The Soldier's Bride Read online

  Sterling pushed his way in front of the other men and followed close behind Evelyn. He caught up to her in the dining room, his face pinched with anger. Evelyn touched his hand. “Don’t worry about it. Don’t let them ruin tonight, okay?” She turned and motioned to a table. “Enjoy your meal, boys.”

  Harlan opened his mouth to speak, but Evelyn turned and walked away before she could hear what he was saying.

  “Do you put up with that kind of stuff often?” Sterling spoke through gritted teeth.

  “It’s only happened a few times, and Frank is pretty good to help anyone who visits the bar too frequently to find their way out.”

  “I don’t like the way he looked at you,” Sterling grumbled. “It’s not right.”

  “Don’t worry over me—my mother does enough of that already.”

  Sterling gazed over her shoulder at the three men seated at their table, already searching the room for more females to hassle. “Let’s go practice.”

  Thirty minutes later, Evelyn walked onto the raised platform at the end of the lounge. The applause had just ended from the instrumental piece Sterling had performed, and adrenaline pulsed through her at the sound of expectant silence. She smiled at the group of diners and listened to the clatter of utensils on plates and ice clinking in glasses before Sterling began playing some introductory notes on his guitar.

  She stepped closer to the microphone and licked her lips. The next part would be the hardest. Frank had asked her to tell about the song and how it came to be.

  “They’ll love it even before they hear it when you tell them your husband, a graduate of our own air force base, inspired it,” he had told her. “They’ll love it anyway because it’s beautiful and so are you, but I want you to tell them.”

  She had agreed reluctantly because she knew he had a point. Straightening her shoulders, she gripped the microphone and spoke softly at first to gauge the volume of her voice resounding through the room.

  “My husband gave me a music box right after he graduated from Peterson Air Force Base a couple of years ago. He ended up in Germany, but he didn’t come back.” Evelyn paused when she heard a few sighs and murmurs. “The music box played a tune, one that I’m about to sing to you. It helped get me through some hard times. I wrote some lyrics, and my friend Sterling Dennison will accompany me. I call the song ‘My Angel.’”

  She nodded and Sterling began playing. The lounge at the Silver Lining was charged with a quiet energy, ears perked to hear the first strains of the song from Evelyn Patterson.

  She closed her eyes and sang.

  There’s an angel on my shoulder.

  There’s an angel by my side.

  And he leads me and he guides me

  through the trials in my life.

  Evelyn opened her eyes and squinted to see where her mother and father sat. They had left Danny with a neighbor so they could be here for her debut. She continued.

  There’s an angel by the river,

  where you left me with good-bye.

  There’s an angel, you’re that angel.

  I can feel you in my heart.

  Taking a breath, Evelyn swayed with the music as Sterling brought the tune to life. His fingers moved swiftly over the strings and Evelyn looked out at the crowd.

  And I wonder as I wander

  through the forest that I’ve made,

  full of trees that grow with sorrow

  on the steps that I must take.

  But I cannot understand it,

  life without my angel dear.

  I’ll keep walking through the forest,

  wishing that you were near.

  The few bars before the chorus built on the sweet melody, and Evelyn did her best to ignore the pricking of tears at her eyes as the emotion of the song overtook her.

  Because you’re my angel.

  And I can feel it in my heart.

  Oh my angel, you’re my angel.

  Guide me back into your life.

  Sterling played beautifully, and the music washed over the room as Evelyn sang the last lines.

  I love you, my angel.

  I still need you, my angel.

  I’ll be waiting in this forest.

  I’ll be waiting for you.

  The applause startled Evelyn and she stepped back from the microphone. She noticed several tear-streaked faces in the audience and squeezed her hands together. Sterling stood and nodded toward her and the crowd. “That was perfect,” he whispered.

  Frank walked up and put an arm around her shoulder. The buttons on his shirt strained against the bulk of his stomach, and when he motioned toward Evelyn and the audience, she was afraid the buttons would pop right off.

