Contemporary Romance: Passage of Arms - A Military Romance Novel (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Romance Novel Book 1) (7 page)

“Ruth, are you ready?” Sarah asked, a bit stunned.  Ruth grinned back at her, but continued drinking the orange juice. Sarah glanced at the time. “Oh my gosh, we’re early,” she blinked, and Ruth simply shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s huge, sweetie. We should celebrate.”

Ruth set the glass down and looked towards her mother. “Ice cream?”

“Before school?” Sarah laughed, but Ruth’s face fell. She quickly tried to backtrack. “Sure. Dairy Queen has cones and sundaes, don’t they?” When had her daughter become so opinionated with thoughts and preferences?

“Okay,” Sarah continued with an empty blink. “I don’t think they’re open in the morning though,” Ruth’s face twitched, “I’ll stop there after school, though, okay? We’ll go to the one off the interstate.”

Ruth smiled. “Okay,” she moved towards the table where her backpack was resting and picked it up. Ruth slung it over her shoulder in the next step and together, she and Sarah headed for the front door.

Leaving early didn’t seem to ease much of the stress and aggravation Sarah felt with the morning traffic. The only difference was less anticipation at the traffic lights.

She dropped Ruth off without incidence and drove towards her shop. Her stomach was already starting to bubble with excitement. She wasn’t sure why that was though. Bruce had always been a friend, nothing more.

They had always talked about meeting up, but that had been years ago; and with the infrequent contact, she eventually just forgot about him, if that was possible. Her days had become nothing but work and Ruth. She didn’t do anything else.

She arrived close to twenty minutes early to open. That made her feel good. There were a couple of early risers waiting in their cars. They waved at her as she parked and passed, but her morning crew hadn’t yet assembled by the front door. She was grinning now. Today was off to a great start.

The Backup

Sarah stared at the text on her phone and frowned. She bit her lip and read the message one more time. It wasn’t going to change. She locked the screen and glanced up, looking around the shop. They had been open for two hours and it was filled with a healthy flow of individuals coming, going, and some choosing to stay and relax. No one looked in her direction, or even seemed to notice that her breath had become stuck in her throat.

All morning her stomach had been a bubbling cauldron of feelings. Now, it had simply gone flat. She felt deflated, empty, and a bit stupid.

“Hey, boss,” it was a peppy voice from behind.

Sarah whirled towards the voice and stared at Becky. She was dressed casually, in jeans and a loose graphic tee and stared back at Sarah hesitantly.

“Why aren’t you in class?” Sarah asked, confused. Becky chuckled and shrugged.

“I didn’t have any today,” she answered. “I was driving through town on my way to the university and I thought I’d stop in and see how you were doing?” She ended her voice with a higher than normal inflation.

Sarah simply stared. “You’re skipping class right now. I know you are because you showed me your schedule for this semester.”

Becky rolled her eyes. “Okay, you got me. I just wanted to see the man come pick you up, okay?”

Sarah frowned and glanced at the locked screen on her phone. “Well, sorry to disappoint you, but he’s taking a rain check,” she tried to keep the disappointment from showing in her voice. “That’s good though because I was really hoping to finish this teddy bear within the next two days,” Sarah sniffed and shifted the soft cotton of her dress around on her right shoulder.

Becky nodded. “The teddy bear you’ve been working on is really cute,” she said plainly. She stood in front of Sarah and shifted her weight. After a moment, she added, “You look nice though.”

“It wasn’t a date!” Sarah snapped quickly. She stared at Becky, and then turned her back to the young girl. She hated when her emotions got the best of her. “I’ll be in the back,” she grumbled. She walked away from Becky, keeping her head down and slipped down the hallway that led to the back office.

She had barely turned on the light when she turned and saw Becky. She jumped and grabbed at her heart. “Goodness, child,” she gasped with a thick gulp of cold air. “You can’t scare me like that,” she whispered a second later in a rough, whispered rasp.

Becky chuckled sheepishly. “I know, I’m sorry. I just,” she paused and took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to say this but,” she paused again, brows bunching together.

Sarah straightened herself and watched Becky. “Well what is it? Is it about me snapping at you out there?” Sarah asked, genuinely confused. Becky shifted her weight and shook her head. “I’m sorry about that though, it’s just—,” Sarah sighed. She couldn’t really be upset if it wasn’t a date. “I’ve have a lot on my mind.”

“I was just hoping you’d go on a date or something,” Becky said quickly. Her words stopped Sarah. “I mean, nothing has to come of it, but just a date, don’t you think? Would you like that?”

Sarah blinked, and then shook her head. “What are you talking about?”

