Chapter 24
Three weeks later, Scarlett wore a dark navy dress and flats, unsure of the terrain where they planned to lay Debbie to rest.
Sledge came out of the bedroom and whistled. “You clean up nice, Sassy P. I wish you didn’t have to do it for a funeral. When you returned home a few weeks back, I rubbed my eyes, thinking a supermodel had walked into the wrong cabin. She’s taken your place.”
“Ha, ha. You’re so funny. Samantha gave me a haircut and used her makeup on me a few weeks ago. Then, Ty and I stopped by Doctor Winters’ house to see about the meals for the families.”
“It’s great they remembered them,” Sledge said, getting a drink from the fridge.
“Yesterday, Samantha sent over a bag full of products for me. Kassie planned to deliver them to the cabin this morning before she checked on things at the hospital. When she learned I planned on attending the service, she offered to help with my makeup and hair. Samantha will tutor me tomorrow on how to apply it.”
“It appears you’ve made friends fast. I’m happy for you,” Sledge said, handing her a cup of coffee. “Who sent those fabulous cookies in the kitchen?”
“Ty made them for me. After we spent the day at his ranch, he made these for me. I liked them. He dropped by today to bring me a batch of them,” she informed him.
“Ohhh, you and Ty seem chummy. I swear you work faster than Pudgey on base,” he teased her about one of the other SEALs.
“Don’t even compare him to me. Sleeping with someone you barely know for two minutes isn’t the same as getting a tour and spending the afternoon together. We enjoyed each other’s company and he made lunch,” she defended herself.
“I’ll have to ask Rocker for his opinion. You can’t even see this guy. He’s ugly and has a big nose,” he egged on.
“I saw you and Rocker, and you hurt my eyes so badly I’m blind. Plus, he’s not ugly and his nose fits his face perfectly,” she taunted back.
“Damn, Sassy. You hit me where it hurts. You know, Rocker and I made the team look good. We constantly fought off the barflies. Even if I never married and didn’t have a kid, I don’t understand why a uniform makes women go wild,” Sledge said, disgusted.
“Who wants to sleep with someone who only wants to claim they did it with a military dude or woman? I heard one of those women say she felt sorry for us because we sacrificed our lives and deserved a good lay.”
“You’re cut from a different cloth, Sledge.
I agree with you about the barflies, but it happens to women in the military, too.
A man thinks he has to prove himself and be all dominant to prove he’s tougher than you.
I joined the military to serve my country and excelled at a job most men can’t do.
It doesn’t mean I think he’s weaker because he does a different job. ”
Sledge stood beside her. “You’re right. I bet you got hit on a bunch of times on the base. I know we warned a couple of men who drank a few too many and thought about approaching you.”
“I didn’t know you did that,” she exclaimed.
“We refused to allow some dickhead to assault you. You did a damn good job and we trusted you to bring us in safely,” Sledge growled.
“I appreciate it,” she said, hugging him. “You know I can handle myself.”
“Like you said, some men want to prove how tough they are,” Sledge said, sipping from his cup. “You watched our six when we needed it. We damn sure weren’t letting you down.”
She squeezed his arm. “Thank you.”
“No. There’s no need to say it. Otherwise, we’d be standing here all day,” Sledge said, entering the kitchen. “I’m headed over to the hospital. Some of the teens want to go into town to purchase flowers for the ceremony.”
“How sweet,” Scarlett said, reaching for her purse. “Do you plan on coming?”
“I didn’t know Debbie. I volunteered to supervise the kids in town and help with the reception. It’ll allow some of the veterans who knew her to attend.”
“Your wife’s one lucky woman, Sledge.”
“I know. I keep telling her, but she rolls her eyes and tells me to change the baby’s diaper,” he said, putting dishes in the dishwasher. “I didn’t know kids’ crap as much as they do. I’m doing penance for serving my country. Every time she tells me to change her, the kid has shit up to her ears.”
“Well, we know her father’s full of it. She comes by it naturally,” Scarlett teased.
“Ha ha. Do you want me to take you over to the service? I forgot to ask you,” Sledge asked.
“No. Ty’s picking me up,” she informed him. “He’s making the meal for the reception and attending the funeral. I’ll return with him.”
“All right. I may need to vet this guy. I’m telling you he’s ugly. You can do better,” Sledge taunted.
“Get outta here,” Scarlett said, shaking her head. “Be careful when you go into town. I don’t like Jeremy running around free with those kids. He didn’t have any issues setting a fire with four innocent kids and three seniors. I wish they found enough evidence to put him away.”
