February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3)

February Waltz

Rhythm of the Heart

Book 3

Scarlett Jade

Zoe is left in Major when Calvin returns to duty, and fireworks explode as a lie they’ve carefully kept from her is suddenly revealed. While on bed rest, she begins a project that ends up being bigger than she ever imagined and it becomes the very thing that saves Major from its demise. The future becomes uncertain when an accident puts Zoe and Grams in danger. Everyone wonders what will happen to Zoe and Calvin’s fledgling marriage when the baby is born. Can they create a home for their daughter, or will their romance be destroyed in the tide?

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2014 © Scarlett Jade

Published by Beau Coup Publishing

http://beaucoupllcpublishing.com

Cover by JRA Stevens

For Beau Coup Publishing

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to my husband for taking this crazy, wild, roller coaster ride with me, and still loving me. I know I drive you crazy. But I love you. You taught me what loving someone was. Just like Calvin taught Zoe. Thank you for giving me a family.

Thank you to Vickie and Heather for helping me with this story. You ladies are amazing. I couldn't make it through without you.

Thank you to all of my crazy, wonderful, mixed up friends and family. You keep me going.

And finally, thank you to my fans, for loving Calvin and Zoe as much as I do.

All my love. - Scarlett

Zoe opened her eyes and took in a slow breath as she focused on her husband's face. He was engrossed in a book and she smiled as he flipped a page, his brow wrinkling as he read.

“Calvin,” she whispered, her voice much hoarser than she had imagined it would be.

He closed the book and turned in the chair. “You're awake. How do you feel?”

Zoe shook her head with a wistful smile. “Crazy.”

“What do you mean?” His brow furrowed again and he caught her hand. “Do I need to call the nurse?”

“I'm fine, just... I had a dream.”

“What kind of dream?”

“My dad was there...and we saw...her.” Her eyes grew dreamy and soft.

“Her who, baby?”

“The baby.”

Calvin chuckled. “You were really out of it.”

“No!” Zoe sighed. “It was real, Calvin! You don't understand. I felt him hug me! I heard him talk to me.” She shook her head and ran a hand through her hair. “I can't explain it, Calvin, it was real. Just like you and me sitting here.”

Calvin shrugged. “All right, tell me more.”

“She was beautiful, Calvin. Beautiful.” She went dreamy eyed again. “So perfect.”

“I'm glad. What did your dad say in the dream?” He kissed her knuckles.

“That he left me a letter and I needed to read it.”

His brow rose with skepticism. “Yeah, he did. It's back at the house.”

“I need it, Calvin. I need to read it now. Please get it for me. He said it was really important.” She shifted in the bed and tried to sit up.

He pushed her shoulder to the pillows. “No, you lay down. If you promise to stay still I'll run and get it. Anything else you want?”

“Some cookies would be nice. Can you hug Grams and Pops and tell them I'm sorry?”

“Sorry for what, babe?”

“Ruining Christmas.”

“Nope. You didn't. Christmas isn't about presents. It's about family. Grams would tell you that straight up.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Stop worrying about what you think you ruined. Ed died when he died. It was what it was. Things happen.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I know.”

“Don't cry. It's gonna be just fine, okay?” He kissed her brow and smiled softly. “Everything's gonna be great.”

Her eyes flicked up to his and she nodded. “I know.”

“Okay, good.” Calvin kissed her one last time and pulled his jacket on. “I'll be back soon.”

“I'll be here.”

She rummaged through the sheets and found the remote to the TV. It clicked on softly and she scrolled through the channels to find something to watch. Her heart wrenched as she found Christmas movie after Christmas movie.
Technically, it's still Christmas, I guess.
She settled on a cooking show and her stomach rumbled.

Her phone buzzed against her leg and she picked it up. Layla's name flashed across the screen and with a sigh she opened the message.

L: How's our baby?

Z: Fine. Just had surgery a bit ago.

L: Good. Rest.

Z: Calvin is on his way home. Tell Grams and Pops I'm sorry for ruining Christmas.

A few seconds passed before the next text came through.

L: Grams says she's gonna bust your ass if you don't stop your crazy talk.

Zoe chuckled to herself.

Z: I love you guys.

L: Yeah, yeah, let's not get all mushy, shall we?

Zoe sighed and put the phone back down on the sheets. She shifted her gaze to the TV where a chef carefully chopped a carrot. Her lids grew heavy with each methodical chop of the knife until she fell asleep.

Calvin drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as he drove.
The roads are finally clear, thank goodness.
He turned the radio on and frowned as he found only Christmas music.
Hard to be in the spirit right now... Don't get me wrong, I have a hell of a lot to be grateful for. My wife is okay. Our daughter is okay. We all have our health, but it's hard to be chipper when someone just died. How do we move on from this?

