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“Of course. But I have to hurry.”
Under five minutes later, I’m zipping toward the highway in the truck with a dog in the passenger seat.
“Hold on tight, buddy. It’s time to turn and burn.”
* * *
The ten-hour drive gives me plenty of time to think about the day and worry about tomorrow. I formulate a plan and it’s only when Royal calls to let me know Isla is safe and secure, that my thoughts wander to love and marriage.
It may not be readily evident to my younger brother, but the guy has it bad. Er, good. I mean he’s been bitten. Not by bedbugs or fleas.
I eye Boo and consider I ought to read up on how to take care of dogs. Surely, a veterinarian can provide the old guy with some bug spray or whatever it is they use if necessary.
A veterinarian.
Lally.
Lally who I left in Atlanta.
Lally who I talked with almost all night.
Lally who I connected with in the most unexpected way.
During deployments, I got close with some of the guys and Sean, of course. But talking with Lally was different. Despite the pillow blockade, it was like a door opened between us and I had the option to go through.
Now, with this issue in Coco Key, I feel like it slammed shut and is a reminder that I don’t have time to entertain a relationship. That’s a someday thing. I have to adjust to retirement, figure out my next steps, and make sense of Chip’s mysterious will.
For the last few days, I’d successfully put distance between myself and the four pages of confusion Isla read in Mr. Edmonston’s office, but now it crams my mind, taking up half the space.
Lally occupies the other half.
When I stop at a doggy relief station in central Florida, I check my phone. Nothing more from my brothers. I see Lally’s message, asking me to dance with her. I consider replying.
I’m not a great dancer. I’d be afraid to break her toes.
Break her heart is more like.
A sigh escapes.
Lally turned heads when she walked down the aisle by my side. Not to steal the bride’s thunder, but she looked gorgeous. The mint green satin gown was beautiful on her. I stole a glance, okay more than one. Her curls looked so soft. Her green eyes sparkled. I noticed the little brown freckles spilling over the bridge of her nose.
The flare inside brightens.
I exhale. Can’t think about that. My brothers and I have a crisis on our hands, and if I’d been back in Coco Key, I could’ve mitigated it. That’s my role. Failed my mission.
Again.
As the next hours pass, I can’t help but mentally review the texts—Lally’s opener, asking me to marry her.
I laugh and Boo gives me a look like he knows something weighs on my mind.
“Okay, you want the story? Here goes.”
I tell the dog about the flare when I saw Lally. How she made me smile inside. How in such a short time, she was able to sand some of my rough edges.
As we cruise south, the rising sun kisses the Atlantic. I talk to the white shepherd about love, marriage, and the speech I gave at the rehearsal dinner. Almost like I’m talking to Sean.
“I meant every word of it and didn’t think I’d ever have any of that...” I trail off because I have to wipe the wedding from my mind, and by wedding, I mean Lally.
