Love Is a Battlefield (9 page)

“It's open,” Ace called as he walked down the hallway toward the sound of knocking on his front door.

Owen Branam opened the door part of the way and stuck his head inside. “Are you ready, man?”

“Ready.” Ace followed him down the steps and climbed into Owen's old Bronco.

“Steve's meeting us there. Said his wife was glad for him to get out of the house so she can pack.” Owen steered the Bronco out of the driveway and toward the park exit.

“Pack? Where's she going?” Ace asked.

“They're taking a trip to Europe. Some kind of second honeymoon. Gonna be gone practically the whole summer.” Owen slowed to a stop at the highway and waited for a car to pass.

“Wow. That's quite a vacation.”

“Yeah. He had a hard time talking Arnie and Hank into letting him off that long. And after the vandal hit the monuments, they tried to make him stay.” Owen flipped the air conditioner a notch higher. “But the tickets he has are nonrefundable, so they went ahead and told him he could have the time off.”

“Guess he was relieved.”

“More like his wife was. I'm not sure Steve is the world-traveling type, but I guess a man will do a lot for the woman he loves.”

Ace chuckled. “I'll say.”

He'd been a little hesitant when Owen had asked him if he wanted to have a guys' night out. In his experience, guys' night out usually meant beer and bars, and neither of those things appealed to him. But when Owen mentioned a steak house in Savannah that was supposed to be good, Ace figured it would be a pretty tame night.

They pulled into the crowded parking lot. Despite the cars, the restaurant looked like little more than someone's house. Ace shot a questioning look at Owen.

“Don't let the outside fool you,” Owen warned. “The steaks are delicious. And the sweet tea is even better than my grandmother's was, God rest her soul.”

Steve was already in a booth, waiting.

“What took y'all so long? I'm a hungry man.” He was also a large man. If Ace had to guess, he'd say this wasn't Steve's first time at the steak house.

They ordered steak and baked potatoes all around.

“Could we have some bread, darlin'?” Owen asked the waitress.

“Sure thing, Mr. Owen. It'll be right out.”

“Darlin'?” Ace asked once she had left the table.

Owen chuckled. “Welcome to the south.”

Ace had definitely noticed a bit of a difference in the sleepy Tennessee town from the city he was used to. It wasn't better or worse, just different. Things seemed a little slower. Cars were slower; people walked slower. But it was kind of nice. There was an abundance of sweet tea and fried food. And it helped that he was a bit taken with the southern drawl. A grin played across his lips as he remembered Kristy's southern-flavored spiel to park visitors. He still thought one reason they stayed awake for her and snoozed for him was because of her accent. Of course, when he'd shared that theory with her, she wasn't thrilled.

“So, Ace. What brings you down here?” Steve asked. “Do you have relatives here or something?”

“I'm just here for the job.” And access to the archives. But Steve wasn't asking about his personal business. “I worked for the park service in Illinois and decided I was ready to transfer on to a different park.”

“And you chose Shiloh?” Steve asked. “Is Civil War history your thing, then?”

“I guess you could say that.” Ace knew his ulterior motive for choosing Shiloh would come out eventually, but he was in no hurry to reveal it.

The waitress put heaping mounds of rolls and corn bread in the center of the table.

“Here you go. There's honey, butter, and jelly for the biscuits.” she set a bowl full of condiments on the table. “Your steaks will be out soon.”

“Thanks,” Owen called.

“Darlin',” Ace said with a laugh.

Owen let out a loud guffaw and put a big glob of butter on a steaming biscuit. “so, Ace, are you single? Married? Divorced? surely a young man like yourself has a lady in his life.”

“I'm single. No lady to speak of.” He reached for a packet of strawberry jam.

Owen shook his head. “That's a shame.”

Steve laughed. “He's smart if you ask me.”

“Now, we all know you'd be lost without Amy. So don't you be givin' us that stuff.” Owen wiped his mouth with a napkin and took another biscuit from the plate.

Steve grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You know it.”

“Well, what about you, Owen? I know that Steve's married and getting ready to jet off to Europe, but haven't heard much about your story. Are you married?” Ace asked.

For a moment, a dark cloud came over Owen's normally sunny face.

