A Miracle for the Reserved Flyboy (Love in Sweet Bloom #11)

Chapter 9

KRISTA

Walking up to the front door of the house, she was frustrated to see that the porch light was off and the Christmas lights were still unplugged. This meant she would be fumbling around with her key in the dark – and even more frustrating, it matched her mood. She was bummed, felt hopeless, and had no idea how to convey the feelings within her when she could barely sort them out herself. Gary was leaving and if it was truly love, then she was going to be alone for an indeterminate amount of time. And it was completely insane to be thinking of all of this because she had yet to even see how he felt, if he was even interested. There was a good reason the man had reached his mid-thirties without any kids, a wife, or prospects. Was she putting all of her proverbial eggs in a basket that had no intention of becoming a basket… and while she never thought about it before, were her ‘eggs’ now the possibility of babies?

“Oh gosh,” she whispered, feeling it like a punch in the gut. “Is this what baby fever feels like?”

Every time her mother brought it up, Krista had brushed it off. She had no prospects, no leads, no one looked at her like a potential mate because she was always ‘the matchmaker’ who was pairing up people – and with several weddings under her belt, she was successful at it. But now, for the first time ever, she was wishing, hoping, dreaming of a future that other women fantasized about and it was a little alarming.

She had her career, a life, and had been saving for a home. She was proud of the fact that she didn’t need a man in her life – or hadn’t until now. Now that his departure was looming on the horizon, she really wanted to keep in touch with Gary to see if anything was there for him, too.

Kneeling in the darkness of the front porch, she felt around and grabbed the plug. Patting her hand across the brick, she finally touched the metal insulated plug covers and opened it, inserting the plug. The soft Christmas lights immediately shone, illuminating the space, and she sighed, already feeling lighter. When she had a home someday, she wanted to put them up every year just to cast this glow that felt so welcoming.

Rising to her feet, she heard the front door open and nearly sighed. She was home, and things were safe. This is where she felt loved and comforted… a place to recharge. She would eat, take a second to breathe, sort her thoughts, and then track down Gary. He was staying with Cajun, so it shouldn’t be too hard to do, but then again, he mentioned he had ‘things to do’ before leaving – whatever that meant.

“Hi baby,” her mother began, smiling at her. “I’m glad you are home. I was worried about you.”

“Rough day,” Krista said quietly, nodding. “I finally got the stage set up, and it looks great.” Walking past her mom, she dropped her keys on the entryway table like usual and hung her purse on the hall tree near the door, removing her coat. “I think it will hold up unless we get some freak snowstorm like two years ago.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

“Something smells good…” Krista began, turning, and her words died in her throat as Gary, who was sitting at the table with her father, rose to his feet. He stood there, looking at her, his dark eyes luminous as he waited.

“We’ve got company,” her mother offered behind her in a hushed voice.

“I see that.”

“Hello,” Gary began and hesitated. “Could we talk for a moment?”

And to her shock, her father patted Gary on the shoulder like they had known each other for years, whispering something to him.

“What is going on?”

“We’ll be just a few minutes if you want to go ahead and make your plates,” Gary began, walking over to Krista and taking her hand in his, pulling her back toward the front door silently.

“What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” he replied again, opening the front door and pulling her outside with him. She followed easily, not fighting at all but a little dismayed because she wasn’t going to get the chance to put her thoughts together after all.

“I agree,” she blurted out. “I’m so sorry that I forced this whole dating thing on you and…”

“Krista, we need to talk about more than just those… things.”

Hesitating, she waited as they stood there in the warm glow that flickered with the chasing lights and glinting light strands that her parents used. They loved Christmas almost as much as she did, so when they decorated – they used anything and everything. The front porch had four strands of lights on it, and none of them matched. It was like their thought was, ‘put all the lights up, and it will work out somehow’ which was practically her motto in life so far – until now.

Now she wanted details, a plan, a methodical process to move forward – with him.

Gary.

