He looked down at his phone, scrolling through the openings and re-enlistment data on the army’s website. He knew Chase and Ortega were finished with their time in active duty, but Brandon decided then and now that he wasn't. How could he be after his last mission and his failure?
There was an itch to get back out there. To make a difference. He’d never felt more human than when he was in service.
It's just that he was so tired. Likely because he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since the explosion. He would take advantage of this downtime. He'd relax at the ranch and try and quell the demons that kept him from sleeping. But make no mistake, he was going back.
His nightmares posed a disadvantage to his fitness to serve but not a big one. What soldier didn't have nightmares about what they’d seen in combat zones? He didn't have suicidal or homicidal thoughts. Just memories and guilt over what could have been, what he should have done.
The chords of an old organ began to play. A shudder went down Brandon’s spine. This was truly his least favorite part of a church service. The part where regular folk who often were tone deaf raised their voices in an old, sleep-inducing hymn.
Well, on the bright side, maybe the song would send him off to some much-needed sleep.
At least the organ was in tune. And the lady playing it appeared to have the needed skill to command it. The group of singers wasn’t half bad, and the song they sang, though not modern, was at least upbeat enough to keep him awake.
Then the soloist stepped forward and hit a wrong note. Brandon felt the impact of the note land somewhere in his gut. It resonated inside him, like a doorbell ringing in the middle of the night announcing the arrival of someone he wasn’t expecting.
Brandon was already irritable from not having slept in over seventy-two hours. He tugged at his collar, feeling lightheaded. His fingertips and toes were numb. His heart rate kicked up. He felt as though he were back in a war zone with rockets flying overhead.
That type of adrenaline was normal in duty. But once in civilian life, where being on high alert wasn't necessary, it was disorienting. And then, like the sun breaking through a cloudy day, a voice rang clear through the cacophony of sound that had just assaulted his ears.
Brandon's heart rate began to slow and settle. The life returned to his fingers and toes as the blood pumped down to the ends of his extremities. He lifted his head and took a deep, filling breath. His eyes locked onto an angel’s.
An angel with flaming red hair, so bright it looked like the most intense rays of the sun. Not just red but with hints of gold and orange. Blue eyes as clear as a cloudless day gazed back at him as pink coated lips moved, ushering words from a slender neck. From those lips came the sweetest melody.
Brandon's entire body relaxed. He felt light, as though he'd gotten a full eight hours of sleep every night for a week. He felt like he could float. In fact, he felt his bottom leave the seat as he stood.
A hand grabbed at him, pulling him back down. Brandon looked over to see Chase eying him quizzically. Still disoriented, Brandon retook his seat, but he didn't tear his gaze away from the songbird.
"That's her," said Chase.
Brandon wanted to tell the man to shut it. He didn't want to miss a note of her song. But he also wanted to know who she was.
"That's Cartwright's sister,” Chase clarified.
The song ended. The booming sound of applause filled Brandon's ears. People got on their feet in praise of the choir and the soloist.
Brandon remained in his seat. Getting up and approaching the songbird was the last thing he wanted to do. He'd have to tell that angel that her brother wasn’t coming home, and despite what his superiors and the report said, it was Brandon’s fault.
Chapter Six
There were hugs and congratulations as Reegan made her way through the crowd of people she'd known all her life. With the services over, most people were making their way to the banquet hall where a potluck was spread over the tables. Reegan held back, not just for the compliments. She held back because she saw that the soldiers had all remained at the back of the church instead of making their way off to the side door that would lead to the food.
All throughout her song, the stiff-jawed soldier hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her. Reegan had even seen him stand up as though he wanted to come to her during the song. He wasn’t looking at her now. His gaze was fixed on the floor as he hung at the back of his group.
She knew because she kept sneaking glances at him. She willed him to lift his head and look at her. She ached for the heat of his gaze to touch her face again.
And if he did look at her, what then? Reegan wasn't sure she could ever date someone in the military. Not with her brother's long absences and infrequent calls.
She and her brother had a special connection. Not just because they were twins but because they were close. It tore at her that she couldn't reach out to him any time she wanted. Especially in the last few years without their parents.
It had been hard being on her own. Even though she was never truly alone. She had a community of people to look after who also insisted on looking after her.
Before her parents had died, they'd assumed Reegan would marry and start a family with her own husband. Her parents were traditional like that. Reegan just hadn't found anyone she'd wanted to marry much less make a home with. So, she'd stayed in the house while her parents were alive and after they'd passed on. She kept it for Reece while he was away. And the money that her parents had left her allowed her to fill her heart's delight which was to sing and help others.
Reegan spotted the soldiers speaking with Pastor Barrett and moving steadily forward. Beside the pastor, she saw Elsbeth. It was a perfect reason to go up and introduce herself to the newcomers.
Reegan took a step forward, only to have coldness shroud her shoulders. The looks on Pastor Barrett and Beth's faces weren't filled with the typical rays of joy they showered on anyone who came into the church’s doors. Pastor Barrett looked disheartened. Beth looked pale.
Reality hit Reegan square in her chest. Three soldiers in uniform, sad faces, it could only mean one thing. Someone in the church had died. Someone whose family was at this service. There were only three people in the service. Aside from Reece, there was Arnold Bishop and Shelly Turner.