Contemporary Romance: Passage of Arms - A Military Romance Novel (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Romance Novel Book 1) (12 page)

The sensation to dance and skip for joy didn’t leave once Dave had left the parking lot, so Sarah stayed standing with her feet planted firmly to the ground. A few seconds later, her phone buzzed and ringed. She groped for it quickly and saw that Dave had sent her a text.

[Thanks for today. Can’t wait for Friday. Dave.]

Sarah squealed excitedly, and then quickly gained her composure. She was certain someone from within the shop was bound to be watching her with their faces pressed against the glass. Smoothing her dress, Sarah took a deep breath and found the strength to walk calmly across the parking lot. Three more days and she could see him again.

Not What He Seems

Dave pulled over to the side of the road before making it back to the intersection. He had already missed several emails and texts from his informant. At the very least, they probably shouldn’t have gone in for the ice cream. Pushing the thoughts to the back of his head, he checked the messages, reading them through one by one.

[Supplies are late. Not sure why. Angels think foul play.]

He cursed beneath his breath. He needed to get home and double check his books and records. The car sat in idle, the engine purring loudly like a diesel engine. He read the next message.

[Mark is gone. Flight records show departure at 12:27 pm. Warehouses still empty. Guarded.]

Warehouses?
Dave breathed the words to himself. He couldn’t respond to the messages. That’s the way the communication went. He had three points during a 24 hour period to respond, but they all happened during the 8 hour period of darkness for five minutes at a time or less. Even then, he could call with a temporary phone, but nothing more.

Pinching the skin in between his brows, he rubbed and sighed. Tonight was going to be long. There was still another message. This one was from someone different. It came through on his personal cell, the smart phone. He opened the message and read it twice.

[26-45-98]

It was a lock combination.

He put his phone away and put the truck in gear. He’d need something a little less conspicuous to drive once he entered Nashville city limits and started running his regular rounds. He was about to step on the gas and ease off the clutch when another notification rang through on his phone. With a sigh and a gruff, he looked at it quickly and froze.

[Thanks for texting so quick. I really had a great time, despite me. Looking forward to Friday :)]

He read the message twice and grinned.
…Despite me
. He couldn’t deny that Sarah’s obvious lack of trust for men was a touch past annoying, but it was also a bit enthralling. He wanted to know why, despite the fact that the understated rings on her right hand clearly told him why. He wanted her to tell him why.
Widowed
. How? Would she trust him enough to tell him that?

His eyes caught a glimpse of the time. 5:02. He had definitely overstayed his time with her though, and he was going to pay for it later. Cursing again, he checked the gear and stepped on the gas, letting off the clutch. It would be just over an hour to Nashville at this hour and speed. That was more than enough time to clear his head from Sarah and switch gears mentally.

He was wrong though. When Dave pulled into the single garage, Sarah was still lingering on his mind. By that point, his thoughts had drifted to her daughter. He found himself wondering what it was like to raise a child without a father, or simply on your own. He also wondered how she had been able to manage the store.

Was it completely hers? Or was that something she had started with her husband before he died? Furthermore, when did he die? There were too many questions running around in his head.

He locked his garage behind him and quickly switched cars. The other was a small compact Nissan, banged up and missing paint in some areas. It was just the thing he needed to blend in and play the part. He needed to make the pickup first, and then consult his informant. Dave loosened his shirt, unbuttoning it completely. He pulled it out and ran his hands through his hair to loosen it up.

Driving inner city Nashville felt like circling through the weathered paths of a familiar second home. He circled around the streets near Tennessee State University and then headed north towards Buchanan St that ran straight East and West towards Cumberland River. This part of the city wasn’t safe once the sun went down, but he had frequented this place so much that his face was recognizable. People were used to seeing him making deliveries.

Along a street and beneath a broken lamp, Dave parked and sidled from his car. He locked the doors and slipped his hands into his pockets. He knew exactly where he needed to go. They called it a gym. A run down, hallowed out dilapidated building with a wall of lockers and sunken boxing ring in the center.

There was a pitiful rack of weights and ab machines and large muscled men working the bags, ropes, and free weights. A buzzer dinged somewhere in the old place. It went off every minute and then five minutes for a round.

