A WEEK LATER, AIDEN stepped from the shower, wrapped a towel around his waist, and went in search of something decent to wear that didn’t say camo or thread-bare cotton. Five days ago he’d been cornered in the cereal aisle of the Touch and Go Market by Gladys Lewis and Arlene Potter, president and co-president of the Sweet Apple Butter Festival committee. After they charmed him with compliments on his cereal choice—Cap’n Crunch original, not Crunch Berries—and thanked him for his service in the Army, they’d asked him to be a judge in the festival’s apple butter competition. Apparently the prior year there had been a controversy due to favoritism.
How could he refuse the two little blue-hairs? Especially when, mid-sentence, Gladys turned around and smeared a glob of crimson lipstick across her mouth so she’d look pretty for a soldier like him. Or so she said. So now, when he’d rather be enjoying the festivities from where he could blend into the background, he’d be thrust in the spotlight. With respect he would listen to all the nice things people had to say, while deep inside he thought of himself as a total screw-up. He’d failed his best friends. He’d abandoned his dog. And he’d disappointed Paige.
Jesus. He was batting a thousand.
He turned his attention back to matters he could control. There were two sides of clothing choices in his closet. Military and ultra-casual. Not much in-between. He grabbed a freshly laundered button-down shirt off a hanger and jammed his legs through a pair of khakis he’d swiped from Ben’s closet. A split second later he grabbed his keys, headed toward his truck, and prayed he would not be accused of favoritism if Paige had entered the contest this year.
A WIDE VARIETY OF SUVs, trucks, and economy cars were parked bumper-to-bumper along the curb at the Town Square—better known as the entertainment hub of Sweet. Whether it was a birthday party, a battle of the bands, or the Fourth of July picnic, it happened in the little park smack dab in the center of town. Though the latticework gazebo had seen better days and the trees were tall and ancient, the folks mingling around the grass lot filled the square with spirit and a sense of renewal.
Aiden glanced past the rainbow of canopies where vendors hawked everything from scented candles to homemade cinnamon rolls to handmade animal puppets. Over the brims of sun-deflecting Stetsons and ball-caps he scanned the area to find the banner that would lead him toward the judging area. He finally spotted it toward the gazebo where someone on the loud speaker called out the winner of the cake-walk. The huge crowd gathered in front of the area made him wonder if he might be late. A quick glance at his watch said he was right on time. As he started toward the crowd, the two charmers who’d conned him into the gig appeared like magician’s assistants.
“My, don’t you look handsome,” Gladys Lewis said through wrinkly lips smeared with carnation pink.
“We thought you might have worn your uniform,” Arlene Potter commented, giving him a questionable once-over.
“I apologize, ladies. I’m no longer a member of the military.”
“Good Lord.” Gladys gave her cohort a whack with her lace fan. “You knew that, Arlene.”
“I’m sorry.”
Not wanting to cause the elderly women to feel uncomfortable, Aiden flashed them both a smile.
“Too bad, though,” Arlene added with a wink. “Nothing hotter than a man in uniform.”
“Good heavens.” Gladys rolled her faded blue eyes. “Come on, young man. Pay no attention to her. She’s just getting old, and her marbles don’t always roll in the same direction.”
The women in their floral dresses and straw hats hooked their arms through his and led him through the crowd. As they drew closer to the gazebo, the festival attendees turned toward them and began to part like a gaping zipper. The whole scene felt odd and a prickle of alarm crept up the back of his neck. Had it not been for the friendly faces turned his way, he may very well have made a beeline in another direction.
“It’s okay, Lieutenant.” Gladys gave him a light pat on his arm. He looked down into the reassuring smile on her weathered face. “We’re just glad to have you home.” She gave a nod toward the gazebo. “Some of us more than others.”
When Aiden looked up he saw Paige in a floaty yellow sundress. Her hair had been pulled back in a long braid, tousled by the summer breeze. Her beautiful mouth lifted at the corners. Aiden swore he’d never seen anything prettier in his life. As she held her hand out for him to join her, his heart went warm and fuzzy.
Gladys and Arlene blended back into the crowd, and he took a few steps forward. It was then he realized Paige wasn’t reaching out to him. She was letting go of a yellow ribbon that slowly fluttered toward the ground. His gaze followed the ribbon down to the green grass and the large golden dog who sat back on his haunches like the most patient soldier.
Aiden’s heart leaped into his throat, and the ever-present ache in his chest disappeared. In a rush of disbelief, he dropped to his knees.
