Once settled, the group quickly dug into sandwiches of chicken salad, turkey and Swiss cheese, ham and provolone, and roast beef. Chips, nachos and salsa, potato salad, slaw, pickles, and a variety of condiments graced the table as well.

Eleanor regarded Miss Ethel’s yard, filled with flower beds full of lilies and a rose garden in full bloom at the side of the house, and smiled, knowing Rafe grew up helping in the yard. Turning her attention back to the group, she watched the easy affection between the men and how they incorporated Rosalie into their circle. Biting her lip, she wondered if they would be able to do that with her as well.

Much to her pleasure, the conversation flowed all around her. Rosalie held her own with their gentle teasing, their admiration for her shining through.

“Eleanor, you used to be in the Army?” Cael asked, his friendly face focused on hers.

“Army Reserve. I was a nurse,” she said, “but, uh…after my injuries, I found it difficult to do the job. I have limited mobility in my right hand.” Much to her surprise, she held her scarred hand up, showing the difficulty in wiggling her fingers. “I think I could do more, but well…”

Zander said, “I spent some time at the military hospital in Germany. I assume that’s where they shipped you?”

Rafe startled, shooting Zander a glare, but Eleanor appeared to take it all in stride. She leaned around him and nodded toward Zander.

“Yes but, honestly, I don’t remember it. The drugs I was on had me out of it for most of my stay, including the medivac back home and, even for a while, here.”

“IED?” Zander asked. “That’s what I went for. I’ve got some scrap metal pieces in my leg and arm that cause me pain sometimes.”

This time, Rafe relaxed, realizing his friend was normalizing what she had been through, without trivializing it. Zander was offering her a way to share without feeling alone.

Smiling compassionately, “Yes. I was in a convoy. No matter my injuries, I was lucky, when most did not live.” She glanced around the table, it hitting her that this was the first time since she had been home that she had been with a group of former military men who had their own tales to tell. And, for maybe the first time too, she realized she really had been the lucky one. Not just a burn victim, but a survivor.

The others nodded sympathetically, but she took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “I’m sure you know, I decided to just stay at home. My family…” She hesitated, uncertain what to say.

Rafe leaned over, whispering, “They know about your family, sweetheart. I told them, to make it easier on you.”

Shooting him a grateful nod, she continued, “Withdrawing from the public eye became easier than facing the stares. I know that seems terribly cowardly to you.”

The group immediately jumped in with protestations and she heard Rafe’s the loudest. “You are not a coward, babe.”

She held up her hand, saying, “That’s kind of you all to say, but it did seem the safest thing to do at the time.” Looking at Cael, she said, “I have taken on some nursing students as their online tutor. They send some assignments to me and I help them with some of the finer points they are struggling with.” She lifted her shoulders, blushing. “It’s not much, but for a long time, it felt like all I could handle.”

Jayden shifted in his seat, drawing her attention. “You know, Eleanor, you’re one of us. A veteran. We were all lucky…none of us were so severely injured. At least, not on the outside. Hell, I can’t imagine what it was like for you.”

“At first, I was so drugged that I don’t really remember what anything was like. I was in the hospital in Germany for a long time, until I could be safely transported back to the United States. By then, I had been told of my family’s deaths, but it all seemed like a bad dream. I didn’t really process it until I was finally out of rehab and came back to Bellamy House.”

“Like Rafe said, you are not a coward,” Asher said, shaking his head in admiration.

Swallowing deeply, she glanced up at Rafe, gaining strength from him as he smiled at her. Looking at the others, she said, “Well, I’m trying. I’m learning that life goes on and hiding away is no longer who I want to be. Being here with you all? It helps. A lot, actually.”

“You’ve made some decisions?” Miss Ethel asked, her gaze warm on her.

“I’m in the process of having a center built. Well, just at the beginning of the process.” She fiddled with her napkin until Rafe placed his large hand over hers, stilling her fingers. She shot him a tentative smile, before continuing, “My grandfather’s estate includes a large parcel of land that is about two miles from my home. I envision building a place for burned veterans who have no home to come to after their hospitalizations and rehabilitations are complete. Kind of a half-way house, as they figure out what to do next.”

“Damn, girl,” Jaxon exclaimed, his eyes wide, “when you decide to do something different, you really go for it, don’t you?”

Blushing, she nodded. “I guess it does seem rather ambitious, but…well, I don’t know if this will make any sense, but I’ve learned that living and moving through pain seems rather pointless unless we can help relieve someone else’s burden.”

“I couldn’t have said it better, my dear,” Miss Ethel said, reaching over to grasp her hand, giving it a squeeze.

A smile slipped over her face, returning the squeeze before leaning into Rafe’s embrace.

“Have you decided to give up making a living off your ugly mug?” Jaxon asked, his smirk aimed at Rafe.

Throwing him a cocky grin, Rafe leaned back, rubbing his chin. “I think it’s time I retired this face and did something a little more worthwhile.”

The group laughed, then he sobered. “There’s a favor I’d like to ask you all.” Gaining their serious attention, he said, “I’m going to be flying to California in a couple of days to clean out the efficiency apartment I had. Don’t have much there, but I did leave a few things. I’ll only be gone about three days, but I’d like you all to keep an eye on Eleanor for me.”