“Okay,” Becky wiped her hands on her jeans and wet her lips with determination. “Please don’t get angry, but I was worried about what would happen if he didn’t show up.”

“Becky,” Sarah began.

“No, let me finish,” Becky’s voice rose suddenly. Her forcefulness subdued Sarah for a moment. “I know a guy. He’s good looking, has a good, steady job. He’s not seeing anyone. I talked to him about you—.”

“You did what?”

“He looks good, Sarah,” Becky stressed. “I mean,
really
good,” Becky nodded quickly and held her hands up before Sarah could protest again. “Look, I had him on standby, just in case. Can’t you just meet him?”

“If he’s so great, why aren’t you with him?” Sarah asked flatly. Becky chuckled suddenly and shook her head.

“He’s not my type.”

Sarah’s eyes fell. “Becky, I don’t have time for this.”

“Sarah, please,” Becky stressed. “Please, just this once,” her eyes pleaded with Sarah’s. “Look, just hear me out,” Becky paused, waiting for an objection, but Sarah only crossed her arms and tightened her jaw.

“Okay,” Becky swallowed back and took a deep breath. “Listening to you tell me about your friend yesterday just got me to thinking, okay? I’ve worked for you for two years now and I’ve never once seen you with a guy,” she paused as Sarah rolled her eyes and averted her look. “It’s just that,” Becky frowned, “you’re young, pretty. You should be with someone. You’re a great woman.”

Sarah couldn’t bring herself to meet Becky’s gaze. She hated talking about her love life with anyone. It wasn’t a subject up for discussion. She knew she could be with someone if she wanted to be. She just didn’t want that right now.

“Besides, I really don’t want you ending up like my mother,” Becky added. Sarah laughed at Becky’s added tag on and finally met her eyes.

“Thank you, Becky,” she said gently. She felt herself gaining control of the flighty strings of sadness that had blossomed from reading Bruce’s text. “Bruce was just an old friend though. We were going to meet and catch up.”

“So you wore that dress?” Becky questioned. “And your hair, I’ve never seen you do it like that,” Becky suddenly shook her head, “You’re missing the point, Sarah. Will you let my friend take you out?”

Sarah frowned. “Now?”

“Yes. He said he didn’t mind hanging out with a beautiful woman this afternoon. He’s not seeing anyone.”

Sarah’s mind swarmed with many thoughts. Becky’s proposal was absurd, but instead, she asked, “And why isn’t he your type?”

Becky chuckled again and smiled sheepishly. “He just isn’t.”

“Why?”

“Well,” Becky scratched at her arm and glanced down. “I just kind of like…” she giggled, “black guys.”

Sarah’s mouth dropped. “Oh,” she paused, and then found herself chuckling as well. “I guess that it explains that man that came here looking for you,” she took in a deep breath. “He was tall, huge, big muscles too, are you and him together?”

Becky wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “He’s just a good friend I’ve known for some time,” she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Anyway, this isn’t about me. His name is Dave and he’s really cool. About your age. He’s a real nice guy.”

Sarah nodded and moved towards her desk where her purse was. She lifted it from the desk and paused. “How do you know him?”

“Oh, from the docks,” Becky said quickly. “He’s good friends with my father.”

Frowning, Sarah looked Becky over. “Just how old is this guy?”

Becky shrugged. “Around your age, I’m guessing. He’s not old enough to be my father, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Just how old do you think I am?”

“Late thirties or something?” Sarah scoffed. “I’m sorry,” Becky said quickly. “I don’t know how old you are. Your daughter is like nine.”

“She’s eight,” Sarah stressed. “She just turned eight and I had her when I was 23.”

Becky paused, her lips moving as she counted. “So you’re 31?” She smiled sheepishly. “I’m sure this guy is a good age. He’s good looking, Sarah, just try him out? Have a good afternoon and have some fun. You look beautiful today,” she paused, “I mean, every day, but today, you look really great,” she smiled and spread her arms out. “You’ve got nothing to lose.”

“Except time,” Sarah responded with a pout.

“Okay, Negative Nancy,” Becky spat. She paused, and then quickly grinned. “I’m going to tell him to meet you here in ten minutes—.”

“I didn’t agree to that,” Sarah said quickly. Becky only shrugged.

“Okay, you can tell him that when he gets here. He’s already on his way actually.” Becky laughed. “He’ll probably be here in five minutes. He’s coming from Nashville so he left already. If you say no, you’ll be really mean.”

Sarah stared. Her mind tried to form thoughts, her mouth words, but she was simply too stunned.

“Hope you’re not mad,” Becky grinned and turned, leaving Sarah in the office by herself.

