Love Is a Battlefield (21 page)

Ace was exhausted. All he wanted to do was fall into bed. But he needed to finish the book he was reading about Civil War generals. He climbed into bed and forced himself to keep his eyes open, but the book in front of him may as well have been written in another language.

His mind kept wandering back to the kiss he and Kristy had shared. Had he been a fool to let her know how he felt about her? His instinct told him she felt the same way. Especially after the way she'd kissed him. That was some kiss. He just wished she'd had a chance to tell him what she thought. He knew he'd told her she didn't have to say anything, but he'd secretly hoped she would tell him that she felt the same way.

When they'd finally left the visitor center, she'd been preoccupied. She walked out with Robert and Zach, and he'd overheard her telling them not to worry about what had happened.

He'd hoped for a private good-bye, possibly another kiss, but by that time, Owen, Hank, and Arnie had been milling around in the parking lot talking and recapping the evening.

He closed the book with a snap. May as well give up on trying to learn anything tonight. The way his research was going, he wasn't going to meet his deadline. Maybe now that the vandal had been caught, he'd get back on track.

Ace had just clicked off the lamp when he heard a banging at his door.

He pulled on some sweats and ran barefoot to the window.

Kristy was standing on his front porch, pounding the wooden door.

Crying.

He threw the door open and pulled her inside. She fell against his chest, great sobs coming from her. He circled his arms around her and held on tight.

“Shhh. Whatever it is, it will be okay.” For a long moment, he held on to her, her sobs never subsiding. Finally, she seemed to pull herself together and her cries lessened.

He led her over to the couch. “Can I get you something? Hot tea? Hot chocolate?”

He wasn't sure why hot beverages were supposed to make people feel better, but every time there'd been a disaster in his family, his mother had always offered them.

“Maybe just some Kleenex?”

“Of course.” He grabbed a box off an end table and handed it to her.

She plucked a tissue from the box and began mopping the tears from her wet face.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” He sat down next to her, unsure of what he should do. Crying women had never been his forte. And Kristy looked so pitiful. He thought he felt his own heart hurt a little bit just seeing the pain on her face.

“It's Brad. My friend Ainsley's husband.”

He nodded. She'd told him about them. Whoa. That conversation was earlier this evening. It seemed like a year ago.

“I had a message when I got home. Ainsley is devastated, of course. He was killed while fighting a fire this morning. I'm not sure of all the details. Just that there were two men killed and he was one of them.” The tears began to flow freely down her face again. “I finally got in touch with Vickie. We're going to fly to Arizona tomorrow and stay until the funeral.”

He nodded.

“She's like a sister to me. Closer than a sister, actually.” she wiped her eyes.

He thought of her biological sister and understood the sentiment. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Pray with me.”

He grabbed her hand and bowed his head.

“Heavenly Father, please look down on Ainsley tonight. Heal her as only You can. Give her the strength she needs to face this tragedy, and the wisdom to turn to You for comfort. Lord, please be with Kristy as she travels. Keep her safe on her journey. In Jesus' name. Amen.”

Kristy squeezed his hand. “Thanks. It would mean a lot if you'd keep her in your prayers these next few days.”

He looked down and realized he was still holding on to her hand. “Of course.” He pulled her to him and kissed her on the forehead. “I'll keep you in my prayers, too.”

She gave him a teary smile. “And do you think you can keep Sam for a few days? I hate to ask you, but I don't have time to call to have him boarded. I've got the first flight I could get out of Memphis in the morning. If he ends up too much trouble, just call me and I'll have Mom come and get him.”

“Don't worry about it. I get lonely here all by myself anyway. Sam and I will get along great.”

She nodded. “I can't thank you enough.” she stood up.

“You don't have to. I'm just glad I can help you in some way.” He reached out and brushed away a wayward tear.

She looked up at him, her lips trembling. “You could hug me again.”

He smiled. “I'd like nothing better.” He pulled her to his chest, wishing he could take away some of her pain.

“I'm terrible in these kinds of situations,” she said against him. “I never know what to say and am always afraid of saying the wrong thing.”

He smoothed her hair. “The best thing you can do is just be there. Let her take the lead. If she wants to talk about him, let her. If she wants you to take her mind off of things, do it. You can't make her grief go away, but you can grieve with her.”

She pulled out of his embrace. “Thanks. For everything.”