“Nah.” He shook his head. “I was. We were together twenty years. She died nearly five years ago, though. Cancer.” He took a sip of tea. “It was the hardest thing I've ever been through.”

“I'm sorry, man.” Ace knew from losing Caroline how hard it was to lose someone important to you. But to lose someone you'd built a life with must be terrible.

“Thanks. At first, I didn't know how I'd get through. But as they say, time heals.”

“Here you go, gentlemen.” The waitress set thick steaks and foil-wrapped baked potatoes in front of each of them. “Dig in.”

Ace said a silent blessing for the food then bit into the best steak he'd ever had. “Man, Owen, you were sure right about this place.”

“Stick with me, boy. I won't steer you wrong.”

“Hey, Ace,” Steve said in a voice so casual it couldn't have been an accident, “do you and Kristy get along?”

Ace frowned. Unfortunately, the blond still saw him as an enemy. But for his part, they got along. “I guess we do. Why?”

“No reason. Except that I saw you on her porch earlier today while I was out on patrol.”

“Oh. Yeah, her dog had gotten out, and I was returning him. Not a big deal.”

“I just wondered. You know, the two of you are about the same age.” Steve wiggled his bushy gray eyebrows in Ace's direction.

“Now, you know she's in no state to be dating,” Owen piped up rather protectively. “Besides, they work together, so that wouldn't be a good idea.”

Steve laughed. “Owen thinks he's her daddy,” he explained to Ace. “She's been working here so long, we've practically seen her grow up.”

“I'm just worried about her is all,” Owen said defensively. “Besides, there was some guy out today on one of her programs that had her all riled up. I saw them talking after it was over. And it wasn't long afterward that she went home with a headache.” He cut another bite of steak and swished it through the sauce before popping it into his mouth. “She might've fooled Hank, but I saw those tears in her eyes.”

Ace remembered the look on her face when she'd stepped onto her porch that afternoon. He'd known then that she'd been crying. That mask hadn't fooled him. But he figured she'd just have to get through it on her own. And as Owen had said, time heals.

“I'm pretty sure you don't need to worry about Kristy and me dating,” Ace said. “But if you have any other prospects, send them my way.” Deep down, he had to admit that since Caroline's death, no woman had caught his interest like the blue-eyed ranger with the feisty personality. But a man had his pride. And no way he was going to let these guys know he might have an interest in someone who couldn't stand him.

Kristy knew there was one huge drawback in going to church with her mother. It was likely that she'd see Robert's mom. And sure enough, as soon as she entered the building, there were Dorothy and Nancy, engaged in an animated conversation. They spotted Kristy immediately and waved her over.

“I was just telling Nancy how angry I was to hear about what Zach did.” Dorothy shook her head. “I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into him lately.”

Her mom's tight smile told her she was none too happy to have heard the whole sordid story from Dorothy rather than from Kristy's own mouth. Kristy gave her mom a side-armed hug and greeted Dorothy. “Don't worry about it. It was a misunderstanding, I'm sure.” The twerp. She hoped he'd gotten his bike taken away. Or whatever it was that would hurt the most.

“He's very sorry,” Dorothy said.

A throat cleared behind her and she turned to see Zach, looking anything but sorry. If possible, he was glowering more than last week. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

“Apology accepted,” Kristy said with more cheer than she felt.

“I'm so relieved that you're not mad,” Dorothy said as she put an arm around Zach.

“Don't worry about it.” Time for a change of topic. No use rehashing her humiliation with them. “Since y'all live so close to the park, you might want to be on the lookout for a vandal,” Kristy said. “Someone spray-painted two of the monuments recently.”

“Who would do a thing like that?” Dorothy asked.

“We have no idea. But it makes me so mad.” Disgust made her voice vehement.

Her mom chuckled. “Can you tell Kristy loves that park? she can't stand to see anyone even litter in it, much less vandalize the monuments.”

“I can imagine. If I see anything strange, I'll let you know.” Dorothy squeezed Zach's shoulder. “And so will Zach.” she waved at someone who'd just come through the door. “Oh, there's bonnie. I need to catch her about our ladies' night.”

Dorothy and Zach hurried off in opposite directions.

Nancy raised one eyebrow at her daughter. “Why didn't you tell me you had a date with Robert? And don't try changing the subject with me, because it won't work.”

