Remember the Night: a Heroes of the Night military romance novel (19 page)

Never again. One glass of wine, either at the end of a trying day or at a social function to give her hands something to do as she mingled with colleagues or guests, had always been her max. Drinking more than that impaired her judgment and explained why she had called and ordered dinner for two from La Rosa's Italian Restaurant. The never-ending pile of work kept her attention longer than she'd planned, which meant no time for cooking the dinner she'd set up with Cody.

At least one of the senior partners had witnessed her slaving away in the office on a Sunday. That had to help her standing, right? Irritation shot through her veins. Why was working on a universally accepted day of rest necessary to impress the powers that be? All work and no play, not a good combination for anyone, success-driven or not. Belatedly, she wondered if her mother ever played. The stress didn't seem to get to her. What was her secret, and more importantly, why hadn't she ever shared it with her?

"Here's your order, ma'am. We put two complimentary slices of cheesecake in because you had to wait."

Their gesture should've appeased her, but aggravation at the direction of her thoughts kept her from voicing her appreciation. "Do you have creamer?"

"Ma'am?"

She'd noticed Cody's coffee wasn't the same dark color of hers when they shared the beverage. He liked cream in his coffee, and she wanted to make this perfect for him.
Something in my life should be perfect.
"White liquid you put in coffee?"

The flicker of embarrassment on the young woman's face sent the guilt mask trudging in from the dressing room of her mind. No doubt, tired of being called into service so much lately.

"Of course, ma'am. I'm sorry." The girl's hands trembled as they dropped the small containers into the carryout bags.

Evelyn released a long breath. She had to get a grip. "No, I'm sorry. The creamer request didn't make any sense without an order of coffee. I realized my friend enjoys coffee with cream, and I don't have any at my house." She handed the girl a twenty from her purse as a tip and to confirm how sorry she was for her tone.

The gesture earned her a tentative smile. "Thank you, ma'am. Enjoy your dinner."

Truthfully, she wasn't even hungry, but maybe Cody's presence would settle her jumbled nerves.
Usually he's responsible for the opposite effect.
A small smile at the thought of the ways Cody distracted her from her problems gave the guilt mask a much needed break.

Once at home, she sent a quick text to the boys, letting them know she'd see them at eight and that she loved them. Then, in a never-before move, she selected the
Do Not Disturb
setting on her phone. No interruptions from family, work, or anyone else trying to rob her of the little slice of happiness she'd found in the ruins of her life.

The table was set, food warming in the oven, wine poured, and last minute freshening up completed. All done with two minutes to spare. A couple slow breaths in and out helped center her and calm the nervous energy coursing through her body. Truth be told, she loved that feeling—similar to waiting at the top of the roller coaster for the telltale clink that would send you plummeting down the first big hill and into a series of twists and thrilling turns, leaving you breathless and begging for more. That was what Cody did to her.

She allowed herself to remember some of those first thrilling turns and twists. Though the reality of their situation was less than ideal, they'd been good together. So good. Warm tingles of pleasure radiated throughout her body, pulsing and centering deep within her core, causing her to yearn for his arrival. Maybe they'd skip the food, just as they had in India, and go straight for dessert.

Speaking of his arrival, she glanced at her watch. Six fifteen. A multitude of negative emotions swirled and replaced the tingling. It wasn't like him to be late. Not as far as she knew anyway. Grabbing the phone off the counter, the list of missed calls was filled with his name and number. Pressing the callback option, she willed her heart to slow, praying he was okay. If he survived all the evils of war only to be hurt at home…

"Evelyn, thank God. I've been trying to reach you. I thought you and your phone were connected at the hip! Why didn't you answer?"

Wave after wave of relief bathed the negative emotions in reassurance. He was okay.
Why isn't he here then?
"I put my phone on do not disturb as I had a hot date tonight and didn't want to be interrupted. Speaking of my hot date…where are you?" She fought hard to keep any trace of irritation out of her voice. She didn't want to argue. Not tonight. Not anymore, really, except in the course of her job.

