Page 45 of Serial Love

Jack watched her as she fit in well with his group and realized once again that he had been a fool to toss her aside for his own fear of failing. Before she left, she walked right into his arms and he escorted her to her car, he knew he would work harder than ever to give her the white picket fence she deserved.

16

The dim lights in the little Italian restaurant in town, with the candles lit on each table, could not keep Jack from seeing the beauty sitting across from him.How could I have ever thought of not having this in my life?

Bethany’s hair, pinned back from her face, hung in waves down her back.The candlelight cast dancing shadows over her face but could not hide the twinkle in her blue eyes. Wearing a turquoise wrap top, parted just enough at the front to show a hint of cleavage, she had paired it with a simple maxi black skirt. He had noticed it as she had walked into the restaurant in front of him, as it cupped her ass perfectly. Even paired with heeled sandals, she only came to his chin.

The scents of bread baking, garlic, and tomatoes wafting from the kitchen made his mouth water, but the woman sitting with him made him desire more than just dinner.Down boy,he willed his dick.

Interrupting his thoughts, Bethany leaned forward and said, “I haven’t been here in years. We rarely wentout, but one summer when I was visiting, Gramps brought me here.”

“He must have been a special man,” Jack said, seeing the expression crossing her face at the memory.

She looked up, a smile curving the corners of her lips. “I was sixteen years old, and my high school boyfriend had broken up with me. It seemed he found the…um…easy charms of Penelope Saunders to be more intriguing than me.” Giving a small chuckle, she added, “At the time, I was devastated.”

“Then he was a fool,” he said truthfully, his hand holding hers on the top of the table.

“That’s what Gramps said. He brought me here, we ordered pizza, and then he told me that one day a man would come along who thought I was the most wonderful thing on earth. And I wasn’t to settle for anyone less.”

Rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand, he agreed. “Wise man, your grandfather.”Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Whispering, he added, “Just to let you know, I think you are the most wonderful thing on earth.” He saw her eyes widen before he kissed her again. This kiss gentle but filled with all the promise he could send to her.

Lost in each other, they jumped when the waitress appeared with their food. They settled in to enjoy their meal, the conversation flowing as they learned more about each other.

“Can I ask you something personal?”

Jack looked up in surprise. “Baby, you can askanything in the world you want to. As long as I’m able, I’ll answer.”

“When you had your shirt off, I noticed a medallion around your neck. I could tell it was a Saint’s medallion and it struck me that you named your business the Saints. I was curious about the significance.”

His momentary silence making her suddenly unsure, she stammered, “But…um…you don’t have to tell me…or anything.”

His eyes sought hers and he quickly reached over to squeeze her hand once more. “No, baby,” he said. “I’d love to tell you. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

Seeing her smile return, he said, “The story goes back to my name. Or maybe, it begins long before that. My grandfather was born in a little village in France. He was named Jacques Fournier. He was named, as most males in that time, for saints. St. James, or in France, St. Jacques, was his namesake. He fought at the end of World War II and when it was over, most of his village had been destroyed. He traveled to America with his bride and ended up in Baltimore. They only had one daughter, late in life, and she married my father and moved to his farm in southwest Virginia.

“They also only had one child, me, and that was late in their lives also. Named for my grandfather, I hated the name Jacques as a child. Being bigger than most, if someone tried to bully me about my name, I usually pounded them.”

“Jack!” Bethany said, eyes wide. “You beat up other little kids?”

Chuckling, he replied, “Only if they deserved it.”

Shaking his head slowly at the memories, he continued. “The day I left for the Army, my mother gave me the St. James medallion. She said she knew I couldn’t wear it, but to keep it with me. He was the patron saint of soldiers and would keep me safe. Never knew if I believed that, but I kept it nonetheless.”

Bethany sat quietly, watching the memories pass across his normally impassive face. Her heart tugged a little more…for the child who had been teased, to the man who loved his mother enough to accept her gift of faith.

“Times in the Special Forces…well, let’s just say that I’m lucky to be alive even if I was on the most elite squad. Luck…or the medallion? Who knows, but I’m here, and so now I wear it everyday. Kind of a tribute to my grandfather and my mom.”

Reaching across the table, she grasped his hand giving it a gentle squeeze. “That’s lovely, Jack. Thank you so much for sharing it with me.”

“Beautiful, this goes where I expect it to go, there’s nothing I won’t share with you,” he answered earnestly, blinded by the smile she bestowed on him.

By now, the dinner had been finished and he ordered dessert. As they sat waiting for it to arrive, she prompted, “And your company?”

“I began to think about my mom’s complete faith in the protection that the Saint’s medallion would provide. As much as it may seem strange to an outsider, I saw my career with the Special Forces as a protector. Protecting others…protecting our country’s interests…protecting each member of my squad. When I thought of starting my own business, I knew that protecting was a large part of what I wanted to do. Somehow the Saints name fit.”

“I love it, Jack,” she replied honestly. Realizing he had just shared more about himself than ever before, she felt a warm glow deep inside. Nothing he had said caused her any fear or trepidation about their relationship. Instead, if possible, it renewed her desire to know all about him.

“And the men who work for you? Do they understand the significance of the name?”

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