If We Dare to Dream (20 page)

Ford reached out and shook Andrew’s hand, but he was still watching Jamie out of the corner of his eye. She had bent to offer Linda a hug as well, and his grandmother’s caregiver patted her back and giggled shyly. Then Jamie straightened again and turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a quick hug. It happened so fast that he had no time to react, but his body retained the feel of her soft body long after she stepped away.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing okay,” she said after she released him.

He nodded abruptly, pleased that she did not seem to notice his inner turmoil. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Oh no, don’t bother,” she said quickly. “It’s raining, and we’ve already intruded enough.”

Before he could insist, she reached up to replace her cap on her head and walked to the slider, pulling it open to the sound of a heavy rain. He was about to follow, but she stepped outside and closed the door behind her. Ford turned and shook his head.

“She just left me.”

“I just offered to walk her out…” he replied, feeling foolish.

Ford chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. “She’s always liked the rain.”

As if that explained everything.

Pushing away from the counter, Andrew walked Ford to the front door and flipped on the outside light before pulling open the heavy oak door. The rain was coming down harder now, and the sound of it hitting the ground drowned out any sounds of the woman who captivated him. Though he stood aside to allow the older man to pass, his eyes eagerly searched for Jamie in the darkness. She was leaning against the passenger door with a small smile on her lips, her face turned up and her eyes closed as the rain washed over her. The sight was familiar to him, for he had done the very same thing multiple times. But this time the rain was not washing away the stain of terrible times. Instead it seemed to impart the power of nature upon her wonder-filled face. Like a statue, he felt rooted to the spot unable to move.

Ford turned to him one last time before taking a step off the patio. His head was cocked to the side as he watched Andrew gape at his sister. Andrew hastily dragged his gaze away in response.

“So you’ll let me know if you’re interested in a job?”

Andrew patted his pocket. “I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.” He held out his hand. Andrew accepted it in a firm grip. “Welcome home.”

Andrew sighed. “Thanks.”

He remained on the patio and watched as Ford jogged through the rain to the truck. A smile almost appeared on his lips as he heard Ford admonish Jamie. It was nice to hear normal interactions between two people. For the first time, he realized that he missed such a simple, common thing that was so easy to take advantage of.

“The doors
are
unlocked, Jamie. Seriously?”

“What’s the big deal?”

“Now you’re going to get my truck all wet.”

“Oh, whatever. It’s not like the truck is clean anyway,” she replied sassily.

“Why do you always do that?”

She laughed in response. “Loosen up a little, will you? It’s
raining
!”

“Dammit. You’re going to be the death of me sooner or later.”

“Nah, your kids will be.”

The rest of their conversation was lost to him as they both closed the doors, and the heavy rumble of the diesel engine drowned out the sound of her laughter. But he continued to watch as Ford carefully backed from the driveway and out onto the dirt road. The big truck travelled slowly, and he watched until they were out of sight. He was left with only the sound of the falling rain, a growing emptiness in his heart…

And the knowledge that he really liked Jamie Morton.

Chapter 10

A week passed with the card Ford had given him burning a hole, first in his pocket and then in his mind after he propped it on his bathroom sink. He studiously attempted to ignore it during the day, busying himself with cleaning up Grandma’s property and repairing the loose fences. There was a lot more work for him to do, but he realized that merely working for Grandma was not going to earn him a living or help him pay off his debts. Unfortunately, Arizona did not have a fair compensation law, so he was on his own in rebuilding his life. Unless Darren was able to pull a miracle from out of somewhere, he needed to do more.

Darren had been working hard on his behalf. He had received a call from his office the day before on his new mobile phone. It was more good news. His co-counsel had advised that the District Attorney’s office had filed to formally dismiss all charges against him. He was on the road to being completely exonerated - at least in the eyes of the law. The public, on the other hand, was not so easily swayed.

He knew it would take more time for his case to be reduced to the darkest recesses of the public’s memory, but in the meantime he had difficulty going anywhere comfortably. It was almost as bad as when he first returned home following his time in the service. After the things he had seen and done, he always felt as though people would look at him and question his actions. Now those curious stares were reality, and he wished his case had not turned so public in the end.

No matter how many formal apologies he received, he would never be able to escape the reality of his last five years. Nothing could replace those years of his life, nor the shame he had dealt with – was still dealing with - and the stares he received only enhanced his dislike of those people who had once looked at him with scorn. From hero to nothing; he had been dealt a low blow.

To add insult to injury, he had received an awkward call from Adam the evening before. After the congratulations on being exonerated had passed and sullen apologies for not keeping in touch extended, Adam had promised to come home soon for a visit. He swore that they would catch up then. Hearing his brother’s voice after long years of being estranged had sent home how wronged he had felt. It went far deeper than he had ever admitted to himself. He had always been the one to take on the weight of the world. From his brother to the American people, he had fought and spilled his fair share of blood to protect and serve. They in turn had spit in his face.

Though he told himself over and over again that his shame was not the reason he was ignoring the job offer Ford had extended, by the time a week had passed he reluctantly admitted it. There was no doubt about it, he was ashamed, and he was hesitant to share that with others, especially happy and carefree Jamie Morton and her forgiving family.

However, with the realization came a new determination to take back control of his life, and he had been offered an opportunity that he should not pass up. Reaching for his phone, he dialed the numbers on the card and immediately received an invitation to meet at Ford’s office that Saturday.

It was one appointment he intended on keeping.