He blew out a breath and ran his hand over his head. Night fell slowly around him, turning the sky into brilliant shades of orange and gold as the sun swept below the horizon. Dusk enveloped the car and he flicked on the headlights. Major was less than ten minutes away and he couldn't help but smile with each mile which drew him closer to home.

This feeling never changes. It always feels good to be home.

He maneuvered through the streets and pulled into the drive, shutting off the car and leaning forward on the steering wheel.
God, if you're there, keep her safe. It's all I ask. I can't lose her.
Moving slowly, he opened the door of the car and crawled out. His heart was as heavy as his steps as he trudged up the walk.

Grams opened the front door with a tired smile. “Hey, honey.”

“Hey, Grams.” Calvin climbed the steps and fell into her embrace.

“It's all right, baby.” she soothed him, rubbing her hand up and down his back.

“I was so scared, Grams. All I could think of is what if we lose the baby? What if I lose Zoe?” Calvin shivered.

“I know. Especially with her daddy going on to the other side today too. It's been a lot.” She patted his shoulder. “Come on inside out of the chill.”

“Sorry.” He smiled sheepishly, kicking his shoes off at the door.

“Don't worry a thing about it, baby.”

“Zoe says she needs cookies.”

Grams chuckled. “I love that girl.”

Pops called out from the living room. “So who's here?”

“Me, Pops. Just for a few.” Calvin walked into the living room and hugged Pops. “Love you.”

“Ah hell, boy, you know I love you too. Ed passing on got you really thinking ’bout life, didn't it?” He switched the TV off and shook his head. “It's a shame he had to go when he did.”

“Yeah, Pops, I just...Life is so damn short. I am tired of living my life the way I am right now. I want more.” Calvin jammed his hands into his pockets and sighed.

“What do you mean, boy?”

“Well, I haven’t re-upped with the military yet.” Calvin shrugged. “I don't want to.”

Pops nodded. “Understandable. You decided what you want to do?”

“Move back home.”

“I see. You got anything planned out?”

“Always, Pops. I can't just have my wife and my baby with no income, right? I know I can get unemployment, but I don't want to lay around doing nothing. It just ain't me, you know?” Pops nodded and Calvin continued. “I can get some help with school... and I have something up my sleeve for Zoe. I haven't told her yet.”

Just then Layla came from the back of the house. “Hey, Calvin. Zoe said you were on your way here.”

“Yeah. I'm here for a few. How you doing, kid?”

“Not a kid, Calvin. I'm fine. Zoe seems real emotional and stuff.” She leaned against Pops' recliner and crossed her arms.

“She said she had a dream about her dad and the baby while she was under. She wants the letter he left her. I think I put it on my bed. Do you mind grabbing it?”

Layla nodded. “Sure, no problem.” She bounced off and Calvin blew out a breath.

“So,” Pops started. “When do you get out?”

“Officially out in April. But I will be back stateside late February, and I have some vacation time I can take. Just depends on how fast they put the paperwork through.”

“We'll be glad to have you home, but you know there ain't much here.” Pops clasped his hands over his stomach. “You deserve more than working at the factory or on the water.”

“I'll take a job, whatever I can get, Pops. I'm not picky. I just want to know I can take care of my girls... and be near you guys.”

“Well, if you're sure.”

“I am, Pops. I enjoyed the military being a single guy, but now I want to be home with her. I don't want to keep missing things, you know?”

Layla came back in the room with the papers folded up in her hand. “Here. I didn't read them.”

“Well good to know you've stopped being a snoop.” Calvin smiled as he took the letter.

“We need to talk about something.”

Calvin's eyebrow rose. “Yeah? What's up, Lay?”

She glanced down at her feet and whispered. “The person in the wreck? It was Derek.”

“Shit.” Calvin paced and paused for a moment to glance at his baby sister. “Derek? You sure?”

She nodded morosely. “Tim told me.”

“How bad was it?” He paced again, feeling trapped in the confines of the small house.

“Bad.”

“How bad, Layla!” He gripped her thin arms and shook her gently. “I need to know.”

She pulled from his grasp and her dark eyes flashed. “Really bad, Calvin. He was basically dead when he got to the hospital, okay? He's a vegetable. Totally brain dead.” Tears filled her eyes. “He was driving here to bring the baby something. Tim saw the present on the floorboard.”

Calvin blew out a breath. “Shit.”

Pops frowned. “Damn. What's his family gonna do?”

