Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

MEMPHIS

Well, at least she told me…

That thought echoed in Noah's mind as he smiled politely beside Madeline for their first photos together as a couple – and felt guilty. It was a little disconcerting at how fast he was falling for her and hearing that she feared whatever this was between them was definitely something Trophy would label as ‘ shrinkage material, bro.'

Yeah, he really hoped that Madeline would want to reach for him, just like she did at the pier. It had been easy and beautiful, and it felt so good to kiss her at that moment. He wanted her to experience those overwhelming feelings between them again, recognizing that it seemed to be taking on a life of its own in ways he never imagined.

If one of his buddies had told him that taking a tour in Egypt would end up giving him a nasty scar on his thigh and an incredible woman in his life – he would have bet money on both statements being complete fabrications made up to get under his skin.

‘Happily Married' were two words that weren't used often enough among his peers on the ship – and Noah didn't want to be a statistic. He wanted things to be different with them because it had been from the very first moments where she'd begged him for help. Something rose up in him, and he stepped up to the challenge and would do so again.

He wasn't joking when he told Madeline that he would be the first to lower his shields, saying what they were afraid to speak aloud. He would throw himself on the proverbial sword just to protect her because that was who he was as a person, deep down inside. He was a gentleman, a protector, and a lover and it was hers if she wanted him.

If she was scared, he was truly glad she had felt confident enough to speak up, but that didn't destroy what he felt inside taking shape within him. No, it was a red flag, a warning sign, that she was feeling overwhelmed and about to shut down.

In battle, you always take inventory of your own troops as well as your enemy, always processing. There was no shame in admitting something wasn't working, not when you wanted to win the war. It was a smart tactician who knew defeat only came when you had nothing left to give, and he was nowhere near there.

Right now, he needed to retreat, regroup, and reassess before advancing again. He would never have categorized a relationship as ‘war' before meeting Madeline and falling for her, but now? – Now, he was in for the fight of his life and giving it his ‘all.'

He would take the day in stride, just grateful to be home and with the two people that he cared about. Being patient would give him time to think and consider how to put Madeline's mind at ease. Only to have his mother speak up as they got back to the hotel.

Noah had been climbing out of the shuttle and turned to offer his hand to Madeline. As she stepped out of the van, Noah did the same for his mother… and she gave him a knowing smile along with a wink.

"What?" he blurted out automatically, hackles raising. His mother loved to spring surprises on people and always wanted everyone to be happy or have a good time. The fact that she was winking at him told him something was up.

"Why don't you kids find a way to occupy yourselves while I go get a nap and watch a little TV. I'm just worn out, and we can regroup tomorrow morning for breakfast."

Noah knew that his surprise had to be written all over his face. This was not what he was expecting or anticipating. He thought that there would be a little more time to consider how to broach the thoughts bouncing around in his mind.

"Are you sure, Judy?"

"Mom, are you okay?"

"Yes, yes. I'm perfectly fine and thought you might want some time alone. Go take a walk on the beach together, order up room service later on, take a little time to talk, or whatever…"

And that ‘whatever' hung knowingly in the air. Noah wasn't sure if he should hug his mom or ask her to quit embarrassing him and opted to go with the first. Hugging his mother, he heard her whisper to him.

"Take things slow and tell her how you feel…" His mom released him and moved to hug his bride, too. Madeline's hazel eyes shot up to meet him, and he knew at that moment th at his mother was playing matchmaker, and while he could use the help, he also didn't want ‘Mommy' meddling in his relationship.

As his mother walked off, they both just stood there awkwardly in the lobby of the small hotel, unsure what to say or do. Noah took a deep breath, steadying himself, and smiled gently at Madeline.

"How about a walk on the beach?"

"That sounds good."

"Perfect. I've got some shorts in my bag if you don't mind me changing out of my uniform?"

"Not at all," and she hesitated, looking down at her dress. "I should probably change too."

"Only if you want to."

Madeline nodded shyly and gestured, inviting him to walk down the hallway toward the elevator. Instead, he lay a hand at the small of her back, silently asking her to walk with him. As they got to the elevator, he smiled hesitantly.

"I don't know what floor – or what room, for that matter."

"Oh!" she exclaimed and darted forward to push the number four button on the panel. "Fourth floor, corner room."

"Nice."

They walked toward the door, and she unlocked it. He didn't bother asking for a key because he wanted to give her that sense of security. That, and in a few days, they would be going their separate ways. Walking into the hotel room, he saw Madeline immediately begin to flutter nervously around the room straightening up like this was her personal domain.

It was a hotel .

Noah set down his bag gingerly and started to open it before hesitating, and then he looked at her.

"What?"

"I got you something in Naples," he began nervously, hesitating. "Do you want it now or later?"

"You did?"

That sweet, soft, surprised question hung in the air, and he couldn't help but smile. She was beyond wonderful and always seemed to act touched or moved when he thought of her. If she only knew how much I did think about her, he mused and pulled a small fabric pouch from the bag.

"It's just a little something," he began nervously and saw Madeline take a step toward him, her eyes swimming in disbelief and wonder.

"Do you mind if I open it now?" she asked nervously, glancing at him. "I'm not a very patient person."

"Neither am I," he replied and nearly winced. But I'm learning, I promise…

He sat down gingerly on the bed and indicated that she should sit, too. As she did, he handed her the suede-feeling bag and hesitated. This was so stupid, she's going to guess, and it will make her nervous again.

"I saw it, how unusual it was… and just felt inspired," he began, moving slightly, as she pulled out a small cardboard box, removed the lid and hesitated. Her eyes shot to his, and he audibly gulped at the confusion in her gaze.

"What is… this?"

"It's called a contour ring," he explained quietly, taking the small circlet from her trembling hands and holding it up between them. "It's supposed to be a twig, something to do with trees…" and smiled nervously. "I didn't pay much attention because I was nervous about buying you a ring. I wanted you to like it, you know? "

"What made you buy it?"

"Well," he began slowly and cradled her hand in his, sliding the ring onto her finger. "I guess it was the word ‘contour' and the fact that it was so unique looking." His eyes lifted to meet hers as he continued, his voice quiet in the silence between them. "I've never met anyone so fierce and brave before, so ‘unique' fit… but the contour portion?"

Noah drew in a shaky breath, still holding her hand.

"When we're apart, I want you to feel this and think of me. It's going to be bumpy sometimes, but as time passes, we'll circle around to these beautiful moments that we can share together."

"Oh, Noah…" she whispered tearfully, gazing up at him. "Forget the meaning behind the twig. I think I like your meaning so much better than anything they could have come up with."

He chuckled nervously and leaned over to pull the cotton from the box, revealing the solitaire he'd picked out. That strangely shaped ring had caught his eye and he kept coming back to it. Anyone could have had a circle, a band, smooth and polished, but this one just struck him as beautiful in an extraordinary way. The gnarled band was supposed to look like another twig with a diamond set among the small delicate branches. As he slid the stone onto her finger with the wedding band, he smiled at the irony. It was wrapped around her finger perfectly… just like he was.

"It's incredible," she breathed, looking completely stunned. "Is it Etruscan?"

"I would be lying if I answered that question," he replied honestly and was rewarded with her nervous laughter only seconds before she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. If she was comfortable enough to hug him like this, then at least there was something there between them.

"I love it so much," she breathed tearfully, nearly choking him, but he wasn't about to protest. Instead, he closed his eyes and savored holding her close, hugging her tightly in this treasured moment.

"I'm so relieved," he admitted after a few minutes. "How about that walk on the beach?"