Sarah turned in his arms and had her hands resting on his chest, when Ted walked into the kitchen. He cleared his throat, and Sarah and Brody turned to look at him, but did not pull apart.

  “Ted, are you done visiting with Bella already?” Sarah turned to look at him without moving from Brody.

  Ted nodded. “She wanted to go off with the girls to the barn. Maybe he,” pointing at Brody, “needs to go make sure they don’t get hurt.”

  Sarah turned to confront Ted, only Brody grabbed her waist and pulled her tight to him.

  “I got it, Sarah. I’m going to go check on the girls.” Brody leaned down and kissed her cheek and on his way past Ted, he bumped into his shoulder, but didn’t offer any apologies.

  Once Brody was out of the room and Sarah heard the front door close, she said, “How dare you talk to Brody that way. You don’t-”

  “Don’t defend him, Sarah! I don’t want to hear it. He’s here and our son should be here. You seem awfully cozy with the man.”

  “Stop it, Ted! You gave up the right to question me a long time ago, but officially, the day you told me you wanted a divorce. As far as MY son. You have no right to tell me anything about him. I knew him, you didn’t. Brody was his friend. His mentor of sorts. Trent trusted him and he protected him. He felt it was his job to protect his friends, his brothers. That included Brody.”

  “I admit our son was admirable, but how can that man or you, for that matter, want to be with each other? Trent was our son, Sarah. It shouldn’t have been him.”

  Sarah moved into Ted’s face and said, “Don’t wish our loss on someone else. Yes, I wish Trent was here. But he’s not. Had he not acted, there could have been more people who lost their sons, brothers, husbands. Don’t ever wish that pain on anyone else. Who are you? You are not the man I thought you were.”

  Sarah pushed past him, and Ted grabbed her arm, “Where are you going? We have an appointment in ten minutes.”

  Sarah turned, looking at the grip he had on her arm and pulled it free, “I need some air. I’ll be back in for the call. Set it up, Ted.”

  ********

  Ted knew he was just making Sarah angrier, but he didn’t want to see her in the arms of another man. Selfish? Yes. Ted reasoned that he could see her with another man, just not Brody. Not the man who was beside his son and let his son make the ultimate sacrifice. He didn’t think he could stand seeing him in Sarah’s arms.

  Trae walked in while Ted was setting up the video call. “You didn’t have any right to say those things to her.”

  Ted looked up at the man and said, “Butt out. She’s my wife.”

  Trae smiled at him and said, “Ex-wife. You’re here to end it, remember? You gave her up. You turned her away, time and time again. You hurt her, Ted. Trent would’ve hated it. Trent never knew the truth. Sarah told him she didn’t tell you about the pregnancy, that you didn’t know. That she’s the reason he didn’t have a Dad. She took the blame for you, you piece of shit. Don’t shit on her now. She deserves happiness and she’s happy with Brody. He’s a good man and he would’ve traded places with Trent in a heartbeat, no doubt in any of our minds. You think you know her? Then look at her. Really look at her with Brody. You owe her happiness, Ted. Walk away and don’t look back.”

  Before Ted could say anything, Trae left the room, and Ted was left to his own thoughts until Sarah entered the room. She sat down next to him, neither saying a word.

  The video conference went through without a problem, and it was official, Ted and Sarah were no longer Ted and Sarah.

  Sarah stood up with tears in her eyes and went to leave the room. Ted stopped her, “Sarah.””

  Ted stood up and moved to Sarah. He took her and pulled her into his arms and said, “I’m sorry, Sarah. I’m so damn sorry.”

  Sarah pulled back, “Sorry for what, Ted? Sorry for pushing me away? Sorry for making me love you, when you didn’t love me back? Sorry for spoiling our daughter, making her despise me, then telling me you wanted a divorce? What, Ted? What is it exactly you’re sorry for?”

  Sarah pushed away from him and out of the house.

  Ted hung his head and left the room, stopping at the entryway to the living room, finding Rod standing there looking at him.

  “What do I do? I know you all hate me, but I just wanted her to be happy. I just kept hurting her at every turn.”