Kristy groaned. “Well, as you can see, I actually didn't have a date with him, so I guess it doesn't matter.”

“Doesn't matter” was apparently very subjective. Nancy's glare quickly made it apparent that it mattered a great deal to her. “Kristy, we spoke several times last week. You could've mentioned it.”

Kristy ducked her head. “I'm sorry. Really. I tried not to make a big deal out of it. I figured I'd give a report after the fact.” Her mom shrugged, and Kristy noticed what might have been a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes. “since there was no fact to report after, I guess I'll have to assume you'd have at least told me if there had been.”

Kristy couldn't keep from smiling a little at her convoluted sentence. Nancy finally broke into a smile, too, and Kristy could tell she was willing to let it slide. “But at least let it be known that I kept my end of the bargain and agreed to go out with him when he called. Well, actually when Zach called.”

“True.”

They followed the crowd and took a seat in a pew at the back.

Ironically, the sermon was about forgiveness. Something Kristy knew she needed a little extra help with these days. In fact, she felt like there may as well be a spotlight shining directly on her so everyone would know who needed this sermon the most. She promised herself she would study up on forgiveness this week.

After the closing prayer, they made their way to the foyer.

“I need to go to the kitchen to pick up a casserole dish of mine.” Nancy held out her purse and bible. “Will you wait on me here?”

Kristy took her things. “Sure.”

As she sat on a bench outside the sanctuary, she heard someone call her name.

Startled, she looked up into Robert's green eyes.

“Mind if I sit here?” He gave her a tentative grin.

She shrugged. “Sure.”

He sat down and regarded her intently. “Look, Kristy. I came here today hoping you'd be here. I want to apologize again for my brother. If I'd known you were expecting me, I would've been there with bells on.”

“It's fine. Don't worry about it.”

“And there's something you should know. When I came out to the park the other day, it was actually with the intention of asking you to dinner. I had no idea my brother had beaten me to it.”

It took a few seconds for her to digest the information. “I'm sure Zach didn't mean any harm.” she decided it would be best to brush off his other comment.

“I was thinking.” Robert looked uncomfortable. “Do you have lunch plans?”

Before she could tell him she'd already made plans to go to lunch with her mother, Nancy breezed over, casserole dish in hand.

“Hello, Robert.” she was all smiles as he graciously stood to greet her. “Kristy, I'm not going to be able to have lunch with you after all. I've got to go to the grocery store and make a casserole before tonight. Joy Shupp has been sick with the flu, and I'm supposed to take supper to her family.”

before Kristy could blink, Nancy had grabbed her bible and purse from the bench, said good-bye, and exited the building. Suddenly, she was very aware that Robert was watching her, waiting for an answer to his lunch invitation.

“Well. I guess I'm free for lunch after all.” no way out of it.

“Great.” He smiled again.

He ushered her out to his car. A Honda Accord. Practical. Safe. Kind of like her impression of him. There were worse things to be than practical and safe. Number twenty-two on the anti-Mark list:
He wanted a motorcycle even though I was terrified of them.

“Anywhere in particular you'd like to go?” Robert asked as they left the church parking lot.

“Hagy's is my favorite place around here.”

Robert glanced at the clock on the car radio. “We're getting a bit of a late start to go there. It'll be packed on a Sunday. How about we go for pizza? There's a great buffet place right near here.”

“That's great with me. Pizza sounds yummy.” Truthfully, Kristy hated the thought of eating buffet food. She always thought about all the people who'd breathed on the food she was about to eat. That little plastic germ guard didn't fool her. She was sure the germs would find a way through somehow.

Kristy tried to think of something to talk about. Nothing was worse than an uncomfortable silence. They passed Uptown, a restaurant on Savannah's main drag.

“Have you ever eaten at Uptown?” she asked.

“Only a couple of times. It was good.”

“I go there a lot for lunch. It's such a neat atmosphere.”

“Maybe we can go there sometime.”

“Maybe.”
Slow down, buddy. Let's just see how today goes first.

At the pizza place, she cringed at the crowded parking. They may as well have gone to Hagy's. It looked like they might be in for a wait, which meant more awkward conversation. Sure enough, the hostess said it would be at least ten minutes.

She followed Robert to a vacant bench outside the restaurant.

