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Heath grinned at her. “I’m a little surprised I was able to get you over here,” Heath said, his blue eyes twinkling with delight.
“Well you did dangle a carrot over my head. I want to know what happened during your visit to Savannah.”
Bella wouldn’t tell Heath that she’d thought about him non-stop ever since he had left Pelican Bay to visit Vinny’s folks. That admission would be a little over the top.
“I’ve bottled up a lot of things. In particular, Vinny’s death.” He chewed his lip. “I know that I never told you about what happened. The specifics of what I witnessed.”
Guilt pierced Bella’s heart. Perhaps she had been too hard on Heath. The issues he had been struggling with had been serious ones. No wonder he’d wanted to spare her. He’d gone about it the wrong way, but his actions had been pure-hearted.
“I’m sorry for not understanding.”
Heath shook his head. “Don’t apologize, Bella. I was the one in the wrong. I should have told you everything.”
“It was obviously painful for you to do so.” The thought of Heath being in such turmoil and suffering from PTSD and depression made her heart ache.
“Sometimes you just have to push past the pain. Maybe if I had we’d still be together,” Heath said. The expression on his f
ace looked tortured.
“Who knows?” Bella said. Suddenly her mouth felt as dry as cotton. “C-can I get a glass of water?” she asked.
“Where are my manners? Let’s go to the kitchen. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m happy with the changes I’ve made so far.”
Bella followed Heath down the hall into the kitchen. She let out a gasp as the all-white kitchen came into view. “It’s beautiful,” she gushed. “I love the old fashioned stove and sink. Not to mention all the vintage fixtures.” Although the cabinets had been ripped out and some of the flooring was missing, Bella could imagine how gorgeous it would be when Heath finished it.
“Thanks. It’s been a labor of love working on it.”
Heath pulled open the fridge. “Water or juice?” he asked.
“Apple juice if you have it,” she said, taking a seat at his kitchen table. “This little one really starts moving when I drink juice,” she said with a giggle, pressing her hands against her belly.
Heath poured her a glass of apple juice. “I’m not sure if I’m imagining it, but you look more…rounded. Is that okay to say? I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth.”
“That’s fine. And yes. I definitely feel as if my stomach grew over the last few days. This baby might be a nine pounder at this rate.” Heath sat down next to her at the table.
“Bella, I want to tell you about Afghanistan. About Vinny. I want to tell you everything so you’ll understand why it was so important for me to go to Savannah.”
Her heart was beating like a drum inside her chest. For so long she’d wanted Heath to open up to her about his trauma. Now, she was all ears. “Please, Heath. I’m listening.”
Heath began to tell her about the events of Vinny’s death. He spared no details. Tears ran down her face as Heath vividly described Vinny’s heroic sacrifice. When he told her how he’d recovered Vinny’s cross necklace, Bella thought she might just break down in sobs.
“Oh, Heath. That’s devastating and beautifully heroic at the same time. Vinny loved you so much he was willing to give his life for you.” She wiped away tears. “What a wonderful gift he gave you.” She felt a bit shaky at the moment. So many things were running through her mind. Heath could have died in Afghanistan. Not just at that moment but during the whole course of his deployment. How could she continue to be upset with him regarding the past? What was the point in wasting time? Tomorrow wasn’t promised. She didn’t want to explain to their child one day that she had allowed anger and pride to stand in the way of their happiness.
“By going to Savannah,” Heath explained, “I think I managed to help the Peretti’s with achieving closure. I know that I moved forward with my own closure. That’s for certain.”
She felt a wild burst of joy pulse through her veins. Heath had come so far in the last five months. “I’m so happy for you, Heath.” Bella closed the distance between them and leaned against Heath’s chest. “I’ve prayed for this. God is good.”
“Bella. I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been trying to rebuild myself, not simply for myself, but for you as well. I’m not done with the process, but I’ve made great strides.”
“You have. And I have to tell you, I didn’t understand before when you ended things. I was so hurt. I felt broken. All I could think about were my own feelings.”
Heath winced. “I hate that I caused you so much pain. There was a method to my madness, but I know it tore you up inside.”
“It did,” Bella admitted. “The reason I was so mad is because I loved you with all my heart.” She swallowed. “I still do.”
The grin on Heath’s face threatened to consume his entire face. He placed his palm over his chest. “You do?”
Bella didn’t say a word. She just vigorously nodded her head. There was a huge lump sitting in her throat. She felt as if she’d just put her whole heart and soul out there. It made her feel incredibly vulnerable.