He followed her outside to her Jeep. “Do you want me to come pick Sam up in the morning?”

“If you don't mind, that would be great. There's a key hidden underneath the mat on the back deck. It unlocks the back door. There's a tub of food in the kitchen, and I'll set out some bones.”

He nodded. “Be careful. And if you think about it when you get there, call me and let me know you're safe.”

“Sure.” she climbed in the Jeep.

Ace stood and watched her drive off; then he walked back inside shaking his head. What a night.

An overly perky flight attendant stood in the aisle, demonstrating the proper use of an oxygen mask. Even though she knew the drill, Kristy tried to pay attention. Better safe than sorry. Flying had never been her favorite thing. She said a silent prayer for a safe trip and leaned her head against the cold window.

Exhausted didn't begin to describe how she felt. She'd had to get up before 6:00a.m. In order to get to Memphis to catch the flight. At least it was nonstop to Phoenix.

Vickie had called this morning with more details. Ainsley would be staying at her parents' house in Flagstaff for several days. It was too tough to be at the home she'd shared with Brad. Vickie's flight from Washington would arrive in Phoenix just a little after Kristy's.

Tap, tap, tap.
The man next to her nervously tapped his fingers against the armrest as the plane began to move. Between the incessant tapping and the crying baby a couple of rows back, Kristy was wishing for her iPod. Of all the things to forget. Although with everything on her mind, it was a wonder she'd even remembered her luggage.

She draped her fleece jacket over her legs. The next time the flight attendant went by, she'd ask for a blanket. It could be one hundred degrees outside, but in an airplane, she still felt like an ice cube. She shifted in the seat and attempted to stretch her legs.

With all the commotion of yesterday, Kristy had barely had a second to be still. But now that she had nothing to do but sit and watch the clouds roll by, she was flooded with thoughts. The kiss with Ace. Catching the vandal. Finding out Zach had been taking out his frustrations on her house. And now Brad's accident. She tried to gauge her feelings on everything, but they were too tangled.

She settled as far as she could into the crook of the seat against the side of the plane. She closed her eyes and listened to the roar of the engine. The sound finally began to lull her racing mind into calmness. And after a few minutes, she finally drifted off into a much-needed sleep.

“I'm so glad to see you.” Kristy embraced Vickie at the northwest gate. She stepped back and looked at her friend.

Vickie's shiny brown hair was cut into a smooth pageboy style. The blue and gray argyle twinset and gray slacks perfectly set off her petite figure. Vickie always described herself as “too buttoned up,” but in reality, her style was classic.

Kristy caught sight of the single strand of pearls around Vickie's neck and smiled. Even in the midst of chaos, her friend was completely pulled together.

“I'm glad to see you, too, although being glad about it makes me feel guilty.” Vickie pulled up the handle of her navy blue wheeled bag.

“I know what you mean.” Kristy shook her head. “My heart is breaking for Ainsley, but I guess it hasn't really sunk in yet.”

Vickie nodded. “Me, too.” she motioned toward the rental car sign. “This way. I made the reservation for a car rental. Hope that's okay.”

“Fine by me. I'm just glad to be traveling with the planner.”

Vickie laughed. “Yes, rental car and hotel are booked. Maps are printed. I even have a list of local flower shops. Remind me to call one as soon as we get to Flagstaff so we can have a plant sent to the funeral home.”

“You are amazing. I think you really missed your calling. You'd for sure be a great event planner. Or personal assistant. Or anything that requires organizational skills.”

“No, thanks. I love what I do.”

Kristy smiled. “I know. I'm just teasing.” she watched as her friend made the arrangements at the rental counter. Vickie hadn't changed at all since college. She was the dependable one. The girl who was always elected secretary of organizations and kept her closet arranged by color. On the road trips they'd taken with some of the girls from their dorm, meeting cute boys was on everyone's agenda but Vickie's. She always had her nose in a book—usually a classic—and didn't even notice that there were boys around, much less cute ones.

Despite their differences, Kristy and Vickie had become fast friends, and their friendship had carried on through the years. And even though they were about to embark on a sad trip, Kristy was glad to have her friend by her side.

After fifteen silent minutes, Kristy couldn't stand it. “Vick?”

“Yeah?”

“I think it would be okay for us to catch up. If anyone loved a good reunion, it was Brad.”