Dave spotted the locker and moved to it quickly. Crouching down, he reached for the combination lock. He had an incredible memory and didn’t even need to pull his phone out again. He twisted 26 to the left, 45 to the right, and stopped two notches short of 100. He heard a soft click and pulled down on the lock. It opened with ease. Taking the lock off, he opened the locker and grabbed the battered backpack inside.

He didn’t even bother shutting the locker door or replacing the lock. He kept it in his hand and stood, slipping the backpack on easily. He ignored the eyes that were on him. Once he got in his car, parked two blocks away, he’d be safe to see what was inside.

It felt heavy, at least five kilos this time. That was a lot. He had been working this area for two years and still hated delivery days, three times a week at random times. It was necessary, however.

Once he returned to his apartment, Dave parked the beat up vehicle next to his storage unit and made his way inside. He lived simply; he didn’t work with a team or a partner. It was just him. It was safer that way. He didn’t have to worry about someone else’s life getting in the mix. That made him work a more efficiently. Not having to worry about losses and wrong moves. That freed his mind to do dangerous things someone else might hold back on.

He stayed in a fourplex complex. It was small, maybe five or six buildings. Most of the residents were middle individuals with no kids or retired seniors. The demography of the area suited his needs well.

Once inside, Dave lowered the bag to the ground and completely removed his over shirt. He draped it over the back of a chair. It was a bit unorthodox for him. He hated leaving his clothes lying around, but he had work to do and there was no time to worry about keeping his place clean.

On his knees, Dave dug into the bag. He was right. 6 kilos were nestled in the bottom of the bag wrapped in aluminum. Dave reached for a journal on his desk top, a log book. He pulled it towards him and opened it to the last page to record his pickup for team bravo. There was a pen clipped to the inside of the binder. He pulled the pen out and pulled the top off with his teeth. It hung between his lips as he recorded the date and the time. And then he froze. It was two minutes to his call zone to the informant.

He scrambled to a drawer in his dresser. He had three phones and reached for the one marked with blue tape. Glancing at his watch, he pressed his lips. One minute to go. The phone wasn’t smart by any means. It only had the capability of calling; it couldn’t even send texts. There was a reason for that.

When it was time, he started the call. It was answered on the first ring, but there was silence.

“Blue echo two,” Dave said softly.

“Red bravo three,” was the response. “Did you get it?”

“Six kilos. Recorded. Tell me about the shipment delay.”

“There’s a route from Florida to Tennessee, drop off in in Tallahassee, Valdosta, Tifton, Macon, Atlanta, Chattanooga, and then Nashville.”

Dave touched the middle of his forehead. “This is a new line?”

“New territory, yes. Two warehouses in Nashville.”

“What can you tell me about them?” Dave rubbed his forehead methodically with the thick, moist pads of his fingers.

“Set up this week.”

“This week?”

“Yes. Call is three minutes today—.”

“Wait!”

“Red bravo three,” there was silence. Dave sighed.

“Blue echo two,” he lowered the phone from his ear and resisted the urge to shatter it against the wall. The next window would be in two and a half hours. This is why he normally slept during the day. He was rarely at his shop. Alex and a few other teens and young college students took care of the rest. It was relatively low maintenance. Most of his real work took place at night and he frequented the docks on the weekend for information.

Dave rubbed his stomach. The sun was finely gone but the sky was still lit up a bruised blue and swelling with stars. He’d make two drops first, and then try to see what information he could gather about the new warehouses.

He had been preparing for this new line for years. It’s appearance was dangerous. There were already several large suppliers who had grabbed territory in Nashville. They wouldn’t take kindly to someone from out of state taking their buyers. The fact that new warehouses had finally been detected, and that week no less, was proof that the situation was about to come to a head.

Dave touched his forehead. The tips of his fingers pressed into his warm flesh. He was hungry. After a tired sigh, he lowered his hand and then pulled out his personal cell. Without thinking, he went to Sarah’s last message.