They stood there in the glow, looking at each other, with him holding her hands, yet neither said a word. They were there for at least four or five awkward moments before she finally spoke.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Oh,” he started nervously, blushing and smiling, before he chuckled… and it was endearing at just how shy he really could be sometimes. How had he made it through those two blind dates without running? She mused as she smiled at his sweet expression. “Um, well, the first date was truly awful, and I didn’t want to tell you.”

“You should have,” she pressed softly. “How am I supposed to make you happy if you don’t tell me…”

“That woman is a predator,” he hissed under his breath, his expression growing alarmed. “She’s… really touchy-feely.”

“She touched you?” Krista gaped, horrified, as she stood there looking at his mortified face. “Like touched you?”

“She kept putting her foot in my lap suggestively, and when she tried to kiss me…”

“I’ll kill her,” she hissed angrily, seeing red for the first time in her life… only to hear Gary’s chuckle as he unexpectedly pulled her close, hugging her.

The man was hugging her!

His warm arms felt like home and turned that raging tiger into a small kitten, letting out a little mewl as he whispered against her hair.

“I handled it, and she won’t bother either of us again,” he assured her, his breath warm and welcoming in the chilly air – yet he didn’t let her go. “The second date…”

“I’m sorry,” she interrupted.

“Was more of what I needed,” he continued, and she froze, withdrawing immediately from him only slightly as he hung on tight. She met his eyes, and something made her hesitate. “We talked about you.”

“What?”

“Margie was trying to make her ex-boyfriend jealous and wasn’t interested in me at all – which worked out perfectly because I wasn’t interested in her. We talked about you, my job, the play, your family…”

“Ohhh,” she interrupted as it clicked in her mind. “That’s how you knew where to find my parents’ house.”

“Margie.”

“I see.”

“I wanted to meet them, talk to them, and…”

“Talk to them? Why?”

“Because I want to date their daughter,” he whispered softly, holding her eyes, and it took her a second to grasp what he was saying. Mutely, she raised a hand, pointing a finger at herself, as he smiled. Silently, he pointed at himself and then pointed at her before whispering again. “A couple.”

“Us?”

“Yes.”

“You want us to be a couple?” she breathed, stunned and amazed at this unexpected twist.

“Would it be so bad?” he hesitated, looking at her. “I think you are incredible, and I know I’ve got to go back to Afghanistan, but I thought maybe we could keep in touch, and I could come back.”

“You want to come back… to me?” she repeated, tears stinging her eyes.

“I want to always come back to you… if you’ll have me?”

Those quiet words hung in the air between them as something changed. Neither looked away from the other, and no words were needed as suddenly they were leaning toward each other where they stood closely beneath the Christmas lights.

Gary’s hand rested on her hip while the other moved to her lower back, pulling her closer to him as her hands moved to encircle his shoulders effortlessly like she had always done so. His hug, holding her in his arms, felt so natural, but as his lips got closer to hers, she felt him pause. She could smell the coffee, pine, and something else that was just him, clean and soapy.

“It’s not going to be easy for a little while, but don’t give up on me,” he whispered, his voice a soft, vulnerable plea, each word carrying the weight of his heart. “I’m leaving my heart here, so please… don’t break it.”

A surge of warmth spread through her as she looked into his eyes, dark and full of unsaid promises, of quiet devotion and longing. She felt herself drawn to him, like an unbreakable pull, and her fingers instinctively clutched onto him as if he were the only anchor in a world that was spinning too fast. “I won’t,” she murmured, her voice barely more than a breath, heavy with all the feelings she couldn’t yet find words for.

He moved closer, his lips hovering just above hers, and she could feel his breath, warm and tinged with the scent of coffee and pine, brushing against her skin. Time seemed to slow as his lips gently brushed hers, the tentative, tender touch sparking a fire within her that she’d barely known existed. In that single, delicate moment, something inside her surrendered completely.

