Steadfast Soldier

“I know, boy. You’re scared of storms.” Chloe nibbled her lip and eyed the dark sky. Didn’t they have bad storms here? Wasn’t Refuge part of Tornado Alley? Her native Chicago was six hours north and the weather drastically different than in southern Illinois.

She peered in her rearview mirror long enough to consider returning to Chance’s house for cover.

Normally she’d feel weird seeking shelter from a stranger. But something about Chance reminded her of home, and in a good way. He seemed the sort who would be like a protective big brother. Or the ideal best friend everyone wished they had. Strong and honest and stalwart. Yet loving and kind and hospitable. The slight drawl and sweet southern manners, endearingly shy demeanor, crooked smile and deep dimples didn’t hurt either.

Chloe let out a long groan. She applied the brakes to her mind and pressed her foot to the gas of her SUV.

She’d rather contend with a potential twister than this attraction trying to twist up her insides.

Three blocks later, Chloe regretted her decision to weather the storm. No choice now but to drive through it. The wind howled outside and Midnight howled inside.

Slowing, she pressed a hand on his thick neck. “It’s okay, boy. Shhh. You’re fine, buddy.”

Rain increased to the point that she couldn’t see her hood, much less the road, wherever it was. White-knuckling the wheel, she pulled her car over to what she hoped was a curb and put on her hazard lights.

“I hope no one crashes into us, Midnight. Of course, I’m probably the only dummy out here trying to drive through what appears to be an inland hurricane.”

Pounding at her window drew her attention and elicited a shriek she didn’t realize slipped out of her until Midnight surged up and growled at the figure outside.

A very tall, broad figure that caused her heart to beat faster than the rain sloshing back and forth with her useless wipers.

Even through the darkened sky and thrashing rain, she’d recognize that crooked smile anywhere. Chance.

He stood with a sopping newspaper failing to shield his wet face. He moved his hand in a rapid circle. Trying to get her to roll her window down? She reached for her window button.

He shook his head and pointed to her passenger window. She unlocked the door. He rushed around, pulled the door open and slid like quicksilver into her seat, shoving the dog over in one smooth process. As roomy as her car’s interior was, his massive frame filled it to capacity.

“Hey.” Water trickled from his spiky military buzz. He dripped all over her just-cleaned seat. She didn’t care.

She loosened her grip from the steering wheel. “Hey.” Handsome. “I’m stuck.”

He grinned. “I see that. Where are you trying to go?”

“My house.”

He laughed. “And you don’t know where it is?”

She giggled. “Actually, no, because it’s my mom’s house. I’m staying there while I’m here in Refuge.”

His smile faded a shade. “Do you plan to leave soon?”

“I’d love to stay, but I have to get an animal-assisted therapy program off the ground in order to transfer my business from Chicago. I long to live in southern Illinois. Specifically here in Refuge, since my mom is here.” Not only that, but also she was on a waiting list for her own place.

Chance stroked Midnight. “What brought her to Refuge?”

Chloe pondered how to answer. Chance was undoubtedly only asking to be polite. But just in case his interest was any deeper than that, she’d best tell him the truth.

“She wanted to move as far away as possible from my dad’s mistress.”

His jaw slackened and his face tilted. “Oh, wow. Sorry, Chloe. It was rude of me to pry.”

“Doesn’t matter.” She sighed and scraped her fingernails along the rubber holding the glass in and realized two things: One, it felt purging to talk in the rain. Two, she liked his company and didn’t want to leave it.

Chance shifted, but not because he seemed uncomfortable. He looked relaxed as he watched her. “I get the feeling you don’t mind talking about it. Need to, maybe.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. You just seem the type to be a good listener. Someone who’d understand.”

Chance unlatched his seat belt and nodded. “I try. So, is your dad still with the mistress?”

Chloe couldn’t help it; a laugh scraped out. “No. My dad’s dead. He died when I was younger.”

Chance shifted again. “Sorry, Chloe. That’s rough.”

“Yeah, well, just so you know, the mistress…was his church. He was a pastor who knew and cared for his congregation better than his wife or daughter.” She reached for the door handle. Not sure why. She’d said too much.

But Chance didn’t flinch. He just leaned across and put his hand over hers to stop her departure. Then he grinned.

“What?” Of course, just where did she think she’d go in the rain? Ugh! His Handsomeness had the common sense section of her brain twisted like a bread twist tie.

“I was thinking about your caustic expression when you saw the books on my table. Now I know why.” He smiled gently.

She laughed. “I guess I overreacted. But now you know I have an aversion to preachers of any sort.”

His face cringed. “Wow, that doesn’t bode well for me then.” He leaned against his seat and pulled his arm back to his body, pausing midway to pinch her shoulder in a friendly, innocent nip. “We’d love to have you in Refuge. It would be good for you and your mom. So where does she live?” Rain pellets drove themselves into the windshield, surrounding them with pounding white noise. Chloe suddenly felt uncomfortable at the thought of how much she’d shared so soon with a virtual stranger.

Yet Chance didn’t feel like one. He felt familiar. Like they were meant to meet and be friends.

“The street doesn’t show up on there,” she said when Chance eyed her GPS.

“Most in Refuge don’t. That’s partly because there’s an unmapped military base nearby. Plus, Refuge is a small town. What’s the address?”

“Two-twelve Haven Street.”

His face lit. “That’s down the street from my buddy’s house. Manny and his wife, Celia. They live on Haven. Well, follow me.” He jumped from her SUV and ran back to his vehicle.

Chance had hardly said ten words to her when she had visited his dad. But she’d just caught a glimpse of Chance unguarded.

“And, buddy, unfortunately I like what I see a tad too much. Keep me in line, okay?” Chloe told Midnight as the dog nudged her hand with his nose, then yelped when thunder rumbled. The dog was terrified of lightning too. She needed to get him inside or he’d end up in her lap and impede her windshield view.

Chloe pulled away from the curb as Chance passed her. Thankfully, he drove slowly. His brake lights became Chloe’s compass. They beamed through the storm like two tiny red lighthouses. She followed his taillights in full trust.

Eventually Mom’s house came into view. Chloe pulled into the driveway and waved Chance on, signaling he could go. Surely a man like that had somewhere important to be. She hated to detain him; he’d been so kind to get her home.

But he parked his Jeep and rushed from it toward her…with a parachute-shaped umbrella!

She opened her door. “Oh, Chance, you’re getting drenched! Why didn’t you pull that umbrella out before?”

“Because you were in the car before.”