It was moments like that where Sarah wished she knew more people she could call and vent to. Instead, she had Becky was here only fallback girl, a 23 year old soon to be graduate.

She waited in the room and thought about her options. She could leave and have the Mysterious Dave wonder where she went, or she could stay, and meet the mystery man but refuse to spend an afternoon with him, or she could actually take Becky’s suggestion and put her great hair and sundress to good use.

Becky dipped her head back into the office a moment later. “Hey, Sarah, he’s here,” she grinned brightly. “He’s hot, you’re going to love an afternoon with him. He’s so cool.”

Sarah frowned. “Again, if he’s so great, maybe you should be with him then.”

Becky laughed, shooting out a sound like a shotgun. “Ew, he’s too old for me.” Clenching her teeth together, Becky nearly growled. “Oh come on, too old for me but perfect for you, just meet him okay. Come on. He came from Nashville,” she tried to coax.

Sarah didn’t move though. Meeting an old friend for a “catch-up brunch” date was completely different than meeting someone—a complete stranger, for a date.
Maybe he’s ugly
.
No, that won’t work. Becky already said he’s hot.

That thought made Sarah take a timid step forward. Her movement caused Becky to grin widely, but she stayed quiet. Good looking men were difficult to come by. If Becky thought he looked good, then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to hang out with a nice guy for one afternoon. It was just an afternoon. Maybe something like friends might do, meet and hang for a couple of hours. She worked so hard at the shop, maybe she was due for some time off. The lord only knew the last time she actually took time for herself.

“Okay,” Sarah said softly. Becky stepped completely into the doorway and let her mouth drop with excitement. Quickly, Sarah raised a hand to stop Becky from speaking. “I’ll meet him. Since he came from Nashville,” Sarah stressed. It was the least she could do. She wasn’t so sure about the date part yet. Maybe she’d decide on that depending on how the first meeting went, or how hot he
really
was.
Wait a minute, does that make me shallow?

“Take it slow, no obligations or anything,” Becky agreed with her. Sarah nodded.

“No obligations?”

Becky shook her head. “Nope. Just come meet him. Have a coffee or something. I already made you your favorite frappe.” Sarah smiled.
Well, that was nice of her.

“Okay. I’ll meet him then. No obligations,” she stressed.

Becky only grinned. “None whatsoever.”

Taken By Surprise

Sarah followed Becky out the office and switched the lights off as she left. She clutched her purse into her side and eyed the shop as it came into view. She tried to guess which man he could be. The faces were blurry though, and she couldn’t see anyone who stood out immediately. She saw decent looking people, and then some average, and a few more a little less than average.

Sighing heavily, Sarah gulped back a deep breath of air as she trailed behind Becky. They weaved through tables, chairs, and sofas towards the southeast section of the shop. Sarah saw his back first, a man sitting in
her
chair. He was kneeled over dark denim jeans and wore a sleek, dark colored shirt.

“Dave,” Becky called. The man sat up suddenly and his eyes passed from Becky to Sarah, who stopped suddenly and held her breath. Dave stood slowly, his eyes staying glued to Sarah’s. He rose to a height around six feet. He had a strong jaw, crafted well and chiseled with perfection with just a faint hint of stubble. That meant he either shaved every day and forgot to that morning, or he just liked to sport the five o’ clock shadow. Either way, Becky was right. He was gorgeous.

His brown eyes pierced Sarah’s. She tried not to notice how fit he was, with strong arms and a toned chest well fitted to his shirt. Becky stepped to the right of them and turned to Sarah, helping her to pull her eyes from Dave’s penetrating stare.

“So, Sarah,” Becky began, “this is Dave,” she turned and pointed to Dave. “Dave, Sarah.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said smoothly, in a deep, rugged voice that made her skin crawl with flaring heat. He extended a hand to Sarah, who looked down at it and stared. She didn’t move. She didn’t say anything, she just stared at it.

“Sarah,” Becky whispered. Sarah looked to Becky, breathless. “You’re being rude,” Becky whispered again.

Sarah chuckled and looked at Dave. She forced another chuckle and quickly took his hand. His grip was firm and strong. He didn’t seem to want to let go, and he even pulled her hand towards him, causing her to take a step forward. He grinned and lifted her hand to his lips where he planted a gentle kiss, nothing more than pressing his lips to her skin, but it still caused her heart to stumble around and flutter in her chest like a drugged patron of a late night bar.

“Becky told me that she had a friend who needed some sunshine in her day,” he said softly, his voice like silk running over her skin. He released her hand and slipped his hands into his pockets. “That’s you, right?” Sarah chuckled, and nodded involuntarily.

