Her Invisible Soldier: A Military Romance with a Twist Read online

  Kennedy gave me a wink as we walked back inside and I wondered what the hell I was getting myself into. I just hoped this fourth time would be the charm and I wouldn’t burn the place down or something equally tragic. Fingers crossed for success!

  Chapter Two

  Before entering the massive brick building looming before me, I paused to examine my outfit. My usual wardrobe routine consisted of blue jeans, t-shirts, and black running shoes. I valued comfort above all else. It’s not like I was a Miss America wannabe that had to keep up on the latest fashions. However, I did want to make a good first impression since this charity was one of my last resorts.

  I also knew that I’d probably be working with elderly gentlemen that grew up in a different era than I did…ones who would prefer that ladies dressed like ladies and not ‘hobos who just rolled out of my bed’ as my grandpa liked to say. He was less than impressed with my casual attire. So I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t have much time to change after work and still wore my khaki pants and loafers. The only difference was the red blouse that now took the place of my polo shirt with ‘Conway Family Dental’ embroidered on the side. I’ll be damned if I’m advertising that place for free.

  The glass doors opened and a young man walked out, holding the door for me to enter.

  “Are you a veteran?” he asked hopefully.

  “Um…no. I came here to volunteer. Why do you ask?”

  “Oh,” he replied with a look of disappointment. “Good luck with that. I was just turned away because they’re full of helpers. Evidently some church group arrived before I did and they don’t need any more volunteers today. I’m heartbroken. I was totally looking forward to doing my good deed for the week. I guess there’s always next time!”

  He smiled brightly and strolled down the sidewalk towards the homeless shelter on the corner. I half expected a halo to appear over his head or wings to sprout from his back, but nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Strange. Had it become trendy to give your time and talents to the greater good? I guess I missed the memo.

  Crap! It just dawned on me that the random noises spewing from his mouth were words that applied to my current situation. If he got turned away, would I be dismissed too? That was no good. That was no good at all. I specifically arrived at work half an hour early this morning so I could leave at four thirty in order to get my time in. If Mrs. Conway found out that I didn’t help, she’d have my head on a silver platter.

  Thank goodness I texted Kassie last night and told her to expect me. With any luck, she set aside a nice old veteran that needed my help with something. Maybe I’d walk right in to ‘Serving Those Who Served’ Veteran’s Resource Center and find a table with a reserved sign just waiting for me. Wouldn’t that be nice?

  Fully fearful of anyone else coming in and stealing my spot, I proceeded to enter the building and try to figure out where I was supposed to go.

  This was no easy task. I was greeted with a long hallway leading to a set of double doors that reminded me of a high school gymnasium or a church reception area. You know…like where they have fund raising dinners and silent auctions and that kind of thing. My mind flashed back to all the religious functions I attended with my grandparents over the years. I had a tendency to hide in the corner, avoid talking to anyone, and eat at least four desserts. Don’t get me started on the fruit fluff. Heavenly!

  With a shrug, I cracked open the door and peered in. Ah…sweet success. This place was set up pretty nicely. A group of round tables were filled to capacity. I noticed people of all ages seemingly paired up and performing a multitude of different tasks. I was most impressed that each veteran appeared to be with their own volunteer so as to get one-on-one attention. I saw some folks doing paperwork, a handful of people sat at computer stations, and the rest just chatted happily amongst themselves.

  The place literally buzzed with activity and I found it a bit overwhelming. I much preferred the peace and quiet that comes with being alone, but I didn’t think that was an option since the room was entirely open with no separation between different areas.

  “Hello there! Can I help you?” a woman asked cheerfully from off to my left. I noticed she sat behind a large reception desk with a big ‘welcome’ banner strung up across the front. Clearly she was the greeter.

  I walked over to her and squared my shoulders to give off the impression that I belonged there.