“You're so right. It's hard to believe he won't be there to greet us.”

“So how do we do this?”

“I have no idea.” Vickie sighed. “All the etiquette books in the world don't prepare you for how to help someone who's lost the center of their universe.” she smoothed her perfectly straight hair. “But you're right. Brad wouldn't have wanted us to be stoic for the entire trip. Remember how he used to make fun of the three of us, laughing so hard we could barely breathe?”

Kristy nodded. “Last time we were at their house, he told me he'd invested in special ear plugs to drown out the laughter so he could get some sleep. Said he didn't understand why with us everything that happened after 10:00p.m. Was automatically funnier.”

Vickie laughed. “Okay then. No more silence. Fill me in on what's been going on with you.”

Kristy exhaled and peered out the window at the dusty landscape.

Vickie glanced at her through oversized dark sunglasses. “Problem?”

“Not really. There is a new development with Ace, though.”

“What's that?”

“He finally told me how he feels about me.”

“And was I right? He's crazy about you, isn't he?”

Kristy smiled. “It seems that way. And...” she broke off. “We sort of kissed.”

“Sort of kissed?” Vickie said. “I may not have much dating experience, but can you explain to me how you ‘sort of kissed' him?”

Kristy laughed. “Okay. We definitely kissed. It took me by surprise, actually. It was the first time a guy has just kissed me without asking first.”

“They usually ask your permission?” Vickie was incredulous.

“Yeah, at least the first time they do. Apparently I give off that kind of vibe.”

Vickie shook her head. “At least you have guys wanting to kiss you,” she said glumly.

She often referred to her inexperience like it was shameful, but Kristy had always thought it was sweet. She knew her friend hoped to find a love of her own someday. And when she did, it would be a big one. The kind that would last.

“Stop it.” Kristy examined her friend's heart-shaped face. Vickie's translucent skin and tiny features always reminded her of a porcelain doll. “There are a million guys out there who want to kiss you. They just haven't had the courage to do it yet.”

“Sorry. I get so impatient sometimes. I know the Lord has a plan for me. But it's hard not to feel like I'm the only person in the world who hasn't been in love. And I don't want a million guys. Just one.” Vickie gave a tiny smile.

“Love isn't always easy, you know.” she remembered the conversation she'd had with Ace about true love. “Nothing worth anything ever is.”

Patricia Garrett met them at the car, wearing a gingham apron over her black dress. She dusted her flour-covered hands on the apron and held them out to them.

“Girls,” she said, pulling them to her. “So glad you could come. I know she'll be comforted just knowing you're here.”

“How is she?” Vickie asked quietly as they followed Ainsley's mom into the brown brick house.

“About as you would expect. She's in the basement right now, but I don't think she's sleeping.” she led the way down the hall. “I'm baking bread right now.” she threw them an apologetic look over her shoulder. “I needed to do something to keep busy.”

“Do you think it would be okay if we go see her?” Vickie asked.

“Please.” Mrs. Garrett pointed to a wooden door just off the kitchen. “Right through there. Be careful on the stairs.”

Kristy followed Vickie through the door and down the stairs. She dreaded seeing her friend.

They reached the bottom of the narrow staircase and stepped into what looked like a studio apartment. In the corner of the room, in the middle of a four-poster bed, sat Ainsley. Her arms were wrapped around drawn-up knees, her curly red hair unkempt.

Vickie went to her immediately.

“I'm so sorry,” she said as she wrapped her arms around Ainsley. “What can we do?”

Kristy hung back. She knew there was nothing they could do. She felt out of place. How did Vickie always know what to say in every situation? “Yes, please. Is there anything we can do to help you?” she said in a muted tone.

Kristy awkwardly perched on the end of the bed, waiting for Ainsley to speak.

Ainsley's red-rimmed, amber-colored eyes filled with tears. “I'm just glad you guys are here.” she took a shaky breath. “I don't know what you can do, though. Just listen, I guess.”

Vickie sat down on the other side of the bed. “We're here. Whatever you need.”

Ainsley swallowed hard. “I just keep thinking it's a bad dream. Everything is all cloudy and dull. He was the other half of me. And now...” she trailed off. “It's like my arm has been cut off. And my leg. And my heart.” Tears began to drip onto the quilt she was wrapped in.