  Rod shook his head, “We don’t hate you, Ted. We don’t understand who you’ve become, but we still care about you. We just tend to side with Sarah because none of this is on her. This is all you. You wanted this, she only ever wanted you. Now, I think you’ve been slapped with reality. You let the best damn thing in your life slip away, in fact you gave her the push. Now, she’s finding her happiness, her power, and you can’t stand that. I think part of you expected her to fall apart without you.”

  Ted looked angry and Rod wasn’t backing down.

  “What did you want, Ted? What did you expect? She survived when you pushed her away before. Pregnant, alone, and she managed just fine. Was there any doubt that she couldn’t do it again?”

  “I know I’m a bastard. I still love her, regardless of what you all think. I’ll always love her. But she deserves a better life. Better than that guy out there.” Ted pointed outside the house.

  Rod moved up into his face. “Says who? You have no say. No right. Back the fuck off! This is her happiness, something that you gave up on. Spend time with your daughter but stay away from Sarah the rest of your trip here. That’s not a suggestion, that’s a full out warning. I’m still here for you, Ted. You’re my boss, and still my friend, until you hurt her. I don’t want to choose, but I will, and you won’t win. Don’t make any of us choose.”

  Rod pushed past Ted and out of the house. Ted watched his friend leave. He hung his head and, for a moment thought, what am I doing?

  ********

  Sarah smiled as she watched her daughter. The day was beautiful. The sun shined and all their friends were gathered around. Bella was smiling and laughing. That was the best thing she'd seen in a long time. Brody stood off to the side with Trae, talking and watching. His eyes rarely left Sarah and Bella.

  Sarah was happier than she’s been in a long time. She was standing, watching the older girls playing a bean bag game that Brody insisted they buy, and put up for the kids. The younger kids were pretty much running circles around each other and wearing themselves out, thankfully. They certainly were a handful.

  Miranda moved up beside Sarah and said, “He doesn’t stop watching either of you. He doesn’t seem to let Ted bother him, either. I think he’s a catch. Are you going to ask him to come home with you?”

  Sarah smiled at her friend. “I don’t know yet. I want to, but this is his home. His family is here. I don’t know if he’ll want to move.”

  Miranda scowled at her, “Are you thinking about moving here? If you are, I’ll kidnap you. I can’t live without you in Wellsprings.”

  Sarah laughed, “Relax. Wellsprings is my home, but I don’t know. I kind of feel like home is where Brody is.” Sarah shrugged, then continued, “I don’t want to take him from his job, his family, but yet I don’t want to give up my family. You guys are everything to me.”

  Miranda looked at her, hugged her and said, “You guys need to have a serious talk.” When Miranda pulled back, she said, “Soon. Your birthday is in two weeks. I’m planning a huge fiftieth bash. You need to be home for it.”

  Sarah smiled at her friend. “I’ll talk to him. Just not today. I want to concentrate on Bella. It’s her day.”

  Miranda moved away and Ted moved next to Sarah.

  “Can we talk?” Ted didn’t look at her as he said it.

  Sarah turned to look at him, “Why?”

  “Just give me a few minutes, Sarah.”

  Sarah sighed and moved toward the barn with Ted following her.

  Once they were in the barn, away from the group, Sarah said, “What is it now, Ted? What could you possibly want from me?”

  Ted moved closer to her and ran his hand down her arm. Sarah pulled away from him.

  “Don’t, Ted.”

  Ted hung his head. “I don’t know how to do this. I’ve always been with you around these people. I’ve always been the one to wrap my arms around you. I’ve always been the one staring at you, knowing you were going home with me. Now-”

  Sarah, frustrated with him, said, “Now, you see someone else paying attention to me. Making friends with our friends and even earning a place in your daughter’s heart. You see me moving on.”

  Ted looked up at her and said, “Yes. I don’t know what to do with it. I am doing this for you.”

  “Bull-fucking-shit! You’re doing this for you, Ted. Everything about us has always been about you. Your job, your feelings, your life. What about mine, Ted? When is it my turn? When is your concern about my life? My future? The future you choose to push me out of?”

  Ted grabbed her, pulled her to him and kissed her.

  Sarah didn’t react at first. She heard a noise and then pushed Ted from her.