"On my way to Wisconsin. I'm so sorry. It's my dad."

Thoughts of her father and how she'd react if anything happened to him minimized her potential irritation to zero. "What's wrong?"

"Chest pains. They called an ambulance, and I'm headed to the hospital. That's all I know."

"Your sister?"

"Must be in the hospital with a crappy signal, or she has her phone turned off out of respect for the rules. That's how she rolls. I'm sure she'll call as soon as she knows something definitive."

"I'm so sorry." And she was, for more than one reason. "I even got creamer for you to have with your coffee." She smiled at the confession. He'd reduced her to a love-sick teenager wanting to impress and please him.

"Do not disturb and creamer. I truly am a lucky man. Lucky and so sorry I'm going to miss dinner. I bet you look beautiful."

Thoughts of the matching black lace under her silk blouse and skirt heated her face. "I am matching."

"Damn. Now I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you, promise."

"Go be with your family. Please keep me posted." A stray rational thought surfaced. "When you have a minute, if you remember, email me the name of the opposing counsel in your case. I'll text you my address. I'm going to try to make this go away for your family before Wednesday."

"You're the best, Ev. I'll get it to you later tonight, barring any turn for the worse. Either way, I'll call as soon as I know something."

"Drive safe, Soldier."
I need you to come home to me again.

"Mom, we're home!" Michael called out as he and Jason made their noisy entrance into the house. Their overnight bags were dropped by the door, and Evelyn bit her tongue to prevent her first words from coming out as fussing.

Instead, she walked over and pulled them both in a hug. "I missed you. You have a good time at your dad's?"

"It was boring. Dad had some big project he had to finish up so we spent most of the weekend watching movies and eating junk food." Michael crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"I know!" Jason chimed in. "He wouldn't even play a game with us."

Evelyn hugged them tighter and knew she needed to do some damage control, especially with her older son. She knew what would make Jason feel better. "Brave knight, will you take all of your things upstairs to your rooms and grab a quick shower while I talk to your brother? When you're done, you can pick a board game and we'll all play. Sound good?"

"Yay! Thanks, Mommy. I'll even wash behind my ears."

Evelyn smiled and watched as he grabbed the bags and darted upstairs. Returning her attention to Michael, she moved to the couch and patted the cushion next to her. "Can we talk?"

He plopped down, a little farther away than she'd indicated and crossed his arms. "I know. I'm being selfish. I need to grow up and understand adults have responsibilities."

She shook her head. "Nope, not even close to what I was going to say."

He turned abruptly toward her, and she fought to not smile as his bangs fell across his eyes. Teen hairstyles these days. "What were you going to say then?"

"I was going to say that I'm sorry. I know all of this transition has been hard on both you and your brother, especially you. Our relationship has been strained, and we both have been difficult to be around, wouldn't you agree?"

She detected a slight softening of his features. "Maybe."

"I've always been very focused on work, but I hope you know how much I love you and your brother. The divorce has shown me I need to redefine my priorities. I need you to work with me, not against me. If I promise to work on my challenges, will you stop fighting me every step of the way?"

He grinned, and his blue eyes lightened. "I dunno. Arguing is in my blood."

She laughed. "That it is, and I don't mind a good debate, but maybe we can schedule some topics for debate instead of arguing over every little thing? I have no problem helping you hone your skills. You'll make a fine attorney someday." She couldn't, didn't, want to contain the pride in her voice.

"Judge, I'm going to be a judge."

She pulled him into a big hug. "Damn straight, you are." She separated enough to look into his handsome, young face. "We good?"

"Yeah. We're good."

"Great, now get your stuff together, and let's get game night started.

*   *   *

"Hey, sweetheart, sorry to call so late." The truth, but the bigger truth was that Cody needed to hear the sound of her voice.

"No, it's okay. I'm glad you called. I wasn't sleeping well anyway, worrying about you and your family. How's your dad?" Evelyn's voice, thick with sleep, stirred a longing deep inside of him to be snuggled against her body, listening to her tell him about her day…about anything really.