“I don’t need babysitting,” she protested, but was soon drowned out by the others immediately assuring their services. Smiling, she said, “Well, I shouldn’t need anything, but it’ll be nice to know I can call on you.”

* * *

“I hate that I have a meeting with Mr. Hayden and my lawyer when you have to fly out,” Eleanor pouted a couple of days later.

Standing at her front door, Rafe held her tight. Kissing her lips, he said, “I’d rather know you were tucked in safely here in your home than driving back from the airport. And, I’ll be home before you know it. My plan is to stay there for three nights, get my possessions packed, go by the bank, talk to my landlord, and say goodbye to a couple of friends.”

“Are you sure Marty won’t try to talk you into staying?” she asked, accepting that a sliver of insecurity was showing.

“Doesn’t matter what he tries to peddle, I’m not buying,” he promised. “Anyway, I’ll be back in time to mow the grass again.”

Throwing her head back in laughter, she said, “Yes, yes, that’s all I need you for…keep my grass perfect. Well, that and your body.”

Rafe loved the joy on her face when she laughed and bent to kiss her once more. “Okay, I’m outta here. The sooner I go, the sooner I’ll get back to your body, babe. Now, remember, you’ve got all the guys’ cell numbers saved into your phone, so call if you need them.”

“Rafe,” she reminded, “I lived here in seclusion for a long time. I’m sure I can handle anything that comes up.”

With one more kiss, he jogged down to his truck and, waving, pulled out of the driveway. Eleanor stood on the front stoop, looking at her expansive lawn and gardens, her gaze drifting to the woods where the small cottage could be seen. The sky was blue and the sun was rising over the trees. The scent of roses clung to the air and, as she moved inside, she decided the terrace would be a perfect place to get some work completed.

* * *

Waking up in his old efficiency apartment the next morning, Rafe stretched, the California sun shining in the window. He had packed his few belongings, glad that most of his modeling money had been saved so that now he could focus on building his own business. Looking around, the place appeared so bland compared to the stone cottage at the edge of the woods. Jumping out of bed, all he could think about was how much he missed Eleanor even though they skyped long into the night.

The day, filled with errands, moved faster than he originally planned and he hoped he might be able to fly back to Virginia a day earlier. Smiling at the possible surprise for her, he headed into the bar at the end of the day to have a goodbye drink with a few of the models he had become friends with.

The interior, modern and sleek, was nothing like Grimm’s and he found it lacking compared to Zander’s place. It was not full at this time and he easily saw the group waving toward him. He nodded and walked their way, shaking hands with everyone.

“So, you’re really giving it all up?” John asked. He and Robert were the only two models Rafe had befriended, both having also served in the military, their experiences giving them a maturity not shared by the younger ones.

“Absolutely,” he answered. “I’m going to start my own business, get to be back with my family, and I’ve found someone I want to spend forever with.”

“Seriously?” Robert asked, his smile wide. “Damn man, good for you. So, who decided to take a chance on your sorry ass?” he joked.

Laughing, he said, “She was a former nurse with the Army Reserve.” Seeing their wide eyes, he continued, “She was injured but is getting ready to build a veterans’ burn center. A place where they can go after they finish the VA rehabilitation if they don’t have a home to go to.”

Whistling, John said, “Amazing. I’m really glad for you, man.”

For the next hour, they enjoyed their drinks and catching up on each other’s lives. Looking at his watch, he said, “I think I’ll say goodbye—”

“Well, hello stranger,” a familiar, but unwanted, voice sounded from behind. Turning his head, he observed Cherelle walking up.

“Fuck,” he cursed, knowing Marty must have told her that he was in town.

She leaned over, from behind his chair, her breasts pressing against his shoulder, almost falling out of the low-cut dress she wore. Kissing his cheek, she murmured, “Missed you, babe.”

Standing quickly, forcing her backward, he was unconcerned when she rocked back on her heels, almost toppling over before righting herself. Ignoring her, he looked at his friends, reaching his hand out, “As I said, it’s time for me to finish everything so I can get back to Virginia.”

Robert and John, taking his cue, stood and shook his hand, well wishes coming from both of them. Turning, he pinned Cherelle with a glare, saying, “And that goodbye goes for you too.”

“But Rafe,” she whined, grabbing his arm, once more pressing herself tightly to his side. A tall woman, with her sky-high heels giving her added height, she easily planted a kiss on his cheek, cupping his head with her hand.

“Cherelle, if you think I won’t cause a public scene, you don’t know me at all. We were never anything more than convenient. And that’s been over for a long time. You’ve obviously been talking to Marty to know I was in town, but then you also gotta know my modeling days are over. I can’t help your career anymore.” Disengaging her hands from him, he turned and walked out the door, leaving her standing in his wake.

Narrowing her eyes as a smirk crossed her face, Cherelle walked over to another woman sitting at the bar. Climbing onto the stool next to her, she asked, “You get it?”

“Oh, honey, from this angle, it looks perfect. Just like two lovers having a chat.”

Throwing her head back in laughter, she took her phone and, within a moment, sent the video forward.

Her companion slid her a sideways glance, lifting her drink to her lips. “You know this isn’t gonna get him to come back to you, right? I mean, the whole model pairing that Marty was setting up with you two isn’t going to happen.”

Popping the olive from her martini into her perfectly made-up mouth, chewing it thoughtfully, Cherelle nodded. “Yes,” she grinned, “but revenge can be so sweet.”