  She didn’t have to look up to know Brody was there.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt. I’ll-” Brody didn’t finish, and he turned leaving the barn.

  Sarah yelled, “Brody, wait!” But he kept going, and Ted grabbed her arm.

  “Sarah-”

  She pulled free of Ted’s grasp, and could only think of one thing, getting to Brody. “No, Ted. This is over. You ended it for your reasons. I’m telling you, it’s over for mine. I’ll always have love in my heart for you, and I’ll always care for you, but you’ve done nothing but hurt me. I need a change. I need a life for me. Good-bye, Ted.”

  She left the barn and looked for Brody but didn’t see him. She looked to Trae who raised a brow at her and motioned his head to the side of the barn. Sarah nodded to him and took off running. Running to save her future.

  ********

  Brody headed to the side of the barn. He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair. “Damn it!”

  Brody stood there for a few minutes trying to calm himself down. He knew Ted coming here could be a problem, but to see him kissing Sarah, it took the air out of his lungs. It hurt. It hurt really bad.

  “Brody!”

  He turned to see Sarah running around the side of the barn.

  He put his hands up to stop her. She came at him anyway. She grabbed his arms and said, “Look at me! Nothing happened! Ted tried to kiss me, but I pushed him away. We’re over. I’m over him. He was jealous. He was having trouble seeing me with someone else. That’s all. It was jealousy. We do not want to be together. He was wrong to kiss me. I want you, Brody. Only you.”

  Brody pulled away from her. “I’m right here, Sarah. I’m working on this farm. I have no house. Nothing to offer you. Just my hard work. Nothing, Sarah. You want me, but where? Are you going to stay here in someone else’s house? Are you going to be satisfied with that? Then, what? What happens when I move on from here?”

  “Brody, I don’t care. I want to be with you. I have a house in Wellsprings.”

  “A house you shared with him!” Brody pointed behind Sarah where she came from. “His memories. His shoes to fill, and what about the memories of Trent? I’ll always be fighting those memories with you. I’ll walk by his room and know he’s not there because I didn’t move faster. I’ll always know that I’m the reason you missed out on watching him growing up, getting married, and having children. Me, Sarah. Me. I can’t compete with those memories.”

  “What do you want from me, Brody? Tell me!” Sarah started crying.

  Brody put his hat back on and turned his head to the side to avert his gaze from her. “I want you to be happy, Sarah. Go back to Wellsprings. You have your family there. You have your house. You don’t need me. Chase your dreams, Phoenix. I’ll get a hotel room tonight. Take my room.”

  Brody turned to face her. He cupped her cheek and said, “Good-bye, Sarah.” Then he pushed himself forward and away from her.

  Sarah crumbled to the ground and cried. She let the tears flow and she couldn’t understand what was happening. Max came around the barn and cursed, “Shit! Rod!”

  Sarah heard the men, but she didn’t look at them. She didn’t talk. She just cried.

  Max held her and said, “I’m sorry, Sarah. I’m sorry I had you come here. I didn’t know. Please stop crying.”

  Rod stood there and watched. There were no words. Nothing he could say. Nothing to do but watch as the woman who deserved happiness, sat in a puddle of her own tears.

  Chapter 25

  Trae watched Brody storm to his truck. Before he could pull out of the driveway, Trae jumped in front of him. Brody stopped the truck and shut it off. Trae didn’t move until Brody got out of the truck.

  “Don’t leave her, man. You don’t want to do this.” Trae said to him as soon as he got out of the truck.

  Brody looked at him and said, “I have to. It’s what’s best for her.”

  “Best for her? Or best for you? Man up, Marine. If you think walking away is going to be easy, then go like a coward. But I thought you were a Marine. I thought you fought for what you believed in. Believe in her.” Trae looked at Brody and put his hand on his shoulder. “Don’t make the mistake Ted did. Don’t walk away from her. Man. The. Fuck. Up.”

  Brody looked up at Trae. “I want to fight for her, but I don’t know how. I have nothing to give her. Nothing. I want to be with her, but I can’t live a life with her where there are two other men living there with us. I want a life where I’m not constantly worried that her ex-husband is going to realize what he lost and come take her from me.”

