Contemporary Romance: Passage of Arms - A Military Romance Novel (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Romance Novel Book 1) (5 page)

A rough tap on her shoulder drew her attention and she lifted her eyes quickly, only to stop and gasp with wide eyes.

“Bruce?” She asked in a soft whisper.

Innocent Thought

Sarah turned and glanced across the shop. Some of her workers had been watching her. When she noticed them, they giggled and resumed their work. Sarah gave her attention to the man standing before her and eyed him carefully. He was grinning. He had a similar build and great smile, but something was different.

“Do you really not recognize me?” The man crossed in front of her and sat down to her right. Sarah smiled sheepishly.

“It is you, right? Bruce?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “Do I look different?”

“A little,” Sarah slowly lowered her sewing materials and looked him over again. He waited patiently, and chuckled periodically. After a moment, she shook her head and shrugged. “I don’t know what it is. Tell me. Something’s changed about you.”

“My hair,” he answered quickly. Sarah looked at it and laughed. He was right. It was so long in the front that it dipped towards his eyebrows. The back seemed to be the same length as the front.

“Is that even within regs?” Sarah questioned. Bruce chuckled.

“I haven’t seen you in five years and the first thing that you do is question me about my hair regulation,” he laughed. “Women,” he smirked.

Sarah grinned sheepishly and reached for the water at her side. She tried to keep herself from looking Bruce over too closely and wet her throat with the liquid. He waited for her patiently, and they eyed each other with reservation.

When Sarah finished the water, emptying the bottle, she sat it down and licked her lips.

“So you finally decided to come see me,” she said at length. Bruce smiled.

“Sorry it took so long.”

Sarah shrugged, and looked Bruce over again. She couldn’t stop. He still had those lovely muscles, but he was dressed differently than what she remembered his norm being. He seemed more casual.

“Well, I’m doing alright,” Sarah offered in the swelling air between them. Bruce nodded.

“I read your last email.”

“From over two years ago?” She scoffed. Bruce shrugged.

“I came to see you though,” he said softly with a weak smile. Sarah took a big breath and looked down into her lap. She crossed her legs and tried to relax.

“I guess I just thought you’d come sooner,” she looked up and met his eyes again. “Are you passing through?” He nodded.

“I’m not in anymore,” he said, rubbing his hands together. He leaned on his knees with his elbows.

“Oh,” Sarah took another deep breath. “I guess that explains it then. We must have both just had a lot going on.” Bruce nodded. “What happened?” Sarah winced when she saw Bruce’s reaction to her question. That wasn’t up for discussion. “You don’t have to answer that.” Sarah said quickly. Bruce smiled suddenly.

“Thank you. It’s just a sore topic. But I’ve been out for three years now.”

Sarah felt herself relax a little. “And all this time I thought you were mad at me for ignoring you for the first six months,” she chuckled. Bruce smiled and shook his head calmly.

“I knew you’d need time. I guess I just wish you would have let someone help you,” his eyes looked over her face, and then he suddenly looked away, and out towards her shop.

“And this is what you’ve been up to? Looks good.”

Grinning, Sarah kicked the bag of her crocheting material to the right side of her legs.

“Yes. It took me some time to figure out the best way to move forward. I just knew I didn’t want to be stuck with a high mortgage in a crappy location and,” she paused and nearly giggled. “I really didn’t want to work a straight nine to five.”

“I hear you on that,” Bruce said quickly. He paused and eyed Sarah carefully. “Did you try it? Working, that is?”

She nodded and laughed. “I’m not cut out for it.” They shared a rowdy laugh together and drew a few looks from nearby customers.

“You and me both, girl,” Bruce commented between a breath. “You and me both. So what’d you do?”

“What?”

“What’d you try and how long did you work?”

“Oh, goodness,” Sarah ran a hand through her hair and laughed at the old memory. “It was terrible,” she started. “And, don’t judge me.”

Bruce shook his head quickly. “No judgment over here,” he said quickly.

