Page 28 of Chasing Amanda

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

When Amanda changed the subject from Mark’s deployment, he didn’t complain. He didn’t want to think about what was coming—and what he’d be leaving behind.

He’d known since the morning of September eleventh that he’d be sent overseas. Even before the second plane hit, before it was a confirmed terrorist attack, he’d known he was destined for battle. He’d known the same way he’d known, when he was a kid, that he was meant to be a Marine.

And not for one second had he been sorry he’d followed the path he was on. He’d looked forward to it, in fact. Maybe foolishly, maybe stupidly, he’d looked forward to putting his training to the test.

He’d never had a single reservation. Until today.

Spending time with Amanda, this beautiful, amazing woman he would never have met—maybe should never have met—if not for the strangest of circumstances.

But he discarded that idea. Of course he was supposed to meet Amanda. The same knowing that had prompted Mark to join the Marines had led him to save her life two nights before.

Which told him that there was a plan—a plan much bigger than he could comprehend. And if there was a plan, then there had to be a Planner. Mark had always believed in God in sort of an out there kind of way. But maybe God was more involved in people’s everyday lives than Mark had ever realized.

Maybe he ought to figure out what else God had in store.

But today was for savoring his short time with Amanda.

Hand in hand, they wandered in and out of stores, not really shopping, just talking, sharing stories and histories and dreams. Asking a million questions and laughing and just…being together. Somehow, it was as if they’d always known each other.

They found a restaurant and ate dinner, then moved into the bar, where he nursed a beer while she sipped Diet Coke.

She was in the middle of a story about her older brother when she hid a yawn behind her hand.

He glanced at his watch—just after nine o’clock. “You haven’t been sleeping well.” Considering a stalker had followed her two days before, it seemed like a good guess. Especially since she’d told him her roommate was gone for the weekend.

“I’m fine.” She sat up straighter as if trying to prove she wasn’t sleepy.

“I haven’t slept well, either.” He gripped his empty glass, seeing her stalker, wishing he’d taken his chances and called the police. At least they’d have the little rat’s name. Maybe he’d move on from her. “If I hadn’t seen him follow you… If I’d been distracted for ten seconds…”

Amanda slid her fingers around Mark’s hands and. “You did see, though. I’m safe.”

He managed a smile, but visions of her stalker were burned into his brain. How much worse must it be for her?

Maybe Carl would protect her.

That wrenching thing in his stomach was back.

They talked until the server dropped their bill and told them it was closing time.

Five minutes after they got on the road, Amanda rested her head against his shoulder and fell asleep. He hadn’t so much as twitched in twenty minutes.

He pulled onto her street and parked in front of the fire hydrant, the only available spot, thinking she’d wake up when the car stopped. She didn’t, though. Even after he shifted, resting her head against the armrest, she continued to sleep. He watched her a few moments, mesmerized by how beautiful she was. How trusting.

He slipped out of the car, closed the door as quietly as he could, and walked around to the passenger side, where he opened her door and crouched beside her.

“Amanda?”

She stirred.

“You’re home.”

Her eyes opened, and she smiled. Then the smile faded. “I fell asleep? Oh, no. I wasted all that time. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He stroked her hair. “You were exhausted. Come on.”

Mark helped her onto the sidewalk. “You have the bag I gave you?”