[Thanks for texting so quick. I really had a great time, despite me. Looking forward to Friday :)]

He read the words to himself again silently. He shouldn’t have asked her out. After months of Becky’s prodding to meet her though, his will had grown weak. When Becky had called him in the morning, he finally decided he would meet her, if only just for a few hours. He really just wanted to shut the little blonde up.

Every time Becky came to rent boats she was always pushing him to meet her friend. Dave hadn’t really thought much of it, in the sense that he didn’t think the afternoon would be anything more than being nice to a woman with low self-esteem. He was wrong. Dead wrong. It was safe to say that he was nowhere near prepared for Sarah.

A woman like her would only be interested in commitment, that much he knew. Strangely enough, that thought only fueled his desire to get to know her more.

After another sigh, he sat his phone down and slumped into a chair by his desk. He looked out at his rumpled apartment and rubbed his chin. Maybe it was time to leave this type of work behind.

He always wondered how successful he could be renting boats full time, or pursing some other venture, switching careers. Money for him wasn’t the problem. It was his need for adventure that kept him living so close to action like this. And yet, when he thought of Sarah, he knew there was no way he could have them both.

Second First Date

Dusting her cheeks with a bit of crimson, Sarah lowered the brush down and turned her face about in the mirror. She rarely wore makeup, being one of those rare types with natural beauty that didn’t require it. But when she did, she made sure it was impeccably thin, nearly nonexistent. She was going for a constant natural glow, something to hide her own blushing cheeks whenever Dave came around. 

Sarah had chosen another cocktail dress for the occasion. Something simple. A black and white halter with no pattern, just blotches of color. She rarely praised her own looks in the mirror, but she had to admit that she looked amazing. Almost like a regular single person…instead of a single mother. With a child, hence the single mother tag.

Sarah grumbled at the thought. She wasn’t so sure she should try to hide the fact that she was a single mother. Dave already knew anyway. She wasn’t planning on telling him that, but as it would seem, Becky had seemingly given him all the gory details anyway. Her phone started to buzz, and slid around the slick dresser top as a familiar ring tone began to sound.
Speak of the devil.
Grabbing the phone, Sarah pushed it against her ear.

“You’re not going to keep calling me all night, are you?” Sarah asked with a feigned annoyance.

“Of course not,” Becky quipped eagerly. “I just wanted an update,” she said merrily.

“I already told you everything there was to tell,” Sarah murmured, she eyed lipstick, and then spied her lips in the mirror. Maybe a nice neutral shade would do. Something to keep them moist.

“But you said he only texted you to tell you when he was coming over.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I don’t really do a bunch of texting though,” Sarah murmured. She reached for the lipstick and took the top off. “Besides, if he blew up my phone with a bunch of texts, he’d have to go. I’m not really about that.”

Becky grumbled. “So you haven’t talked on the phone with him at all since then?”

“You asked me this same question yesterday,” Sarah said with a flat voice. She slowly applied a layer of color to her bottom lip, and then pressed both lips together and rubbed.
Should I put another layer on?
She pressed her lips together again. Maybe one was fine. It was just enough color to light her lips up, but not too much that she looked like a clown. She pursed her lips in the mirror. Fabulous.
Simply fabulous.

“Will you tell me how it goes?” Becky asked, sighing with frustration.

“Of course. But I think we’re just going to walk somewhere, you know? Dave seems really laid back.”

“That’s good. You’re so uptight, you could use a chill person in your life.”

That comment made Sarah grimace. Ever since Wednesday afternoon, Becky’s lips had become looser and looser with this type of talk. She didn’t care for it one bit. Partly because she feared it was true.

“I need to finish getting ready, okay? You’ll be the first one I call. Promise,” Sarah pulled the phone away and ended the call. She shouldn’t have promised. It was just a second date. Or first one, or whatever. She really didn’t know this guy. They didn’t even really talk that much. In fact, after she had driven the boat, they had spent quite a bit of time in silence, just feeling the water, grinning, and soaking up the sun.

It was like he knew she didn’t want to talk much, so he let her enjoy the day mostly on her own. But not alone, in his company and presence. It had actually been quite wonderful. Just having someone near her did wonders.

Sarah put the lipstick down, and then stared at her outstretched right hand. The large diamonds on her right hand glistened at her. She used to hold them in her hands and cry at night. That was years ago. Once the crying stopped, she would touch them often throughout the day. Again, years ago. Now, she had actually forgotten she still wore them most of the time.

