A Lady in Defiance (40 page)

Mr. McIntyre laid his left hand over the bandage on his chest
and gathered in a deep breath. “You can take it back−the kiss−and
whatever was behind it. If there was anything behind it.”

Hiding a smile, she poured him a glass of water from the
pitcher next to his bed and held it out for him. “You think I go around just
kissing whatever wounded man falls into my lap?” He didn’t answer, but instead
held her gaze. He took the glass from her and their fingers touched. They both
felt the weight of this moment.

“I’ve never known a woman like you.”

“I’ve never known a man like you.” She moved to the bed.
“Tell me, what happened that night. Between you and God. I have to know. You
said you were a Believer and I took it to mean that you...”

He nodded. “We...came to an understanding.” He took a sip of
the water then handed it back to her. “I realized I would die to save you and
in that moment, I understood what he did for us...and why.” He shook his head,
clearly bewildered by it all. “Love is an astonishing thing. It can drive a man
to amazingly selfless acts.”

Relieved, Naomi set the water down and took hold of his hand
with both of hers. “It seems you’ve made a habit of saving my family.” Mr.
McIntyre frowned as if he had no clue about her reference. Naomi was shocked.
“You had that letter for twelve years and never read it?”

“It wasn’t addressed to me.”

“Not even after you knew it was for me, you still didn’t read
it?”

“I could well imagine what his last words were to his
sweetheart. I didn’t need to read it.”

Mr. McIntyre’s level of respect for a fellow soldier moved
her. This man held so much promise; if only she had seen it sooner. Based on
where things now stood, Naomi felt it was appropriate to share the letter and
she pulled it from her pocket. “I’d like to read it to you now.” She unfolded
it and glanced over the faint, shakey handwriting. She missed John so, but this
letter was a sign clearly pointing the way to the future.  “My dearest
Naomi,” she read softly, “This war has claimed my body and heaven now claims my
soul, but you will always own my heart.

“I thank God for the precious little time we had together,
but I urge you to go on with your life. Do not pine for me, my love. Live the
rest of your life with joy and laughter and keep your eyes lifted up to Heaven.

“A man named Charles McIntyre risked his life today to save
mine,” she glanced up quickly then to let him know she remembered his lie,
“apparently in vain. I asked him to pass this along to you should the situation
warrant. His selflessness was determined and heroic. He has my eternal
gratitude and I didn’t want him left an unsung hero.” From the corner of her
eye, Naomi could see Mr. McIntyre’s expression was deeply somber. “Never forget
me, Naomi, but live looking forward. I love you with all my heart and will see
you again. Eternally yours, John.”

Naomi carefully refolded the letter and slipped it back into
her apron. Then she looked up at Mr. McIntyre. “When I think of all the things
that had to happen, that God allowed and then used to bring us to this moment,
I am left speechless...and humbled.” She swallowed, pushing forward with her
confession. “I am so sorry for the time I wasted, judging you, holding you at
bay.” This time, her apology was real and came from deep within her heart. “Can
you forgive me for being so proud and self-righteous? You are a far better man
than I gave you credit for.”

Mr. McIntyre held his breath and pushed himself up straighter
in the bed. Then, leaning forward so that Naomi’s world was filled with nothing
but his gentle gaze, he drawled casually, “I agree that God went to a lot of
trouble to bring you to me. I wouldn’t want to disappoint him by throwing you
back, Your Ladyship.” They both grinned and Naomi saw the mischievous twinkle
dancing in his eyes. “Embrace your future, Naomi.”

Biting her lip, she whispered humbly, “Yes, Charles.” Amazed
at how his name sounded like a prayer on her lips, she said it again.
“Charles.”

He stroked her cheek and searched her eyes. “I want you with
me always, Naomi. Always.”

“Always,” she breathed, her heart galloping in her chest as
he drew closer.

Their breath mingled and their lips touched. Her mind did not
race back to John for comparison. Instead, it flew forward and she saw the
promise of an unmapped, unforeseeable future designed by God−one without
any arguments from her. As Charles pulled her into a long-awaited embrace and
literally stole her breath, she knew God’s plans for her were truly far better
than anything she could ever create.

###

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A Lady in Defiance
,
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Heather started writing when she was five; her first tale
was a ghost story that her mother typed up for her on a Brother
typewriter
.
She figures since then, her fingers have walked the circumference of the earth,
if not more!

Over the years, she has worked as a journalist for
newspapers, magazines, and blogs. She’s also spent decades in the corporate
communications field, marketing everything from software to motorcycles. (Did she
really just say "
decades?
")

Recently, she went back
to UNC-Chapel Hill to finish off her degree in Journalism/Mass Communications
with a concentration in Social Media Marketing. Heather learned in school that
she has, indeed, grown older and, arguably, wiser. Through the grace of her
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, she hopes to continue both trends.

She also came to the happy conclusion that pizza still tastes
just as good, if not as guilt-free, as it did when she was 20. Some things are
timeless.

Heather’s first book,
A Lady in Defiance
, is inspired
by true events and is set amongst what are now the ghost towns of the San Juan
Mountains in Colorado. Back in ’92, she spent a summer there camping, hiking
and listening. The former residents whispered their stories to her across
pine-scented valleys and crackling campfires and she has yet to forget them. Everyone
should spend at least one night in a ghost town.