CHAPTER ONE

Leif Hannu Frode had been called Swede, Viking, Titan, Beanstalk, Giant, Colossus, and so much more. The truth is, he was just plain old Leif Frode.

His father, Magnus, had been adopted as a child. His adoptive parents were lovely to him, giving him their name of Bridges. But in a strange twist of circumstances, Magnus discovered that his biological parents were alive. His father believed he was gone for good. His mother, well, his mother was a different story.

She was gone now, without remorse from anyone. But his grandfather, Hannu, and his wife, Johannah, were alive and well, living with everyone at Belle Fleur. It was all such a strange twist of fate, or perhaps divine intervention, given how things worked at Belle Fleur. To wake up one day not knowing that you had a family, then realizing that they were alive and well. You're loved. You've been missed. You're wanted. Simply amazing.

Leif's mother, Adeline, better known as Addie, had been a police officer when his parents met. Investigating the suspicious death of her mentor, also a police officer, Magnus vowed to protect the woman in spite of her protests.

Luckily for Leif, it all turned out well, and his parents fell in love. His father didn't want to lose the name of Bridges, so he used both last names. Leif stuck with Frode. It made him different. Made him unique.

Having a father the size of Magnus meant that you were almost assured to be bigger than the average boy. His massive six-feet-seven frame with more than two hundred and forty pounds of bulk and muscle was nearly identical to his father's, except for the brown hair and brown eyes with hints of green and blue. Just when he'd thought he was done growing, he grew another whole inch before his twenty-third birthday.

Most people who met him were startled at the intensity of his features initially. From the neck up, he looked like a big black panther coming at you. But unless you provoked him, Leif was a gentle giant never wanting to hurt anyone.

For some reason, today, he was daydreaming of his childhood. Thinking about all the good times they'd had as children at Belle Fleur. One memory, in particular, was pushing the dark veil of his consciousness.

It was his eighth-grade year, and Ellie, Maddie, Emelia, and Magnolia were walking together toward him. The older boys always waited for the girls before leaving to walk home. It had been drilled into them to watch out for the younger children, especially the girls. But the truth was it wasn't a difficult chore for any of them. They'd learned to appreciate and maybe even love the girls.

As the daughters of Eric ‘Chief' and Rachel Stanton, the girls were known mostly for being spontaneous quadruplets. It was quite rare. They all had their mother's beauty, their father's cunning, and bits of their own personality. But the one that always made Leif smile was Eleanor, better known as Ellie.

She had long brown hair that fell in soft curls, big blue eyes that laughed even when she wasn't. She was enrolled in honors and advanced placement classes because she was so smart, and there was something very enticing about that.

She was an excellent athlete, competing in cross-country and gymnastics, and she was a devoted sister, always friendly, always helpful, and always cheering them on.

Even at fourteen, Leif knew she was a rare breed of female. A year younger them him, he knew they were too young to share any true feelings, but she sure made his body warm when she was around.

"Thanks for waiting, guys," smiled Ellie. Leif had forgotten that Walker, Sebastian, Alistair, Garr, Major, and Brix were waiting with him. He'd been so lost in thoughts of Ellie he barely noticed them there.

"Hey, Walker, did Sasha ask you to the eighth-grade dance?" asked Magnolia, smiling at her friend.

"She did," he frowned.

"Well, did you say yes?" asked Mags, filled with excitement and anticipation for her friend.

"No. I didn't."

"Why? She's very pretty, and she really likes you."

"She's not who I want to go with," he frowned. It was tradition in their school that the girls asked the boys to the final dance of the year in eighth grade. Even though they were all in ninth grade, it didn't matter. They could invite whoever they wanted to.

"But, Walker…" she started, racing to keep up with him.

"Leave it alone, Mags," he said, turning to her. She ran right into him, her face hitting his chest. Walker stared down at her, breathing heavily, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mags. But just leave it alone."

Walker turned, racing up ahead of them as they walked the path back home.

"What's eating him?" she asked his friends.

