“I do.But do you trust me with your baby?”
“Absolutely,” he said, dismounting and helping her slide forward.“You’ve got this.”
As she took the handlebars, Jerry carefully settled in behind her, his arms encircling her waist now.The reversal felt playful, intimate in the sweetest way.After restarting the engine, she revved the engine tentatively, then with growing confidence, and they pulled back onto the road.Jerry rested his chin lightly on her shoulder as she walked through the gears and tested the brakes.Slowly at first, getting the feel of the bike with Jerry behind her.Soon, he watched the landscape blur by, his heart full.This was the kind of day, the kind of life, he wanted to build—with her, always with her.
Olive pulled in next to her car and turned the bike off.The thrill at driving the motorcycle, being the one in control, still coursed through her.She’d loved the wind in her hair, the feel of Jerry’s arms around her, the way she felt one with the road as they leaned into turns and corners.
Jerry slipped off the bike and helped her with the kickstand.Sad to see the evening end, she pulled the helmet off and handed it to him.A grin covered her face.“That was just incredible,” she said.“I understand how people get addicted to it.”
He secured her helmet to the back of the bike and slipped his off.A contented smile covered his face.“Glad you enjoyed it.”
She stepped forward and framed his face with her hands.“Gerald McBride, I love you.And I love this side of you.”
His eyes flared, and he pulled her closer.She eagerly met his kiss and tried to pour the love and desire she felt into it.Her arms went around his neck, and she stood on her tiptoes.She couldn’t get close enough to him.
She finally ripped her mouth away.He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing fast.He put his hands on her hips and set her away from him.“We need to go for a ride more often,” he said, his voice hoarse.
With a chuckle, she stepped all the way back, breaking all contact.“I don’t disagree.”
After pulling her purse out of the saddle bag, he handed it over to her.“See you at oh-four-thirty,” he said.
“Oh-dark-thirty.Can’t wait.”Her lips felt swollen, and she ran her tongue over them.“Be safe getting back to post.”
With a wink, he strapped his helmet back on and turned on the bike.He sat there, idling.She knew he waited for her to drive away before he left.
Olive arrived home just before 8:30 that night, thanks to light traffic for once and hitting only a few stoplights along the route.She immediately began her final packing and checking off her departure list.Not a minute after forwarding her mother her itinerary, Olive’s phone rang.She grinned as she answered the video call.“Well, hello.I just emailed you.”
“I saw,” her mom said as she walked through her house.“You all packed?”
“Yes, ma’am.We have to be at the Nashville airport at six.”
“Yikes!”Her mother sat on her front porch.Olive imagined that the late Alabama spring provided a humid blanket.“What time does the ship sail?”
“Three-thirty.”She settled into her chair.“Seven beautiful days away from the hospital and the chaos.”
Her mom’s eyes shone from behind her glasses.“Every girl’s dream.”After a pause, she asked, “And how are things going with Jerry McBride?”
The kisses they’d shared tonight mingled with mental images from the last several months.She couldn’t help the silly smile that accompanied the memories.Since confessing their love, she had felt a freedom of expression she had never felt before.He made her feel safe.She could see spending the rest of her life with him by her side.She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
But did she want that life as a soldier’s wife?That would be the deal breaker.The more she thought about it, the more she went round and round in her mind about it.
Oh, but the way he made her feel.The way he filled her heart with love and desire.And the way he—
They had not once talked about a future together.They had always existed in the moment.She was just projecting.But she could dream.
And hope.
“Pretty serious.”She paused.“I can see a future there.”
“Is he career Army?”
She chuckled.“He’s third generation career Army, Mama.Grandfather, father.And before you say anything, I know.That’s been on my mind lately, too.”She paused.“Although we both know how much I enjoyed the culture when I was in.”
“We do.”Her mom took a drink of water.
“You know, when I got out and started making plans, I felt pressed to stay here.I just didn’t know why.”A grin covered her face.“I think I know why God wanted me here, now.I believe it was to meet Jerry that morning at chapel.”
“We’ve been praying for your future husband your whole life.I have a feeling we’ll finally be able to add a name to that prayer.”
