Page 13
T wo days later, Ashley landed in Minneapolis and was walking through the terminal to her next gate, her next assignment, when her phone beeped.
That seemed odd because she rarely got text messages except the occasional one from Liam asking where something was at the house.
Usually, it wasn’t pressing because she was hard to reach sometimes, and pulling out her phone, she hesitated.
Congratulations! Your credit score just increased.
Good job paying off your balance.
“What?” Ashley whispered aloud, stunned – and then quickly clicked on her credit card app to see what her balance was, wondering if they’d just closed her account on her.
She’d made a large payment toward the balance, but it was no where close to being paid off.
She stared as the balance was zero. Checking the history, right there in the middle of the airport, she gaped before closing her eyes in comprehension.
Liam.
“Hey, chicka,” Adrian called out nearby, catching up with her. “Are you on the Reno flight?”
“No,” Ashley replied quickly, hiding her phone and giving him a hesitant smile. “I’m heading to Las Vegas and then back home again.”
“Good to see you,” he nodded and then paused. “And how was your date with our handsome fella? I hope you did everything that I would do – and that you never would…”
“I married him,” she interrupted – and saw his mouth drop open before he burst out laughing wildly as people continued to walk around them, rushing to their gates.
“Shut up! No, you didn’t.”
“I’m serious.”
“Sure, you are…”
“No, seriously. We got married.”
“You?” Adrian laughed and then sobered up, grabbing her arm and staring at her. “Wait… you really did? You married the tall drink of water with the highlights? Mr-Fabio-on-Ice? You married him?”
“I did,” she replied and surprisingly felt proud, saying she was Liam’s wife because he was turning out to be such a nice guy.
He was gentle, never pressed her for anything, and was such a kind person, protecting her in that awful interview and the volume of phone calls that came with it from neighbors and friends who had seen them.
He fielded several calls before unplugging the house phone.
She had been so touched to see how he interacted with some of his coworkers, spoke to the children at the event, and how, even though he was nervous – he managed to hide his feelings.
The man was insecure, and a part of her wondered if it was because of something from his past, making her hesitate as she looked at her phone again.
And now, he'd paid off her credit card.
For her.
She would not get upset at him doing something for her, dismissing his unexpected gift.
He had to know that she would find out eventually, and maybe he was waiting for the blowback.
He’d been quiet, offering up a simple ‘ Be safe out there’ comment as she left for work, and tonight, he had his first game.
This was his first official game – and she wasn’t going to be there.
“Excuse me,” she began, looking at Adrian. “Next flight, I’ll give you all the details, but I’ve got to call Liam and catch mine.”
“Go on, you…” he praised, looking thrilled for her. “I cannot wait for all the details, girl. See you soon.”
“Bye,” she whispered weakly – and then looked at her phone again, pressing ‘call’ before she had a chance to second-guess herself. She wasn’t even sure if he would answer, or if he was at practice, but before voicemail picked up… she heard the phone ring, followed by his voice.
“Ashley, what’s wrong?”
And she melted at the concern in Liam’s voice.
When had anyone ever treated her so well, made attempts to take care of her without asking, and treated her like she was special?
He always made sure to go out of his way, had promised to treat her like a queen, referred to her as such, and was keeping his word.
“I just wanted to hear your voice,” she admitted softly, realiz ing it was true. “And to tell you to have a great game tonight. I wish I could be there for you…”
“I wish you could be, too,” he said quietly, making her feel guilty. “Maybe the next game? I’d love to see my uniform on you someday, Mrs. Savage.”
“I’d be proud to wear it,” she paused for a moment, feeling emotion clog her throat. “I know about the credit card, Liam… you are the best, and I want you to know that I truly appreciate it.”
“Hey, it was nothing,” he replied, but his voice cracked slightly, and that was telling. “Husbands take care of wives, you know? I’m not paying you rent, so I figured I’d help somehow, even if it’s for just ninety days.”
“You are an amazing temporary husband,” she chuckled emotionally, realizing she hoped that maybe he would stay for a little longer than those ninety days.
“I do my part, temporary wife,” he began playfully and paused. “Be careful coming home tonight – okay? I saw a lot of deer in the yard this morning, and I worry about you on the roads at night.”
“I will – and you, too. Good luck tonight.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad you called.”
“Me too,” she admitted and hesitated. “I’ve got to get to my gate.”