  Trae shook his head, “Sounds like you just want an easy out. All that shit you just said, is bullshit. Play it over in your head, man. Or can’t you hear yourself because you’ve shoved your head so far up your ass that you can’t hear?”

  Trae walked away and heard him get back in his truck and drive away. “Fuck.”

  ********

  Miranda found Ted after Trae told her what was going on.

  “What did you do?” Miranda was livid.

  Ted backed up from her and said, “Nothing.”

  Miranda didn’t back down. She moved closer, “Bull-fucking-shit! What. Did. You. Do?”

  Ted hung his head, “I kissed her. Brody walked in. Sarah stopped it. Other than that, I don’t know what is going on.”

  Miranda said, “You had better hope we can fix this. You left her. You have no right to come back here and mess with her. She is trying to put her life together, Ted.”

  “I don’t know how to be without her!” Ted shouted at her.

  “Well, figure it the fuck out yourself! You’re a grown ass man. You made this decision, not her. But she’s moving on. She deserves the things that you promised her, and never delivered. She deserves someone to be there. Are you going to be there, Ted? Huh? Are you going to spend more nights at home with her? With your daughter? You are incapable, you selfish pain in the ass. I love you, but right now I do not like you.”

  Miranda moved away from him to the side of the barn where Trae said he thought Sarah was.

  Trae stood next to Ted and said, “It’s not all your fault. Sarah is a good woman. Brody is a good man, but he has demons to face. He loves her, though. He deserves happiness, whether you believe it or not. War changes a man. Watching your friends and brothers die, kills something inside of you. The bonds that you make, are stronger than blood. When I tell you that he suffers because of Trent’s heroism, believe me, he suffers. I’ve been there. I’ve lived that pain and I’ve held men, my brothers in my arms, as they took their last breaths. I would have given anything in that moment to switch places. The thing that Brody will never speak to you, is that-”

  Trae stopped for a moment, closed his eyes, and then began again.

  “The thing he won’t tell you is, he stood there all night. Next to what was left of Trent. He guarded what was left of him until they could get the men there who would take him back home. He stood there all fucking night. Not once, did he leave his side. No man left behind. He stood guard, and believe me when I tell you, there wasn’t a second of that time that he didn’t wish it was him blown all over hell, instead of Trent. The boy he grew to love as his friend, his brother, and the son he never had.”

  On a broken voice, Trae said, “So whatever you think about Brody, maybe you need to think again. Look in the mirror, Ted. Can you say you’re the man that deserves Sarah?”

  Trae walked away and let Ted to his thoughts.

  Before anything else could happen, Ted decided to tell his daughter good-night and head back to his hotel room. He promised Bella he’d stop and say good-bye before he left in the morning.

  ********

  Ted drove through the town and saw Brody’s truck. He didn’t know what he was doing, but he needed to fix this. Ted found an empty bar stool next to Brody.

  Brody turned to look at him and said, “Hell and damnation! What? What could you possibly want?”

  Ted looked at the man and said, “I want to say, thank you.”

  Brody looked at him and said, “Say what now? Are you high?”

  Ted shook his head no. “Just fucking listen, man. I’m sorry I screwed things up for you. It was my fault. My jealousy clouded my judgement and I hurt Sarah again. I can’t love her the way she deserves to be loved. She needs someone better than me.”

  Brody shook his head, “She certainly deserves better than me.”

  Ted ordered a drink, then said, “That’s where you’re wrong. You’ve been there for her since she arrived here. You’ve been here for my daughter, which is more than I can say I’ve been. You were there for our son, too. So, thank you. Thank you for taking care of my family. All of them, better than I ever could.”

  Brody looked at Ted and said, “Now I know you’re high. You blamed me for Trent, now you’re thanking me? It should have been me.”

  Ted looked down at his drink, then turned to face off with Brody, “No. It was always supposed to be Trent. You are almost right where you belong. When you figure it out, go to her. Don’t leave her side and I promise you, I’ll never interfere. I love her, I always will, but I’ll never be what she needs. You, Brody, you will always be who she needs.”

 

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