© copywrite 2008 by Diana Mylek check out her website

Chapter 4

The first Monday in October began another very busy week for Leah, Pam and her employees. Spencer was also up to his elbows in paperwork and phone calls, but Leah was puzzled that he disappeared every day around eleven-thirty. Maybe for lunch, she thought but he said nothing to anyone. After work he went jogging with Devin or helped him with schoolwork, and then drove him home. At first Darlene was resentful, but by the end of the month she talked of Spencer as if he was sent from heaven to her son. And for the first time, Darlene was open to Leah’s talk of God and his love for her.

“I never had a good male role model in my life,” Darlene admitted to Leah on Friday as she readied her baby for the short walk home. “I’m determined that Devin won’t grow up to be like his father or any of the other men who made my life miserable. But Gunny—he’s teaching Devin things that I can’t, and my son thinks that Gunny walks on water.”

“God sent him into your life, I’m sure of it,” Leah agreed. “I know God wants you to see his goodness and mercy. Gunny—Spencer is his messenger of sorts.”

Darlene laughed and patted the little baby who cooed back at his mother. “Funny, I thought God was like all men…and then I meet Gunny. He changes my thoughts completely.”

Leah felt a twinge as she noticed the look on Darlene’s face. She was staring at Gunny with more than admiration; it was the wishful smile of a woman falling in love. I can see why she feels that way, Leah admitted with not a little jealousy. He’s such a fine man, who wouldn’t fall for him? Spencer had much to offer anyone, especially a woman with two sons that desperately need a father. Swallowing her feelings, Leah excused her self and left Darlene to say goodnight to the consultant.

Upstairs in her office, Leah went over the month’s progress and tried not to think about Spencer; near impossible since most plans were his making and construction his project. He had secured building permits, lined up an architecture firm to begin plans and was talking to a crew about renovation. She was amazed that he had accomplished so much in one month’s time, but he wasn’t supposed to work anymore than a few and he was on a tight schedule.

The catalog wasn’t moving along as smoothly and Leah would have to work all weekend on the project. Pam was planning another trip next week to see the executives at Heidelman’s Department store since her date had cancelled at the last moment. Leah asked her employees for input on the catalog and website and she was amazed again at the insightful ideas presented to her. Needing to get the most for their money, Leah and the women were piecing together pages and writing descriptions of each item. She didn’t think the catalog would be ready for weeks, but the construction loan would keep them afloat for that time, and she had some back orders to fill along with the regulars who ordered monthly.

A knock on the door made Leah look up from her paperwork.

“Busy week.” Spencer stood in the doorway with a clipboard in his hand. “Feel like going over some figures?”

She wanted nothing more than a long soak in a tub filled with scented soap, but smiled and told him to have a seat. He went over all the plans so far and what to expect in the coming weeks, and offered to stay until construction was complete.

“You can spare the time?” Leah asked. “What about your other clients?”

“I take them one at a time,” Spencer answered. “I want to see this through to completion.”

Leah was enormously relieved. She needed his expertise and liked the way he had impacted her company. The women who first resented Spencer were now growing fond of him, and all of them were excited about planning a catalog to market their products. A couple of women seemed interested in sales and marketing, much to Pam’s surprise, and they began working with her on strategy. The air around Quilts, Inc. was electric with excitement and anticipation. Having her employees more involved in the selling of their product brought pride to their work, and productivity increased as the women spent more time investing their talents in the business.

And now after an exhausting but gratifying week, Leah could see her business turning toward profitability, and for the first time in a very long period she dared to hope that everything was finally coming together for good. Then she saw Darlene smiling at Spencer and it almost took the wind out of her sails. I have no right to think that way, we have only a business relationship and he’s free to see anyone he chooses, Leah thought. It’s none of my concern. But her heart was heavy as Spencer shared his notes, and she could barely listen. When he finished, she said it was good and he seemed pleased. He stood and started gathering papers.

