CHAPTER 1
It's the shoes that complete the dress. I chose to go with the strappy ones that criss-cross along the foot and lace up the ankle. The heels are a bit higher than I am used to, but I have worn stilettos before and am confident in my ability to walk in them with grace. I was lucky to find a pair in the same color as my dress. They were red, the same color as the roses in my neighbors' garden. She wins prizes for those roses. She gave me a single white rose to carry with me tonight saying that flowers make the perfect accessory to any formal occasion, and in her words "a white rose with a red dress would look lovely and elegant."
I stood in front of the long mirror in the hall to get a last glance at myself before heading out the door. My dark brown hair gracefully framed my face in long loose curls, which I paid to have professionally done. My dress was long and slightly hugged my figure until about my knees where it flowed freely from there leaving just enough room to show off the tips of my shoes and my freshly manicured toes. The straps came over my shoulders and ran together into a v-neck style in the front. I turned around to makes sure all was well from behind. I have never worn a backless dress before. I felt kind of sexy. Though, considering who my "date" was, sexy wasn't really the goal of the evening.
My companion for the evening was Private First Class Goldhawk, my brother. He was in town for a month and was invited to attend the military ball. My brother, Jared, was a Marine and was very proud of the fact. He looked regal in what he called his "dress blues", a far cry from the little brother I remember who always had food stains on his shirt and could never remember to zip up his fly. He was a handsome guy, and was quite popular with the ladies, especially the ones with colorful reputations. But he bragged that that's the way he liked it and that he never planned on getting married.
I came out of a two year relationship about six months ago. Though I wasn't actively seeking Mr. Right, I also wasn't as closed off to the idea of commitment as my brother was. I buried myself in work and school. I was studying Archeology at the local community college where I also worked. I worked in the cashier office where students would pay their tuition. It was a job. My dream job was to be out in the field discovering new sites and learning about the lives of our ancient ancestors. It seemed like a dream that would require a great deal of hard work and patience, and, like my grandmother always says, knowing the right people.
"Alright sis, quit staring at your ass and let's go." Jared invited me to go with him because he claims I don't get out enough. I believe it also had something to do with wanting to avoid taking one of his random female "friends" then having to dodge comments all night about whether or not she was his girlfriend. When people go to these events, they usually invite their spouse or significant other. I guess he could have gone stag, but it has been a long time since we have seen each other, and we figured this would be fun. Plus he was excited to introduce me to his commanding officers and some of the friends he made. "Ya know, I invited you so you could meet some of my friends. But in that dress, I might have to keep you as far away from those perverts as possible. Would hate to ruin the evening by punching someone in the face for leering at my sister."
"It's not my fault that red is my color." I told him while doing my best runway pose.
"Well just be extra sure to stay clear of Finn, that guy is the biggest pervert of them all!"
"Isn't he your best friend?"
"We're practically brothers." He laughed as he put his elbow out to walk me to the car. He was staying with our father while he was in town, and dad let him borrow the Hyundai for the night. I live with my dad as well. Our mother left us when I was seven and Jared was five. I am twenty eight now and have lived on my own for awhile, and most recently with my ex. But when that relationship ended, I didn't feel like living alone and decided to move back to my hometown to stay with my father for awhile. He was glad to let me move back in, I had a feeling he was kind of lonely himself. Clarkdale was a small town, quiet and peaceful just the way I liked it. My dad's house was near the park in the center of the town which had a big beautiful gazebo that I had always envisioned myself getting married in.... One day. As far as I was concerned, this was the best place to be if you wanted to get away from it all. My brother and I had to leave pretty early to accommodate the two hour drive to Phoenix where the ball was being held.
The ball was held in a big, beautiful building downtown. They did a great job decorating the place for the event. I have never been inside this building before and was amazed at all the beautiful marble floors, marble columns, and a marble stair case. I felt like I was in Cinderella's castle. I firmly hung on to Jared's arm as I did my best to navigate my way down the staircase in my stilettos, that were beginning to feel more like stilts at the moment. I didn't think about the possibility of stairs when I chose these shoes. Jared was busy waving to his buddies from afar and checking out the woman at the bottom of the stairs in the short black dress. I felt I was doing a great job making a graceful entrance until the very last step when I lost my footing. With one hand still clutching my brother, I threw my other hand out to catch my fall, tossing the white rose I was holding in the process. I was barely into the stumbled when I suddenly felt a firm hand grip my side and pull me in. The hand that was meant to break my fall was now pressed up against the chest of the man who caught me. I couldn't help but notice how strong this man felt just by the touch. I looked up to thank him, only to find myself staring into the warmest brown eyes I have ever seen. He had one arm wrapped completely around me and his other hand came up to cover my hand on his chest. The moment felt much longer than it actually was. My trance was broken by my brother, "Geeze Ava, you alright?!"
