Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

JILL

“ I don’t understand,” Jill said softly, staring at Lena. The woman had arrived at the ranch to heal from her addiction and had been paired up with Ortega. The two fell in love, much like how she had fallen for her sweet Babe so many years ago.

Jill closed her eyes and hung her head, remembering those first moments so vividly despite the years that have passed. She had been volunteering to help out at a Christmas charity event – only to see her friend from high school show up out of the blue, dressed in uniform, with a couple of friends.

“What are you doing here?” she crowed happily, hugging Dasher in disbelief. “Look at you – why, you almost look like a man!”

“Oh gosh, Jill… you are killing me,” Dasher grinned nervously, yanking on his collar. “The military is hard on you, but it’s a good-sorta ‘hard’ and makes you stronger. I’ve gained at least twenty pounds of muscle.”

“You need to work on gaining that weight in your head,” she retorted, laughing as they shared a look. It was so easy to talk to Dasher and always had been, but she hadn’t seen him in at least two years… maybe three. The scrawny kid she knew was gone, and in his place was a person with a heart of gold.

A true friend.

“Soooo,” Dasher drawled slowly, trying to be playful as she rolled her eyes. “Are you still single?”

“Are you asking me out – again? Don’t you remember how painfully awkward that was to begin with, and I think that I’d prefer someone a…” his laughter interrupted her.

She was busy, handing another stack of Danish Knot cookies that were wrapped in red and green tulle, tied with a ribbon, to a child. They were her favorite cookies and had been forever. She loved the blue tin, and her mother, grandmother, and everyone she knew used those tins as sewing containers.

Yet, nothing fazed Dasher.

“For me and my buddy,” he began. He grabbed two packs of cookies and nodded before that sly smile appeared again. His cool gray eyes danced as he handed her a sealed envelope. “And that’s for you.”

“What’s this?” Her eyes shot up to his.

“Happiness, if you give your new pen pal a chance to say ‘hello,’” he smiled, nodded, and started to walk away from the table, backward, into the crowd. “Write my buddy, and you won’t regret it!” he called out, waving and biting into a cookie, before disappearing.

Curious, Jill didn’t hesitate and ripped open the letter.

I don’t know your name, but I spotted you the moment I walked into the room. I’m a nobody, scared to introduce myself, but you are a vision to behold, like staring at an angel on earth.

I would be the luckiest man in the world if you gave me a chance. Write to me when you can – and maybe I can gather the courage to write you back.

~ Houghton

P.S. Blue is your color, and it brings out your eyes.

Her eyes shot upward from the letter, tucking it immediately into her pocket as she scanned the room, landing on him .

She remembered crossing the floor where people were mingling, seeing his eyes widen in surprise and the way Dasher patted him on the arm. Her friend said something to the stranger, who stood ramrod still as she approached him.

“What’s your name?” she asked openly, her eyes drinking in his features. He was slightly taller than Dasher, and his shoulders broader, but there was an intensity to him that she immediately recognized. Those hazel eyes were full of longing and hope, like just seeing her was granting his every wish, and that was crazy. She was a nobody.

“Houghton.”

“No, your first name,” she reprimanded gently, seeing his name stitched above the pocket of his uniform, grabbing the letter from her pocket and holding it up between them. “I’m Jill Warren – and I’m assuming this is you?”

“Yours,” he said hoarsely, swallowing as he stared at her.

“No,” she chuckled, pointing at the envelope. “Is this your letter?”

“Yes,” he replied, and a faint smile touched his lips. “You asked what my name was, and I was telling you that I’m yours…”

And Jill melted.

She had stood there, moved by the sweetness in his letter, the way Houghton just seemed to be completely overwhelmed by just looking at her. That first meeting had been a doozy, completely bowling her over. She would never forget those moments when she fell in love with her sweet Babe – and couldn’t understand what was wrong now.

“I think he’s avoiding me, Lena,” Jill whispered painfully, looking at the other woman. “Please don’t say anything. I don’t like to gossip, but I’m just devastated and don’t know what to do.”

“Why would he be avoiding you?” Lena replied tenderly, putting an arm around her shoulders. “Maybe he is just overwhelmed by the changes. I mean, Panic is here – and utterly weird. His buddies from his Army days are flying in today. You are going to have a full house, and I’m sure he wants to make a good impression, you know – show you off?”