  “My name is Alyce and I---”

  “Welcome to ‘Serving Those Who Served’ Veteran’s Resource Center, Alyce. We’re happy to have you here,” she spoke loudly and clearly, as though I were an alien with no grasp of the human language.

  I took a step back, uncertain as to why she interrupted me. Taking the opportunity to examine her closer, I noticed a name tag that read ‘Debbie.’ I held back my disgust at the heart over the ‘i’ in her name.

  “What can we do to help you today?” she asked slowly, following the question with a bright smile that showcased her pearly white teeth. I blinked a few times in rapid succession, taken aback by her demeanor. I half expected her mouth to open wide and suck me in like a black hole swallowing surrounding planets.

  I really watch too many horror movies.

  “I’m here to volunteer and help with your wonderful and worthwhile charity,” I replied, speaking in the same careful way that she’d spoken to me. I also tried to plaster on a smile in an effort to appear normal, but I’m not sure it worked. Instead of nodding her head and pairing me with a veteran, she merely shook her head in mock sorrow.

  “I’m sorry, but we already have more volunteers than veterans,” Debbie admitted with a sigh and a frown. A long blonde ponytail bounced back and forth as she delivered the bad news. “Normally this is never an issue, but things have gone crazy since that recent news story about the veteran being mugged. Suddenly everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon and help our former military personnel. I think it’s just a phase that will quickly pass when the next sensational story comes along. I’d suggest checking back in a month or two.”

  That would all be well and good, but I don’t have that kind of time. I began to chew on my lower lip as I thought of another strategy to get Debbie to cooperate with my plight. How can I connect with the pink-wearing, bubble gum chewing, happy camper?

  Give her a sob story? Try and squeeze out a fake tear? Name drop?

  Hell yes. I forgot about Kassie. Where was she anyway?

  “Are you absolutely sure that you don’t have anyone in need of help? My friend Kassie works here and she promised that there was someone I could be matched with. Maybe you can go find her? I would greatly appreciate it,” I chirped, smile firmly in place.

  In an instant, the friendly façade dropped away from Debbie’s face and it was replaced with something decidedly more sinister. What had I said to upset her? Mentally replaying my last portion of the conversation, I could think of nothing that would be offensive. Was I not supposed to suggest she get someone else? Did that imply she was inept at her job?

  “I’m sorry,” she spoke snidely, “Did you say you were a friend of Kassie?”

  Oh shit. Clearly she has something against her co-worker. So much for name dropping.

  I nodded my head while trying to figure out the reason behind her animosity. Both women were cut from the same cloth. They possessed cheerful, outgoing personalities with classic buxom blonde good looks. Tan skin, toned bodies, and magnetic smiles that drew you in and made you want to befriend them. I’m surprised they weren’t instant best friends due to all their common traits.

  Unless…

  Perhaps Debbie had a boyfriend that happened to visit her at work. Maybe Kassie spotted this guy, didn’t realize he was spoken for, flirted her ass off, and got some male attention that Debbie didn’t appreciate.

  Shit.

  I began to slowly back away from the desk with the intention of leaving peacefully and calling Kassie once safely outside in order to get to the bottom of the mystery.

  That didn’t ha
ppen.

  “Alyce, I have good news for you,” the she-devil began with a look of revenge in her eyes. “As a matter of fact, I might have someone to pair you up with after all. It must be your lucky day!”

  She reached under the desk and pulled out a file folder while mumbling something about karma and paybacks. I slowly shook my head as a sinking feeling formed in the pit of my stomach. Kassie was going to pay dearly for not warning me about this.

  “Please follow me,” Debbie requested while coming around from behind the desk and beginning to walk toward my new assignment. “I can’t believe I almost forgot about Dixon. I’m sure he would be absolutely thrilled to get such a lovely volunteer. He’s a real charmer as you’re about to find out!”

  She led the way as we passed by several tables of people. Some looked up and smiled, while others waved to Debbie. I have to admit that everyone appeared to get along with her. Maybe I was just being paranoid for no reason. I mean, she did find me someone to work with instead of turning me away. I wasn’t normally one to overreact in situations, so I had no idea where this sense of foreboding was coming from.

