Chapter Twenty-Two

After a dinner with good food and even better conversation, Joshua and Maddy explored the property then headed off to bed, leaving Micah and Alice alone in the backyard. His desire was more physical, but he knew a deep conversation was needed.

While Micah waited for Alice to speak, he enjoyed the fresh, night breeze. The late July night air clung with heat and moisture. In four days, he’d check into training camp. In less than thirty-six hours, he’d say goodbye to Alice. Sadness soured his gut.

He sat beside her on a lounge chair by the pool. Bull frogs croaked somewhere under the cover of night. The movement of the wind rippled the surface water of the pool.

Alice cleared her throat. “I went to see my father.” She rested a hand on his arm. “He’d threatened to take Joshua and Maddy back home if I didn’t meet with him.”

His anger ignited at the man who dared to threaten Alice and her siblings. “How did he know where they were?”

“From what he said, he’s been keeping tabs on me and on Kate all these years. His curiosity must have finally won out. He knew I’d do anything to protect Maddy and Joshua.” She clenched a fist, which rested on her lap.

“Even agree to meet with that monster?” Thankfully, all three arrived in Timber Lake safe and sound.

Nodding, she nibbled the corner of her lower lip. “He looked different than I remember. The years have not been kind. Ever since I left, I’ve pictured him as a Goliath when in reality, I carried memories of a little girl. I’m taller than him now and stronger. Sitting across the table, I felt angry, but I wasn’t frightened.”

“Good.” Micah lifted a hand and planted a kiss on each knuckle. Alice Liddell really was a warrior princess—his warrior princess. “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.”

She sighed. “I’m a very private person, partly due to shame and partly for self-defense. I never told my CST sisters about my upbringing. I’m uncomfortable lifting the veil covering my past.”

“I admire you for the woman you are today, which means I appreciate the years and experiences that formed your incredible spirit.” In his own words, he heard passion and tenderness. Yet, he still waited to hear how she felt about him. She would leave soon, possibly unwilling to give him a commitment. Their relationship was too young to survive a separation without some form of assurance.

Soon, he’d shift his focus to the upcoming season. He didn’t want strings of doubt left fluttering in the wind as a costly distraction. “I’m glad you found closure after seeing your father again.”

Alice shifted onto her hip to face him. “I don’t think I’ve resolved all my daddy issues, but I’m getting there.”

“So, where does that leave us?” Frowning, he’d push for straight answers and keep pushing.

“What do you mean?”

“When you go back home and then move to Fort Bragg to start your new job, what will happen to us?”

She leaned over and brushed her lips over his. “We keep in touch. I can travel to Wisconsin for a few games. Maybe you can fly out to see me when you have a week off.”

“And see how things go?” He sickened. The very situation he feared. No resolution, only thin strands of connection, which could be snipped at any time.

Alice’s eyes widened. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I signed a one-year contract with the Army. The job will help me transition from military to civilian life. When my year is done, I can decide what to do next. I have two other people counting on me to support and care for them.”

“I’m not asking you to give up your job. I’m asking for a commitment. I love you, Alice.”

Her eyes widened. “I…ah…care about you, too.”

With his male pride stinging, he gritted his teeth. “I won’t let you leave our relationship open-ended—either you’re all in or say goodbye and walk away.”

“Are you giving me an ultimatum?” She pressed her frowning lips into a firm line.

Her temper didn’t scare him. Not anymore. “We have two more days together. During that time, I won’t bring up the subject. But on day three, before I take you to the airport, I expect an answer.”

“Why pressure me?” She stood fast and swayed on her feet. “Can’t we just see how things shake out?”

“No.” He rose to stand and stared into her eyes. “I’m not the kind of guy who can put his heart on the line then sit around waiting for it to get run over.”

Alice’s expression softened. “You do have a gentle heart.” She exhaled a deep breath. “Fine, but don’t forget I have you for two more days of training. I might get payback.”

“Looking forward to it,” he whispered into her ear then pulled her close. The feel of her body pressed against his comforted his troubled soul. She was solid and real.

“I should get back to the guesthouse.” She kissed his cheek. “The kids were a little jumpy about their first night in a new house.”

“They’re fine.” He claimed her delicious mouth, but her small surrender wasn’t enough. He wanted her total submission. Though, Alice’s willpower was a million times stronger than his own—carbon fiber as opposed to glass.

She nipped his bottom lip. “I really should go. Be ready to run at six a.m.”

“Only if you wear those tight, little shorts.” He grinned. “I love to chase after you.”

