Anna's Courage (Rose Island Book 1) (23 page)

The ranch itself boasted chickens, cows, horses, goats, and a large organic garden surrounded by pecan trees. Most impressive was the love between Anna and her in-laws. It was hard for me to believe they hadn’t always gotten along.

Gabby immediately took to Luella, and Bianca pretended to be insulted the baby had a new favorite.

“Of course she adores me, I’m a grandmother,” Luella said as we sat around the table enjoying sausage lasagna, garden-fresh salad, and garlic bread from Vicki’s Bakery. “I need more grandchildren. When are you girls going to give me more grandchildren?”

In many ways, Luella reminded me of the mother from the movie
My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
She was loud, opinionated, and not afraid to ask for what she wanted. Her question caused Jillian and Anna to fall silent, but Bianca and Vicki groaned, declaring all the good men had been taken and didn’t their mother think they should marry
before
having children?

“Of course I want you to have a husband first, but you have to make more of an effort,” Luella said as if finding a spouse was simply a matter of trying harder.

Travis looked right at me with big pleading eyes. “Hey, Nick. What about you and my mom? Couldn’t you two have a baby for Grandma?”

Everyone burst out laughing, except for Anna whose entire face turned bright red. She gave me an awkward smile and quickly looked away.

The conversation drifted to the governor’s new political agenda, but at some point, Anna reached under the table and clasped my hand. It was a sweet and simple gesture, but her touch caused something inside my chest to ache. I brushed my thumb across the back of her hand and laced my fingers through hers.

Despite knowing the chances of a future together were slim, for that moment, I allowed myself the fantasy of believing I belonged with Anna.

O
n Monday evening,
Anna and Travis came over for grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips. Hailey made a fruit salad, and we ate outside on the picnic table until dark clouds rolled in, and it began to rain.

“This weather is crazy,” I said, dragging the food and tablecloth inside. “Hot one moment and cold the next.”

Anna gave a sarcastic snort. “Welcome to Rose Island, home of the bipolar weather pattern.”

For dessert, we roasted marshmallows in the fireplace. I made the mistake of letting Gabby try a bite of the gooey treat, and her entire face lit up with delight.

Anna laughed. “You’re in trouble now. Once they taste sugar, you can forget about green beans and broccoli.”

“Is that true?” I asked Gabby.

Anna gestured toward Hailey who stood at the living room window watching the rain fall. “Is she okay? She’s been quiet all evening.”

“I think I upset her with the nativity crèche I gave her after school today. I thought it might be nice for her room, but obviously she didn’t want it.”

Anna patted my arm and stood. “Let me talk to her, okay?”

I nodded. “Sure.”

Anna walked over to Hailey and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

Hailey nodded and turned to look first at Anna, then at me. “I was just thinking we should set up the Christmas tree tonight. I know I said I didn’t want to, but I think it’s important for Gabby. This is her first Christmas, and I don’t want her to miss it just because I’m not in the mood to celebrate.”

I treaded carefully. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. After all, Gabby’s too young to understand what happened to our parents.”

Travis gave a rowdy whoop that excited the puppies and caused them to jump up, tails wagging. “Okay, let’s get this party started.”

Hailey smiled. “Yeah, let’s get this party started.”

Travis and I climbed into the attic and brought down the artificial tree and boxes of ornaments. I allowed Hailey to dictate which decorations went on the tree and which remained packed.

Travis brought down a sturdy box containing several Waterford Crystal ornaments. “What about these?” he asked Hailey.

Her voice wavered. “Those belonged to my mom. She began collecting them when she was a little girl. Each year, my dad and I buy her a new ornament. Well, we used to, anyway.”

“They’re beautiful,” Anna said.

Hailey squatted beside the box and pulled out a crystal train. She held the ornament by its ribbon, allowing it to spin one way, then the other. “When you were in the attic, Uncle Nick, did you see a little pink tree in a clear plastic bag?”

“I did.”

“That’s the tree my mom always set up in my bedroom. Do you think I could put her ornaments on it this year?”

I imagined the ornaments had to be worth hundreds of dollars, but I didn’t hesitate. They were worthless sitting in a box, and if Hailey accidentally broke one, what difference would it make? “I think that would be a great idea, honey.”

She smiled and I was pleased I’d said the right thing.

Anna

After the trees
had been decorated and Gabby put to bed, Nick turned on the movie
McFarland, USA.
Hailey and Travis lounged on the floor while Nick sat next to me on the couch. Almost immediately, I could tell something was bothering him because he didn’t laugh at any of the funny parts.

“Are you okay?” I whispered.

He forced a smile. “Yeah.”

I studied him, wondering what had suddenly upset him. Wanting to comfort him, I clasped his large hand with both of mine and gave it a squeeze. He squeezed back but continued to keep his distance.

After several minutes, I stood and motioned for him to follow me outside. We went onto the back porch and sat on the same bench where we’d kissed nearly a year ago. “What’s wrong, Nick?”

He stared straight ahead and rubbed a hand over his rough jaw. Apprehension filled me. Had I been too pushy, forcing him to come outside with me?

“Sorry,” I said. “It’s none of my business, but—”

“It just seems wrong that I’m here instead of my brother. Why in the world did God spare me? Why?”