  It was a bit unusual that we managed to navigate our way through the room without stopping. I kept expecting her to point to someone, introduce us, and then walk away. But we kept going…and going…until we did a complete loop around the place and ended up near the outer wall not terribly far from where we started.

  She abruptly halted about ten feet away from a lone figure seated in a chair.

  “This is Dixon,” she sneered. “He’s all yours.”

  I was about to thank her, when she suddenly turned on her heels and marched away at the speed of light. I shrugged at her obvious lack of introduction manners, and then my eyes landed on him.

  Dixon.

  Holy fuck.

  All I could do was stare at him, open mouthed, as though I’d never seen a man before. Yes, I’d actually met several members of the male species, but not one of them had such a commanding presence.

  Long, shaggy unkempt locks hung limply over his forehead as if to act as a camouflage to hide his face. A dark beard and overgrown facial hair added to the disheveled appearance he projected. Once you took the ripped jeans, well worn green army jacket, and combat boots into consideration, it left no doubt that the man was going for a ‘badass’ vibe. Dixon’s entire demeanor screamed, ‘leave me the fuck alone.’

  Yet his eyes…for some reason they drew me in like a beacon shining from a lighthouse on a dark and cloudless night. They simultaneously captivated and repelled me. I could see a multitude of emotions swirling, locked inside.

  Rage, annoyance, and unease simmered beneath the surface. It didn’t take a brain surgeon or a psychiatrist to figure that out. One look at his posture told me all I needed to know.

  His massive frame was squeezed into a school desk…the kind with the table attached so you had something to write on. It must not have been comfortable at all. Yet he somehow managed to lean back and give me an intense appraisal from head to toe. I felt like I was on the receiving end of a visual examination and I had no clue if I would pass the test or not. So I did the first thing that came to mind. I stuttered like a complete moron.

  “Hello. My name is Alyce. That’s Alyce with a ‘y’ and not an ‘i’ like it’s usually spelled. I’m not sure why I’m telling you this because it’s not like you’re going to have to write my name down or anything. I’m just different I guess. I mean my name is spelled differently than the normal way. Not like everyone has to be normal or anything, because obviously they’re not. Normal. Not like you’re not normal. So, yeah.”

  This is going so fucking well. Clearly I’m about to be awarded the ‘volunteer of the month’ or something. At least I haven’t burned the place down and I’ve been here a solid seven minutes already. That might be a record. With the other attempts at charity work, I’d have been asked to leave or forcefully removed by now. So…as bad as this seems to be going…it could actually be worse.

  I stood in front of Dixon while patiently waiting for him to reply or acknowledge my presence in any way. Instead he just stared at me like he was trying to picture me naked and then got bored and turned his attention back to the window.

  He wasn’t getting away that easy. I was on a mission, and I damn well had every intention of succeeding. In case you were wondering, the goal was more along the lines of sticking it out for the whole hour and not so much about changing anyone’s life at this point. Baby steps, you know?

  “So, I’m not really sure how this works,” I continued, desperate to get some sort of reaction out of him. “I guess I’m a volunteer here with the hopes of helping anyone who needs help. What can I do for you today?”

  “Suck my cock,” he ordered, still stone-faced, not showing any hint of emotion.

  Wow. I can honestly say I really didn’t expect that response.

  I plastered an extremely fake smile on my face and channeled my inner Nina. Must not lose temper. Must remain cool, calm, and collected. What would Nina do in this situation? She was always happy, chipper, and eager to please.

  “Well, sir, I think that’s not on the menu today since this is our first meeting and I’m definitely not that kind of girl. Is there anything else you’re in need of?”

  “A bottle of vodka and the strongest pot you can get your hands on,” he demanded as though there was the remote possibility I might actually comply.