“He’s never been proud like that,” Jill hesitated. “He’s a very humble person at heart and would give anyone the shirt off his back.”

“I have no doubt, which is why we are all here… but maybe he’s nervous that there aren’t enough ‘shirts’ to give out with so many coming at once. I’m sure it’s a simple explanation, and all sorts of people get weird around Christmastime.”

“Maybe…”

“Did something happen?”

“No,” Jill fibbed, looking away. She couldn’t bring herself to think that maybe it was because she was pregnant with their child. The idea of actually being lucky enough to have her dream home, her beloved husband, and finally having a child all coming together seemed like such a Christmas miracle – that she couldn’t accept that part of it wasn’t true. That would be like a broken stool functioning on two legs instead of the three it was designed for.

“Then I would give him a little time and space,” Lena said softly, hugging her again as Jill wiped her eyes, nodding. “Breathe. Jake and Houghton should be back soon with a Christmas tree for us to decorate this evening once everyone arrives and settles in.”

Hours later, Jill watched as their large van pulled up, and friendly faces began to pour out of it easily. These were her husband’s friends, and she only knew of them from his telephone conversations or stories he’d shared. Except Logan, they all still chatted occasionally, and sometimes he would come by to say ‘hello’ or dabble in his matchmaking.

Am I his dirty secret that he’s kept hidden away?

Jill swallowed the lump of anxiety that was causing her stomach to churn as the front door to the cabin opened, and everyone spilled inside.

“Wazzzzup, Griffin!” Ortega shouted happily, climbing over the back of the couch where he’d been sitting as Lena rolled her eyes and swatted her husband on the backside. He immediately rubbed it, tossed a smile at her, and moved forward to embrace the blond man in a hug.

“Oh my gosh, Ortega! You look good, man – losing a lung suits you, which is not something I ever thought I’d say,” Griffin laughed, ruffling Ortega’s dark hair and smiling widely. “This is my wife, Lily – and my children, Rose and Michael.”

“You’re breeding?” Ortega retorted, causing another ripple of laughter among the friends as Jill looked at her husband – only to see him turn away, plastering an awkward smile on his face, but it was too late.

She saw the yearning in his eyes, the love that she treasured, which seemed to burn brighter than any candle, and the way he was once obsessed with making her love him. That was one thing about her sweet Babe – that man worked so hard and always had, just to make sure she felt adored and pampered by him, which is why this all hurt so much.

“I’m gonna get the suitcases,” Houghton said gruffly, turning and walking away, and Jill drew in a shaky breath, feeling the pang of loss the moment he left the room.

“Just let Logan get them,” Griffin called out playfully over Lily’s head – who was trying to shush her husband. “Logan’s never worked a day in his life!”

“Hey now,” Juliet said from the doorway, balancing a toddler on her hip and rubbing her massive stomach that was extended with her second child. “Let’s not ruin Christmas so early by having a pregnant woman threaten you…”

“I’m just teasing, Jules…”

“He’s been like this for almost a week now,” Lily explained, putting their son down on the floor so he could explore – and smiled at Jill. “John has been looking forward to this for a while now… and it’s so nice to finally meet you, Jill. I feel like I’ve known you forever,” Lily said openly, moving to hug Jill tightly, before releasing her. “Next Christmas, we’ll put you up at our house, I promise.”

“We’ll see,” Jill replied evasively and caught Lily’s sharp glance. “Come meet, Lena. This is Ortega’s wife, since he’s occupied with running his mouth.”

“Hey! I heard that, Jill,” Ortega crowed, pretending to be dismayed as he scooped up the toddler into his arms and blew raspberries on his belly. “You’re gonna be a turd like your ol’ man, aren't you kiddo?”

“Oh my gosh,” Lena exclaimed with embarrassment, laughing with everyone.

Jill just watched in silent joy as the reunions and introductions continued for several minutes. It was wonderful to see the smiles on their faces, to feel the friendship and camaraderie in the air surrounding them, along with seeing the three children running around the cabin. Her own child would be here next year and already she couldn’t wait, despite this rocky start.