they had very different taste in men. “He’s more the quiet observer, so you probably didn’t hear him. He’s adorably shy.”

  “Hmm. Does shy guy have a name?”

  “Chance Garrison.”

  “Garrison. Related to Ivan, your one and only human patient at present?”

  “Yep. His son. The other guy was his friend, and he’s very single and avidly looking.”

  A pause. “I’m taken.”

  “I know.” Chloe also knew hesitation when she heard it. And it definitely preceded Mal’s declaration.

  “I want to hear more about this shy guy. Did he buy?”

  “Yes. Dinner, a big tub of popcorn, soda and a movie.”

  “So he seems interested?”

  “I think so.”

  A high-pitched squeal came through the phone that Chloe knew was Mal but sounded like her potbellied pig, Penelope. “Go for it!”

  “Are you crazy? Romance is the last thing I need right now.”

  “You big chicken.”

  “Cluck-cluck.”

  That evoked images of Mallory’s dream wedding since she wanted her rescue animals to be a part of it.

  They’d agreed to be each other’s maids of honor since childhood. But enough talk about marriage. Talking made her think about it for herself, and that day was far, far away.

  “You still dreaming of an animal-themed wedding?”

  Mallory sighed. “Yeah. Haven’t managed to talk Bert into it yet.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but I doubt you ever will.” Or that Bert would actually go through with walking down the aisle at all. That could be a blessing for Mal, who’d hopefully see his true colors before the vows.

  “So why aren’t you interested in this Garrison guy?” Mallory asked.

  “Because, like my dad, he’s married to his job. It would be the mistress of our lives.”

  “You’re so dramatic.”

  “It’s true. He has a very important career and not one that could be worked around my schedule. So he’s out as far as potentials. Although I’m flabbergasted and flattered he’s attracted to normal old me. He’s quite the hero.” Chloe sighed.

  “You, fan of neon-green everything, eighties earrings and flamboyant hippie-style geometric dresses? You’re nowhere near normal, Chloe.” Mallory giggled.

  “Ha-ha. He doesn’t seem to mind my eccentricity.”

  “Then you should reconsider. The suits you date always try to put you back in the box, and that’s not where you belong. If shy guy likes you the way you are, you should give him a shot.”

  “Tell you what, you heed my advice on men and I’ll heed yours.”

  “Ha.” Mal snapped her gum. “On that note, I’ll let you go. Don’t forget, conference call Tuesday with the team.”

  “I won’t. Speaking of, how’s Fiona’s replacement working out?”

  Another pause. “I’m covering for Mindy quite a bit because she’s in school. Bert’s not thrilled about it.”

  “I’m sorry, Mal. I don’t want the program to put tensio
n in your relationship.” Much as Chloe didn’t care for Bert, she did care for Mal. “Do I need to return to Chicago?” The thought of not seeing Chance sent a wave of disappointment through her. Dread over what would become of Ivan crashed behind it.

  “Not right now. I’ll manage.”

  “You sure?” Mal didn’t sound convincing.

  Chloe felt equally torn between Chicago and Refuge.

  “Yeah, for now. Let’s hope Mindy can stay longer.”

  “Okay. Bye, Mal.” Chloe hung up, glad for the reminder to get her notes together for the call. Everyone attending had questions she’d need to answer, and rather than complete their questionnaires she’d gone to town with Chance and Brock, although that had been way more fun.

  She pulled out the paperwork and went down the list of people on her Chicago team. She’d need to construct an identical second team of people either from Refuge or willing to relocate to the area. But she wanted to give the people of Refuge first shot at the positions.

  So far, she had twelve openings to fill. She couldn’t do that until the city council gave her clearance.

  Two hours later, Chloe’s head pounded from the stress of all she had to do in so little time, plus all that would have to be accomplished, all the people and things that would have to line up and fall into place for this program to get off the ground and succeed long-term.

  Her first hurdle was talking the small, old-fashioned town leaders into trying something so progressive.

  The tune to the television show featuring Andy Griffith and Mayberry went through her mind, and she chuckled, remembering the small town featured in the old black-and-white series. Nevertheless, she loved it here and appreciated the ability to look out her window and see soybean fields and corn blowing in the breeze while animals frolicked in the outlying woods of the wildlife sanctuary that was next to the B&B.

  Quite a culture shock from her former skyscraper window’s view that wouldn’t let her see past the next building. She’d missed small-town living while working in Chicago, yet she had loved her time in the city too.

  Of course, meeting Chance Garrison had also been a perk. “Argh! Why can’t I stop thinking about him?”