“So.” Robert looked over at her inquisitively. “Do you enjoy being a park ranger?”

“Yeah. I've always loved history, and I grew up here, so I've always had a soft spot for Shiloh as well. Plus, it's a beautiful place to live.”

He nodded. “It is. I'm glad Mom and Zach moved to the area. I think it's good for him to live in a rural area. Keeps him out of trouble.” He glanced at her and apparently remembered the prank call. His face reddened. “Or, at least, too much trouble.”

“I'm over it, Robert.”

He looked doubtful.

“I mean it. Chalk my generosity of spirit up to a good sermon about forgiveness, but your brother has a clean slate with me.” Kristy didn't dwell on how much easier it was to forgive an adolescent prank than other, more serious matters. She smiled at him. “How about you? My mom said you're an accountant?”

He grinned. “Sounds boring, doesn't it? I've always been a numbers guy. I was an accounting and finance major. Believe it or not, there's a lot of satisfaction when the numbers all come out right.”

She'd sensed that about him. He seemed like the kind of guy who liked things balanced.

“How do you feel about motorcycles?” she could see he was taken aback by the question.

“I feel like you'd have to be a little reckless to drive one. And I'd be worried about the insurance.”

Good answer, Robert. Score one for you.

“Aaron, party of two.” The announcement over the loudspeaker saved her from having to explain her random inquiry.

They followed the hostess to their table, greeting several families from church along the way.

“I guess this is the place to be on a Sunday afternoon.” Robert pulled her seat out for her, and she slid into the chair. “It's one of them at least.”

“Do you know what you want, or do you need a minute?” the waitress asked.

Robert looked at her inquisitively, and she nodded.

“I think we're ready,” he said. “I believe we both want the buffet.” He sent Kristy an inquiring look.

“Um, actually, I think I'll just have a personal pizza.” she didn't want to tell him that she hated buffets. “I love the crust on those.”

“What topping?” the waitress asked, clearly put off that someone didn't want the buffet.

“Pineapple.”

Robert gave her a questioning gaze.

“You can go on to the buffet,” the waitress told Robert. “And your personal pineapple will be out in a minute.” she turned on her heel and walked into the kitchen.

“I'll wait until your pizza comes,” Robert said. “I didn't realize you wouldn't want the buffet, or I wouldn't have suggested this place.”

“It's fine. Their personal pizzas are yummy.”

The sudden silence at the table was too much for Kristy. “So you live in Jackson?”
Aargh.
She hated first dates. And in spite of her internal protests, this was definitely a date.

Robert didn't seem to mind the predictable question. “I moved to Jackson after college and have been there ever since. It's grown a lot these past couple of years, but I think it still has sort of a small-town feel.”

Kristy nodded. “I usually drive over there every week or so, for shopping and groceries.” Jackson was about an hour away. “I have several friends who live near there, too.”

“It's a good place to be. I'm happy there.” He cleared his throat. “I'm house hunting, as a matter of fact.”

“That's very exciting.”

“It's a little daunting, actually. There are so many options, and it's such a big decision.”

“Yeah. I know exactly what you mean.” When she and Mark had first started looking at houses together, she'd thought they'd never agree on one.

“Do you plan on putting down roots here?” he asked.

She hated to explain about her recent demotion. And although his mother had probably filled him in on her getting left at the altar, she had no desire to share personal information. “Maybe. We'll see. For now, I'm content with park housing. I'm close to work and it's not too expensive.”

The waitress arrived with her pizza and their drinks before she could exercise any more of her rusty social skills.

Robert stood. “I'll be right back.” He strode toward the crowded buffet bar and began loading his plate.

He grinned a moment later as he sat down. There were several different types of pizza on his plate. “You know, the only thing about buffets is knowing how many people have breathed on your food.” He picked up a slice of pepperoni pizza and bit into it.

At least Kristy could see that they did have a few things in common. And unlike her, Robert seemed very relaxed. He appeared to be the kind of guy who didn't get wound up too easily. Kind of even-keeled. She was relieved when he kept the conversation going. Not lively chatter, but a steady stream of getting-to-know-you talk. The biggest surprise was that she soon found herself having fun. And although Kristy would never tell her, maybe her mother had been right after all.