Free Special Delivery (A Valentine's Short Story) by Ginny Baird Page B

Luke had paid her during their early
morning run-ins was meant for her.
    “Not everyone,” the girl behind her insisted.
“He’s never noticed anybody’s hair before.”
     
    Later, Luke assured her it was true. He found
her blonde tresses mesmerizing. And the way they played about her
pretty face? Enticingly awesome. He’d also noticed her eyes. He’d
never seen any so blue. And her hands — so fine and delicate. He could tell she was a
compassionate person by the careful way she’d cradled her coffee
cup. Amanda accused him of laying it on thick, but he’d simply
chuckled in response swearing to goodness it was true. And
precisely why he’d gone back to the coffee shop at the same time
the next morning in hopes of asking her out. He suggested meeting
for coffee to start. It only seemed natural. They already had a
regular place.
    Amanda stared down at her thank-you notes,
thinking what a lucky girl she was. She’d unexpectedly met the man
of her dreams, and every day since had been like a fairy tale. The
days when he’d been home, that was. Amanda tried not to let this
depress her. She couldn’t be selfish, wanting more than she already
had—when she already had so much. Katie often told her how many
other women would gladly trade places just to have a husband as
wonderful as Luke and a promising future ahead like Amanda and her
family did. Of course, she knew this was true. Her heart brimmed
over, knowing it wouldn’t be long until Luke held her again. By
that time, he’d have a brand-new son or daughter to hold as well.
What a wonderful time that would be, the day when they could all be
together.
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    Luke sat on his berth, staring down at
Amanda’s photo. It was the small one he always kept in his wallet,
and one that had been taken at the start of her year teaching
preschool. She wore a string of pearls and a pretty blue sweater
that complemented her eyes. Her smile was warm and confident. From
the moment he first saw her, she took his breath away. She’d walked
into that coffee shop with keen determination and a brisk gait. And
when she’d set her eyes on his, Luke’s heart had skipped a beat. No
woman had ever had that effect on him, and he’d known plenty in a
casual way. Up until that point, he’d led a freewheeling life
without much to tie him down. But something about Amanda said being
anchored to one woman wouldn’t be that bad. In fact, it might be
incredible. All she had to do was say yes. Yes, to that first cup
of coffee. Yes, to their first dinner date. Yes, to his proposal
when he took her in his arms five months later and begged to her to
always be his.
    Asking Amanda to be his bride was a decision
he’d never regretted. Now that they had a baby on the way, he was
even more wildly happy. Imagine that! He, Luke Holiday, was going
to be a dad! To…Little Bean . He chuckled at the memory of
Amanda swatting his arm in mock offense. “That’s horrible!” she’d
said. “How can you compare our child to food?” He was only being
factual, he’d told her. Besides, they’d settle on a real name for
their offspring soon enough. And they had. Lena, after Amanda’s
grandmother, if it was a girl, and David, after Luke’s father, if
it was a boy. Luke would give anything to be home when the baby was
born. As it was, he didn’t have much say in the matter. They’d
deployed seven months ago. It was to be a six-month tour initially,
but due to complications in the Middle East, their mission had been
extended.
    He’d been doing reconnaissance flights for
satellite mapping but always had to stay alert when navigating
enemy airspace. One never knew when something could go wrong, and
when it did, things deteriorated quickly. Luke counted on his solid
training and experience to see him through, and thankfully, it
always had. There was something about a panicky situation that made
Luke react calmly. It was like his whole world went on autopilot
and he could function