Twisting the different bands around on her finger, she frowned.
Should I take them off?
The moment she thought about it, she scoffed. No. It was just a date. Nothing serious. Just to talk with a guy, and yet, she slipped the rings off her finger anyway.
Gosh, I feel naked without them.

Her hand seemed lighter. That must have been in her head. They didn’t weight that much, did they? She eyed her finger, seeing a white strip around her skin where the rings used to be.
Great
. She couldn’t even pretend like she didn’t wear them all the time because the tan line gave it away.

When she had first taken the rings off her left hand, she had felt empty and alone. Keeping them on her right was a reminder. She didn’t feel so alone or out of place when she started wearing them on her right now.

Sarah lifted the rings to her eyes and looked them over closely. Adam’s band had been resized to fit her own. It was worth it to her to know that she had something that had been so close to him.

Sarah sat the rings down before her and laid her right hand across her chest with her fingers resting on her left shoulder. She didn’t look any different, but she sure felt like someone else. With a soft sigh, Sarah lowered her hands to the edge of the desk and stared at the back of her empty hands.

She had never taken time to just stare at them, without a trace of Adam in sight. Without the rings, her hands looked normal. Pale, soft, and smooth. She ran fingers along her right hand where the rings used to be. Naked. They felt empty.

In the next instance, she jumped at the sound of her doorbell. Sarah slid from her stool and found herself shaking.
He’s here.
Already—
he’s here!
Sarah turned and looked at herself in the mirror. Admittedly, she was much better looking than the other day when she had expected to meet Bruce for brunch.

The doorbell rang again and she snatched her purse in a tight grasp before leaving the room. Her heart jumped in her chest, doing somersaults and rolls. It had been awhile since a man made her feel like that. Probably five years, but she wasn’t keeping count.

With Dave, there was both attraction and something else. A connection. Where did those things come from? Whenever he looked at her, it was like he
knew
her. Everything about her and he wasn’t even fazed. In fact, he liked it. That sent a chill throughout her core.
Great. Now I’ll answer the door looking like I’m cold
.

Sarah took a deep breath and rubbed at her arms roughly before she reached for the door. She swung it open a little too fast. It hit the tip of her shoe. At the sound, Dave turned around on the porch. His back had been to the door. When he turned and saw her, he smiled a sexy grin that warmed her heart.

The storm door, a panel of shiny glass as a first door covering the door frame, was still closed. Sarah pulled the handle to open the door, but it didn’t budge. Outside, Dave smirked.

“Is it locked?” He asked playfully. Sarah huffed. It was locked.
Great.
The last thing she needed was to look like was a bumbling child on her first date with a man. Except, that’s exactly how she felt, like she was back in high school with her dream guy asking her out to the prom. Once she finally unlocked the second door, she pushed it out and grinned. A rush of air escaped her lips.

“Sorry about that,” she said with a huff. With the barriers in between them moved, Dave and Sarah took a moment to look each other over. Dave was wearing more slacks, a sleek brown belt and a tucked in collared shirt that clung to his body nicely. He was definitely in shape. He had to visit the gym.
Maybe even lives there…

“You look great,” Dave said, leaning towards Sarah. She still held the door open, and was beginning to feel like an idiot with each passing second. Was she supposed to invite him in or just skip out the door with her arm in his?

“You too. You look great too. Incredible. Just like Wednesday,” she giggled, then bit her lip. Maybe she shouldn’t have tacked on that last part. Sarah looked behind her into her house, anything to break the gaze.

“I have something for you,” Dave said sweetly. When Sarah turned to face him, he was holding a small vase of flowers, orchids. There were two types in the jar and they were beautiful, deep maroon and purple. Her mouth dropped, and then she looked at Dave as if for the first time.

“Where did you get these?”

“From a flower shop, silly.”

“But where were they?” Sarah stared at the flowers again, and then brought them closer for a smell. Fresh, delicate, and beautiful. Like sunshine breaking through clouds after a late afternoon shower. Could something actually smell beautiful, and like new rain?