“I hate to run but I have a date in about an hour.” He hung the clipboard on a peg jutting out from Leah’s wall. “I’ll leave this in here in case you have questions this weekend. Oh, and tell me where I can get a baseball mitt in a hurry. I’ve got a whole bunch of ten-year olds waiting for me at the school yard.”

Leah’s heart leaped. His date was with a bunch of kids? “There’s a Wal-Mart about two miles from here but I can give you directions.”

Spencer nodded. “It would be better if you took me so I don’t get lost. Can you get away?”

“Yes, I was just leaving anyway.” She found her purse and keys. “How are you going to play baseball in your good shirt and pants?”

He smiled. “I’ve got a change of clothes in the car. There’s nothing like sports to help kids get to know each other better. I let Devin choose his team, and guess whom he chose first? Todd, the kid who beats him up. He hopes Todd is as great at hitting balls as he is hitting other kids.” Spencer laughed at his joke, and went to his car to find his clothes. He returned carrying shorts and wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap.

Leah drove him to the store and he bought not only a mitt but a bat and ball. “I hope all the kids have their own mitts. How about you, Leah? Feel like playing?”

She confessed to being the worst batter on her high school team. “I’d be an embarrassment to the game, especially if ten year olds can play better than me.”

“I’ll bet you run like a girl too,” Spencer teased. She just gave him a look. “So do you want to at least watch? I’m sure that Devin’s mom will be there cheering her kid on too, so you wouldn’t be too bored.”

Leah’s heart sank a little but she didn’t want to disappoint Spencer. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

He was very pleased and told her. “Man, Leah. I haven’t felt like this since my dad died. I thought I’d never enjoy anything ever again, that life was essentially over for me…and then this kid needed me…” His voice trailed off.

“You’re doing a very good thing for Devin,” Leah said with a lump in her throat. He was such a fine man. “Your father would be so proud.”

“It’s what he would expect from me,” Spencer said, his voice breaking. “As if he was still here, telling me what to do. I still want to please him, even though he’s gone.”

Leah wrapped an arm around his waist and rubbed at his back. “He’s not really gone, Spencer. He lives on in you. I have a feeling you’re very much like your father.”

He blinked rapidly, wiped at the corner of his eye, turned away and straightened. “Those kids will wonder if I abandoned them. Let’s go.”

I overstepped my boundaries again! Leah’s stomach tightened and she blushed with embarrassment. What the matter with me? Pam drools over him and I can’t stop touching Spencer every time we talk about anything but business. Maybe that’s why he’s attracted to Darlene; she doesn’t hang all over him. Her son needs a man’s influence; Spencer is the best thing for Devin. Leah tried with all her might to be happy for them. It wasn’t easy.



He gathered the crowd of kids, which now included girls along with the original group of boys and told them the rules of the game. “Nobody makes fun of anyone or they’re out of the game. We’re here to cheer on our team and have fun. Captains, you keep your guys in line and make sure to follow the batting order. I’m going to be the umpire and anyone who doesn’t play fair answers to me, got it?”

They did, and after a quick prayer and words of encouragement, spread out over the run-down baseball diamond. Gunny looked to Leah, and was pleased to see her standing on the sidelines with a grin on her face. Next to her was Darlene, with her other son, and to his delight, more parents and other siblings. This was good. Sports pulled a community together and these kids needed something to do other than wander the streets or play video games in front of the television.

The game began and Gunny called the pitches. They had so many batters that each inning went much longer than usual, and Gunny was glad for his physical training. He stood or squatted behind more batters than he cared to count but each one earnestly tried his best and Gunny tried to be as much an encouragement as umpire. They finally had to call the game, it was getting dark and three hours was long, especially for the families who waited on the sidelines. Gunny supervised the cleanup and sent the kids home, except for Devin who stayed behind with his friend.

“My mom wants you to come over for dinner,” Devin said as they walked to the sidelines.