"Yea, yea, I'm fine." I looked up at the man to say thank you and saw him smiling at me, at which point I began to feel the embarrassment of the situation. With a red face I managed to express my appreciation.
"No worries, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
"If only she wore shoes that she knew how to walk in ..." Jared teased. At which point he noticed Finn and the rest of his buddies waving him over from across the room. "Hey, the guys have a table, come on."
I said thank you again as my brother dragged me away. The handsome man nodded and gave me a smile and a short wave as he disappeared into the crowd.
Of course Jared's buddies witnessed my little stumble and, after seeing that all that was hurt was my pride, couldn't help but dole out a little light teasing.
"I like your sister, Goldhawk. Barely down the stairs and she literally throws herself at the first man to walk by." Finn said as walked up and put his arm over my shoulders. "I like a woman who gets right to the point."
"Hands off my sister, Finn!" Jared said in his most protective brother voice.
The two of them continued to egg each other on until they started laughing. Jared introduced me to the group which contained Finn and three other guys. I failed to pay attention to their names because my mind was still on the handsome stranger I ran ... or fell into earlier. I would catch myself occasionally scanning the room to see where he might be, or if he was even still here. My brother and his friends were too involved in talking about military stuff and their latest sexual conquest to notice that I was still standing there. I excused myself to the bar to order a glass of wine.
As I stood there enjoying my moscato, I looked up and saw the handsome stranger. He was across the room talking to some people. I felt myself becoming entranced again in whatever it was about him that caught my attention so deeply. His hair was darker than mine, almost black. He had one of those naturally tanned skin tones that made him look exotic, but also made his ethnicity hard to determine. He was dressed in a tuxedo instead of a military uniform which lead me to believe he may be someone's guest. Wondering if he may be the guest of some lucky lady, I tried subtly looking for a wedding ring. At that moment he looked my direction and noticed me studying at him. Embarrassed, again, I gave him a shy smile and waved. He smiled back and lifted his glass as to gesture a toast from across the room. I lifted my glass in the same manner. As I took a sip, I heard someone whisper in my ear, "He could be one of them."
I turned to see Jared standing there. "What are you talking about?" I said
"You know what I'm talking about. I'm not saying he is one of them, but I have noticed the way you were looking at him when you ran into each other and how you have been stalking him all night."
"I have not been stalking him! I just find him very interesting"
"You and every other woman in this room in case you haven't noticed. I've heard their kind has a way of being.... intriguing, to the opposite sex."
"Even if he is, what does it matter anyway?"
"Just be careful Ava, you don't want to find yourself getting mixed up with ..." and I cut him off mid sentence.
"Don't say it! You know that's not what they are."
"What else would you call them?"
"I know there's got to be a better term. Besides, it doesn't matter who or what he is, I doubt he would even be interested anyway after I made such a fool of myself."
Just then Finn popped up out of nowhere with two lovely ladies on his arms. "Goldhawk! Can you believe these beauties came here without dates?!" He said as he shot a charming glance at each one. I never understood how some women could actually fall for that crap. But then again, guys like Finn and my brother made being a player practically an art. Jared gave me an apologetic look.
"Go." I said, "I'm perfectly fine sitting here with my moscato."
"My boy needs his wingman." He said as he glanced over at the women.
I smiled as he gave me a playful punch in the arm, and then bounced off to grab the attention of the girl Finn had been so considerate to pick out for him.
I looked back to see if Mr. Handsome was still standing in the same spot from across the room. But, again, he was gone. I began to regret that I was so caught up in my own embarrassment to catch his name. Surely if someone was nice enough to sweep in and keep you from falling on your face, the polite thing to do would be to introduce yourself at least. I glanced back in the direction of my brother and Finn and watched as these poor women fell hook, line, and sinker for every word those boys spun to them.
I took another sip of wine as I quietly chuckled to myself. I was startled mid sip when I heard a voice behind me.
"Your date is quite fond of the ladies I see."
I turned around and there he was. Mr. Handsome. I could feel my cheeks turning red again. What's wrong with me, I never get this flustered around guys. "Oh.... Well, he's not really my date, he's ... he's my brother,"
"I figured there was something more to the situation," He said, "but it still seems unfair of him to leave you sitting here all by yourself."