“I sat them to the side of the door,” Dave’s smile was beyond intoxicating. “I didn’t want them to be the first thing you saw when you opened the door. I like surprises.”

“Oh my gosh, well,” Sarah released the door. Dave stepped forward to keep open. She touched his hands as she tried to get the vase from him, a wide round glazed pot. Once it was in her hands, she eyed it curiously. It wasn’t an ordinary pot, but looked like art itself.

“It’s from a local artist,” Dave said softly. “I got it from a co-op downtown and thought it would be great for some flowers. Do you like flowers? Orchids are really easy to keep alive.”

“You think I’d kill flowers?” Sarah challenged, she ran her thumb along the glaze. Its craftsmanship was simply incredible.

“Actually, I’d bet you’d be great. I kill flowers though. It’s why I don’t have a pet.”

Sarah laughed and met Dave’s eyes. They twinkled at her, making her feel safe. “Um,” Sarah cleared her throat and then stuttered, “I—should—guess—put these away?” She didn’t wait for a response and retreated into the house to set the pot on the coffee table. Once centered, it looked like the table had been waiting for them all along. Only now did it look complete. How could flowers do that to a room? The lights were off save for a soft glow coming from the kitchen.

“So, is it time to go?” Sarah cleared her throat again as she moved towards the front door. Dave hadn’t stepped in. She was thankful for that.

“Yes. I have a surprise, something I think you’ll like.” Dave paused. “I mean, I hope you like it.”

“Oh, me too then,” stepping out the door, Sarah pulled it shut behind her and double-checked to make sure it was locked. “I’m sure I will.”

Dave turned and stuck out his left elbow. “Go on, take it,” he urged, causing Sarah to giggle. She slipped the tip of her hand into his arm. He was warm. Again, she felt safe, and a little like dancing. Resisting that urge was easy. Sarah simply pressed her lips together and walked with her chin tilted up. They walked to the truck parked at the edge of her driveway and stopped at the passenger side door.

“I hope you don’t mind taking my truck. I know it’s pretty huge.”

“But necessary for those boats, right?” Sarah grinned and Dave smiled with a nod.

“That’s right,” he opened the door and helped her inside. Once she sat down, she smoothed her dress out and waited for Dave to enter the truck from the other side.

“So, where are we headed?” Sarah asked as Dave started the truck.

“A surprise,” he murmured without a glance towards Sarah. “Where’s Ruth? Do you have a curfew tonight?”

“A curfew? Like I’m in high school living with my parents?” Sarah chortled.

Dave’s face seemed to glow. “I mean, if you have to be back in a couple of hours, I just want to make sure I get you back in time so that you won’t,” he paused, and then closed his mouth.

“So that I don’t
what
? Freak out?”

“I was going to say upset your fairy godmother. But freak out works too.”

Sarah’s playful scowl made Dave’s face shine all the more. They shared a laugh before Sarah became serious.

“Ruth is spending the night with her friend this evening. I don’t have a curfew,” she smiled. “Thank you for thinking of me though.” Dave smiled at her words. “What about you?” Sarah questioned. “I thought you did a lot of work at night?”

Dave coughed and put the truck into gear. “I prepared for this,” he grinned. “I work so much… I think I can afford to take this evening.”

Sarah smiled. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

And they were off. Dave kept their destination a secret, but after a certain amount of time, Sarah was able to figure it out. They were headed towards Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House and the Gaylord Opryland Resort, a 9 acre resort icon of country music and Southern hospitality.

Sarah had heard of it before, but aside from the zoo in the summer time, she admittedly had to recognize the fact that she rarely took advantage of the rich heritage of the town she lived near. Her mouth opened once they parked and stood in front of the hotel.

“I hear there’s a river inside with waterfalls,” Dave said as he stood beside Sarah outside his truck. Her mouth was open.

“Waterfalls?” She asked, looking to Dave. He responded with a nod.

“Yep. I didn’t know if you were an urban or rural architectural design student so I thought maybe you might find this place a little interesting.”

Sarah touched her heart. “You want to tour this place because of me?” Dave shrugged, hands in his pockets as if he were perfectly content never being anywhere else other than at her side.