Catching Serenity (45 page)

“
I don’t know. I think he began to suspect the truth early on when we moved here. You have to understand I needed to ease Justin into coming here and meeting you and your dad. I needed advice from someone better equipped than me to deal with the fragile emotions of a child. Justin’s so bright that sometimes I forget he’s only a little boy.”

Serenity sat back on the sand, cross-legged, shaking her head.
“He knew. All the times we were together, he never hinted. Never said a word.” She could tell something bothered him on occasion and weighed on his mind, but she assumed it was patient-related. Little did she know.

“
Oh, honey, that man was hurting inside. Jackson loves you and I’m sure he wanted to tell you the truth from the moment he first suspected. He put everything on the line in loving you, but he wanted you to see for yourself or he risked you thinking he’d betrayed you.”

Confusion reigned once more in her mind.
“Isn’t that what he did by not telling me?”

“
If you believe nothing else, you must listen to me on this one,” Elise said, her voice firmer.

“
What’s that?”

“
Jackson never betrayed you. He loved you by helping your son come to grips with meeting you and your father. He stayed by your side, helped you talk through everything. He was your friend. From what I hear, he even got you to eat a hot dog, something I never thought I’d see in my lifetime.”

Serenity opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. Carmen must have reported
back to her about the hot dog.

“
He knows you need time to absorb everything. More than that, you need time with Justin. Time to get to know your son. Jackson’s willing to give you that time. That, in itself, speaks volumes about his character and values. He’s a good man. He can’t take Danny’s place in your heart, but he wants the best for you in life and can give you so much. Don’t you see? He put everything on the line and risked your love because he couldn’t tell you what he suspected. A man like that isn’t going to walk away from you now. Unless you push him away. I’d hate to see that happen. The Lord brought him to our little town for several reasons, and I’m looking at one right now.” Her gaze moved to Justin. He and Clinton had made measurable progress in building their sand castle. No doubt, her father would tease them about lagging behind. Based on his glances in their direction, he appeared thankful they were talking things out between them.

“
I wonder if Jackson ever felt like he was in a tower?” Serenity whispered.

“
I’m sure he did,” Elise said, patting her hand. “We’d better get back to our assignments or the little prince over there will think we’re not worthy subjects. As far as Jackson, my advice—take it or leave it—is to pray about it. We all understand it’s a process and it can’t happen overnight. But it’s my prayer you’ll eventually open the gate guarding your heart, Serenity. And then go to Jackson. For in doing so, you’ll set
him
free.”

~
CHAPTER 46~

“
Ladies and gentleman, on this glorious Fourth of July, we celebrate the birth of our great nation. Today we’d like to pay special honor to our heroes who have served our country well—both here and abroad, in several wars and conflicts, and representing all branches of the military.”

The
mayor’s deep, resonant voice rang out loud and clear across the hush of the crowded Queen Victoria’s Square. “Their selfless service and bravery in the face of adversity, and their willingness to sacrifice their lives to uphold the ideals of our Founding Fathers demonstrates the best of the American spirit. It’s with great pride, humble admiration and the greatest respect that I read the names of these men and women.”

He paused, canvassing the crowd.
“They can be the man or woman sitting beside you. Quiet heroes, willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to secure your freedom. Some on the list are here with us today, and I’d ask that they come forward as I read their names. Please save your applause until all the names have been called. Others of our heroes have passed on, but their legacy will always remain.”

Serenity dabbed beneath her eyes with the tissue she
’d tucked into the pocket of her cotton skirt. Poignant ceremonies like this always made her emotional, and a swell of patriotism mixed with admiration and humility almost overwhelmed her. Although her dad was never called to serve in a war, several of her classmates had served, and two had fallen. War left no family untouched, even in their small community. As the names were read, the crowd was reverent with only a baby’s whimper or a cough here and there to punctuate the quiet.

“
Jackson Ross, First Lieutenant, United States Army, awarded the Purple Heart for service above and beyond the call of duty.”