“Stop.” Laughing, she swatted his chest. “You don’t fight fair.”

“When it comes to you, I’ll fight…but never fair.” An assertion he meant. He’d do anything to prove his love and secure hers. She meant more than anything else, including football, which proved the stakes were too high to fail.

****

Alice woke with a start. Her heart pounded loudly behind her ear drums. She sat in bed and looked at the digital clock on the dresser then scrubbed her eyes. The time was four a.m., and Maddy slept soundly next to her in the king-size bed.

She slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the kitchen for a drink of water. The dream she’d awoken from had been different from any in the past. She’d seen no explosions or men dying at her feet, and she hadn’t been dragged home and forced to marry a stranger. In sleep, Alice had been completely happy. The feeling clung like the melody of a familiar song. She wished to stay wrapped in imaginary joy. Was her subconscious demonstrating a point? Yes, she could live a contented life without a man. But without Micah, her life would lack color. How could she wake every day without the secure knowledge he was a part of her soul?

Something still imprisoned her heart. She’d spent her adult life strong in her commitment to never be in a position of dependence. In the Army, she’d trusted her life to other soldiers, but never trusted anyone with romantic love. Her innermost self had always been locked away, and Micah was the key. Did she have the strength to take the gift he offered?

Why did he have to make her choose? In her heart, she knew he was right, but fear remained an eager jailer.

Several hours later, Alice stood over Micah in the backyard, watching him work out. “Hustle, Micah. I don’t have all day.”

He adjusted his grip on the handle of the sandbag. “You do have all day, as a matter of fact.” Huffing, he lowered the bag to the ground then lifted it back to shoulder level. “How about instead of yelling at me, go grab a bag and do some of these yourself?”

Watching his arm muscles ripple, she leaned against the wall and smirked. “I don’t have to survive two weeks of training camp. Don’t worry your pretty little head, I’ll get my workout. I just hate sandbag power cleans.” His growl had her laughing. She’d miss their combative camaraderie. No one else could get her blood pumping like Micah—for more reasons than one.

After the morning’s series of exercises, Alice went home to shower and check on Maddy and Joshua. As she walked through the front door of the guesthouse, she noticed the kids coming toward her, towels in hand.

“Going for a swim?” Growing up, she’d learned to swim only because she’d snuck off to the little pond three miles from the compound. She remembered hot days when she’d strip down to her long underwear and jump into the cold water. The first time in, she’d almost drowned. After that experience, she quickly figured out how to keep her head above water.

“Kate bought us swimsuits and took us to the outdoor pool by her house.” Maddy wore a pink one-piece, which showed through a long, white T-shirt. “Micah won’t mind, will he?”

“No, of course not. He wants you to make yourself at home.” Alice held open the front door. “Go have fun. I might join you after my shower.”

Maddy and Joshua walked side by side to the gated pool area, and then stopped when they approached Micah.

Alice stood at the open door and observed them talk. No surprise, he acted as a welcoming host. Micah invited them to stay without asking anything in return—another sign of a good man.

But with her, he’d asked one thing—the only thing she’d still felt reluctant to totally surrender.

****

The next day, Micah directed all three of his guests into his truck. He wanted to give the kids a tour of the Warrior’s Stadium before they left for South Carolina with Alice. He parked in the lot, underneath the shadow of the massive building and remembered bringing Alice here not that long ago. She’d met several of his teammates, and her appearance had tongues wagging in the locker room for days.

Joshua opened the truck door and jumped out. “Wow! I saw a football stadium on TV, but I had no idea how big it is.” He raised his gaze upward. “You play football here, Micah?”

“A dream come true.” Micah held open the door to the player and staff entrance. “Playing football isn’t as important as what your sister did in the Army.” He flicked a glance at Alice. “But I still feel very fortunate to earn a living doing something that I love.”

“And you’re not pinchin’ pennies, as Ma used to say.” Maddy smoothed the yellow material of her T-shirt.

“I can’t complain.” He studied Joshua’s and Maddy’s new, modern clothes—jean shorts and screen-printed shirts—and wished he had more time with them. He’d love the chance to take them for an afterhours shopping spree at one of the city’s department stores.

As he walked the group through the locker room, down the tunnel, and onto the field, he noticed Maddy and Joshua stayed quiet. Whenever he brought someone here, he always viewed the stadium through new eyes. Pride filled his chest. This shrine to football held a sense of history and pride. The Warriors had been a part of the Timber Lake community for eighty years, with the stadium serving as the town’s most important landmark. Micah wasn’t taking this second chance for granted.