“I know. Leo has his team rotating around the town. I imagine he has eyes on Jeremy, too,” Sledge informed her.
“How do you know he ordered his men to surveil the town?” Scarlett paused.
“Because he asked me to join his team. Of course, I have to talk to Kim and I don’t know about relocating…”
“Congratulations, you knucklehead. Why didn’t you mention it earlier?” she gushed.
“It means Kim will have to move farther from her family. Her mom helps with the baby. It’s not fair of me to ask her to move because I like it here,” Sledge said, doubt filled his voice.
“Hey. You’re partners. Sit down and discuss it with her. Maybe if it doesn’t work out, Leo will know another security team closer to your home. You can’t make an important decision without talking to her,” Scarlett advised. “Don’t sell her short.”
“I want my daughter proud of me,” he said quietly. “Medically, I’m not fit enough to stay in the military, but I want to feel like I’m making a difference.”
“You have. Think about what you told me. Rocker and you deterred men from approaching me after too much to drink. You watched my six. It disgusts you to think someone slept with another because of a military uniform. Do you know how many men and women don’t care?
Sledge, you’re an honorable man. I’m proud of you, and I’m sure Kim feels the same way. ”
The knock at the door drew their attention. Sledge opened it and allowed Ty inside.
“Hi, Sledge. I missed meeting your wife when she visited. Hopefully, I’ll be open by the time she returns. Bring her in for a nice meal on me,” Ty greeted him.
Sledge turned back to Scarlett. “Hideous. That’s all I’m saying. Nice to see you again, Ty. I’m watching you. Don’t think a thick cut of meat will sway or distract me from keeping an eye on my battle buddy.”
“Message heard loud and clear,” Ty said as Scarlett reached for Sledge’s arm and punched him.
“Sledge,” she warned. “I’m killing you later.”
“Got your six, Sassy P. Remember, I’m a stand-up guy,” Sledge said cheekily before leaving.
“Don’t mind him. I think his medications haven’t stopped the hallucinations,” she groaned.
Ty moved closer and took her hand. “You’re beautiful. I enjoyed our day yesterday. Do you want to have dinner with me tomorrow?”
“Yes, I do,” she said breathlessly as Ty pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
“I wanted to wait until we returned from the funeral, but if Debbie were here, she’d push me forward and yell, ‘What are you waiting for? Life’s too short.’ I plan to stick to her motto,” Ty murmured.
“I think she’d approve. Whatever you made to honor Debbie smells incredible,” she murmured.
“You have a serious chocolate addiction. I made mousse. Debbie loved it,” he said. “Do you need anything else before we go? It’s a bit chilly higher on the mountain.”
“I’ll grab my coat,” she said, turning toward the hallway. Ice stuck to her side, and she attached his harness when she entered her room.
When she returned, Ty helped her with her sleeves, careful of her burns.
“When did Doc or Kassie check your wounds last?” he asked.
“Kassie did this morning and rewrapped it. It’s healing. The skin feels tight, but she assured me it’s normal,” Scarlett said, while she tapped her cane on the floor. Ty opened the door, allowing them to exit first, then shut and locked it.
The crowd gathered, and from what Ty described, almost the entire town showed up to honor the woman they lost. The minister stepped forward to offer a few comforting words.
“Today, we come to honor our friend, Debbie. When she first arrived with her daughter, Diana, we adopted her family into our community under distressing circumstances. Even in the dark times, she saw the light in her grandchildren. When Michael and Lizzy joined her family, she became a regular at their house. Like a proud grandmother, Debbie enjoyed babysitting and showing pictures of all four of her precious little ones. We know her for all the selfless acts she performed to help our small town. Whether it meant driving a hot meal to a senior who couldn’t make it to the community center or staying late to allow a young family a meal, Debbie showed us the definition of love.
May we always remember to act with kindness and show those less fortunate the same mercy Debbie practiced daily. ”
Michael held Faith while Tyler held his hand. He stepped forward with Lizzy, who carried Beth as Caleb clung to her side.
“We can’t measure the sorrow we feel at losing a member of our family. Debbie became an adoptive mother to me and my wife, a grandmother to all of our children, and a valued member of our town. We hope she finds peace with Diana on this mountain. We love you, Debbie.”
Michael took the urn and scattered her ashes over the wildflowers. The town choir sang her favorite song, and Scarlett heard the people weeping around her. She dabbed at her eyes as Ty pulled her closer, giving her a comforting hug.