  “Thank you, Evelyn. Perhaps we could ask Mrs. Patterson to sing for us again next week?” He winked at her when she shook her head. “Think about it,” he murmured. He lifted his hands toward the audience. “Thank you all for coming. We hope you enjoy the rest of the entertainment and try some of the banana cream pie we have on special for tonight.”

  Evelyn’s legs felt weak as she walked to the back. It was over and it hadn’t been quite as bad as she thought it would be. Sterling waited for her just outside the employees’ room and grabbed her hand as soon as he saw her. “I hope you agreed to come back next week.”

  She bit her lip. “I’m thinking about it.”

  Sterling slung his guitar case over his shoulder and clasped her hand. “You were wonderful. They were mesmerized.” He continued to gush over the song as they walked to the front of the lounge. “Frank asked if we could perform for thirty minutes next time. I have a few pieces that I can sing with you. What do you think?”

  “That might be fun,” Evelyn replied. She still didn’t feel like a performer, but the extra income would help her savings plan in a big way, and she could take it week by week.

  Sterling squeezed her hand. “I think it’d be a great opportunity.”

  Evelyn smiled when she saw her parents approaching. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Sterling Dennison. Sterling, these are my parents, Harold and Marie Gifford.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Sterling extended his hand. “You must be proud of your daughter.”

  Harold chuckled. “She’s a lady of many talents. I’m glad to finally meet this musical mechanic we’ve heard so much about.”

  Evelyn could see her scarlet cheeks in the reflection of the mirror behind her parents, and she pressed a hand against her face. “Sterling has quite a few talents of his own. Didn’t you think he played wonderfully?”

  “Yes, that introductory piece you performed was marvelous.” Marie leaned against her husband and smiled at Sterling. “We’d like to invite you over for Sunday dinner.”

  With a wide smile, Sterling said, “I’d like that very much.”

  After wishing Sterling a good night, Evelyn walked the six blocks home with her parents. A new moon hid beside bright stars in the darkened sky, and Evelyn searched out the Big Dipper and located the twinkling lights of Orion’s Belt.

  “Thanks for inviting Sterling to dinner, Mom,” Evelyn said. “I don’t want you to worry, though. He’s just a friend.”

  Marie looked at her daughter and raised her eyebrows. “I’m not worried. I just want you to be happy.”

  Evelyn felt the familiar nervousness tighten her chest. “I’ve got you, Dad, and Danny. I am happy.”

  Marie linked arms with Evelyn and sighed. “I know, dear. It’s all right.”

  ~*~

  “This is delicious, Mrs. Gifford. It’s been too long since I’ve had a good Sunday meal.” Sterling lifted his fork and nodded to Marie.

  “Please, call me Marie. And actually, Evelyn did most of the cooking—the roast is very moist.”

  Evelyn smiled. “We all know where I learned it from.”

  Harold chuckled and Danny banged his spoon against his high chair.

  Sterling ripped off a bit of roll and held it toward Danny, then looked at Evelyn. “May I?”

/>   Danny grabbed the food before she could respond and everyone laughed. He grinned and babbled.

  “He grows up more every day,” Evelyn said. “He’d take a bite out of this roast if I’d let him.”

  Sterling clicked his tongue at Danny. “Poor little guy. Must be torture to watch us eat the good stuff.”

  Evelyn didn’t miss the look Marie gave her with a nod toward Sterling. She shook her head and looked down at her plate. Her stomach danced the jitterbug as she glanced at Sterling. He seemed so at ease with her parents, and Danny kept smiling at him. She’d never seen Sterling act quite so relaxed before.

  Evelyn served a delicious brownie dripping with hot fudge and whipped cream for dessert. Sterling ate two helpings then squeezed Evelyn’s hand. “That’s the best meal I’ve had in too long to remember.”

  “Why don’t you two head on out to the porch swing?” Harold waggled his eyebrows at Sterling.

