Page 13 of Heart of a Hero

“So, you became an Army nurse?”

“The Army paid for my degree in nursing, and I was happy to serve once I became an RN. I was stationed in Germany when I met Jeffrey. By the time I was twenty-four, I was married andsoon got pregnant with Laura. I voluntarily separated from the Army when I got pregnant with Olivia. We were Stateside, and I worked at a large hospital. After I had Olivia, I was glad to have hours that I could control even though Jeffrey was gone for weeks or months at a time. Being a civilian was best for the family.” She wrapped her arms around her middle, finally noting that her fingers were starting to ache in the chilly air, but she didn’t want the conversation to end.

He shifted his stance, his body now blocking the slight breeze. “I was Army. Military police. I was in for eight years. When I got out, I was a police officer for a number of years. After my wife died, I wanted to come back to the shore so Benji could be raised close to my parents.” His gaze dropped to her clasped hands, and a frown tugged the corners of his mouth down. “You’re cold. I shouldn’t have kept you out here so long.”

“No,” she protested. “I’ve really enjoyed talking to you. It’s… well, it’s nice.” Rolling her eyes, she laughed. “Nice.That’s an innocuous word that means practically nothing. Let me rephrase, Mark. Talking to you tonight has made me feel connected to someone. Thank you for that.”

“I like your honesty, Karen.” He smiled. “I’d love to ask you?—”

The phone buzzing in her purse halted his words. She dug it out and pursed her lips as she read the text.

He pushed away from where he was leaning. “What’s wrong?”

She looked up and shook her head. “Nothing that I can’t fix easily.” She typed out a return text and looked up to see his concern. “It was my youngest. She had completed her homework, then realized everyone was supposed to bring graph paper to school tomorrow.” Shaking her head again, she scoffed. “Graph paper… parents buy a whole pack, they only use a few sheets, and then it gets stuck somewhere. I know where it is,but I really should get home to ensure the girls have everything ready for school tomorrow.”

“You’re right. You need to make sure Laura and Olivia are all right. I need to get home to Benji and Dad.”

His gaze held hers, and something warm curled around her heart. “You remembered their names.”

“Of course, I remembered.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared up at Mark’s face. The angles appeared sharp in the bare light and dark shadows. His voice was firm yet soft. His lips curved slightly, and at that moment, she realized Mark Robbins didn’t smile unless he had something to smile about. He didn’t flirt… throw out insignificant comments… or pretend interest. And that warm feeling burned brighter.

“Thank you, Mark, for sitting with me in the meeting. It’s always a bit intimidating to feel like the new person in the room. And thank you for walking me to my car. And for our conversations. I hope we can… well, thank you.”

He reached out both hands and gathered hers in his. “It’s been a pleasure, Karen. Perhaps we can… would you be interested in…” He fumbled his words, then shook his head. “I haven’t asked anyone out in a while. I’m afraid I’m messing this up?—”

“Not at all,” she rushed to assure. “We’re both out of practice. One more thing we have in common. But if you’re asking me out, the answer is yes.”

His hands squeezed hers, and a broad smile graced his face, taking her breath away. “May I have your phone number?”

“Absolutely.”

He let go of her hands and reached into his pocket. When he was ready, she rattled off her phone number and felt her phone vibrate when he sent a text.

Smiling, he said, “Now you have mine.”

Karen hated the thought of losing the warmth of her hands in his, but she needed to get home. If she stayed any longer, the temptation to step closer, to feel the press of her body against his, would be too much to resist. And then she’d wonder if his lips were as soft as his voice. With a reluctant sigh, she stepped back, her hand fumbling for the fob as she unlocked her car. Mark reached out and, in one smooth motion, opened the door for her.

"Karen..." His low voice was intimate, pulling her attention like a magnet.

She paused halfway into the car, turning to look up at him. Her breath hitched as he leaned down, his presence filling the space between them. For a split second, the world around them seemed to freeze. She could feel the warmth of his breath, the nearness of him making her heart race. And just when she thought he might kiss her, he angled slightly to the side, his lips brushing the air by her ear as he whispered, "Drive safely."

Then, so softly, his lips grazed her cheek, sending a ripple of heat down her spine before he pulled back, standing tall again. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened. But the warmth blooming in her chest spread through her entire body, leaving her feeling lightheaded and alive.

She barely managed to whisper, "You, too," her voice catching on the words. He closed her door, and somehow, through the haze of emotion, she managed to start the car and drive away. As she pulled away, her eyes flicked repeatedly to the rearview mirror, watching as his figure grew smaller until she turned the corner, and he disappeared.

By the time she reached home, her pulse had steadied, though the lingering heat of his touch and the soft brush of his lips stayed with her like a cherished memory. Pulling into the single-car garage, Karen hurried inside with a soft smile. Thedoor had barely closed behind her when her daughters greeted her, their familiar voices pulling her back into the rhythm of home. But beneath the surface, the warmth of Mark’s presence lingered, a quiet, pleasant echo she wasn’t ready to let go of.

“I found it, Mom. The graph paper. I remembered that I needed some last year,” Laura said. “So, I looked in the bottom of my desk drawer and found enough for Olivia’s class.”

Throwing her arms out, she hugged Laura, then pulled back but continued to hold her eldest daughter’s shoulders. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Barely turning before Olivia came in for a hug, she embraced her younger daughter. Looking over their shoulders, she spied a spotless kitchen. “Wow, you girls have been busy!”

The girls shared a look, and she leaned back, waiting to see what they had to say.

“It’s just that you never go out, Mom,” Laura began. “You’re always working or with us. And we talked about how nice it was that you went to the American Legion meeting tonight. We want to make sure you’re making friends here like we have.”

“Oh, my goodness, girls. You don’t have to worry about me! I’m fine! I have a great job and wonderful coworkers, and I’ve met some of your friends' parents. I’m fine… honestly, I’m fine.” As soon as the wordfineleft her lips for the third time, she was reminded of her earlier thoughts concerning the benign description. “I’m more than fine,” she emphasized.

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