  “Again, no, that won’t be happening today. I’m fairly certain that would get me kicked out of here, which is not an option. Whether you realize this or not, I’m running out of volunteer opportunities and this is my last hope.”

  Maybe he would take pity on me or ask about my situation. If I could get him talking, it would be beneficial for several reasons. First off, it would seem as though we were getting along which would keep me here for the required hour. Secondly, it would be a nice ‘fuck you’ to Debbie who gave me this dickface on purpose just to stick it to Kassie and get revenge for some unknown grievance against her. Thirdly, and most importantly, I’m a bit curious as to why Dixon is such a jerk.

  Instead of any further conversation, my new buddy stuck his hand in the air and promptly flipped me off. He then turned back to resume his intense gaze out the window, signaling that our little chat was now over.

  Oh, but it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. It’s not over until I say it’s over.

  “What are you looking at out there, sir? Has your mothership landed on the roof of the building across the street? Have they returned to take you back to planet ‘asshole’ where you can be crowned king of the pricks?”

  This finally got a reaction out of him, but perhaps not the one I’d intended.

  Sliding back the desk in order to cause a hideous noise like fingernails on a chalkboard, he drew everyone’s attention in our direction. Dixon slowly rose from the chair, stood up to his full height, and got right in my face.

  “Don’t ever speak to me again, little girl. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I’m not here to play games, I don’t want your help, and I’m sure as fuck not anyone’s pet project.”

  He walked away, seemingly oblivious to the stares of everyone around us, marched up to the welcome desk, and began barking orders at Debbie.

  “Do not pair me up with anyone else ever again. Is that clear? Sign my ticket for the day. I’m leaving.”

  She did as she was told and he left the building. Just like that.

  In an effort to capitalize on Debbie’s shock, I mimicked Dixon’s purposeful stride and also found myself requesting her assistance.

  “I think that went well, don’t you?” I asked, no hint of sarcasm in my voice. “Same time tomorrow?”

  “Um…maybe that’s not such a good idea, Alyce,” she mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

  “How about you sign off on my form too, Debbie? I think we’ve achieved good results for the first day.”

  Her hand shook as she signed the volunteer form acknowledging my
presence as proof to show Mrs. Conway that I did indeed show up and help. That was all I needed.

  “Have a lovely evening!”

  I found myself humming as I walked out to the parking lot. I was absolutely coming back tomorrow. If for no other reason than to prove my resilience to Debbie, show Dixon that I couldn’t be intimidated, and to see what else might happen. Sadly, this was the most excitement I’d had in a long time.

  But first, a call to Kassie was my next priority. I needed more information in order to put ‘Operation Volunteerism’ into action.

  Chapter Three

  Since Kassie never answered her damn phone, I figured my best bet was to shoot her a text.

  “I went to volunteer with the veterans today…but you weren’t there?”

  While I waited for her to reply, I made myself some scrambled eggs and toast. For some reason, breakfast foods were among my favorites and I was a fan of eating them at supper time. I sprinkled some cheddar cheese on my creation and prepared to dig in when my phone dinged at me.

  “Sorry I wasn’t around today. Brad swooped in and whisked me away.”

  This revelation was accompanied by a photo of Kassie’s face smooshed up against a guy who looked strikingly similar to Thor. Okay, not the real Thor, but the actor who plays him in the movie. I had no idea who the hell ‘Brad’ even was, let alone why he was whisking her away somewhere.

  “Glad you’re having fun, Kass. I also made some new friends today. In your absence, Debbie was kind enough to pair me with Dixon.”

  Let’s see what she did with that confession.

  Just as I thought, she replied mere seconds later.

  “That dirty BITCH! I’ll deal with her when I get back.”

  Alrighty then. That conversation did me no good whatsoever. I now have cold eggs, no background info on Dixon, and no reason as to why Debbie hates us.

  Time for plan B.

  I dialed Kennedy, because she was the reliable one who actually picked up her phone and answered it.