  Evelyn’s eyes widened, but she stood when Sterling gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

  Danny squealed and Sterling touched his cheek. “May I bring him along?”

  “Of course.” She took a deep breath and tried to ignore her heart skipping in time with the cadence of Sterling’s voice. As he lifted Danny from his high chair, Evelyn found herself holding in a breath, but Danny just smiled and patted Sterling’s arm.

  “I think this little tike’s been sneaking brownies.” Sterling hefted him up and Danny giggled.

  The shield Evelyn had placed around her heart started to disintegrate as she watched Sterling interact with her son. She could no longer ignore the warmth spreading through her chest every time Sterling looked at her.

  They sat on the porch swing and let it sway gently—the February thaw battled the piles of snow, but winter wasn’t ready to hang its head yet. Evelyn rubbed her arms against the bit of iciness she felt in the air. Sterling put his arm around her and allowed Danny to slide down onto the porch where he commenced pounding on a board with a rock.

  “Thank you for dinner and for this.” Sterling looked at her and nodded toward Danny.

  She swallowed the lump rising in her throat and blinked. “I’m glad you could come.”

  He pulled her close and took her hand. “Evelyn, I care for you a lot. But I’ve been unsure of myself when it comes to women.” He hesitated, his thumb caressing the top of her hand. “What I’m trying to say is that I think you’re pretty wonderful—and, well, thanks for giving me a chance.”

  She sensed the emotions he uttered between the words and felt the same fear again. The fear of losing Jim forever if she opened her heart to someone else, as if his memory might break free from her heart’s enclosure and flit away on the retreating winds. She opened her mouth to speak and Danny raised his head and grinned at her, but, no, he was looking past her to Sterling. Her voice caught, and she felt Sterling’s fingers intertwine with hers.

  “Thank you. I think you’re pretty wonderful yourself.” She looked at him and caught the spark of happiness in his eyes, the emerald color captivating her heart.

  “Are you busy tomorrow night?” he asked.

  “Not yet.” Evelyn allowed him to pull her close and she leaned her head against his shoulder and watched her son play at their feet.

  “How about I pick you up at six for dinner? You’re not working tomorrow, right?”

  “I don’t work Mondays. Six sounds great.” Evelyn felt a tingling warmth creeping up her neck, but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. The weight of Sterling’s arm around her was comforting. His closeness and appreciation for her was something she’d missed more than even she had realized.

  She enjoyed a quiet dinner the next night and a tentative closeness with Sterling. Evelyn wondered if Sterling’s heart jumped when she smiled at him the way hers did when he smiled at her, or if his chest felt light with the flutter of butterflies when she squeezed his hand. After that Sterling made time to see Evelyn every day, and she began to feel something in her heart that she hadn’t for a long time.

  The following week she sang again, and this time Sterling sang with her on a special arrangement of “America the Beautiful.” Everyone loved it, and Frank told them to work up enough songs to play for an hour the next week. After that he scheduled them every weekend alternating Fridays and Saturdays for the next month.

  Chapter 10 ~ Reservations

  March 1945 ~ Evelyn

  On a Thursday evening in late March, Evelyn checked the last of the reservations and frowned when she noticed the name of Harlan Callaway. The young soldier had strutted into the lounge on a regular basis since that first night. Luckily, LaRue had helped to ward him off by switching with Evelyn whenever his reservation time came up. Evelyn had been left to fend for herself a couple of times when Harlan and his buddies attempted to woo her by dropping lines about the war and how beautiful she looked. Even though she was firm in turning him down, Harlan was persistent.

  Tonight, LaRue was off and it looked like this reservation had been made at the last minute for a seven o’clock table. Glancing at the clock, Evelyn glared at the minute hand hovering over the numeral ten and wondered if she had time to grab Philip. The door creaked and her frown deepened when she recognized the pack of boys. What would they think if they knew she considered them boys? They thought a short season in the war had made them into men, but Evelyn knew better.