“Rennie!”
The retriever’s massive paws dug into the earth, and within a warm flash of sunshine Aiden had his arms around his friend’s soft, silky neck. Rennie whined and wiggled and did a doggy happy dance. If dogs could smile, Rennie had a full-on grin. Aiden did, too, as Rennie’s long tongue slurped up the side of his face.
“I’ve missed you, boy.”
Aiden thought of all the nights he’d shared his cot with a scared little pup. One who’d grown so big Aiden had considered sleeping on the ground when that cot became too small for the both of them. They’d seen hell together. Shared sorrow. They’d even shared meals. He gave the dog a kiss on the top of his head and laughed at the exultant bark he received in response. With another lick to Aiden’s face, Rennie flopped down on his side and rolled over for a shameless belly rub.
Forgiven.
Just like that Rennie forgave him.
Aiden curled his fingers in the dog’s thick fur and did his best to hide the tears swimming in his eyes. When he looked up, Paige came toward him with Cricket prancing on a leash by her side.
Paige looked at him with those blue eyes and smiled. “Welcome home, Lieutenant Marshall.”
“Welcome home,” the rest of his community cheered.
If there had ever been any doubt of where Aiden belonged or who he belonged to or with, it dissipated right then and there.
He stood. “How did you find him?”
“We found him,” she said, “Eagerly waiting to be brought home to you.”
“We?”
She gave a nod to those surrounding them. “Sweet. All the people you went off to protect. All the people who’ve been waiting to welcome you home. They all came together and made this happen . . . because they know how much you love this dog. And because they love you.” She tilted her head back and smiled. “Of course, not nearly as much as I do.”
A smile burst from his heart as he looked at the faces surrounding him. “I don’t know how to thank you. Or how to repay you.”
“You owe us nothing in return, Lieutenant Marshall,” Bill McBride returned. “You’ve paid your dues. Just be happy.”
Aiden curled his fingers in Rennie’s thick fur, wrapped his arm around Paige, and gave the Vietnam vet who’d seen plenty during his own tour-of-duty a nod. “I’ll do what I can.”
Paige flashed him a smile then turned it toward the crowd. “All right. Y’all have seen enough. Judging starts in thirty minutes.”
As the crowd slowly dispersed, Aiden shook his head. “Do they always mind you like that?”
“If they want fresh pickles and crunchy lettuce on their burgers, they do.”
He smiled, gazed down into the passion and comfort in her eyes, and brushed a long tendril of honey-gold hair away from her face. His friends—better men than he—had not made it back home. He would not dishonor their memories by taking life and all it offered for granted. He was grateful to have an opportunity to love Paige for the rest of his life. And there was no time like the present to make that happen. If she’d still have him.
“I’m in,” he said.
Her soft golden brows pulled together. “In?”
“The partnership. I’m taking you up on your offer, if it’s still on the table.”
“Of course it is.”
“Good.” He tugged her closer. “Then I accept. On two conditions.”
“Which are?”
“I pay my half up front. Equal partners.”
“That’s one condition.” Her hand slid up to his shoulder. “What’s the other?”
“We make it permanent.”
She leaned her head back as though he’d offended her. “I would never offer you half the business if I didn’t expect it to be long-term.”
“Not the business. You and me.” He lowered his mouth to hers—not caring if they had an audience or if the whole world watched—and he kissed her with everything he felt in his heart. “We’re a good team.”
“Yes. We are.” Her warm fingers caressed the side of his face. “You know, you’re quite the negotiator. Maybe you should think about running for mayor in the fall.”
“Mayor?”
“Why not?” The music of her laughter danced across his skin. “You’ve proven to be quite a service-oriented kind of guy. Running the town should be easy after what you’ve been through.”
He nuzzled her sweet-scented neck. “I might be too busy.”
“You keep that up and I guarantee you will be too busy.”
A playful bark interrupted them and they both looked down to where Rennie was busy snuffling Cricket’s ear.
“Looks like Rennie’s quite at home here.” Paige laughed. “He might have even found love.”
“He’s not the only one.” Aiden caught Paige’s hand in his and kissed her fingers. “You’re home to me. And while I may never be the man I was before I left here—”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “That’s okay. I’m not the same woman.”
No she wasn’t. She was more. More than he ever expected. More than he deserved. She was a gift he’d treasure always.
“I love you, Paige. I always have. And I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Say yes.”
“It’s always been yes, Aiden.” She lifted to her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. “Always.”