The teens wandered onto the grass and across to the other side.

“You ready for all this?” Alice motioned to the surrounding empty stadium seats.

“Yes.” When he ran onto the field, leading the team, he’d be better than ever. Not only had his body improved during the offseason but so had his mind and soul. “I’ve stopped worrying about my performance. I want to enjoy myself again and play for the pure joy of the game.”

“I hope to see you play.” Alice squeezed his hand.

“Nothing would make me happier.” Imagining her sitting in the stands during a game, he kissed her cheek.

Alice turned her gaze to a large man striding toward them and smiled.

“Mr. Turf said I’d find you out here.” Reagan’s gaze focused on Alice. “Hey, Alice. Nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you, too.” Her grin widened.

Micah didn’t miss the telltale creep of blush on her face. Why did every woman on the planet think Reagan Harrison was the most handsome man alive? The dude was married with four kids. “What do you want?” Micah asked the hulking linebacker.

Reagan held his smile until he turned to Micah. “We’re having a pool party Saturday to celebrate the kick-off of the season, and Julie wanted me to invite you and your guests.”

Micah’s stomach plunged at the thought of leaving her at the airport and the possibility of a final goodbye. “Tell Julie thanks for the invite, but Alice is flying out tomorrow morning and heading home.”

“Oh.” Wearing a grin, Reagan glanced from Micah to Alice. “This guy getting too much to handle?”

Alice laughed. “My time of employment is up. Micah’s ready to kick some football butt, and I have a new job. I’m kind of like Marry Poppins—time to move on to others in need.”

“Micah, you’re an idiot for letting this one get away.” Reagan slapped him hard on the back.

“Trust me, I’d lock her up if I could,” Micah grumbled. Now, along with a tender heart, his back throbbed from Reagan’s “friendly” pat.

Joshua and Maddy ran over to join them on the sidelines.

“Hi.” Reagan reached out his hand. “I’m Reagan Harrison. I play defense for the team.”

“I’m Joshua Wolf, and this is Maddy. We’re Alice’s brother and sister.”

Maddy tipped up her head and stared open-mouthed.

“Nice to meet you. I have to run but hope to see you all again very soon.” Reagan waved and headed back to the tunnel.

“You on babysitting duty?” Micah shouted after him, wanting one final jab.

“What did you say?” Reagan turned and pointed at Micah. “You want to make something of the fact I’m an awesome dad and my kids adore me?”

“No, man. Carry on.” Micah chuckled as the big guy disappeared into the dark tunnel. He should know better than to pick a fight with a two-hundred-fifty-pound linebacker right before training camp. He was sure Reagan would find a way to pay him back. Good thing they were good friends. Hopefully, Reagan wouldn’t hurt him too badly.

Maddy tapped him on the arm. “Do you want kids someday?”

She spoke in a soft voice. “Ahhh…maybe, after I settle down with the right woman.” He stared at Alice, whose gaze was everywhere except on him.

“I think you’d make a wonderful dad.” Maddy’s cheeks turned pink. “I mean…you’ve been very nice by letting us stay. Thank you.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, that’s what friends are for, and I have no doubt you’ll make lots more once you get settled with Alice at Fort Bragg.”

As they started walking toward the tunnel, Maddy pulled him to a stop. “But that’s just for a year,” she whispered. “I want to live someplace that feels like home.”

His chest squeezed with protective concern for this girl. “I’m sure Alice will build a great home for you. When she’s finished with her job contract, you can decide the next step together, as a family.”

“I know what I want.” Her hazel eyes gleamed. “I want her to stay with you. I can tell you love her very much. She shouldn’t leave you.”

I wholeheartedly agree. “Maybe you could tell her. Alice doesn’t listen to me.”

“That’s because she’s like our father—thick-headed and stubborn as a donkey. That’s what my ma said.” She giggled.

“You should probably keep that opinion to yourself.” He stifled a laugh.

Maddy dropped her gaze to the green turf under her sandaled feet. “Father said he always knew she’d run. He’d say Alice was too big a force to stay trapped in the sect. Like trying to lock a tornado in a box.”

If he thought his love for Alice couldn’t get any stronger, he was wrong. “Your father had a valid point.” But wasn’t trapping her exactly what he was doing? He’d put her in a corner and forced her to make a choice—commit her heart or leave with nothing.

Tomorrow, she’d tell him exactly where he stood, and he hoped it wasn’t alone.