  A shrill whistle interrupted her thoughts, and Evelyn pasted on a serious smile as Harlan sauntered toward her.

  “Good evening, Mr. Callaway,” Evelyn glanced down at the reservation number and stepped from behind the desk. “Right this way, your table is ready.”

  “Hold on.” Harlan grabbed Evelyn’s arm. “I’m early and we’re in no rush. Right, boys?” He winked, and Michael and Blaine chuckled. Harlan stepped closer to her and tapped the menu she held. “I don’t think I’ll need this. Let’s just skip the main course and I’ll have you for dessert.”

  Pulling her arm from his grasp, Evelyn gripped the menu tighter to keep from slapping him. “If you’ll follow me, please.”

  “Always so stuffy.” Harlan shook his head and stroked her arm with his finger. “There must have been a time when you wore something other than black. Maybe I can help you remember the good times.”

  She took another step back. “You don’t know anything about me and I’m not interested in you.”

  Harlan hesitated, narrowed his eyes, and directed another sickening smile her way. “You might be surprised what I know. Evelyn Patterson, war widow living with her parents and her darling Danny. You work here three nights a week and have recently taken up singing with the cripple.” He reached for her hand but she moved out of his grasp. “Why won’t you give me a chance?”

  “Yeah, give him a chance,” Michael said. He nudged Blaine. “Harlan will help you forget.” Blaine leered at her and they both laughed.

  Heat flashed through her veins and a shiver crept up her spine. “What if I don’t want to forget? I loved my husband—I will always love him. You had your chance to impress me the first night you walked in here. With good manners and courtesy. But instead you thought I’d fawn all over you just because you had on your army dress. Any woman knows it takes more than a nice coat to make a man out of a spoiled, selfish boy.”

  Harlan sucked in a breath, his face turning crimson. Michael and Blaine opened their mouths in surprise. Evelyn watched Harlan lift his hand and clench his fist. She shrank back, spun on her heel, and walked away. The plush carpet tugged at her pumps as she hurried through the lounge and over to the table where Frank sat.

  “Frank, I need your help. Harlan and his idiot friends are here again, and I’m not going to take any more of his disrespectful behavior.”

  “I should’ve booted him the first time I saw him, but his daddy’s a regular here.” Frank pushed himself out of the sagging chair and ambled toward the front of the lounge. Evelyn followed a few paces behind, but when they reached the front, the hall was deserted.

  “Guess they
saved me the trouble. Evelyn, if you ever see him come through that door again come right on back and get me. I’ll take care of him.” Frank tapped her reservation list. “In the meantime, cross his name off. Make a note that he and his buddies aren’t welcome here.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry to be a problem.” Her lip trembled and she forced a smile.

  “You’re not a problem. I know what you’ve had to put up with, and I’m sorry it’s gone on this long.” Frank patted her arm and hunched his shoulders. “That boy must be pretty thickheaded if he thought he had a chance with a nice girl like you.”

  Evelyn picked up a pencil and crossed Harlan’s name off the list.

  “Now, Sterling; you should definitely give him a chance.”

  “Thanks, Frank. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  If only he knew how many dates she’d been on with Sterling over the last month, but she wanted to keep things quiet. In a small town like Aspen Falls, rumors spread fast.

  “I’ll send Philip to check on you in a few minutes.” Frank touched her arm. “We’ll keep an eye out for you.”

  Evelyn nodded and tried to shake off the tremors that threatened whenever her mind flashed to the picture of Harlan’s angry face. Pursing her lips, she straightened her shoulders; she wouldn’t let Harlan ruin the night.

  The evening continued without incident as patrons trickled through the lounge. Evelyn smoothed out her dress and looked at her reflection in the mirror of the waiting area of the Silver Lining. She was getting off early tonight so Sterling could pick her up at the lounge at eight thirty for a date. They were going to see the late movie at the theater.

  “Message for you.” LaRue came around the corner and handed her a note. “Looks like Sterling got hung up helping a family with car trouble just outside of town.”