Then, as though something within him shifted, his kiss deepened. Gone was the hesitation, replaced by a fierce, unrestrained passion that she’d only dreamed of but had never dared hope to find for herself. His arms wrapped around her with a certainty that claimed her, pulling her close until there was no space left between them. Every fiber of her being melted into him, savoring the sensation of being held, cherished, and wanted with an intensity that seemed to fill every inch of her heart.

In that kiss, her reserved, soft-spoken man transformed, unleashing a side of himself that sent shivers of awareness down her spine, making her toes curl in delight. He kissed her not just with passion but with a fierce tenderness, with an unspoken promise of everything he would be for her. She could feel the depth of his love, the kind that would hold her close through storms and silence, that would support her dreams, cherish her heart, and be her strength when she faltered.

But there was more, something hidden beneath his calm exterior, a fire she hadn’t expected. A secret assurance flickered to life in her mind—a deep-rooted certainty that this man would love her in ways she’d never dared to imagine, a man capable of being gentle yet fierce, supportive yet undeniably intense. He would be the best partner, the kind of friend who would stand by her side through life’s ups and downs, a devoted father with a tender heart. But behind that, she could feel a raw power in him, an untamed passion that would make him utterly captivating, exhilarating, and unpredictable when they were truly alone.

The realization hit her so suddenly that a soft, breathless sound escaped her lips, breaking their kiss.

He chuckled, his breath brushing warmly against her lips, his voice soft and teasing. “What was that?”

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, fingers threading through his hair. She was undone by the happiness bubbling up within her, so pure and wild it felt as if her heart might burst. “Happiness,” she whispered, grinning. “Kiss me again.”

A smile tugged at his lips, his gaze never leaving hers as he whispered, “Yes, ma’am,” before leaning in, capturing her in a kiss once again that felt like coming home.

A few minutes later, they slipped back inside the house, hands still intertwined, as if the cold outside had sealed something between them. Krista couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips, and every time she glanced sideways at Gary, she found him stealing glances right back, his face softened with a look she’d never quite seen before. She felt her cheeks flush, warmth spreading through her in the most unexpected way.

As they stepped fully into the glow of the dining room, Krista’s mother looked up from setting the table. One glance at them holding hands and her mother’s eyes widened slightly before a knowing smile spread across her face. Her father, who had been waiting by his seat, caught sight of Gary and stood, crossing his arms with a playful but pointed look, finger raised in mock warning.

"We talked about this," her father began in a deep, fatherly tone that left little room for interpretation.

"Yes, sir," Gary replied, his voice steady and respectful, but his eyes sparkled with a subtle hint of humor as he held her father’s gaze.

Her dad leaned forward, still smirking, and said, "As long as you remember."

Gary nodded, meeting the challenge. “I won’t forget.”

Krista blinked, glancing between the two of them. “Forget what?” she asked, her brow furrowing with curiosity. But before she could pry further, her mother bustled over, drawing attention to the steaming tureen of pot roast she placed at the center of the table.

“Are you ready to eat?” her mother interjected, lifting the lid with a flourish that revealed tender meat surrounded by perfectly roasted vegetables. The rich, savory aroma filled the room, wrapping them in the warmth of family and home.

Gary’s eyes lit up as he took in the meal. "I bet you don’t get food like this overseas," her mother teased with a smile, folding a napkin at his place.

“No, ma’am,” Gary chuckled, his laughter soft and almost shy as he reached to pull Krista’s chair out for her. She took her seat, her heart fluttering at the gentlemanly gesture, feeling a quiet thrill that he’d done this just for her. As he nudged her chair closer to the table, she felt a profound sense of being cherished, of someone who wanted to make her feel special. She caught herself grinning, warmth spreading through her like a balm.

“No one has ever done that for me before,” she murmured shyly, glancing up at him with surprise and gratitude.

Gary met her gaze, his smile just as soft and genuine. “It’s the least I could do. Feels like I should have always been here, holding the chair for you.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and words caught in her throat. He took his own seat beside her, nodding appreciatively as Krista’s mother handed her the serving utensils.

