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“And she shut him down so hard, I think the entire base heard it,” Chuck finishes, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
“Didn’t stop him from trying again the next day,” I add, shaking my head.
“Nope,” Chuck agrees. “But you gotta admire his persistence. And now look at him. Getting married. Life sneaks up on you.”
I nod, suddenly thoughtful. If someone like Martinez can find love and settle down...maybe there’s hope for me too. Images of Polly fill my mind. What would it be like to take a chance with her? To make a serious effort to have a woman in my life again?
“So,” Chuck says, breaking into my reverie. “Polly. I know her in passing, but what’s your take on her?”
I hesitate, unsure how to put my feelings into words. “She’s...she’s something else, Chuck. Smart, funny. She’s devoted to that bakery. And the way she handles customers, even the grumpy ones. I like how I feel when I’m around her.”
Chuck’s smile is happy rather than teasing. “Sounds like she’s got you pretty good, man.”
I shrug, trying to play it cool, but I know his words hold truth. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time since...you know.”
“Since Sarah,” Chuck finishes for me. His tone is gentle but firm. “Look, Gabe. I know she did a number on you. Hell, I wanted to tell her off when I found out what happened. But you can’t let one bad experience ruin everything. Not all women are like her.”
I sigh, running a hand through my sweat-dampened hair. “I know that, logically. But...” I trail off, struggling to find the right words.
“That’s a hard kind of hurt to move past,” Chuck finishes.
I nod, trying to push down the stale emotions of Sarah’s betrayal. No matter how many times I try to tell myself I’m over her and what she did, I know I still carry traces of the hurt she caused me. I’ve come to accept it as part of my life, despite wishing those traces were forgotten history.
“I get it, man. I do,” Chuck continues. “But think about it this way. We went through some serious shit in the Army, right? Saw things, did things that could’ve broken us. But we didn’t let it stop us from coming back, from building lives here. Why should this be any different?”
His words hit me hard. He’s right, of course. We faced death and saw friends fall, yet we found a way to keep going, to find joy and purpose in civilian life. Why should matters of the heart be any different?
“You’re right,” I admit. “It’s just...it’s scary, you know? Opening up like that again.”
Chuck nods, clapping me on the shoulder. “Of course it is. But from what you’ve told me about Polly, she sounds worth the risk.And hey, if it doesn’t work out, you’ve always got me and my half-built cabin to come sulk in.”
I laugh, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. “Gee, thanks. Nothing like the promise of manual labor to soothe a broken heart.”
“Hey, it’s what I’m here for.” Chuck grins. “Now come on, let’s finish up this section. I need to head to the hardware store for more supplies soon.”
We work in companionable silence for a while, the repetitive motions of sawing and hammering giving me time to think. As the sun climbs higher in the sky, Chuck steps back, surveying our progress.
“I think we’re good for today,” he says. “We’ve got another two, maybe three weeks before this is all wrapped up.”
I nod, my stomach fluttering with anticipation. If we’re done early, I can head to the bakery sooner than usual.
“Sounds good,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual. “I’ll clean up here and head out.”
Chuck’s knowing smirk tells me I’m not fooling anyone. “Tell Polly I said hi,” he calls over his shoulder as he walks to his truck. “And Gabe?”
I look up from where I’m coiling an extension cord. “Yeah?”
“Don’t overthink it, alright? Take the leap.”
I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Thanks, Chuck. I’ll keep that in mind.”
As Chuck drives away, I start cleaning up, my mind drifting back to Polly. Since I met Polly, stopping by the bakery has becomethe highlight of my day. I tell myself it’s for the apple turnovers and the rich, dark coffee, but who am I kidding? It’s all about her.
CHAPTER 3
POLLY
Islide the warm apple turnover across the counter, offering a smile to the elderly gentleman waiting patiently. “There you go, Mr. Hawkins. Enjoy!”