"He told you," smirked Leif. "The one he wanted to ask him to the dance didn't."

"Well, who is it? I'll talk to her and see if she's interested," said Mags.

"God, Mags, you're being really dense," said Ellie. Her sister stared at her, shaking her head. "You, Mags. He wanted you to ask him."

They continued walking as Mags lagged behind them. She seemed deep in thought as they approached the gates of the property. Leif hadn't said anything to Ellie at all. Maybe now was her opportunity.

"So, did anyone ask you?" she shyly asked Leif.

"Nope." He was trying not to be too hopeful, but he wouldn't go with anyone except Ellie.

"Do you want to go?" she asked. "I mean, do you want to go with me?"

Leif stopped, turning to stare at her as the others moved on down the road. He saw Mags chasing after Walker, gripping his hand and stopping him. They spoke, then Walker nodded, smiling at her.

"Looks like he got his date," smirked Leif.

"What about you?" asked Ellie.

"I got my date, too. I'd love to go with you, Ellie. I need to ask your father, but I don't think that should be a problem."

"No, I don't think it will be a problem either. My dad thinks a lot of all of you boys, and I'm pretty sure he'd feel better knowing that you guys were our dates."

The dance was magical for Leif and for Ellie too. It seemed after that, the two couldn't be separated. They walked to school together, came home together, cheered for one another in their respective sports, and made sure their friends were included as well.

As with all things, the end of senior year brought changes that neither was ready for. All four of the girls had finished high school early, making them graduate with the boys they'd grown up with.

"Why are you disappointed by this?" asked Leif. "You knew that becoming a Ranger was my dream. I've been talking about joining the Army for a long time now. I told you about this so many times, El."

"I-I guess I thought you'd go to college first, then go into the Army," she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Ellie, I love that you want to go to college. You're smart, athletic, and your goals and dreams are important. Every bit as important as mine. But I don't want to go that traditional route. This is what I want to do."

Ellie bit her lip, trying not to cry. She knew it was an option for him. She just thought he would choose going to college with her. It was silly, stupid really, but it had always been her hope for their future. She realized how selfish she was being.

"This changes nothing, Ellie. I'll come home on leave. You can visit me during breaks. We'll find a way to see one another. It changes nothing, El. Nothing."

She sat quietly for a long moment then spoke.

"I think maybe this is a good opportunity for us to take a break. You know, to be sure that this is what we want," she whispered.

Leif felt as though she were digging his heart out with a dull knife. His breath caught in his chest, and he nearly caved, telling her he'd enroll in college. He could rescind his contract and go with her. But he would be miserable. He just couldn't. He just couldn't.

"A break," he repeated. "Sure. I guess that's what we'll do."

"We're not breaking up, Leif. I still want to be your girlfriend, but with us going our separate ways, maybe this is the time for us to see if we truly feel the way we think we do. It gives us both a chance to see what the world has to offer."

"And how is that? How do we really feel, Ellie? What do you think the world has to offer you that this place doesn't?"

"I love you, Leif. You know I do. But I also recognize that we're both only eighteen years old or at least I will be. We're still very young. You're going to be at basic, then stationed somewhere crazy, probably enter the Ranger program right away, and I won't see you."

"And you'll be at college with all the new guys who want one of the quads. The beautiful foursome that every guy will want to date," he snapped. She stood abruptly, a hurt expression on her face as she stared at him.

"That was unfair. I never said I wanted to date anyone else. I said this was a good place for us to take a break. I would never cheat on you, Leif."

"You know what?" said Leif, standing above her, staring down. "You're right. This is a good time for a break."

"Leif…"

"I leave early in the morning, Ellie. I'll try to write to you, but basic is pretty hectic. You take care of yourself."

"Leif!" she called after him as he walked away. He disappeared into the crowd of people, never bothering to look back at her. She felt her sisters' hands at her back and turned, hugging her nearly identical three siblings.

"What happened?" asked Mags.