"Oh, I'm fine. I like to just sit and watch the crowd sometimes."
Just when it seemed like there was about to be an awkward pause in the conversation I heard one of my favorite slow songs begin to play. I was about to mention how much I liked this song when, without a word, my handsome stranger took the wine glass from my hand and placed it on the bar, then turned to me and held out his hand. I placed my hand in his and he led me out to the dance floor.
For the second time this evening, I found myself up close to my handsome stranger with his arm wrapped around me once more. Only this time he wasn't saving me from a fall. Considering how low cut my dress was from behind, he had no option but to rest his hand on my bare back. I could feel his fingers gently move across the small of my back until they found their position. His other hand held mine and we began to move slowly with the music.
"I believe we missed the chance to properly introduce ourselves, I'm Callias Varela." He said as he smiled down at me. "Or 'Cal' for short."
"Avannah Goldhawk, but just call me Ava" I said with a grin.
"That's a lovely name."
"Thank you. So what brings you out to a military ball?"
"I'm here for an old friend."
"Are you in the military?"
"No, not anymore. I haven't been for quite awhile." He looked away as if he was trying to think of something to change the subject.
At that point the song had ended. I wasn't ready for our moment to be over so I was relieved when he asked me if I wanted to join him outside for some fresh air. He escorted me out to the back where there was beautiful garden decorated so elegantly with those little white Christmas lights. We walked around the garden together just making conversation. I was curious about him, especially after the brief conversation I had with my brother. Could there really be more to this handsome man?
"So who is this old friend you are here with?" I asked.
"Well, I am not really here with anyone. I came in honor of an old friend. We fought together in numerous battles. He died in the last war we were in together, and that was when I decided to leave." He looked down. "I still come to functions like these to honor and remember him."
"Sorry to hear that. It's good that you still honor his memory though."
He looked over at me and smiled, and then he reached into the jacket of his tux and pulled out a white rose. The same rose I dropped earlier. "I believe this was yours." He said as he handed it to me.
My fingers touched his hand as I took the flower. I glanced up to meet his gaze and everything seemed to slow down. Every detail of the moment began to fall together as if to create the perfect memory. The soft glow of the white lights, the warm Arizona breeze that moved my hair across my shoulders, the way his hand felt against mine, and the dull roll of thunder in the distance. My momentary trance was broken by the feeling of rain drops beginning to sprinkle down on us. A few rain drops turned into many and soon we were caught in a nice little downpour. Cal took his jacket off and held it above my head as we hurried back towards the building. We took cover in the doorway, Cal had put his jacket around me and we stood there for a moment. Though Arizona rain is hardly ever cold, I feigned a chill just to have an excuse to stand closer to him. To my delight, he took the bait and put his arm around me.
Just then I noticed the time. It was already nine o'clock. "As much as I hate the thought of calling it a night, I'm gonna have to be taking off soon." I said to Cal.
"This early?" He said as he looked down at me with disappointment.
"I know it seems a bit early, but I have a two hour drive home, maybe even longer in this weather."
"That's quite a drive, where do you live?"
"North of here. In the Verde Valley area."
"I know where that is. I travel to Flagstaff a lot and I like to pass through that area when I feel like taking the scenic route. It's very pretty up there."
"It's the only place I truly feel at home."
"Well, I would really love to see you again. Perhaps I can call you next time I pass through the area, and maybe take you to dinner."
"I would love that." I said with a smile, hoping not to blush. I gave him my number then excused myself to go find my brother. My evening here had ended a lot better than it had started. Jared was just as ready to go as I was. His wingman duties were done as far as he was concerned considering the girl he was talking to would not stop talking about her ex the whole night.
Jared had me wait in front of the building as he went to get the car. The rain had stopped already, typical Arizona storm. It only rains just enough to make ground slippery and Jared didn't want to have me slipping and falling in my heels.... again. I slowly strolled across the street and enjoyed how clean the air smelled. I still had my rose, and I held it up to my face to catch the combined aroma of rose and desert rain thinking this would make for a perfect candle scent. And, of course, I couldn't get my mind off Cal and felt a spark of excitement at the prospect of our future date. I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent again as my mind wandered. A loud noise caught my attention; it was the sound tires made when they have lost their grip on the road and slid out of control. I opened my eyes to see Jared running towards me, screaming at me to move. Two bright lights came towards me from the left faster than I could turn my head to see what they were. And just as the lights were at their brightest, everything went black.
