The Marine's New Family. Roz Dunbar
grow up to be—or that the years to come would pull them apart instead of binding them together. Was that why she hadn’t told him he was going to be a father?
He could understand why she’d left him, and he didn’t hold a grudge. She couldn’t take the moves and deployments. He didn’t blame her; being a military spouse was a tough job and required sacrifices that normal married couples didn’t have to make. He’d wanted her to be happy, and she’d made it clear that she wouldn’t find that happiness waiting at home for him month after endless month, year after year. So he’d let her go. After the divorce papers were signed, there was no further contact. It was as though their three years together had never happened.
But the proof of their marriage and their love—short-lived though it had been—was sitting in the seat right next to him. Why had she kept him from his child? Surely she had known that he would have made certain that he was in Caleb’s life. Luke would have helped Jen raise their son, would have taken care of them both. He had thanked God every day for the past six months that Jen had had the foresight to write a will giving him guardianship. He couldn’t imagine life without Caleb now.
But now there might be a fight ahead to keep his son with him. Jen’s parents, Dave and Katherine Lockard, had made it pretty clear that they wanted custody of their grandson. They had been in Caleb’s young life since he was born. Uprooting him was wrong, they claimed. No matter that he was with his biological father. They were going to petition the courts for full custody.
Luke had gone to great pains to assure both Caleb and his grandparents that they could see each other anytime they wished. He wasn’t trying to keep them apart; in fact, he had taken Caleb to Tennessee for a visit last month. But there was no way he was going to hand over custody. In a world where it was prudent to pick and choose your battles wisely, Luke knew with everything in him that his son was worth fighting for. He just needed to figure out what was best for Caleb. He prayed that God would show him the way.
“Well, you’ve earned it, after all the hard work you’ve done today.” He grinned at Caleb as they headed down the sandy lane. The boy kept his head averted and didn’t reply. It was like climbing a mountain with no ropes. For both of them. God, help us, Luke prayed silently.
“We are so glad you came to church with us.” Annie Salter reached for Tess’s hand and gave it a small squeeze.
It was early Sunday morning and Tess found herself sitting at the end of a dark, polished pew in a handsome old church. It all felt too familiar, too much like her memories of childhood, in the comfort of her local church. Back then, coming to church had filled her with joy and given her a sense that she belonged. She didn’t feel that anymore.
She had not wanted to go with the aunts and had honestly tried to think of a good reason why she couldn’t join them. But they had been so welcoming when they found out she had arrived yesterday, inviting her to dinner and making sure she was settled comfortably, that she could not refuse them this small thing. It had seemed so important to them. Besides, it didn’t mean that she had to talk to God about anything just because she was in His house. She was just visiting with friends, she told herself and Him firmly. Don’t expect anything from me. Not until You tell me why. Give me a reason that I can accept.
“I’m glad I came, too.” She smiled at Annie. Well, it wasn’t a lie, she told herself. She was glad she came with the sisters. She enjoyed their company.
“Oh, look, there’s Luke.” Katie pointed to the front of the church.
Tess followed the direction of her finger, but couldn’t identify him from behind. He could have been any one of at least ten men sitting in front of them.
“He’s the one sitting next to the woman with the bleached-blond hair,” Annie said to Tess with an impish grin.
“Hush, sister! They might hear you.” Katie adjusted the brim on her flower-laden straw hat as she spoke, but her eyes were laughing. Leaning across Annie, she whispered, “Peroxide. She definitely owes the color to a lot of peroxide. I wonder if Luke knows it’s not natural,” she added thoughtfully.
“Of course he does!” Annie whispered back, staunchly defending him.
“Don’t be so certain. Men are rarely smart about such things, in my experience,” Katie asserted roundly.
“Oh, like you have so much experience!” Annie’s eyes twinkled teasingly as she spoke.
Tess couldn’t hold back a loud giggle that had every head in front of them turning in their direction. Thankfully, the service had not started yet, and thinking quickly, Tess also turned around, as if looking for the source of the laugh. The sisters admirably maintained straight faces as they looked back questioningly at the people who were looking at them, until the minister cleared his throat, wished everyone a good morning and the first hymn began.
Tess listened politely as the reverend began the service, but she could not help looking for the blonde the Salter sisters had mentioned. After a quick search, her eyes lit on the back of a slender woman with beautiful silvery-blond hair caught up in an elegant French twist. But it was the man sitting next to her that drew Tess’s attention. Luke.
He had very broad shoulders that exuded a subtle power, even though he was relaxing casually in the pew, his attention obviously focused on the sermon. His hair was very short and dark, showing the back of a tanned, strong neck that was set off by the collar of a white dress shirt. When she’d seen him the day before, she’d been so startled, and so shaken from her dream, that she’d managed to get only a general impression of him. She hadn’t realized just how imposing he truly was. But of course, the one thing she had noticed was seated on the other side of him—a small boy with the same dark hair that the man had. Caleb.
They made a striking family, at least from behind. Tess could imagine that they were well matched in looks from the front, as well. The aunts thought so highly of him, this Luke who had surprised her in the cottage yesterday. They had told her about his help in getting the house ready for her, building the new screened porch, and buying groceries. He had certainly made her trip to the grocery store much easier. She had had to purchase just a few more things to round out the pantry offerings.
The service was not overly long and after a final hymn the sisters led Tess to a large community room that was set up with long tables and folding chairs. The delicious mixed aromas of breakfast flirted with her nose as she entered the room. Sausage, ham, bacon, eggs and casserole dishes took the place of honor on a steam table next to another table set up with all types of fruit and bread. It was a grand buffet and Tess suddenly found the appetite that had eluded her for months. Her mouth was watering as the aunts ushered her to a nearby seat, taking her cane and leaning it against the table next to her.
“We’ll get you a plate, dear. You just relax. You’re our guest,” Annie said, before she and Katie moved over to the buffet and began loading a plate without asking her what she wanted.
“No, wait.” Tess tried to stop them. She was not helpless, she wanted to say. She could get her own food. She shut her mouth when she could see that her words would only fall on empty air.
The hall was filling rapidly with a crowd of people moving toward her table. Her first instinct was to get up and leave. Then she recognized Joe Mason from the police station among them. He was smiling broadly.
“Hey, Tess. Good to see you again. This is my wife, Linda, and our son, Joey.”
Linda gave her a warm smile and reached for her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Tess. Joe says you’re a physician assistant? They certainly could use some help at the clinic. Doc Anderson isn’t able to handle the traffic all by himself.”
“I’m not sure that I’ll be here long enough to help out.” Tess smiled what she hoped was an apologetic smile and shook her head. No way would she go anywhere near their clinic. She just couldn’t do it. Period.
“Well,