Hearts Divided (Cedar Cove #5.5)(22)

Ruth moved past her on the porch. “I’d better go in and change.”

“Ruth,” Lynn said sharply. Ruth turned to face her. “I’m sorry about the other night. That really was an awful thing to do. I was upset and I took it out on you.”

Ruth had pretty much figured that out on her own. “Paul and I connected, so no harm done.”

“I know, and I’m glad you did because I think Paul is great. I know he’s a soldier and all, but he’s a nice guy. I only met him that one time, but I could see he’s ten times the man Clay will ever be. He’s the kind of guy I hope to meet.”

Paul had obviously impressed her during their brief exchange. She wondered what they’d talked about.

“All’s well that ends well,” Ruth said.

“Shakespeare, right?” Lynn asked. “In other words, all is forgiven?”

Ruth laughed and nodded, then started into the house.

Paul picked her up at five-thirty and they drove to a Mexican restaurant in downtown Kent. Paul had arranged for her to meet his best friend.

Carley and Brian Hart were high school sweethearts and Brian had known Paul for most of his life.

“We go way back,” Brian said when they were introduced. He slid out of the booth and they exchanged handshakes, with Paul standing just behind Ruth, his hand on her shoulder.

“I’m pleased to meet you both.” They were a handsome couple. Carley was a delicate blonde with soulful blue eyes, and her husband was tall and muscular, as if he routinely worked out.

“We’re pleased to meet you, too,” Carley said when Ruth slipped into the booth across from her.

Paul got in beside Ruth.

“I insisted Paul introduce us,” Carley said as she reached for a chip and dipped it in the salsa. “Every time we tried to get together during his leave, he already had plans with you.”

Ruth hadn’t thought of it that way, but realized she’d monopolized his time. “I guess I should apologize for that.”

“We only have the two weeks,” Paul explained.

“You’ll be back in Seattle after the training, won’t you?” Brian asked.

“Maybe, but…” Paul hesitated and glanced at Ruth.

“We only just met and…” Ruth let the rest fade away. He would be back and they’d see each other again, but only if she could accept his career in the military.

This fourteen-day period was a testing time for them both, and at the end they had a decision to make.

“I’m giving Ruth two weeks to fall head over heels in love with me.” Paul said it as if it were a joke.

“If she doesn’t, there’s definitely something wrong with her,” Carley joked back.

Ruth smiled, but she felt her heart sinking. She hadn’t made her decision yet; the truth was, she’d been putting it off until the last possible minute.

Time was dwindling and soon, in a matter of days, Paul would be leaving again. She wasn’t ready—wasn’t ready to decide and wasn’t ready for him to go.

Brian and Carley had to be home before eight because of their babysitter, so they left the restaurant first.

Ruth had enjoyed the spicy enchiladas, the margarita and especially the teasing between Paul and Brian. Carley had told story after story of the two boys and their high-school exploits, and they’d all laughed and joked together.

Paul and Ruth lingered in the booth over cups of dark coffee, gazing into each other’s eyes. He’d switched places so he could sit across from her. If she’d met him under any other circumstance, there’d be no question about her feelings. None! It was so easy to fall in love with this man. In fact, it was already too late; even Paul’s mother had seen that. Ruth knew him. After all the letters and e-mails, all the conversations, she felt as if he’d become part of her life.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Paul said unexpectedly.

“What am I thinking?” she asked with amusement.

“You’re wondering why I find life in the military so attractive.”

She shrugged. “Close.”

“Do you want to know my answer?”

Ruth was already aware of his reasons, but decided to hear him out, anyway. “Sure, go ahead.”

“I like the structure, the discipline, the knowledge that I’m doing something positive to bring about freedom and democracy in the world.”

This was where it got troubling for Ruth.

Before she could state her own feelings, Paul stopped her. “I know you don’t agree with me, and I accept that, but I am who I am.”

“I didn’t challenge that—I wouldn’t.”

He stiffened, then reached for his coffee and held it at arm’s length, cupping his hands around the mug. “True enough, but the minute I started talking, you looked like you wanted to challenge my answer.”

She hadn’t known her feelings were that transparent.

“I guess now is as good a time as any to ask where I stand with you.”

“What do you mean?” An uneasy feeling began to creep up her spine. They had only a couple of days before he was scheduled to leave, and she was going to need every minute of that time to concentrate on this relationship.

“You know what I’m asking, Ruth.”

She did. She met his eyes. “I’m in love with you, Paul.”