to change your mind.” He kissed her softly, then took her hand. “We can still catch the commander if we’re quick.”
“What?” she asked as Jameson gathered her coat, then guided her into the hallway.
“We have to get the commander’s permission. Chaplain’s, too.” His eyes were bright with excitement.
“Well, there’s plenty of time for that.” She laughed.
“Oh no. I’m not risking that you’ll change your mind again. Wait here for just a second.” He dipped into another room, leaving her in the hallway, struggling not to sputter. Within a moment he was back with his own jacket and hat.
“We are not getting married tonight,” she said quickly. That would be complete and utter madness.
“Why not?” His face fell.
She cupped his cheek with her hand. “Because I’d like to unpack the dress I bought. It’s not much, but I’d like to wear it.”
“Oh. Right.” He nodded, considering her words. “Of course you would. And your family?”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “Constance is now the only family I have.”
“Not for long.” He pulled her gently against him. “You’ll have me, my mom and dad, and my uncle, too.”
“And that’s all I need. Besides, we’ll need to find accommodations. I’m certainly not spending my wedding night with the 71st sleeping beside us.” She gave him a pointed look.
He blanched. “Hell no. We can see the commander and the Chaplain tomorrow, if that works for you.”
She nodded. “I’ll unpack my dress but not much more.” A hum of anticipation vibrated through her whole body.
“I’ll find us a place of our own.” He touched his forehead to hers.
“And then we’ll get married,” she whispered.
“Then we’ll get married.”
Chapter Thirteen
Georgia
Dearest Jameson,
I miss you. I need you. Nothing here is the same without you. Constance thinks we might be able to move the rosebush, but I’m not sure we should. Why uproot something that is happy right where it is? Unlike me. I’m wilting here without you. Keeping busy, of course, but you’re never far from my mind. Please stay safe, my love. I cannot breathe in this world without you. Be careful. Before you know it, we’ll be together again.
All my heart,
Scarlett
“What do you mean he just showed up?” Hazel’s eyebrows flew sky-high, her green eyes flaring wide.
“Out of everything I told you happened yesterday, that is what surprises you?” I looked pointedly over my coffee at her.
“As much as I love you, Ava rolling out the minute the advance hit is pretty much her MO. Was I hoping she’d keep her promise and stay? Of course. I was rooting for her to turn over a new leaf, but she might need to turn over a whole tree at this point. I just thought you would have called me when— Colin, honey, don’t touch that.” She scurried to my breakfast nook where her children sat playing, and she shut the first cabinet door.
“It’s fine,” I assured her. “Gran always kept those cabinets full of toys for exactly that.” Most of those toys were older than I was.
“I know, but I don’t want them to—” She caught the look I was leveling on her. “Right. This cabinet is fine, but let’s leave Aunt Georgia’s other cabinets alone, okay?” She swung open the door and walked back to the island, taking the stool beside mine. “I swear, I just wanted to stop by and check on you, not ransack your house.”
“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m glad you did. It’s not like I have a whole lot going on.” A smile tugged at my lips as I leaned back slightly and watched them play.
“So he’s…here?” Hazel asked, lifting her coffee mug.
“He rented Grantham Cottage.”
“He what?” Her mug clicked against the granite as she set it down, forgetting to drink.
“You heard me.” I took another fortifying swallow. All the caffeine in the world wouldn’t help me today, but I was willing to give it a try.
“That’s like…” She leaned in as if someone might hear us. “Next door.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I even called the trust attorney last night, who confirmed that the property manager rented it out as I instructed.” I scrunched my nose. “Then I may have asked if I could revoke the lease, and he told me that not liking Noah wasn’t a legal reason.”
Hazel gawked at me.
“Would you please say something?” I asked when the silence became painfully awkward.
“Right. Sorry.” She shook her head and glanced at the kids.
“Relax, they aren’t going anywhere.”
“You have no idea how fast they move. I swear I clocked Dani at a three-minute