Though he was told it would be a casual meeting, he was not expecting it to take place at a sprawling luxury home up in Red Mountain Ranch. When he pulled up to the address Ford had given him, he took a second and third look before finally sighing and turning into the long paved driveway. The house was massive, with oversized and extended garages, a fountain out front, and a long circular driveway that was packed with a Mercedes, a Harley Davidson and a convertible BMW M3, bright red. He snorted. The man he had met the week prior did not fit his idea of an M3 driver, but he supposed it was possible that his people skills were a lot rustier than he thought.

The two car garage at the other end of the property was open, and as he pulled in he glanced inside. There was the familiar work truck parked next to a BMW SUV inside.

He pulled his truck behind the convertible and shut down his engine, once more reaching for the address he had scribbled on the back of Ford’s business card. Sure enough, it matched where he was. He took a deep breath and opened his door, carefully picking his way through the maze of vehicles to the stained glass front door. The door alone probably cost as much as his truck when it was new, he thought wryly.

The doorbell was inaudible to his ears, most likely ringing somewhere deeper in the massive recesses of the home, but he felt a moment of concern that no one had heard it. Just as he was ready to ring it a second time, the heavy door opened on silent springs and an exotically beautiful young girl stood staring at him with wide black eyes. Long black hair was tied back in two ponytails, and she wore a t-shirt sporting Winnie-the-Pooh. Andrew figured the girl could not be more than twelve or thirteen, but her eyes were mature beyond her years and her voice when she spoke was that of an older woman.

“May I help you?”

She appeared so well-manicured that Andrew again wondered if he was at the wrong place. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I’m looking for Ford Evans.”

She nodded and stepped aside. “Please come in. I’ll tell him you’re here. May I ask what your name is so I can announce you?”

Andrew blinked. Announce him? What time period was this girl from? “Andrew. Andrew Sheehan.”

His astute gaze noticed the slight widening of her eyes. She knew who he was, most likely from the news. However, to her credit she did not appear frightened. Instead she smiled broadly.

“Of course. He’s been expecting you. Please come in and have a seat. I’ll tell him you’re here.”

She led him into the formal living room beyond a stone archway. Heavy leather sofas lined the wall, strategically placed to face the view of Red Mountain off to the northwest. He sat gingerly on the edge of one while she backed from the room, disappearing down a long hallway. Moments later, her shrill voice rang out in a more childish manner.

“
Mom! Dad’s friend is here!… Mom!”

He felt the corners of his mouth deepen. Now that was more like it. No kid should appear as though they are twenty-five, he thought rebelliously.

A second later, a heavily accented Italian voice responded. “Ana Evans. You know better than to shout like that.” She continued on in Italian, a language he did not know, which had an immediate Italian response from the child. Then everything went quiet and silence once again reigned.

Taking the opportunity to take a look at his surroundings, Andrew remained impressed. The leather sofas were placed around an elaborate Oriental carpet, and solid mahogany tables rested on either side. Another mahogany table rested between the two sofas, its top sporting architectural and southwestern design magazines. Stained glass lamps were well-placed around the room, and a large antique tapestry of the Italian countryside resided on the wall above the gas fireplace with a lamp installed above it. He could imagine how lovely that would be on a dark evening.

His perusal was interrupted by nearly silent footsteps in the hallway. He turned at almost the last minute and saw a stunningly beautiful woman, with olive skin and black eyes, dressed in a red sarong over a bathing suit. Just like the daughter, he thought. Feeling even more like an intruder spying her in her swimwear, Andrew realized that he must be seeing Ford’s wife.

But she was smiling broadly, and her wide smile appeased him somewhat. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Sheehan. I’m Isabel, Ford’s wife. Welcome to our home.”

He came to his feet as she entered the room. Glancing down, he noticed that her feet were bare. Apparently, the family was enjoying their Saturday. She held out a perfectly manicured hand, which he grasped gingerly. Her fingers were cool, but her grip was strong.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Ford and everyone are outside. Did you bring a suit?”

He frowned in confusion. “A suit?”

“A bathing suit? They’re all swimming now.”

As she spoke, a shrill scream reached their ears. Andrew startled slightly and felt the familiar tightness in his chest, but Isabel appeared unconcerned. He glanced over his shoulder and frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh, of course,” she said with a chuckle. Her long hand waved dramatically. “That’s just Hayden trying to drown Jamie again.”

Andrew stiffened, but he had no time to react for Isabel was turning on her heel. “I gather by your confusion that Ford forgot to remind you to bring a suit. I’ll see if I can find one to fit you. In the meantime, come with me and I’ll take you outside.”

 She continued chatting as she led Andrew down the hallway in the direction she had come and into a wide open kitchen with a huge oven, an oversized refrigerator and three other children leaning over the granite counters sneaking strawberry slices off the tray.

Isabel scowled. “
Uscire dalla mia cucina!
Out! Out!”

Caught red-handed, the three boys snatched their hands back and laughingly hustled out of the sliding glass doors that lined the far wall. Isabel shook her head.

“I apologize for my rudeness, but those boys… They’re always into something.”

Andrew nodded. “Aren’t all boys? I would’ve done the same.”

She laughed again and waved her arms dramatically. “Good point. I had a sister, so I’m new to boys. I don’t know how Jamie managed with all brothers. I think I would have gone crazy!”

Andrew felt another smile tease the corners of his mouth. He liked this theatrical Italian woman very much. She was entertaining without even trying to be so.

At the moment she was staring down at the tray she had neatly arranged making a tsk-ing sound. She looked up at him in apology. “We are now short on strawberries. One more moment, please.”