Danny's Main

“Oh my God, Ches, you’re a dog!” Julie laughed. “But I love you.”

“Glad you’re here, buddy.” Da

***

FOUR DAYS PASSED in a flash as Julie and Anita baked cookies and the men bought the Christmas tree and strung the lights. The five of them hung ornaments, ate massive meals, and opened presents while drinking various cocktails, all holiday themed.

“One would think with three professional bartenders in the house, the drinks wouldn’t be this horrible,” Allan quipped after choking on a peppermint-flavored blend Da

Anita pouted. “Allan, they aren’t all terrible. The one Julie made with the tiny marshmallows was pretty delicious. What was it called?”

“Santa’s Balls,” Julie deadpa

Anita hiccupped. “Potent little drink.”

“Woman, I think it’s time for bed.” Allan winked at Chester.

Da

“Okay,” Anita agreed, hiccupping again. As she stood on wobbly legs, Allan scooped his wife over his shoulder and carried her off to their first-floor bedroom.

“Don’t forget you have guests,” Chester called. “So keep it quiet.”

Allan’s profanity was muffled by Anita’s gasp. Da

“I don’t want to go back,” she blurted.

The men’s discussion halted, and the weight of their stares was palpable.

“Huh?”

“What?”

Julie blinked. “I don’t want to go back…”

“To where, honey?” Da

“Yes,” Julie answered simply. Her glance shifted from Da

Her statements were met with silence. Da

He cupped her cheek. “I hear what you’re saying, Julie, but I need to ask, ‘cause I’ve been where you are—I joined the Army, for Christ’s sake, and problems followed me even in the jungle. So honey…you ru

Understanding struck hard as she shook her head. “No, I want us to find something new. Something special. A dream that’s ours, that we can build together. Not ru

“Then I’m with you, baby.” Small lines etched around Da

“Ahem.”

Julie had forgotten about Chester’s presence until he cleared his throat.

“Not to interrupt this heartfelt moment, but you kids did have it in front of me so…”

Heat suffused Julie’s cheeks.

“No, Julie girl,” Chester said, confirming he may actually have the mind-reading skills she’d accused him of years ago, “there isn’t anything for you to be ashamed of. The two of you, Jesus, fighters the likes I’ve never seen before. Soldiers, warriors, survivors. In this life, I believe survivors are drawn to each other. While we don’t always share our war stories, we still mend each other’s wounds. You both have healed me. From the day we met.” Chester’s clear blue eyes focused on Julie’s. “Even before we met, you offered me a life I thought long gone.”

Julie’s eyes watered with emotion, and Da

“You’re adults,” Chester stated gruffly, the emotion from seconds before little more than a memory. “You make your own damn choices, but if you’re lookin’ to move, I got some suggestions.”

“Let’s hear ‘em,” Da

“There’s a gem of a town ‘bout an hour from Philadelphia—Charistown, it’s called. Peaceful place surrounded by farms and other small towns. Place thrives on local businesses. Passed through it on several occasions over the years, even stayed a time or two.” Chester gri

Laughter bubbled from Julie’s chest. “Of course you do, Ches. Where don’t you have people? Da

“Anyway,” Chester drew the word out, “know you two have talked about opening your own bar for years. While Charistown’s farther north, if that ain’t an issue, I could make some calls. I know someone who’s dyin’ to sell his joint and move to warmer climates.”

Judging by the look on Da

“Don’t know, man, seems mighty convenient that every time you’ve needed real estate, you’ve had a friend just ‘dying’ to relocate,” Da

“You lookin’ to start over?” Chester asked.

“Yeah,” Da

“You and our girl need a fresh start in a place you can trust?”

Julie’s eyes jetted back and forth between the men. She had nothing to add to the conversation. She trusted both men and knew Da

“Yeah, Ches, that’d be amazing.”

“Then I got a friend who’s dyin’ to move. End of story.”

Da

“Charistown,” Julie repeated. The name alone felt like a cozy blanket on a cool day. Charistown tumbled through her mind as thoughts of begi

Da

“Tell your friend to pack fast,” Da

With her back to him, Julie heard the smile in Chester’s tone when he answered, “It’d by my pleasure.”

Taking Da

“No words needed, Julie girl. But you both are very welcome. I’ll have some details worked out for you before my flight out tomorrow. Now you two go to bed, and I’ll close off all these lights. And remember…I’m right across the hall. While I may be older, I’m not deaf.” His glare aimed at Da