A clarinet hit a soaring, gloriously wrong note that blasted like a bullhorn in the middle of a funeral. Cheeks on fire, Deidre slumped in her seat, ignoring the snickers and curious looks from her fellow band members.
Whoops.
She hadn’t filled Deidre in on that little tidbit from Jackson’s history. Based on the hum of conversation across the park, a number of the town’s citizens were equally surprised to learn of Jackson’s military achievement. He was indeed a hero, in so many ways. Ways to reach and hold her heart forever.

“
Look, Mommy, it’s Dr. Ross!” Clambering to his feet on top of his chair, Justin’s voice carried across the crowd. “Hey, Doc Jack! It’s me, Justin. Over here!” He gave his all to waving his arms and Serenity feared he’d topple over.

As she helped
him settle in his seat again, Serenity caught Jackson’s smile. Like always, her heart spun nearly out-of-control. With his broad shoulders straight—tall, handsome and swoon-worthy—he approached the podium in his full, dark blue dress uniform, complete with hat and gloves. After saluting the crowd, he took his place in the line of other military members to one side of the podium. When he turned to them, Serenity glimpsed the medallion around his neck. A swell of emotion bubbled up inside, and she clamped a hand over her mouth. Jackson the military man made her heart riot.

How I
’ve missed him, Lord.

She glimpsed her father
lean forward from his seat directly behind Deidre. He whispered a few words and then squeezed her shoulder before settling in his seat beside Art Masmer.

Thanks, Dad.

Standing at the podium as he finished calling the names, Mayor Anderson raised a hand and waved it in the direction of the men and women on the podium. “Our brave, strong heroes, we salute you, and we, the citizens of this great community of Croisette Shores, are indeed blessed to call you our own. Thank you for your service.”

Serenity searched the crowd
as the ceremony ended a short time later. Jackson was easy to find from where he stood talking with a group of veterans. He stood head-and-shoulders above the rest. As if sensing her eyes on him, Jackson turned toward her, nodded and tipped his cap. A slow flush crawled up Serenity’s neck, and her heart fluttered.

Her dad chatted with
some of the band members, and it was great to see him socializing again. Even self-proclaimed hermits can change well-ingrained habits.

A few minutes later, Jackson crossed
Queen Victoria’s Square to where she’d finished her conversation with a former classmate. Removing his cap, he bowed low, “First Lieutenant Jackson Ross, at your service, Miss McClaren.” When he clicked the heels of his shiny shoes and saluted her, Serenity almost lost it. Biting her bottom lip hard, she turned away, not trusting her emotions.

“
Whoa! I didn’t expect that reaction.” With his white-gloved fingers on her arm, Jackson guided her to a quiet area. The lights in the square twinkled overhead against the backdrop of a glorious sunset. Combined with the moderate temperature and slight ocean breeze, it was the perfect evening for the fireworks display over the waterfront.

She
could tell she surprised him when she fell against his broad, solid chest and threw her arms around him. Through his uniform, she felt his chuckle as his arms encircled her. Dragging air into her lungs and making a concerted effort to compose herself, Serenity stood back and gave him a shaky smile. Removing his gloves, he draped them over the inside of his hat and lowered them to the ground. He tipped her chin, his expression full of concern. “Okay?”

“
There’s something so completely noble and attractive about a man in uniform,” she said, sniffling. “You look unbelievable, but I’m crying because I’m so incredibly proud of you even though I know I have no right to be, and you’re so handsome, strong”—she patted his chest, thinking how warm he must be in the uniform—“brave, kind and...”

His smile devastated her. In the best way possible.
“If I’d known wearing this getup would get this kind of reaction, I’d have worn it a long time ago. Your dad invited me to watch the fireworks with your family. Hope that’s okay. Are you ready to spend some time with me again?”

She smiled
and ran her finger over the colorful pins and patches on the front and sleeves of his uniform. Such a brave man. Raising the Purple Heart by its ribbon, she looked up at the man she loved. “I think that’s a good idea. A very wise idea for my heart. For all of me, actually.”

“
I couldn’t tell you, Serenity.” Jackson’s eyes were so beautiful, incredibly earnest as they bore into hers. “I prayed you’d understand and not hate me.”

She shook her head and dropped her hand.
“I could never hate you. You took an oath, the same as you took an oath to serve in the Army. That’s a sacred trust. I had to figure it all out in my head, Jackson, but if you had broken my mom’s trust by telling me Justin was your patient, that would have been worse.” She glanced up at him again. “You are a man of honor. That means more than anything.”

