Danny's War (Rolling Thunder Series Book 3) (7 page)

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she turned to leave. Her breathing was ragged and she was wrecked. Mostly she was pissed.

Danny reached out and grabbed for her arm, but she was out the door too fast. She slammed the door of his truck and stomped off toward Molly’s car. She’d had enough for today. She was crushed. Tammy climbed into the car and sat staring straight ahead. Dammit. Hitting the steering wheel a few times for good measure, she let her tears flow. She laid her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. Dammit, she liked him so damn much. She let herself dream he could be the one. Dammit, dammit, dammit.

The passenger door to the car opened and Molly slid inside. Worry marring her pretty face, Molly softly asked, “What’s wrong Tammy. What happened?”

Tammy, first surprised and then relieved, wiped her face. “That stupid son-of-a-bitch said I was shallow and using him.”

“What? Are you kidding me?” Molly looked out the window, searching for Danny. She saw him walking out of his garage and into the house with his head down.

“He looks sad,” Molly absently said.

Tammy looked out the window and saw Danny just as he closed the front door. “He has no reason to be sad; I do. I’m so angry right now I could spit cotton.”

“Tell me what happened.”

Tammy and Molly sat in the car as Tammy relayed the conversations with Joci and Danny. Molly’s jaw continued to drop open and then close again. She sat quietly, giving Tammy the time to cool down. Molly reached into the console and pulled out a tissue. Tammy wiped and blew her nose. Pulling the visor down, she checked herself in the mirror.

“Fabulous. I look fucking amazing,” she said sarcastically.

Molly looked over at her and giggled. “At least you aren’t swearing anymore.”

Tammy couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing and Molly laughed right along with her. When they’d composed themselves, Molly turned in her seat and looked at Tammy.

“I remember you telling me when you first started working at Stateside that some of these veterans have so much to overcome. Especially losing a limb. Ryder told me that a week after Danny came home his girlfriend dumped him. He’s dealing with a lot of stuff and naturally, after that, he would assume he isn’t good enough for a little hottie like you.” Molly smirked and Tammy rolled her eyes in dislike. “I think you need to cut him some slack, Tammy. Try and see things from his point of view. He’s probably not sure what to do from here.”

Tammy huffed out a breath. “I can’t today. I need some time. I’ll just sit here until you’re ready to go.”

“Don’t be silly. Take my car, I’ll catch a ride. Joci or Ryder will take me home. Okay?”

Sniffing, she said, “Okay. Thanks Mol.”

Molly leaned over and hugged Tammy. “It’s going to be alright. I promise.”

Tammy nodded. Molly pulled her car keys out of her pocket and handed them over. “Drive safe. I’ll talk to you later.”

Tammy watched Molly climb out of the car and walk across the lawn to speak to Ryder. She saw Ryder lean down and kiss Molly’s lips and then the tip of her nose. Molly turned back toward the car and waved, signaling all is good. Tammy started the ignition and drove home in a funk.

THE LOUD RAPPING
of gunfire drowned out the yells of his team. He could see them talking to him, yelling, the chords standing out in their necks, eyes wild, darting back and forth. The odors of sulfur and gunpowder burning his nostrils, the dust burning his eyes. Danny’s heartbeat was wild, sweat covered his entire body. Mortars hit close by causing the ground to vibrate beneath his feet. He felt a bullet whiz by his ear, so close he felt the heat. He dropped his head and scrambled to find cover. They were under attack and this time, it was bad.

Barely able to catch his breath, Danny scrambled over to Lex, who’d found cover under a boulder that jutted out from the hills. It felt like he crawled miles; no matter how far he crawled, he couldn’t get there. Lex looked at him with eyes wild, quickly ducking as gunfire rained off the top of the boulder. Lex yelled
something at Danny but he couldn’t hear. He couldn’t get there. Muscles straining, sweat dripping into his eyes the loud crack of another mortar caused his ears to ring. Nausea was creeping into his stomach. He
couldn’t get there. Lex floated further away and Danny felt helpless. Another loud crack rang the air, Danny rolled to avoid the incoming blast. He fell with a thud so forceful all the air whooshed from his lungs.