“It was a call center,” Sarah admitted. She watched Bruce’s face harden and his eyes narrow. His lips seemed to tighten, but he didn’t say more. “So that’s it? You don’t have anything funny to say?” His face morphed to something elongated and he shook his head slowly, but stayed quiet.

“Go ahead and laugh,” Sarah said with a pout. Bruce obeyed her promptly.

“A call center job?” He asked quickly, in between a fit. His laugh caused her to laugh too, real and genuine. Maybe she was a bit too protective of how she first responded to Adam’s death.

“You’re so much better than that,” Bruce said at length.

“I was desperate,” Sarah said honestly. “I felt like I needed something stable—and fast.”

“Well, what about that Target distribution center position? The manager one. I could have given you a great reference,” Bruce began. Sarah shook her head firmly though.

“Over 100 people applied to that position,” Sarah grumbled. Bruce frowned. “I never made it past the phone interview,” she paused and then shook her head. “Anyway, I only worked there for two weeks.”

Bruce nodded. “Must have been terrible.”

“It was. I was working with stupid kids,” she frowned deeply. “Literally. I didn’t even make it out of training.”

Bruce winced. “You’re just too smart to work something like that,” he gestured across the shop floor. “But look at this place. Tell me about it.”

Straightening her back, Sarah began to beam. Her shop success had only been shared with a few people. One close woman who had welcomed her into the community, and her mother and father. Those last two had been detrimental in helping her keep her sanity after Adam’s funeral was held.

“Well, I got the SGLI and sat on it for a bit. Maybe two months or so.”

“It’s a huge decision that you had to make,” Bruce agreed. “Figuring out how to move forward and stuff after,” he paused, “after,” he nodded and finished his sentence. “Can I get some water?” He touched his throat and looked around.

“Sure, of course. I’m such a terrible host,” Sarah said quickly, she stood and motioned for the nearest floor attendant to meet her. “You can order at your seat here if you want. Would you like something quick?” After a quick second of pause, Sarah gasped. “Oh my goodness, you should get lunch here. We can eat together!”

Bruce laughed at her sudden burst of energy. “Actually, if you have an hour or two, maybe we can get something somewhere else?” Bruce chuckled when he saw Sarah scowl. “It’s just a little loud in here and I’d like to catch up.” The scowl melted immediately. Why was she so defensive?

“Of course, there’s a steak house about five minutes from here,” Sarah looked down at herself. She wasn’t dressed the best. Just some common everyday heels, pinstriped pants, and a loose fitting blouse.

“You look great,” Bruce said softly. Sarah looked up and met his eyes, as if he had been reading the silent critique of her day’s choice of attire. “So, do you have the time?” Bruce asked.

Sarah looked at her watch. Hardly. She’d have to pick Ruth up from school within 40 minutes. Biting her lip, Sarah tucked hair behind her ears and then crossed her arms over her chest.

“Ruth gets out of school at 3:05.” Bruce checked his watch with a calm glance.

“Hmm, Ruth,” he commented leisurely. “How is she?”

“Quiet. Reserved,” Sarah took a deep breath. “Withdrawn,” she hesitated before meeting Bruce’s eyes. She didn’t know how much time he had before he left, and she really enjoyed seeing the familiar face. She had avoided him before she left South Carolina because she worried she would be too reminded of Adam; but, standing in his presence now, she wondered if that was a stupid move. All she could remember is how he had only ever been there for her throughout the months of Adam’s deployment.

“I’m in town for another night,” he offered. “I’m staying in Nashville.” Sarah’s eyes widened.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” Her voice sounded a lot happier than she meant it too.

“If all goes to plan. Maybe we can meet for dinner?” Bruce eyed Sarah carefully. Was he asking as a friend or for a date?

“I think an early lunch would be better,” Sarah answered after a moment. “Then I could give you my afternoon.” As soon as she said the words, she bit her lip and kicked her mind internally. That sounded way more desperate than she intended.
I’ll give you my afternoon.
The thought made her scoff. Bruce frowned.

“If you’re busy,” Bruce began.

“No, tomorrow’s great. I mean, we have a few minutes. Her school is twenty minutes away. We can talk for a bit,” she was speaking fast, unable to get herself to slow down. “And then tomorrow we can meet for lunch and catch up for real.”