“And I’m sitting in the parking lot in front of the arena,” Liam laughed nervously. “Acton just gave me the finger from the doorway and tapped his watch. I’ve gotta go.”
Ashley smiled, feeling almost like she was there now that she could picture the wild man her husband worked with. “You ought to show him who’s the boss…”
“Maybe someday I will…”
“Bye,” she whispered, emotion coloring her voice. “See you this evening. ”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Hanging up the phone, she began tugging her rolling bag behind her to her next flight and smiled.
H ours later, Ashley was walking up to the front door, exhausted, but happy for Liam.
They had won their first game, and she had downloaded a sports app to her phone so she could track the score, still marveling at the changes just knowing him had brought about – and froze.
The front door had opened, and Liam was standing there, holding it for her.
“Congratulations on the game,” she began in greeting and saw his proud smile as he shook his head.
“We could have done things so much better,” he replied easily and nodded. “But a win is a win, no matter what.”
“Did you tell them what you noticed, how they could have done better?” she prompted, stepping in the house and pausing once more before looking at him… and saw his shy smile. “Liam?”
“Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving,” she whispered as he took her hand, walking her back to the kitchen where he’d set a table for the two of them. There were two tapers flickering, casting a warm glow on a pizza box that sat there, waiting.
“It’s not much, but I thought we could have dinner together.”
“I’m touched,” she admitted, unwilling to let him make light of this as he pulled out her chair. Sitting down, she immediately bumped her shoe into something and paused , leaning to look under the table. “What’s that thing?”
“A foot massager,” he replied, sitting down opposite of her like it was nothing. “You’ve mentioned that your feet hurt you, and I didn’t figure you wanted me to rub them, so I got you a foot massager. Kick off your heels and try it out.”
“Oh my gosh,” she breathed, both stunned and slightly alarmed at his words.
Why would he think that she didn’t want him to rub her feet?
She had never had anyone offer to rub her feet or thought of her comfort before – and was floored.
Kicking off her heels, she slipped her feet into the unit and pressed the button on the remote sitting beside her fork.
“Okay… that’s nice,” she whispered, still marveling at this – and pressed another button.
“Oh my gosh, that’s… oh maaaannnn,” she breathed deeply, closing her eyes as the rollers began to knead the underside of her foot while something squeezed and pushed on the top.
“That is the thing dreams are made of…” and sighed in sheer delight as Liam chuckled.
“Yeah, I’m not that good of a foot masseuse, but I’d give it a shot if you ever felt comfortable at having me help you.”
“Done,” she whispered, leaning her head back against the chair. “That thing is my new best friend.”
“I was hoping that was me?”
“It’s you, then the foot massager, then maybe my pillow… but you hold first place definitely.”
“I’ll take it,” he chuckled, and she heard his chair move, not even bothering to open an eye as she sat there enveloped in a cloud of relief starting at her feet.
“Why have I not purchased one of these things before?” she whispered, unmoving, and then heard a noise, cracking open an eye. Liam was standing there beside her chair, putting a slice of pizza on her plate .
Without thinking or overanalyzing it, she touched his upper arm and met his hesitant eyes.
“You are the best,” she said gratefully, not bothering to hide it.
“You said you’d treat me like a queen, and you are really doing it.
I truly appreciate everything you’ve done since the moment we said ‘I do,’ Liam. ”
“I said I would give this my all,” he replied softly, his eyes searching his. “I’m trying to keep my word to you.”
“I know you are – and I see it.”
Time seemed to stand still between them. She could smell the tomato, the melted cheese, and the baked crust. The rollers were kneading her feet, and she felt almost languid – but mixing that with what was starting to take hold within her soul, took everything to another level.
He was looking at her differently, and she felt things changing between them.
It was no longer a matter of two scared people circling each other warily but reaching out to see what this was.
Her hand moved slowly from his arm, stretching to touch his cheek, and she heard his intake of breath.
Her thumb slowly caressed his jaw as she just held his gaze, marveling at this man before her.
“Ashley,” he breathed, saying her name almost reverently – and then turned slightly to kiss her palm, closing his eyes and nodding before he looked at her once more. “Eat your dinner while it’s hot, honey.”
She smiled tiredly at the endearment, realizing it was the first time he’d said something like that to her – and she loved it. Nodding, her hand dropped slowly as she looked at him.
“You too… honey ,” she whispered, testing it on her tongue and seeing his shy smile as he moved to pick up a slice of pizza for himself. It might not be huge strides, but those baby steps were definitely in the right direction.