Kristy patted her leg. She couldn't fathom the pain her friend was feeling.

“And you want to know the irony?” Ainsley shook her head. “The day of the accident was the happiest day of our lives.”

Vickie and Kristy exchanged confused glances.

A tiny smile broke through the still-falling tears. “That was the day we found out for sure that we're pregnant.”

Vickie let out a squeal that resonated very loudly in the quiet of the basement. “You're pregnant?”

Kristy was silent. This was even worse than she'd expected. Not only had her friend lost her husband, but now she was about to become a single parent?

“Yes,” Ainsley whispered and placed her hand on her belly. “Finally pregnant.”

Kristy felt Vickie's eyes on her and met her gaze. Vickie's widened eyes told her that she needed to respond to the announcement.

“Wow. A baby.” Kristy played with the quilt's frayed edge. “That's great news.”

Ainsley let out a small laugh and grabbed her hand. “It's okay, Kris. You can be happy for me. I'm having to learn that deep happiness and deep sadness can coexist.” Her voice grew stronger as she spoke of her news. “I had actually planned on calling both of you after the doctor's visit to share the news. I'd done a home test but wanted real medical confirmation before I told anyone. But then...” she stopped.

They knew what had happened then.

Ainsley brushed a springy red curl out of her face. “I just keep telling myself that at least he knew. At least he got to see that little blip of magic on the ultrasound screen. And now, somehow, it's helping me get through it knowing that I'll always have a little piece of him to hold on to.”

Kristy closed her eyes, fighting back her own tears. She felt guilty now for not seeing the positive side of Ainsley's pregnancy. Of course it would help her deal with losing Brad.

God really did look out for His children, even when they didn't realize it.

“Which bed do you want?” Vickie asked once they were back at the hotel.

“You choose. As long as the sheets are clean, I don't care.”

Vickie laughed. “I never assume that the sheets are clean.” she opened her suitcase and took out a perfectly folded sheet set.

Kristy's eyes widened; then she threw back her head and cackled. “Oh, I so needed that today.” she couldn't quit snickering as she watched Vickie pull the ugly motel bedding off the bed and replace it with the linens she'd brought from home.

“Glad I amuse you. But I saw that special on
20/20.
I'm not taking any chances.”

Kristy shook her head. “What, no pillow?”

Vickie smirked and unzipped the outside pocket on her bag. She pulled out what looked like a deflated pool float. “It's an inflatable pillow,” she explained in response to Kristy's questioning gaze. “Blow it up, put a case over it, and voila. A clean pillow.” she popped out the plastic nozzle, and soon her crisp white sheets had a little inflatable pillow on top of them.

Kristy shook her head. “You never cease to amaze.”

“Thanks.” Vickie, looking very proud of herself, sank down onto her freshly made bed. “So how do you think she's really doing?”

“No idea. If it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to carry on a conversation. But she seems to be dealing with it as well as she can. I think it's good that her parents are close by. At least she can stay with them for a little while until she's ready to face their house again.”

“And the news of a baby is such a blessing.”

“Can I make a confession?”

“I love confessions.” Vickie grinned.

“When she first said she was pregnant, I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't see how it could be a good thing. You know?”

“And now?”

“After I heard her talking about having a little piece of him still with her, I realized what a divine gift the baby is.” Kristy shook her head. “If I know anything about Ainsley, it's that she will be a wonderful mother. And I think going through the pregnancy will give her something to focus on besides her loss. Don't you?”

Vickie nodded. “Yes. This way, she has motivation to get out of bed and to keep herself healthy. It's definitely a blessing.”

“I know that she's still going to grieve. I don't think you ever really get over something like that. He was her world. If not for she and Brad, I wouldn't have ever even let the term
soul mate
enter my speech.”

“So does that mean that now you believe in soul mates?”

Kristy leaned back against the stack of pillows. “Let's just say that I'm closer to believing than I've ever been. I still have my moments of doubt, though.”

Vickie made a futile attempt to fluff her tiny pillow. “Well, I believe in them.”

Kristy snorted. “You probably still think Prince Charming's gonna ride up on a white horse and carry you away, too, don't you?” Vickie's romantic notions had been honed by a lifetime love of Cinderella and Jane Austen novels. With the occasional chick flick thrown in for good measure.

“Maybe not a horse. More like a white Volvo or something.” Vickie grinned.