Page 105 of Welcome to Forever
Micah couldn’t resist. He crossed the room and bent to kiss his son’s forehead. “Don’t grow up while I’m away, okay?”
“Okay,” came Ben’s sleepy reply. “I’ll try not to.”
Micah walked down the hall toward the kitchen, not ready for sleep himself. Instead, he brewed a pot of coffee and started working on a new landscaping design for the azalea festival that would take place in early spring. He wouldn’t be around in the spring, but someone else could work with his designs. He’d spoken to a guy named Trevor, who was interested in overseeing things while Micah was away. And when he returned, he’d hopefully be back in the same position as he was now. His father had tried to ruin things for him, or help him as Aunt Clara always insisted was his real motivation, and he’d failed. The only thing Colonel Peterson had ruined was Micah’s relationship with Kat.
Which was probably for the best anyway.
At a quarter past midnight, Micah finally turned off the lights and headed to his room, hoping for more than another night of tossing and turning.
—
She couldn’t sleep. Kat tossed on the bed and read the clock again. Almost midnight. Sitting up, she blew out a breath, and then reached for the pull on her bedside lamp. Her gaze immediately caught on the shoebox across the room—the one she’d been avoiding since cleaning out the master bedroom for Julie.
She was tired of avoiding things, though. Facing them head-on seemed to be working well lately. Although she hadn’t had the opportunity to face Micah. Not yet at least. He seemed to be avoiding her, going so far as to hire a fill-in lawn guy named Trevor to take care of the school’s campus.
Kat retrieved the shoe box and carried it back to her bed. Lifting the top, she stared for a long moment at the contents, which were mostly paper products. Cards. Love notes. Handwritten vows that never got recited. Surprisingly, she found herself smiling at the bunch. Coming to the bottom of the box, her hand paused on one crumpled envelope. It was unopened, and across the front, it simply readKAT. She’d never seen it before, but instinctively she knew what it was. A gasp caught in her throat.
John was a man who liked to prepare for things. It was his way. And before going to war, it only made sense that he’d prepare in case he never returned.
She ripped the top open, her heart speeding up as she pulled the thin paper from inside. She hesitated before unfolding it, wondering what he’d written, contemplating if she was truly ready to hear his last words to her. Then, taking a breath, she unfolded the paper carefully and started reading.
Dear Kat,
If you’re reading this, it means I won’t be coming home. I’m sorry for that. I know I made a lot of promises to you, and I meant every word. I love you. I always have.
Kat, you inspired me to be a better man. Did you know that? You inspire everyone around you just by being who you are. That’s how I knew you’d be good at the principal job you applied for. You’re one of those people who can change the world just by smiling. You changed my world, that’s for sure.
If I don’t come home, it’s not because I didn’t want to, or that I didn’t try my damnedest. I would’ve moved heaven and earth to get back to you. But sometimes things don’t work out the way we want them to. I’m sure they turn out the way they’re supposed to, though. Keep being who you are, Kat, because that’s who I fell in love with. And if I don’t come home, that’s who some other lucky guy will one day fall in love with, too. Don’t be afraid to love again. Remember, there is never loss with love, only gain.
Until we meet again. I love you.
John
Her cheeks were wet. Shakily, she slid a hand down each cheek, smearing her tears. These were John’s final words to her, and damn him if he didn’t just tell her in no uncertain terms to get up off her ass and fight for love.
There is no loss, only gain.
John was right. She would choose him again if given the chance, knowing exactly how things had ended. And she’d choose Micah right now, not knowing.
“Crap.” She sprung up off the bed and pulled on the jeans that were draped over a chair in her room. Hearing the beating of the rain on the roof, she also grabbed her hooded raincoat and slid her feet into a pair of rubber boots.
“Where are you going?” Julie asked, meeting her in the hallway.
“Why are you still up?” Kat countered.
“Touché. I’ve been watching black-and-white movies again. Secret addiction.”
Kat shook her head. “I’ve got to tell you, it’s never been a secret, Julie.”
“Your turn. You’ve finally come to your senses?” Julie asked, smiling. “It’s about time, sis.” She glanced at the clock. “Or past time, actually. Won’t he be sleeping?”
Kat’s heart was thundering in her chest. Not answering the question, she called behind her, “Don’t wait up!”
“Go get that sexy hunk,” Julie cheered, seeing her out the door. “And it’s raining. Lover reunions are always best in the pouring rain,” she called.
Kat made a mental note to ban Julie from those sappy romances just as soon as she returned.
Or join her, depending on how tonight went.