“Kris, would you mind starting?” her mother prompted, a twinkle in her eye.

Caught slightly off guard, Krista picked up the large serving spoon, reaching toward Gary’s plate, only for him to gently place his hand over hers, stopping her. She looked up, surprised, and he leaned closer, his breath brushing her temple as he whispered, “I’ve got it.” He took the spoon from her and, to her amazement, began serving her instead, carefully placing slices of roast and vegetables on her plate, his attention to each detail making her heart ache with a soft kind of joy.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said softly, her voice wavering with a mixture of surprise and delight.

“Neither do you,” he replied, meeting her gaze. “But it’s nice, isn’t it? Knowing that I have someone to take care of.” His voice was a murmur, just for her, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with an earnestness that tugged at her heart. “I don’t expect you to wait on me, Krista.”

“I… I kinda like taking care of you, too,” she admitted, lowering her eyes for a moment, her cheeks warm with the honesty of her confession.

He shook his head slightly as if in disbelief, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You don’t even have to try. Just knowing you’re here is enough.” His words were quiet, but the sincerity in them resonated through her, filling her with a sense of belonging she’d craved but never truly allowed herself to hope for.

From across the table, her mother let out a loud, theatrical sigh, jolting them both from the intimacy of their moment. Gary’s cheeks reddened, his shyness peeking through as they both laughed, breaking the tension. Krista nudged him gently under the table with her knee, sharing a private, knowing smile.

“Later,” she whispered to him, her voice a soft promise that they would continue this conversation, just the two of them. He nodded, eyes gleaming, and for a brief second, they were in their own little world, wrapped in shared understanding.

“Kris, would you like a roll?” her mother asked innocently, breaking the spell.

Krista turned, trying to contain her grin. “I was just about to ask you the same, Gary,” she replied, lifting a roll and handing it to him with a soft laugh.

He took it with a smile, tearing off a piece and placing it on her plate before helping himself. They shared a quiet moment, their hands brushing, as they filled their plates and exchanged glances across the table.

And there, amid the laughter and warmth of her family, Krista realized just how deeply Gary had settled into her heart.

Two hours later, they were sitting in the living room having an easy conversation between all of them – and it was weirdly nice. Krista was sitting on the couch beside Gary, and he was holding her hand, listening politely and adding to the conversation here and there.

“So tell me about your play tomorrow,” Gary asked politely, and she started, looking at her father. He rolled his eyes, sighed, and nodded – and she took that as a ‘yes’ the man was caving in and going to hold firm to his promise to play the mouse king.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she replied gratefully before looking at Gary. “Well, I teach third grade, so it’s going to be a fairly simple version of the Nutcracker play. I’m the mouse queen, and Mama always plays the Sugar Plum Fairy. The kids in my class are split into two groups – we have the party boys and the party girls. Then we have ten little mice, a mouse king, and then the Nutcracker prince.”

“What about all the dancing? The Russian dancers, the Chinese dolls…”

“Oh heavens, I don’t think I could manage a longer version. It’s like nailing Jell-O to a tree as it is trying to organize thirty children for the play,” she admitted, chuckling nervously at his warm smile.

“I’m sure it’s lovely.”

“I’m sure it’s a chopped-up, small-town version,” she retorted easily. “But it will do for the little ones and the families watching. You know, what I found is that it’s not the lines or the structure but rather the feeling that you create,” she admitted dreamily and closed her eyes. “I see the children’s awestruck smiles because they are going to be on a decorated stage. They’re so excited to put on the costumes, and it’s not about their lines. It’s about the memories they’ll never forget.” She opened her eyes and blushed nervously at his steady gaze that was full of emotion as he looked at her. “I probably sound silly.”

“You are a beautiful person – inside and out,” he said softly, brushing his thumb across the back of her hand. “I’m so glad we met.”

“Me too.”