Bruce smiled and looked Sarah over. “Sure. Sounds great.” He pointed to her crochet bag. “Do you need that?”

“It can stay. Everyone knows it’s mine,” she smirked. “This my chair, my corner. My nook,” she giggled, causing Bruce to smile again.

They left the cozy space and stepped outside onto the wood planks that surrounded the shop. It had an old home feel, something that made it more enjoyable, as it really was an old home renovated for the commercial grounds it now rested upon.

“Looks like you’ve done real well for yourself,” Bruce commented. He looked at Sarah with a smile. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Sarah smiled genuinely and shrugged her shoulders. “The life insurance helped. My father helped me make some wise decisions,” she ran a hand through her hair and sighed. “I do well here and it’s pretty relaxing, so…” she let her words trail. They left the wrap around walkway and moved towards the loose gravel that preceded the parking lot. Slipping his hands into his pockets, Bruce strolled leisurely at her side.

“So what about you?” Sarah turned the conversation, feeling an awkwardness creep into the silence that had fallen. “What have you been up to?”

“Oh, me?” He chuckled easily. “Same thing, I guess. Started my own business—didn’t think I could work for anyone else.”

Sarah laughed. “The Captain in you wouldn’t allow it.” Bruce’s eyes twinkled and he grinned at her.

“You’re going to demote me now too?”

Sarah’s face fell as she looked at him. “What are you talking about?”

“I was a Major,” he correctly softly. Sarah gasped and covered her mouth quickly.

“I’m so sorry—.”

Bruce chuckled deeply and wet his lips as he looked away with a deep breath. “It’s okay,” he glanced towards her, “really. I wouldn’t have expected you to remember,” he looked away again, surveying the horizon. “The business is good though,” he turned to her as they walked. The gravel and dying grass crunched beneath their shoes. “Grossed over 150k the first year.”

Sarah snapped her eyes to his and choked on air. “Goodness, what do you do?” Bruce grinned.

“Construction.”

After she regained her poise, Sarah considered his answer and then nodded. “I guess that makes sense,” she eyed him suspiciously. “I’d be set if my profits were that,” she grumbled. “I net roughly 50k each year,” she scratched at her arm with reservation. “I don’t pay a mortgage though.”

“No loans?” Bruce asked, watching her carefully. She shook her head and tucked more hair behind her ear.

“Nope,” she shook her head. “Dropped 250k like I’m a millionaire,” they shared a chuckle and stopped walking. They had reached her car. She stood by it and stared at her twisted reflection in the dark glass.

“We manage well with $50,000 a year and no mortgage,” Sarah added. “I just thought it’d be a good move since I didn’t know how much a business would bring, or how successful it’d be, if at all.”

“I think you’ve done a great job,” Bruce encouraged. After a while, he asked, “Are you seeing anyone?”

“What?” Sarah couldn’t stop the grin that tugged at her lips. Her cheeks flushed and she avoided Bruce’s eyes.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he said quickly. “Guess I’m just curious if you’ve moved on. Can I ask that? You don’t have to answer if it’s out of line.”

Sarah smiled but didn’t meet his eyes. She looked to his right and watched a car pull into the driveway.

“I haven’t really dated much,” she admitted. A few seconds later, she glanced towards Bruce’s face. He wasn’t looking at her, but over the roof of her car. “I don’t think I can explain to you how it feels to lose someone you love like that.” She swallowed back her anticipation and watched Bruce for a reaction. There wasn’t one though. He simply nodded with the information and casually looked towards her again.

“Lunch tomorrow then?”

“Brunch,” Sarah corrected. Bruce grinned.

“That’s right, brunch.”

She smiled and nodded. “I’d love that. It feels great seeing your face,” she paused, “I meant it feels great to see a familiar face like yours,” she chuckled nervously and shook her head. None of those sounded right. “That’s not what I meant,” she tried to start again but Bruce stretched a hand towards her and touched the side of her arm. She stopped talking. He held her skin gently and grinned.