"He's determined to head to boot camp tomorrow and join the Rangers. I suggested it would be a good time to take a break."

"Oh, Ellie," said Emelia. "You always have done things the hard way."

"What do you mean? He's leaving, Em. He's leaving and there are going to be hundreds of women wanting him."

"And there will be hundreds of guys wanting you," she said, staring at her sister. "But I know you to be true enough, honest enough, that you won't do it when you love Leif. You always have, and he's always loved you. I think you need to talk to him. Mags and Walker talked about it. They're cool."

"I-I, oh God, what have I done?" she whispered.

"Listen, they leave tomorrow at nine. Just get up early and go to their cottage. Just ask to speak with him. His mother will make sure he comes out." She nodded at her sister.

"You're right. Of course. I'll let him cool down, and then I'll speak to him."

Except, the opportunity never came for Ellie. It started when she woke up later than planned. Running to the Frode cottage, she tripped and fell, an uncommon event for her, skinning both her knees. When she got to the door of the cottage, Addie pulled her inside, cleaning her knees for her. She knew why the young woman was there, and she knew that she couldn't interfere.

"Did he leave?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

"Yes, honey. The boys decided to leave at seven to catch an earlier flight."

"The boys?" she said, looking at her.

"Yes. All of them. Leif, Sebastian, Brix, Walker, Garr, Forrest, Alistair, and Major."

"Wait, they're all joining the Army?" she gasped.

"I'm afraid so," nodded Addie. "They're brave young men. Capable, smart, and they desire to defend their country. I take solace in knowing that they're going through boot camp together and that they all want to become Rangers. Eight of the finest young men I know will soon be part of an elite group. I'm very proud of them." She finished taping her knees and then patted her leg.

"All done." Addie stood up, stepping back and leaning against the counter of their kitchen. She knew that Ellie would have questions for her.

"Aren't you scared?" asked Ellie. "Aren't you worried about him?"

"Terrified," smiled Addie. "But I know that there will be others watching out for him. I also know that my son is a capable young man, and he'll do whatever it takes to come home. Now, are you going to tell me what happened between the two of you?"

"Oh, Ms. Addie," she cried, leaning into her.

"Are you going to tell me what happened with you and Ellie?" asked Magnus, standing beside his son.

"It's complicated, Dad." He was still bleeding from the heartbreak and didn't know how to even begin to speak about his feelings.

"It always is with a woman," smirked Magnus. "But if she's worth it, it's never too complicated. It will work out if you really love one another, son."

"I thought we did. I mean, I do. She said maybe now was a good time to take a break. What the hell does that mean?"

"It means you're both growing up and going your separate ways. This separation is an opportunity for the two of you to take some time and truly consider what you want out of life. If it's one another, then you'll find your way back. If it's not, then that's okay too. But talk to one another. Send her a letter or a text message or whatever you kids do these days. Just don't let it linger too long."

Leif just laughed, shaking his head at his father. Magnus handed his son a large bag.

"What's this?"

"When I joined the Army, they didn't have boots or pants to fit me. I suspect you'll have a problem as well. These will keep you going until they can order them," he grinned. He kissed his son's cheek and felt a wave of emotion rumbling through his body. He didn't want to let him go. "I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you. Give Mom a kiss for me. I'll be home soon."

He did come home a few times after that, usually during holidays if he was able. But it seemed he and Ellie's schedules were always conflicting, or at least that's what they told themselves. They did send e-mails now and then, at least for a while anyway. Always cordial, always polite, but never really saying what was on their minds.

"Viking? You're up for re-enlistment. What are you going to do?" asked his commander.

"I'll let you know when we come back from this one, sir," he grinned. His commander laughed, shaking his head.

"Your team really sticks together; the whole damn unit said the same thing."

"That's because Belle Fleur boys stick together, sir," smiled Walker. He looked across the transport, nodding at Alistair, Forrest, Sebastian, Brix, Garr, Leif, and Major.

Yep. They were Belle Fleur boys, and they would all go home together. Or die trying.