I squeezed his arm, wanting to take away some of his anger, but not knowing what else to say except sorry.

“I wish we’d had more time together as adults. I should’ve spent more of my leave time here on the island. You can’t imagine how difficult it is to be in the house without him and Ivana. Every time I turn around, I see something that reminds me they’re gone.”

“I know,” I said, feeling my words didn’t even come close to the sympathy I felt for him.

“Yesterday, I read the inscription in my brother’s Bible. Did you know Ivana gave it to him when they first started dating?”

I shook my head and he continued. “They had this whole life together, and now it’s over. I just don’t understand why it happened.”

I scooted close and wrapped my arms around his big broad shoulders. He leaned into me, rigid at first. But then he turned, pulling me toward him and engulfing me with his embrace.

We didn’t speak but simply held each other. After a long time, he let me go.

“Sorry.” His eyes shot downward as if he were embarrassed for being so emotional.

“Nick, it’s okay.” I took a deep breath and formed my next words carefully. “Look, I want to say something profound and encouraging about being grateful for the time you had with your brother, but sometimes all the time in the world isn’t enough, you know?”

“Yeah.”

“And sometimes we can’t see God’s greater plan, but I promise you, it gets easier. It really does.”

He nodded. “Thanks.”

A melancholy silence fell between us, then Nick took my hand and stared down at it. He turned it over and pressed his palm to mine. A shiver worked its way up my arm to my neck. “I don’t want you to leave, Anna.”

“Leave? What do you mean?”

He gave a sly grin and met my gaze. “Every time I kiss you, you run away. When I kiss you this time, I want you to stay.”

I laughed nervously, but when he reached up and brushed back my hair, my throat went dry. His eyes locked on my mouth, and he caressed my lower lip with his thumb. Everything inside me turned to hot liquid. More than anything in the world, I wanted Nick to kiss me.

“Don’t run away,” he said.

“I won’t.”

He nodded as if the matter were settled. Then he lowered his lips to mine, kissing me like I’d never been kissed before.

*

The next night,
Travis and I went with Nick and the girls to the Pelican Pub. Nick was in a good mood and gave the kids lots of change for the video games so he and I could talk without interruption. Gabby cooperated by sitting in the high chair, occupying herself with a bowl of chocolate pudding.

“I have great news,” Nick began, scooting closer to me. “I asked my dad about taking care of the girls if I deploy, and he said yes.”

“What?”

“I’m going to adopt Hailey and Gabby, and my dad has agreed to be on my Family Care Plan.”

“Seriously?”

He nodded. “I haven’t told Hailey yet, but when Gina and my dad come down for Christmas, we’re going to tell her together.”

My heart filled with joy. “I’m so happy for you. And for the girls.” I ran a hand over his strong jaw. He’d recently shaved and smelled deliciously clean like soap and shaving lotion. “How do you feel about your father taking care of the girls?”

“It’ll be tough, but we’ll hire the best nanny money can buy. Plus, he promised to cut back on his hours at work so he can spend more time with them. I’m not going to hold my breath on that one, but at least he’s trying.”

“That’s wonderful.”

Nick took my hand. “I never would’ve asked my dad had I not seen you with your in-laws at brunch on Sunday. I’m amazed at the relationship you have with Luella, especially given your past. I’ve heard other people talk about forgiveness, but you really live it.”

I hugged Nick. Time was moving fast, and I didn’t want to think about him and the girls leaving. I had no idea what would happen between us, and I was still scared, but I couldn’t stop the feelings I had for Nick. All I knew was I didn’t want to stay away from him. I wanted to embrace each moment we had left together no matter what that meant.

“Look,” he said, pulling back so he could see my face. “I don’t want what we have between us to end just because I’m leaving.”

“I don’t either,” I agreed.

“I know a long distance relationship isn’t ideal, but I don’t want to give you up, Anna.”

I nodded and we discussed staying in touch through phone calls, e-mails, and video chats. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

*

On the drive
home, the kids, hyped-up from too much sugar and video games, told silly knock-knock jokes and laughed hysterically. An old Randy Travis song came on the radio, and Nick cranked up the volume.

“This is such a lame song,” Hailey said, giggling.

Nick took the challenge and began singing at the top of his lungs. He didn’t know all the lyrics, so he made up his own silly version.

“Stop,” Hailey yelled, covering her ears with her hands.

Nick sang louder and Hailey laughed. “Look, even Gabby wants you to stop.”

I turned to see the baby imitating her big sister by covering her own ears and shaking her head from side to side, saying, “No, no, no.”

All the kids cracked up, and I laughed so hard my stomach ached.

For a brief moment, I had faith everything was going to be okay. Somehow, Nick and I would find a way to grow closer despite the distance. Somehow, it would work out.

Then, we drove around the bend, and everything changed.

A
s the car
rounded the bend, a deer jumped into the middle of the road. Nick slammed on the brakes. The car skidded forward with a shrieking sound, crashing into the unsuspecting animal and flinging its body over the Tahoe.

The seatbelt tightened against my shoulder, pressing hard as it saved me from flying through the windshield. In slow motion, we screeched to a halt. My heart thudded and my hands shook, but when the car finally stopped moving, I was okay.

Frantic, I scanned the car and breathed a sigh of relief that nobody had been hurt.

“Was that a deer?” Travis asked.