"Mild heart attack. He has some serious blockage in a couple of the arteries leading to his heart. They're going to put some stents in tomorrow morning to alleviate the pressure. He's resting comfortably right now."

"I'm so glad it wasn't worse. I know it's not great, but…"

His heart ached, literally, in sympathy for his pop. The pressure of running the farm had finally caught up to him. "But it's so much better than it could have been."

"Yes."

"How are the boys? You have a good evening with them?" He knew he should let her get some sleep, but talking to her made him feel better. She'd once said she didn't sleep much, so this should be the norm for her, right?

"The boys are good. Michael asked about you tonight. I told him I had helped his aunt and uncle pack yesterday, and he asked if you were there. I think you've made a friend for life with him when you convinced me to let him go on the Jet Ski."

The chuckle in her voice warmed him to the very core. "He's a good kid. Be patient with him. He'll adjust to his new situation and realize how awesome his mom is again soon."

"You don't expect me to buy that line, do you? We did have a good talk tonight, though, so I have hope."

"Okay, once he gets out of the awkward teen years. It will happen, though."

"I want to believe you."

"Just keep loving him and being consistent. Whether he ever says it or not, he wants and needs that."

"Sounds like the voice of experience talking."

This time he chuckled. "Both my mom and I survived my teenage angst and rebellion. You and Michael have some extra challenges, but I have faith in you as a mom and him as a kid."

"Thanks for saying that. I need to be reminded of that from time to time, especially when times are tough."

The sincerity in her voice called to every protective instinct in his body. She didn't want anyone taking care of her—didn't
need
someone taking care of her. But damn it all to hell, he still wanted to be the one she leaned on when she needed reassurance. "Anytime." Ugh! All of these sentimental thoughts running around in his head, and he chose that moment to swing and miss at the easy pitch she'd tossed him. Strike one. "I sent the email with the name of the opposing counsel."

"Great, thank you. I'll work on that in the morning. Hopefully, by the time you've called with news about your dad, I'll have news about the case. I just wish…"

She might be complicated, but he knew he'd sent her into full attorney mode. The sweet, sentimental exchange ended. Maybe someday he'd learn to make the adjustment as quickly as she did. If you loved someone, you had to take the good with the not so good.
Love?
Yes, no denying it. No admitting it to anyone right now either, but good to know where he stood. "You wish we could understand how they got the image in the first place, don't you?"

"Sorry. An unanswered question is like a thorn in my side. Makes it hard to concentrate on much else."

"Tell me what you're wearing." He enjoyed imagining the look on her face.
That's right, sweetheart. Two can play the quick change game.

"What does that have to do with the case?"

He laughed, a pleasant diversion from the seriousness of his life right now. "Not a damn thing. Thinking about you in that big ol' bed of yours might get my mind off my current problems and help me focus on the answer you need."

Nervous laughter skimmed across their connection. "I'm better at that kind of thing in person. How about if I ask you some questions?"

"An interrogation?" Though he wanted to keep talking to her, being drilled by someone who did that kind of thing for a living wasn't how he wanted to finish what had already been a very, very long day.

"No, more of a deposition—a way to help you think about the case while not really thinking about it. Maybe you'll say something that will help me figure this out. We can stop if you get too tired."

The comforting tones of her voice caressed his mind and put him at ease. He smiled. She really was good at her job. "I'm willing to give it a try. Ask away, Counselor."

"When did you first start sketching?"

Cody kicked back in the comfortable recliner at his parents' home. He still loved the family home, even though he'd chosen a life away from the business. With the situation with his dad and his health, that choice would need to be reconsidered. He couldn't leave his mom and sister to handle the farm on their own. He'd figure out how to manage both the farm and pursue a career in creative design. "I drew pictures that Mom put on the fridge just like every other kid. When I hit middle school, though, an art teacher saw something in me and pushed me to hone my skill."

"When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in graphic design?" Evelyn's voice was more alert and attentive now, the husky timbre of sleep vanished without a trace.

"You're wide awake now, aren't you?" he teased, closing his eyes and imagining her sitting up in bed, clad in nothing but black lace.