He lay still, trying to command his lungs to take in air. Ears ringing, sweat coating his skin, his eyes started adjusting to the dusty light filtering into his bedroom. He lay on the floor, his shoulder sore from the fall. Danny slowly rolled over on his back to get his bearings. He stared at the ceiling until his breathing evened out. Fucking nightmares. Third one in as many nights. Since his fight with Tammy, they were coming every day. He went to bed each night with a heavy heart and it played terrible tricks on his mind.

Wiping the sweat off his brow and throwing his arms over his face, Danny groaned at his miserable life. Allowing himself a few minutes to calm down, he hoisted himself up and sat on the side of his bed. His sheets were wet with sweat again. Heaving out a deep breath, Danny reached over and rolled the compression stocking over his leg. Smoothing it in place, he reached for his prosthetic leg and pulled it on, fitting it just right. He pushed himself up and turned to grab the sheets off his bed. Taking his dirty laundry and sheets downstairs, he threw them in the washer, added soap and turned the dial beginning the wash cycle.

He poured himself a cup of coffee and walked outside to sit in one of the rocking chairs on his front porch and watch the sunrise. The light peeking over the horizon rained sparkles in the dew across his front lawn. His mind wandered to the first time he saw Tammy and Molly walking up to his house. A smile spread across his face.
She’s a little beauty. She makes my heart flutter and feel.
It’d been so long since he felt anything but pain and frustration. She made him feel…hopeful.

Yesterday, his counselor told him that he needed to reach out more. Talk to her, talk to others. Be more social. He’d holed himself up outside of having hundreds of people converge on his property to help him out. He was so damn grateful, but, he didn’t venture out himself much. He needed to pull himself together and be the man Tammy said she saw. He wanted to be that man…for her.

***

Tammy stood from her desk as her boss, Sally, walked into the office. “I have the trip planned for next month’s honor flight. I’m working with Old Glory this time and it’s all come together nicely. I’m finished for today. I’ll see you tomorrow unless you need anything before I go.”

“No, go on home, Tammy, and try to get some rest. You look so tired this week. Is everything alright?”

Tammy rearranged the paperwork on her desk one more time. She never left work unless her desk was organized. Straightening and smoothing her cream-colored pencil dress, she said, “I’m fine. Thanks. Just a tough week. I’ll be fine.”

“Well, it’s going to get tougher. I just got word that there’s a benefactor interested in Stateside. He’ll be here tomorrow afternoon. We’ll be showing him around, going over some of the financials, and then taking him to dinner. As my successor when I retire, I’ll need you there, okay?”

“Okay. Do you need me to make reservations anywhere?”

“No, I’ve got it covered. He’s a wealthy trust-fund baby, so I’m not expecting much. He’s probably a privileged, self-serving ego-maniac who’s used to getting his way, but we need the money to stay open, so we’re going to pamper him and laugh at all his stupid jokes.” Sally pointedly looked at Tammy.

“Message received. Do you need me to stay tonight?”

“No, go on home, but why don’t we start early tomorrow and pull some things together for his visit?”

“Sure. I’ll be here at six-thirty.”

Sally nodded and continued on to her office. Tammy sighed as she pulled her purse out of the bottom drawer of her desk and threw the strap over her shoulder. Still pulling her coat on as she walked toward the exit door, Tammy heard, “Hey, Tammy. Leaving so soon?”

Tammy turned and smiled as Gerry pushed himself toward her in his wheelchair. “Hi, Gerry, yeah, I’m finished for today. How are you?”

Gerry chuckled. “I’m good, real good. I’ve noticed you haven’t been working on the mural. Are you stuck?”

A faint upturn of her lips was the only visible sign of pleasure in her features. Usually when Tammy saw Gerry, he raised her spirits immeasurably. Today, however, it would be a monumental task to cheer her up. Her heart was heavy.

“Yeah. Stuck. I guess I needed a break from it.” Tammy sighed. “You know how we artists are. Moody.” A genuine smile formed for the first time in days.

“I’d never say that about you, girl. You’re never moody. Now…” Leaning forward so as not to be overheard, he said, “That Gladys in three sixteen, she’s a moody one. OooWee, she’s moody.”

Tammy genuinely laughed. “Don’t let her get you down, Gerry. She’s having a difficult time. There aren’t many women here and she’s still new. Getting to know people can be a challenge. Especially when you’re dealing with so many other issues. Cut her some slack; you may find she can be a true friend. Maybe just go sit and talk to her.” Tammy froze as the last of her words fell from her lips. Straightening her spine, she realized, for the first time in days, that she should take her own advice.

