Page 22 of Charlotte
“Don’t believe everything he tells you,” Dad chuckles. “We aren’t all bad.”
“Dad, you are going to alarm the poor woman,” I gently chastise my Dad. “I haven’t told her the bad stuff yet. I didn’t want to scare her off.” I chuckle before asking about Brian. “Where’s my boy this morning?”
“He had football practice this morning, so your mother took him and left me to my own devices,” Dad laughs at his joke. “I have managed to behave myself so far. At least the house is still standing.”
“Ha, Ha,” I reply sarcastically. “You are the only one out of the whole family I would trust to be left at home alone and the house remain standing.” Dad’s eyes dance with amusement.
“You are just saying that because you have company,” Dad smiles back at me. I laugh at Dad’s attempt to joke with me.
“Have Brian give me a call later when he gets home. It’s been a couple of days since I have Facetimed him. This texting just isn’t the same as seeing him.” Dad nods in agreement.
“I know what you mean. That boy has dragged your mother and I into the 21stCentury kicking and screaming.” Dad laughs out loud. “Some days I think we are too old to learn this shit…excuse me Charlotte, stuff, but at least we aren’t lost when he’s talking about Instagram and Twitter.” Charlotte giggles at Dad’s slip. He rarely says a curse word in front of a woman.
“I’m sorry, Dad. You know I’m grateful to you and Mom for everything.” It guts me sometimes to think about how much they have sacrificed for us. I wouldn’t want Brian with anyone else, but I still feel guilty that they have given up so much of their retirement to help me raise him. Charlotte gets up and motions she is going to sit outside in the backyard while I talk with my father. I nod in understanding as she leaves the room.
“Jordan,” Dad’s voice is stern. “Don’t start that again. We wouldn’t change a thing. You know that.”
“Yeah, Dad. I know and I really appreciate it, more than you will ever know,” the need to change the subject prompts my next question. “It’ll be deer season soon. Are you getting geared up for that?”
“Yeah, Jason, Joseph, Marcus, Brian, and I are planning to hit it opening weekend of gun season. Do you think you’ll be back by then?” Dad asks. His face is frowned in concern. I know they worry about me when I’m away from home. “We have a tree stand with your name on it.”
“No promises, but I hope so.” Dad knows how it is when you serve. After all he was in for 30 years, before he retired to pursue other interests. He worked as a deputy sheriff for several years before entering full retirement. Mom has always been a stay at home housewife, but no one has worked harder than she has. She’s active in church, volunteers at the local hospital and nursing home, and still had time for her family, never missing a game or PTA meeting.
“Say, Dad. I was hoping to talk to you about something.” I pause as I try to gather my thoughts.
“Of course, Jordan. You know you can talk to me about anything.” Dad looks concerned. It’s not often that I seek his advice at my age, but I need to tell someone about the budding relationship between Charlotte and me.
“Dad…I am falling for Charlotte.” I decide the best way is to just lay it out there.
“I’m happy for you son.” Dad’s face softens. “It’s about time you found a good woman. Your mother and I were worried that after Julie you wouldn’t ever give love another chance. For what it’s worth, from what you have told me and meeting her, Charlotte seems like a good person. Don’t let the fear of the past get in the way of your future.”
“Thanks Dad. I won’t. For the first time in years, I want a future, to build a family for Brian, maybe give him some siblings. She’s it for me. Destiny laid her in my lap and I’m not going to mess this up.”
“Good. Call your mother later. She will have a fit she missed getting to talk to you.”
“I will, Dad. Take care and I’ll talk to you soon,” I end the call and head outside to find my woman. Time to move this relationship forward.
Chapter 22
Charlotte
Two months have passedin the blink of an eye. I had daily therapy sessions with Dr Hancock at first then three times a week for a few weeks, now only weekly. She has really helped me to come to terms with the torture I endured. It’s getting better every day. The nightmares are not as frequent. I only wake a couple of times a week now. I haven’t had any serious flashbacks in over a week. Tex sent the trackers. I always have a least two on me. I have gotten to know Caroline and the other women better. We have had lunch a several of times and spent a whole day shopping together. They have all been so nice to me and made me feel welcome.
I have been to several “debriefing” meetings to tell what I know about Hugo Lopez. Apparently, he was the man I overheard talking about kidnapping border officers’ family members. The government has intervened and so far, no one has been kidnapped. Captain Olson and Commander Hurt are convinced that I am still in danger. They heard chatter that Lopez is looking for an American woman that was taken from his brother by American soldiers. He has a $100,000 bounty out for me. He knows that I helped to derail his plans at the border, and he wants revenge.
Hawk has refused to let me out of his sight after getting that little piece of intel. Captain Olson assures us that we are safe while on base but doesn’t recommend my going home to visit, yet. He offers to bring the kids out again, but I don’t want them missing any more time from work. I talk and Facetime them daily. I am getting restless though. I need to get back to work. I miss taking care of my patients. I don’t really need the money. My house is paid for and I have several CDs that deposit the interest into my checking every month. My husband’s life insurance made sure I would be taken care of at his death.
I am totally in love with Hawk, though I haven’t told him. I know that only knowing him for a few months that it is crazy to be in love, but I know in my heart he is my soulmate. I love him more than I ever knew I could love someone. We have been inseparable since I was discharged from the hospital. He is so affectionate. He is constantly holding my hand, touching my hair, or placing a gentle hand at the small of my back as he leads me wherever we may be going. He insists on opening the car door for me, buckling my seatbelt, and always helps me in and out of any vehicle we ride in. As my ribs have mostly healed, our love life has blossomed. I didn’t know I could enjoy sex so much. I crave it. I go to sleep sated each night, but by morning I am craving him again. I can’t get enough.
My kids are getting impatient for me to come back home. I have explained to them that until things are resolved with the gun runners and I no longer need to see Dr Hancock so frequently I need to stay here. It’s time to figure out what I am going to do. I don’t want to leave Hawk, but can I really move to California? I’m conflicted. I know that if I explain how I feel about him to my kids they will understand, but I need to know that Hawk is really serious about us.
While in the kitchen cooking supper, I am looking out into the backyard thinking about where our relationship is going when I feel strong arms wrap around my waist. Smiling I lean back into his embrace. He rocks me gently.
“What are you thinking so hard about love?” Hawk whispers in my ear. “You seem so serious.”
“Us.” I say quietly. “What do you see in our future?” I am afraid of what he will say, but its past time to have this conversation. I need to know what he is thinking, so I can decide what I need to do.
Hawk freezes and tenses briefly before turning me around in his embrace. He has his arms draped loosely around my waist. My arms are resting on his. He has his lower body pressed into mine. I am pinned between him and the kitchen counter. He has the most intense look in his eyes that I have ever seen. His eyes bore into mine. It’s like he can see into my soul. I search his eyes, trying to read his mind. I need to know what is going on in his brain.