"I am and eagerly awaiting your answer. Besides a break in the case, I'm learning about you. That excites me."

Well shit, how could he argue with that logic? "You know how to make a guy feel good, that's for damn sure. All right, the answer to your question is the start of my senior year of high school. I spent every spare moment sketching. The escape it gave me from the never-ending chores of life on the farm was a powerful drug. I designed logos for the different clubs at the school and gained a little popularity with my talent. Figured if people would pay me to do something I loved, no sense in doing anything else, right?"

"Right! I understand the validation you mentioned. Being recognized for your work, especially if it's something you love, is the icing on the cake."

Thoughts of licking icing from Evelyn's curves added a cold shower to his to-do list before bed. "No more mention of icing, whipped cream, or anything else that would taste good covering your skin. Deal?"

"Sorry…"

He could almost feel the heat from her face even though miles of real estate separated them.

"No need to be sorry. I'm missing you a lot right now and can't do a damn thing about it. I wish you were here." It was the truth. Having Evelyn beside him through the good times and bad would be the missing puzzle piece in his life. He'd thought Natasha would be the one to be by his side, but…

"I wish I could be too."

"Natasha."

"What? Cody, are you all right? This is Evelyn…remember?"

If he weren't bursting with realization and excitement over remembering this detail, he would laugh at her confusion. "I'm fine—great even. I think I know how to pull the thorn out of your side."

"Tell me!"

"I briefly mentioned her before, but I think I've put it all together now. Before I left for the service, I invited her over to my parent's home." He stopped short before finishing the confession. Saying it out loud reminded him what a fool he'd been. Why he hadn't mentioned more details before.

"Okay…"

His brain fired on all cylinders in an attempt to find a way to tell Evelyn this story without making him look like a complete loser.

"Cody?"

He had nothing. Not a damn thing to salvage his screw-up.

"Wait. I remember. You dated her, right?"

"Yes." In less than a minute or so, Evelyn would figure how much of an idiot he'd been. Not a detail he looked forward to.

"You worked together. She…"

He sighed into the phone. "She was my boss. Before you say anything, I plead being young and stupid." Wanting to salvage the moment, he added, "Now that I'm older, my choices in women are far better. I prefer attorneys."

"Attorneys make better lovers."

The tease in her voice eased his distress momentarily. "Hell yeah, they do! The best I've ever had, no question."

"Imagine if we ever got to spend more than one night together."

Her statement sobered him immediately. She threw another pitch, and he wanted to take a swing at it. Wanted to, but didn't. Thoughts of his mistakes with jumping in too quickly with Natasha kept his bat steady and unmoving. Strike two.

"Okay then, moving on."

"Sorry, Ev. This thing with Natasha has me off my game. You know I think about you all the time and spending time with you is always high on my list." Not a full swing, but at least an attempt.

"No problem. I'm guessing you were in love with her?"

He rubbed his forehead, the strain of the day now weighing heavily on his forehead. "I thought I was."

"You showed her the sketches you drew after you left ADM, didn't you?"

"Yes. She'd always been very appreciative of my work. I wanted to see the gleam in her eyes one last time before I left." Such a sucker.

"Was she ever alone in the house?"

His mind drifted back to that night, only two days before he had to report for duty and deployment to Afghanistan. He'd only left her side—once—and only for a few minutes. "Yes. I excused myself to go to the bathroom, and she asked me to get her something to drink when I returned. Less than five minutes in total."

"More than enough time to snap a high quality picture of the image and sell it to her client."

Unbelievable. Not only did she use him, but she also took advantage of him on more levels than he could count. "I hope your side feels better now that the thorn is out 'cause I'm pretty sure the damn thing is lodged in my forehead and giving me one hell of a headache."

"I'm sorry. Really, I am, but this has been very helpful. I'm thinking after I talk to opposing counsel, this is all going to go away."

"Great." It was great news, but rehashing this memory sucked. Already painful to begin with, and now with this newest discovery, he worried someone might revoke his man card. He prayed it wasn't Evelyn.