“Good, so it’s settled, right?” Becky asked Sarah, nodding vigorously. Sarah blinked, and then looked at Becky, confused.

“What?”

“You and Dave are going to go out, take the afternoon, have fun?” Although she made an effort to add the inflection in her voice like it was a question, it was really a statement.

Sarah glanced between Dave and Becky, and then nodded to a space several feet away. “Can I talk to you, Becky?”

The young college student grinned. “Sure thing.” They stepped several feet away from Dave. He watched them momentarily before sitting back down, and crossing an ankle to perch on his knee.

“What’s up?” Becky asked casually.

Sarah tried to inconspicuously put her back to Dave. “First of all,” she began, “that man is gorgeous. He looks like Brad Pitt!” She whispered excitedly. Becky glanced to the side of Sarah’s arm and grinned.

“He is pretty attractive for an old guy, right?”

Sarah ignored the comment. “Second of all, I didn’t agree to anything. You said no obligations.”

Becky’s smile faded. “Sarah,” she said calmly. “I’d tell you to turn around and see who wants to spend an afternoon with you, but you already said he looks amazing. All I have to do now is slap some sense into you.” Becky raised her hand and laughed. Sarah didn’t. She only scowled.

“Why did he come here?” Sarah asked instead, shifting on her feet.

“I don’t know,” Becky said nonchalantly. “Why don’t you ask him?”

“I’m not going to ask him that,” Sarah said incredulously. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I had a good looking friend whoooo,” she drew the word out and glanced to Sarah’s side again and paused. Sarah turned to follow her gaze and gulped. Dave had stood again and was making his way to them. His eyes were trained on Sarah.

“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

Sarah shook her head quickly and cleared her throat. “I was just,” she looked at Becky, “telling one of my greatest workers some pointers about the shop in my absence,” she stuttered over her words, finally getting to the end of her sentence. Becky raised a brow, and then shrugged.

“I’ve got it here, boss. Go take the day,” she said smugly.

Sarah tried to glare, but Dave caught her eye. He gestured towards the door and pulled a smile from her as he grinned back at her.

“Are you sure you want to come with me?” He asked playfully.

Sarah chuckled at his question. She tried to answer, but found herself only chuckling more, and then coughing, and then struggling to clear her throat and stop. At the doors to the shop, Dave stopped and touched her back softly.

“I’m not a serial killer, Sarah,” he grinned. The way he said her name made her inner soul sit still. She blinked and nodded.

“That’s good, because I haven’t worn this dress before and I’d hate for it to get stained.” Sarah frowned.
What did I just say?

Dave chuckled and looked her over again. After a pause of hesitation, he pushed on the doors and waited for her to pass through.
He just opened and held the door for me…

“So, how can we cheer up Ms. Sarah today?” Dave walked from the wrap around boards surrounding the shop towards the parking lot. He strolled casually at a gait that let Sarah match his pace.

“Depends,” Sarah finally found her voice with a bit of depth. “What did Becky tell you?” She asked with a wavering voice.

Dave looked towards her. He took her face in and showed no rush to answer her question. “That’s irrelevant,” he responded finally. Sarah frowned as his clear dismissal. “Have you decided what you want to do?”

Sarah cleared her throat and ran a hand through her hair. She remembered why she rarely wore it down. The wind moving throughout the trees danced with it endlessly and it whipped about her face.

“Actually,” Sarah crossed her arms, “surprise me. I have no idea what Becky told you so,” she tried her best to shrug lackadaisically. Dave looked her over again and smiled.

“That bothers you, doesn’t it?”

Sarah pursed her lips. “Just a little.”

“She told me that she had a,” he paused and smiled in the moment, “a good friend who had been feeling a little down. She thought I could maybe cheer you up some.” Sarah eyed Dave carefully with a smile spreading across her face. She didn’t buy it one bit, but she figured she could let the topic go for now.

“I’ve never actually done this kind of thing before,” Sarah admitted. Dave shrugged and grinned back at her.

“Neither have I.” They stopped walking once they reached the back of a blue Ford F-350. Dave placed his hand on the top of the tailgate and looked away, eyeing his surroundings. “I don’t come to Rural Hill often,” he said softly.

“That’s right, Becky said you came from Nashville this morning?” Sarah questioned. Dave turned to her.

“Oh, I live there, but I was at my shop when she called. It’s not far from here, about 20 minutes.”

Sarah’s jaw tightened. Becky straight lied to her. “Oh, what’s your shop?” She asked, trying to mask her growing annoyance with Becky’s distrustful words.

“Oh, Becky didn’t tell you? I rent boats near the northeast end of the lake.”