Chuckling, Gerry spun around in his chair. With a quick wave, he said, “Okay, girl. You have a good night. I’ll see if I can get the old bat to speak to me.”

Tammy watched as Gerry rolled down the hall and turned right, out of sight. Pursing her lips, she nodded once and turned toward the exit door, resolved to lighten the burden on her heavy heart.

WHILE
WALKING TO HER CAR,
Tammy’s phone rang. Digging it out of her purse, she tapped the
connect call
icon and answered. “Hello.”

Clearing his throat, Danny said. “Hi. Um, I wondered if we could talk.” Rushing before she could tell him off, he said, “I’m sorry. I had no right…I shouldn’t have…It’s…not…” Huffing out a breath, Danny said. “I’m sorry. I’d like to tell you in person. Will you talk to me?”

Tammy leaned against her car, back to the driver’s door, staring down at her nude heels. Her ‘pity purchase’ from yesterday to try and cheer herself up. It worked for about fifteen minutes. “Yeah. I’ll talk to you. I’m just leaving work. Should I run by your house?”

Quickly looking around to see that things were mostly in order, Danny said, “Yeah. That’d be good. I’m making lasagna. Will you eat with me?”

Tammy smiled. “Yeah. Eating’s good.” Turning and opening her car door, Tammy slid into the driver’s seat and inserted the key in the ignition. “I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Yeah. Good. Okay, see you then.”

Danny tapped his phone screen to end the call. He finished sprinkling the cheese on the lasagna he’d been preparing in hopes Tammy would come over and have dinner with him. Danny had honed his cooking skills since he’d been home. His counselor had encouraged him to try new recipes and play with his cooking. Every time he made something he enjoyed gave him a sense of accomplishment. This was the first time making this recipe, but so far it smelled amazing. His mouth watered as the aroma of garlic-laced marinara sauce wafted up to his nostrils. Sliding the pan into the oven, Danny began cleaning up the dirty dishes.

Drying the last dish, he heard the knock on his door. Neatly folding the towel in his hands, he laid it on the counter and went to open the door. Taking in a deep breath, he opened the door to the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. Tammy stood in an unbuttoned, long brown leather jacket, showing him a cream pencil dress hugging her body masterfully. The thin brown belt at the waist only accentuated how tiny she was. A breeze lifted her brown curls, making Danny realize he was staring and it was cool outside.

Quickly stepping back, Danny held the door open, “Hi. Come in.”

Tammy smiled as she stepped through the door. Seeing him again made her stomach quiver. On the ride over she’d been nervous. What would she say? How would she say it? She held the strap of her purse like it was a lifeline.

“Can I get you something to drink? I have water, tea, wine and a couple types of sodas. What would you like?”

“Supper smells amazing. Since we’re having lasagna, I’ll have a glass of wine, if you’re joining me.”

Danny smiled, running his hands down his thighs. “Yeah. I’ll join you. Red or white?”

Walking to the cupboard in the kitchen, Danny pulled two wine glasses off a shelf. Turning to look at Tammy, he watched as she pulled her coat off her shoulders. Danny shook his head. “Sorry. I’ve forgotten my manners.” He swiftly walked toward her and helped her remove her coat. “Let me pour our wine and we can sit in the living room and talk for a few minutes.”

He hung her coat on the coatrack and went to pull a bottle of wine from the cupboard. “You didn’t answer. Red okay?”

A sweet smile spread her kissable lips and Danny was transfixed. “Yeah. Red is good.”

Their eyes locked for several moments before Danny nodded once and tore his eyes away from hers. Pulling a bottle of red from the wine rack and keeping his hands busy opening the bottle helped to calm him a bit. He poured their wine and turned to hand Tammy her glass. Their fingers brushed and both felt the shock of contact.

“Thank you,” she said, voice quivering, still unsure of what to do and where to start. The tension in the room was tightening the muscles in her neck.

Danny held out his hand in a gesture for her to precede him into the living room. She walked ahead of him, taking in every detail. The far side of the room had the doorway to Danny’s new bedroom cut in it, but the door and trim hadn’t been put in yet. From what she could see, the painting had been completed, but the room was still bare. No carpeting on the floor, but it’d been swept and was as clean as a construction zone could be. His living room was the same. A few things sitting around from the construction, but they were all neatly placed against the wall. It seemed Danny liked things neat and tidy.