Layla shrugged. “I don't know. He was driving and hit a patch of ice, his truck flipped three times and hit a pine tree, Tim said.”

“Wow.” Calvin whispered.

Grams drug a chair from the table. “Sit down, boy.”

“What if the baby is his, Grams?” He shook his head. “He won't ever know her.”

Layla nodded. “Guess it clears the field for you.”

Calvin stared at her for a moment in disgust. “Really, Layla? You think that's what I'm worried about? Clearing the field for me?
NO
. I'm worried about Zoe. How she's going to react when she hears this. She can't take much more. How in the hell has she handled what she's dealt with so far?” Layla recoiled as if Calvin had struck her. Hurt filled her dark eyes and she blinked back tears.

Grams spoke. “Some people are like her. They cry and get upset, but they can pick themselves up by the boot straps and keep on going. After a while though, those straps get worn and they'll break. It's bad enough her daddy had to die. She don't need to know this too.”

“So what?” Calvin asked. “We're going to keep this from her?”

Grams sighed. “A little white lie never hurt no one.”

Calvin shook his head. “I don't want to lie to her. I don't want my marriage built on lies.”

Pops rocked in the chair for a moment. “Son, it ain't building your marriage on lies. It's omitting the truth to protect her and the baby. Sure, when she finds out, she'll be hotter than a cat on a tin roof, but she'll come around and see we all did it for her best interest.”

Calvin rubbed his eyes. “Pops. This is a major omission of truth.”

“Yeah, it is. But it's for her safety. Her and her baby. Layla, you need to tell the boy you're messing with to keep his big flap shut. We'll all just keep our lips zipped and keep her safe and keep her close till that baby comes. Then she can know anything she needs to know. Are we in agreement?” Pops held out a grizzled hand. “All in.”

Layla plopped her hand on top of his. “I'm in. I don't want her to be upset anymore than she is now.”

Grams put her hand in. “Me too. We got no other choice right now.”

Calvin hesitated for a moment before he placed his hand on top of theirs. “I guess we have no choice. We just won't tell her. For now.”

“For now.” Pops agreed. “It's for the best.”

Calvin sighed. “Then why does it feel so damn wrong?”

Grams hugged him. “Cause you're a good boy, Calvin.”

“Thanks, Grams. Why do I feel so damn bad right now?” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and his hands dangled.

“Because you know you shouldn't be lying. But it will pass. It's for the best, you have to remember what is more important right now.” Grams patted his shoulder. “Come on now, get up and get some stuff together to take back to the hospital. You tell Zoe we send our love.”

“I will. What did they do with Ed?”

“He's at the funeral home. Ralph will handle it.”

“He wants to be buried by his wife. I don't know how to do this. Picking a casket and stuff. I just don't.” He stood and paced again.

“You don't have to worry about it, Calvin. I told Ralph to handle it. He will send you a bill. I told him to not go top of the line either, y'all don't have it.” Grams shuffled back into the kitchen. “You hungry?”

“Yes and no. My stomach is all in knots.”

“I made a ham. Didn't bother with the fixings, what with everything that has happened today... But I figure a ham we could snack off of for a couple days. How about a sandwich?”

“Sure, Grams. I'll take a sandwich. I guess I should get some toiletries and stuff for Zoe, huh?”

“Yeah, go on and do it while I get you a sandwich to go. You need to get back up there to her.” She busied herself slicing off some ham and Calvin walked to his room, sliding the letter from Zoe's dad in his back pocket.

He opened the closet door and found a small bag to put some things in. Unzipping it quickly, he threw some basics in the bottom of the bag, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste. Her Kindle from the nightstand and the charger. Her phone charger was next and he went back to the closet, reaching up to the top shelf and pulling out a small box and an envelope.
For later.

Emerging from the bedroom, he put the bag over his shoulder and walked back through the living room. “See you later, Pops.”

“Be safe out there, son. The roads are clear they say, and it's not cold enough for ice, but better safe than sorry, huh?” He held out a hand and Calvin took it. “See you later.”

“See you later, Pops.”

Grams smiled at him from the kitchen. “Get on in here. I have some cookies for her and a sandwich for you. Be good to yourself, you hear me?”

Calvin took the sandwich and kissed her cheek. “All right. I better get going. Let me put the cookies in here.” He unzipped the bag and stuck the bag of cookies inside. “Thanks, Grams.”

“You got it, honey.”

He opened the door and glanced back one last time. “See y'all later.”

The cold December night enveloped him as he stepped out on the grass and walked to the car. He slid in behind the wheel and put the bag beside him, pausing for a minute to close his eyes.
Damn, Derek...