The Military Wife (A Heart of a Hero, #1)(30)

“I bought nearly everything new for this trip. I don’t have a selection of fire starters or hatchets hanging around, either.”

Still holding her foot, he rocked back on his heels. “You spent a lot of money to get me alone.”

“Yeah, I guess I did.”

Was he aware he was running his thumb up and down her arch in a near caress? Abruptly he dropped her foot and rose to rummage through a cabinet. He returned with a first-aid kit, cleaned her blisters, and applied an antibacterial gel. “I’ll put something over it tomorrow for the hike out. Chili should be hot.”

He doled out two bowls and set them on the table along with bottled waters. She took a bite and moaned. Over canned chili, for goodness’ sake. But after the hike and the stress and worry over spending a night outside, sitting in a cozy cabin eating chili was beyond her expectations.

The crackle of the fire made conversation unnecessary. The moment was surprisingly comfortable. She gestured around them. “Did you build this cabin?”

“No. If I had, I would have raised the ceiling a good five feet. I got snowed in for five days a few years ago and nearly lost my mind.”

“Are you claustrophobic?”

“Not really, but this place reminds me of the caves in Afghanistan and gave me bad dreams. No escape.” He put his head down and concentrated on scraping the last of the chili out of his bowl.

Questions about Bennett, not Noah, burned to escape. Noah had been killed. Darren fought to keep PTSD from destroying his life. It was becoming clear Bennett hadn’t escaped unscathed. Maybe he was better at dealing with his issues or hiding them, but she could sense them nonetheless.

“If not you, then who built the cabin?” She steered away from the more personal questions.

“Don’t know exactly, but the Dismal Swamp was a path to freedom for runaway slaves. A man could lose himself here for months. Back then, it was bigger, of course. Bleaker. Could be this cabin was built by former slaves or as a hideout or maybe a stop on the Underground Railroad.”

She swept her gaze around the room, her perception altered with his brief explanation. “It’s in good shape for being built so long ago.”

“I overhauled it when I bought the land. Thought about moving it somewhere more convenient, but … I don’t know. Didn’t seem right somehow.” He shrugged, sat back in his chair, and fiddled with his spoon.

She closed her eyes and stretched her other senses, her imagination taking flight. History was steeped into the logs. What joy and tragedy had the cabin seen?

“It’s so isolated out here. Imagine a wanderer, lost and alone, smelling chimney smoke. It must have seemed a mirage. Salvation.”

As the silence lengthened, she popped her eyes open. He stared at her, his expression an enigma, but the firelight made his eyes dance.

“Salvation,” he murmured.

Whimsy inherited from her mother bubbled up, nurtured through the multitude of books she’d read. It was a trait she’d squashed her entire life and thought dead and buried since Noah had been killed. She’d needed to be practical for Ben’s sake. But in the middle of nowhere, cozy in a cabin with Bennett Caldwell, a sense of magic stripped away reality.

“This cabin gave people hope and life. Can’t you feel it?”





Chapter 8


Past

Noah,

I can’t believe you can come! You’re probably going to regret it, though. I’ve heard the commencement speaker this year is bo-ring. Although I should warn you … I’ve shaved my head and gotten a nose ring and neck tattoo. Corporate America will appreciate that, right? Actually, my mom bought me a pantsuit for interviews and it must have worked, because I have two amazing job offers! We can discuss later. Can’t wait to see you …

Harper



Harper adjusted her graduation cap, tilting it jauntily to the side. Whoever had invented the flat-topped hats obviously didn’t have long hair in mind. The tassel swung in front of her eyes, the color designating her honors status.

Her mom pushed into Harper’s dorm room holding two coffees and a paper bag. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted a bagel or donut, so I got one of each.” She met Harper’s eyes in the mirror.

“On a scale of one to ten, how dorky do I look?” Harper smiled and flapped the sleeves of her black graduation gown like a bat.

Her mom’s smile was watery and her voice choked. “I’m so proud of you, Harper Lee.”

Answering tears sprang to Harper’s eyes. She hugged her mom, hiding her face in her mom’s shoulder. “I love you, but please don’t call me that in front of my friends.”

Her mom’s body shook with laughter. “Oops. I forgot.”

Harper pulled back and took one of the coffees, sipping the strong brew. She would need it to get through the marathon ceremony. Once it was over, she would be free and let loose on the world. Trouble was she was standing at a crossroads with no clear vision of what lay ahead.

“Have you heard from Noah?”

“Not since last night. I hope he made his connecting flight.” She checked the time. “Ten more minutes and we’ll have to leave or I’ll be late lining up and you won’t get a seat.”

They ate, Harper taking the donut and her mom eating the bagel. Finally, Harper brushed her hands together. “We’ll have to go without him.”