“
Does that mean you’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed you?” he whispered. “These last few weeks, I’ve been miserable. A sad sack. Mean. Listless. Grumpy, you name it. Even Freud doesn’t want me around anymore.” They’d run into each other in town a few times and he’d sent her a few emails and texts, just to say hello and encourage her to call on him if she needed anything. Although not much was said, she understood her mother continued to take Justin to see Jackson.

“
I’ve missed you something fierce. You somehow managed to work your way into my heart. When you weren’t around, it wasn’t the same. Like part of me was missing. I needed time with Justin, and I thank you for giving me that time with my son. So,” she said, breathing out a long sigh and smiling into his eyes, “in answer to your question, yes, I’m ready to spend time with you again. Should I salute you…or something?” Her silly giggle escaped, and Jackson moved closer, seemingly charmed by her lapse into girlishness.

“
Oh, I’m sure we can think of something infinitely better, Miss McClaren.”

“
Okay, but please keep the public displays of affection brief. My impressionable son is nearby, and he’s probably watching his real-life hero. Don’t want to give him any ideas.”

“
He’ll have those ideas all on his own in a few years, you know.”

She gave him a playful swat.
“It might be against protocol or whatever to hit a military hero, but don’t remind me. I want to enjoy every moment with Justin for now. He’ll grow up all too soon.”

“
In that case, let’s give Justin and everyone else a real good show.” Sweeping her into his arms, leaning her back, Jackson lowered his lips to hers.

I
’m actually swooning.
When he finally pulled her upright and released her, Serenity was so dizzy she could barely stand. Jackson put a steadying hand on her. “Thanks for catching me when I was about to fall. Again,” she said. “I’ve never been kissed by a man in uniform before.” What a silly thing to say, but her mind was mush. The taste of his lips was still on hers. Each kiss from Jackson was impassioned and conveyed the depth of his admiration and love for her.

“
And I trust you never will again, by anyone other than me.”

“
Keep that up and you won’t have anything to worry about.” Embarrassed and flushed, she ignored the knowing smiles of her parents and everyone else in the vicinity who’d witnessed that display. Had a few people even clapped?

Ah, flirting with Jackson again. She
’d missed that, too. More than she’d known. “I didn’t realize the Army dress uniform was blue. I’d have thought it’d be that olive green color.”

“
It’s the Army Service Uniform and replaces the Army Greens and the Olive Drab uniforms. This is called ‘Army Blue’ and goes back to the ‘Virginia Blues’ of George Washington’s first command in Colonial Virginia. This color was phased in a few years ago. Listen, I brought a small bag with a change of clothes. I’m going to find the nearest place to do the switcheroo, run the uniform to my car, and then I’ll meet you back here in a few minutes. Do you want to stay here for the fireworks or try and get closer to the waterfront?”

She shot him a sheepish grin.
“Do you really need to change?”

He laughed.
“The uniform’s hot”—he caught her look—“as in the
fabric
is hot. I’ve got my shorts and T-shirt. Tell you what. I’ll lay out the uniform on the blanket next to us if that floats your boat.”

That comment made her laugh.
“Why don’t we stay in Queen Victoria’s Square for the fireworks,” she said once she’d recovered her senses. “You can see the fireworks just as well from here, but it’s quieter since most of the spectators gather close by the waterfront. I brought a blanket, and I’m willing to share a corner.” She gave him a coy grin.

Jackson
laughed. He tugged his hat down over her head and angled it. “You look a lot better in it than I do. Wanna wear it tonight, beautiful pretty?”

When she nodded, he
saluted and clicked his heels together again. “I’ll be back in a few.”

“
My, my.” Deidre came to stand beside her, shaking her head. “A man like that is why the word dashing was invented. Seems Dr. Ross is full of secrets. A Purple Heart, no less. A true hero, and that might also explain the limp. Seems you’ve been holding out on me.” She slanted a grin at Serenity. “Nice hat.”

“
Where’s the rest of your gang?” Serenity said. “Want to join us for the fireworks?”