“Cool, guy but my mom made something for me at home, and she’ll be real mad if I don’t show. Some other time?” He pulled off Devin’s baseball cap and messed his hair.

Devin combed his short hair with quick strokes and retrieved his cap. “Okay, but you’re missing a good meal—hot dogs!”

Gunny just smiled and said a prayer of thanks that he had a valid excuse. Hot dogs were not part of his diet but he’d never tell Devin. Darlene too, was disappointed but Gunny explained that his mother had raised three Marines and been married to one for almost forty years, and she was tougher than all of them.

“I’m more scared of her than a full scale attack at night,” he teased. “Devin, be good for your mother. I’ll see you on Monday.”

They said goodbye and walked away. He looked for Leah, and she was waiting by the fence. Hooking his bat over a shoulder, Gunny strode to her and apologized for the long game.

“I can’t believe you’re still standing,” he said as she opened the car door.

“Me either,” Leah laughed. “I’m almost faint with hunger.”

Gunny grinned. “Devin’s mom is making hot dogs.”

She declined, saying she’d had enough hotdogs in one lifetime. “What I should do is go back to the factory and work on that catalog.”

“One night off won’t make a huge difference,” Gunny replied. “Come with me to my mother’s. She’s a great cook except that she makes enough to feed a whole platoon, then gets mad when we don’t eat it all.”

Though she tried to decline, Gunny wasn’t about to let her starve or eat peanut butter alone in the big building. He bullied Leah until she accepted with a loud sigh.

“Okay! You can be very, very…”

“Persuasive?” Gunny offered.

“Bull headed,” Leah finished. “Just have me home by midnight or I’ll turn into a tired, cranky person and make your life miserable.”

Couldn’t be any more bothersome than her sister, thought Gunny as he took her arm and led her to the car. He was feeling good; not only had the kids responded well and had a great time, they were forming friendships and that was the most important thing. Devin was becoming a hero to his class and Gunny was aware that he, being a Marine and an intimidating figure made the other kids envious of Devin’s relationship. That was good also; Devin went from being the butt of jokes to the kid everyone wanted to be in one month. Still, this was just one month and all of the kids needed a stable, moral influence in their lives. It would take more than one baseball game to keep them on the right path. I need more mentors, guys who can give these kids coaching in life skills. He made a mental note to talk to his brothers and friends.

Gunny was also glad that Leah watched from the sidelines; seeing her smile and clap made it all worth while. He knew she was very pleased. Her comment about his father almost undid the careful threads that held his emotion in check, and if he had not turned from her, Gunny was sure he would have lost control and cried on her soft, fragrant shoulder. She was more comfort to him than he could tell her within the boundaries of their business relationship. Gunny didn’t want her to think him incapable or unconfident at any time, he had to be the leader she paid for and trusted with her company.

What he really wanted to do at this moment was to bury his face in her hair and taste her strawberry lips. But that was not right; he was not her love or even close friend, they were business associates. This was his first consulting job and maybe his last if he couldn’t control his behavior. Falling in love with a client was not conducive to his career and Gunny relied on the training he had in long years with the Marines. Duty first. Personal life is a very distant second. Gunny was first and foremost a man of discipline.



Leah had hoped for a warm reception from Spencer’s mother but she was not at all prepared for the woman’s open-mouthed stare when he introduced her.

“Mom, you’re attracting flies,” Spencer said as he held open the door. His mother pulled herself together and shook Leah’s hand.

“I’m Celia, Gunny’s mother. Won’t you come in out of the night air?”

Leah smiled and entered the house. It was comfortable and clean, the furniture organized into a grouping as if large numbers of people gathered in one area. Celia asked her to sit and Spencer went to the kitchen for food.

“It’s in the oven,” Celia called. “Leah, are you hungry? I made stew.”

“Famished,” Leah replied. “Your son organized a fourth grade ball game and it ran late. Neither of us has eaten since this morning.”