Suddenly, everything was starting to fall together. Becky came from a wealthy family living in the suburbs of Nashville. When she wasn’t at school or working, she was often at a dock fishing or could be found cruising in a pontoon boat with her friends and family in company. Many of the young children that worked at her shop came from privileged families who only worked for the appearance of a need. Most of them hardly needed the work, and she was sure that the men she hired were there for the opportunity to meet young, single college students. The docks were also a great place to meet those available people too.

“Ever been on the lake?” Dave looked her over casually.

Sarah pressed her lips together and shook her head slightly. There had been very little she had actually done. During the summer she frequented the zoo with Ruth. Her daughter loved the animals. That was the one place she could always count on making her daughter’s face shine. Aside from that, Ruth loved the library and bookstores. Go figure.

“You’ve never been? Are you afraid of the water?” Dave asked. He turned to her more squarely, causing Sarah to look up to meet his eyes.

“I can swim,” she said softly.

“That’s not what I asked though,” he said gently. “Are you afraid of the water?”

Sarah shook her head slightly. She was accustomed to being over deep water from a time long ago, even before Ruth was born, but it had been years. Dave looked her over again and grinned in such a way that Sarah felt her body temperature rise.

“Tell you what,” Dave began, “I got a cancellation this morning for a 20 foot pontoon boat. If you want, I can take you out for a couple of hours,” he smiled brightly. “I’m pretty sure getting on the lake will make your day better.”

Sarah laughed. “Is that my only option?”

Chuckling, Dave shrugged. “Well, we could take an hour and drive into the city and see the zoo,” he offered. She laughed and eyed Dave with suspicion, wondering if he had heard her thoughts.

“I, um,” she looked down and chuckled awkwardly, “I’ve never been on the lake. Am I even dressed for something like that?” She looked up and caught Dave looking over the length of her body. When he met her gaze, he grinned.

“Unless you were hoping to get in the water, you’re dressed perfectly fine.”

“Okay,” Sarah found that she was smiling widely, against her judgment to attempt to hide all emotion. It had been a while since she had been on a pontoon boat. Also, she didn’t know how she could create a false reason why she should say no.

“Is this your truck?” Sarah glanced to the F-350.

“Yeah, it’s kind of big,” Dave muttered, he met Sarah’s eyes and smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m not compensating for anything.”

Sarah laughed. She shook her head and said nothing, unable to find a good response to his comment. He helped her into the passenger seat and walked around the back of the truck to get into the driver’s seat.

“It’s diesel,” Dave commented, waiting for the coils to warm before he started the truck completely. Sarah looked in his direction and shrugged. She didn’t know what any of that meant and pulled her seat belt on. It felt awkward, being in the passenger seat. The last time she road shotgun was…
when Adam was here.

“So how long have you been in Tennessee?” Dave asked, pulling out of the parking space to exit the parking lot.

Sarah took a deep breath. “Almost five years,” she answered blankly. She stared out the window wistfully and didn’t the side glance Dave gave her. “What about you?” She turned towards Dave and folded her hands in her lap.

“About two.”

Sarah nodded with the information. “Do you like it here?”

“Love it.”

“Me too,” she agreed readily.

“I love the lake,” Dave admitted, glancing towards Sarah again. “I love the water, always have.” Sarah frowned. “What’s that about?” Dave asked her softly.

“What?”

“Your face,” he commented. “You made a face when I said I love the water.”

“Oh,” Sarah shook her hand and ran a hand through her hair absently. She inspected the ends to give her something to look at. “Nothing I guess.”

“What do you love?” Dave asked her, changing the topic. He drove flawlessly, carefully.
Just like Adam
. Sarah caught herself before she frowned.

“What was your question?”

“What do you love to do?” Dave repeated.

Sarah shrugged at length. “I guess I like crafts and stuff,” she chuckled, “you know, typical girl stuff.”

Dave watched her for a moment, and then turned his attention to the road. Seconds became swollen in the silence around them. Sarah twisted her fingers in her lap. She didn’t know what to say, or what questions to ask. She looked towards Dave and smiled again.

“What do you do?”

His smile faltered slightly. “I rent boats,” he said plainly. “We’re going there now, a small smile touched his lips. “Remember? 20 foot pontoon boat. Beautiful lake, wind in your hair,” he grinned as he finally tugged a smile from Sarah. “I take it you probably don’t get out much, huh?”

Sarah pushed the fabric of her dress down and shook her head. “That obvious, eh?”

“That’s okay. I’m pretty good at meeting new people. Happens every day. They ask me the same things. I could help you, you know.”

Sarah lifted her head and eyed Dave. He winked at her, jostling her heart. “Help me how?”