Page 66 of Dangerous December
Dev had made no secret of his plans to go back into active service as soon as he’d healed and satisfied his commitment to Vivian’s will. He’d been crushed when his first VA appointment revealed he no longer qualified for active service.
So what was this about? Had he improved enough? If the Marines had some sort of change of heart, would he disappear into the Middle East again for years?
A hollow, aching place in her heart started to grow.
“You could convince him to stick around, you know,” Frank mused. “He might find Agate Creek is the very place he should put down roots.”
“I don’t think anyone will convince him of that. He’ll follow his heart...and I have a feeling it’s anywhere but here.” She stood and looked out the window toward the cottage, where she could see the glow of a solitary lamp through the living room curtains. “Does he leave lights on when he goes?”
“I’ve never noticed. If you see a light in there, maybe you should check it out.” Frank chuckled. “You can get a start on letting him know why he should stay around.”
Grabbing her purse and keys, she headed for the front door. “Great to have you back, Frank. See you tomorrow!”
Darkness had fallen, but silvery moonlight filtered through the thick, bare branches overhead, creating paisley designs of light and shadow on the stone walk.
A nervous flutter started dancing in Beth’s stomach when she reached up to knock on the door, but the door was ajar, so she gently pushed it with her fingertips. It swung wide with a soft creak. “Hello? Are you here?”
Bent over the antique oak desk near the fireplace, Dev jerked upward at the sound and spun around, his face tense and drawn.
“I hear you went to the VA today. How did it go?”
The expression in his eyes grew dark, unreadable. “I asked for another check-up on my shoulder, and I asked them to reexamine my hearing. There’s actually been some improvement in my hearing—something the previous docs said would never happen.” A half smile tilted one corner of his mouth. “The shoulder is still weak, but maybe I’ll defy the odds. They told me to report to North Carolina for a desk job. Eventually, I might have another chance at combat duty.”
The room seemed to fall away as she processed his words. “What about Sloane House? Your inheritance?”
“I talked to Nora. She said she couldn’t in good conscience force a soldier to stay home over this, especially since you live here permanently and the residents have been making such good progress. They’ve made some really positive comments about both of us, which helped.”
“So, y-you’re leaving. Just like that.”
“It’s been my life. I feel...cast adrift. Everyone I know is in the military.”
“Not everyone,” she said softly. She moved closer and rested a hip against the overstuffed chair by the fireplace, not trusting her knees.
After trying to forget him, her traitorous heart had fallen for him all over again.
“You have people who are like family right here in town. Carl and Reva and Cody.”And me.“People who care. What about your store? And Frank?”
He rubbed his jaw. “Frank is a natural. He reads up on everything, studies YouTube and the rest of the Internet, and is turning into quite an encyclopedia on the sports merchandise we offer. He’s great with the customers. He’ll be a fine manager whether I’m around or not.”
“But...you once said that you never wanted to be behind a desk.”
“For a while it will be okay.” Dev turned and rested his hands on her shoulders and brushed a brief kiss against her forehead. “It’s tempting to stay in Agate Creek, but...well... we both know that it’s over between us, so I’d better move on.”
He was right. She savored the warmth of his hands and the sweet, electric sensation of his gentle kiss, knowing she couldn’t read anything more into the reassuring gesture than it was.
Because soon he’d walk right back out of her life. And this time, it would be for good.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Maura stopped at the entryway of the bookstore, dropped her bags at her feet and swooped close to Beth for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“I’m so happy to be home for Christmas,” she said, her bangle bracelets clinking and gauzy scarves shimmering in the glow of the twinkling Christmas lights strung around the interior of the bookstore. “And I’m so glad Olivia had to pick up her daughter at the Minneapolis airport, so she could give me a ride north.”
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Beth hugged her back. “How long can you stay?”
“Just until the day after Christmas. But I’m thinking of moving back next year, if I can sell the gallery. My health scare affected my priorities, and losing two assistant managers in the past three months has been the last straw.”
Maura stepped back and held Beth’s shoulders, her eyes shining with tears. “I’ve missed you, sweetheart.”
