Fan The Flames (Man Of The Month Book 3)
her, back in freshman English class, he’d noticed her smile. Sure, back then it had been covered with braces, but he’d liked how whenever she looked at him, that one simple action had tugged at something deep inside. Now years later, her smile still had that power to make his heart leap.
    “It’s not a problem if you’re here,” Scarlett said. “After all, I’m your guest and while we need to address that down the road, we don’t need to do so today. Just give me a bit of advance warning so Colleen and I are dressed. I guess that’s the only ground rule. Like today, just knock.”
    “I will.” He hesitated. “I won’t be disturbing anything. As in…” He paused. How did he ask this?
    She frowned. “What do you mean?”
    He pointed to the flag. “Todd. His … his remains.” He had no idea what she’d done with them. “Are they here? I don’t want to knock them over.”
    Pale green eyes widened, as she understood. “You mean his ashes.”
    “Yes. I don’t want to accidently knock over the urn.” Brad wasn’t sure if he could handle even seeing what he never had. Once the service had been over, he’d left immediately for St. Louis. Had made his excuses that he didn’t have any more leave from his training with the St. Louis Fire Department. He’d known she was in good hands—her parents and Todd’s were there. And there was nothing Brad could do. Not then.
    Scarlett’s lips quivered. She straightened. Found her fortitude. “No worries. I spread his ashes in the Pacific right before we left. Seemed fitting to finally let him go if we were coming here.”
    She paused as her voice cracked. Touched the base of her throat. Coughed. Spoke again. “He loved the water, and you know as well as I did that he never wanted to come back here. That’s why I didn’t bury him in Jefferson Barracks. I know Larry and Louise were upset, for they thought he should be here. But I wanted him to rest in peace on the waves like he wanted.” She reached for her hot chocolate. Poured the tepid remains in the sink. Worked the fancy sprayer faucet that was the latest designer rage. “Does that sound silly? Was I wrong?”
    “No. Not if he wanted that. His wishes should be respected.” Brad reached for his mug. To control his nerves he’d taken a long sip of French roast that he’d sweetened. The coffee had cooled slightly, but was still hot enough that it scalded the back of his throat. He coughed. “I wondered why you didn’t have a graveside service.”
    “He never wanted one. Todd and I talked about it once. After he reenlisted. I remember laughing, trying to ease some of the heaviness of the moment. It was so serious, you know?” Her words caught. “I mean, we were planning what happens if he died. Who laughs about something like that?”
    “A normal person,” Brad consoled. “You plan for it and then it doesn’t happen. If you don’t, it does.”
    “Or it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. It was one of the most awkward conversations of my life. Maybe it was his way of letting me know that he’d never leave the SEALs. That he was in the Navy for life, however short or long that life would be. He said whatever happened that he never wanted a tombstone, even if the Navy was buying. Told me I was to move on, not come back to see him yearly and bring him flowers. Who says that?” Her voice cracked. Filled with anguish. “Why didn’t he respect what I wanted? All Colleen has are pictures and mementoes. How do you talk to someone without a grave?”
    “He must have had his reasons,” Brad defended.
    Scarlett gathered her composure. “I’m sure you’re right. I shouldn’t have dumped on you. Despite all of our phone conversations, we’ve only recently started opening up and here I am, partial to your hospitality. I’m sorry.”
    “It’s okay. No apology necessary.”
    She sighed. “Two years later you wouldn’t think I’d be so frustrated.”
    Brad lifted his coffee mug to his lips, a
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