Celia raised her eyebrows. “This morning?”

Leah smiled. “I assume he ate breakfast at home. We provide coffee and sometimes snacks at the factory, but it’s usually gone before noon.”

“Oh, you’re the woman that owns the quilt factory.”

“What did you think she was?” Spencer said, returning to the room.

His mother frowned and gave Leah a telling look. “A mother can hope. You’re the first woman Gunny’s brought home since high school! I’ve just about given up on grandchildren from him.”

“Ma…” Spencer warned.

Celia ignored him. “Between being a Marine and his buddies at the gym he never gets a chance to mingle. Before his father died…”

“Looks like the food is done,” her son interrupted. “Leah, come on, let me feed you the best stew this side of the Mississippi.” He deftly pulled her into the kitchen with him. “Don’t mind my mother; she’s a little fixated on grandchildren.”

“I think all mothers do that,” replied Leah. “Don’t worry about it.” Especially since he wasn’t interested in her, Leah thought. Celia would be happy to know that the woman her son was truly seeing had two small children, instant grandchildren for her.

They were on their second bowl of stew when the kitchen door opened and a couple with three children entered.

“Mom said you had a girl over,” the man, obviously Spencer’s brother said as they burst through the door. “We had to see for ourselves.”

“Ma!” Spencer called as if he were a boy. His mother appeared and smiled apologetically. “Well, it is a very rare event.”

Spencer rolled his eyes. “You’re embarrassing Leah and next you’ll be telling her all my secrets from childhood. Do you mind?”

“Not at all,” said his brother, pulling up a chair. “How well do you know Gunny, Leah? Did he pay you to eat with him? Or did you lose a bet?”

She laughed and assured him that she was here on her own accord. “Your brother can be very persuasive, and I’m not immune to his…uh, badgering.”

“Not charm,” noted Spencer. “This is my business associate, Leah Armstrong. She owns Quilts, Incorporated, the company I’m consulting.”

His family greeted her like a long lost relative and teased Spencer unmercifully. Leah laughed out loud at the stories of his antics as a young boy and later, as he served in the Marine Corps. All of them talked of the General in almost worshipful terms; he was definitely a hero in all of their eyes. And well deserved, Leah learned as they told more stories late into the night. The General was hard-nosed and tough, but putty in his grandchildren’s hands. Even the teens cried about missing their paw-paw, and Leah felt their grief just as deep. This family loved each other and their patriarch.

Just the kind of family I always dreamed of, thought Leah. Her mother was at first a loving parent, but as sickness debilitated her, she became so involved with her illness that Leah was more caregiver than daughter. Pam and Leah, though close were not each other’s best friend; Pam was a social butterfly while Leah watched from the sidelines. How wonderful it must have been for Spencer to be raised in such a household and to be a part of so many lives.

It was nearly two in the morning by the time they broke up the gathering, and all of Spencer’s family wished Leah good-bye as she and her consultant went to get his car.

“I’m sorry they were so bothersome,” Spencer said as they drove away.

“Oh, not at all,” Leah protested. “I can’t tell you when I had a better time; they are the most loving bunch I ever met! I felt like I belonged.”

“No one is a stranger at my house,” he agreed. “My dad and mom are…I mean were collectors of people. It’s what they do best.”

Leah could see that very clearly. And it was good that his family was so close with the grief they suffered over losing the General. She had no doubt that their love would help Spencer heal his wounds.

He insisted on following her home and walked her to the unlit porch, nothing more than a step and a concrete slab at the front of her mother’s small home. Despite the hour, Leah was not yet ready to let him go, and apparently he wasn’t ready either. It was warm, just a bit breezy, and the dark night made them both fade into shadowy figures against the white painted front of the house.

“So you live with your mom,” Spencer said, as if he didn’t already know.

Leah smiled but it was lost in the darkness of night. “Yeah, it seems to be the thing to do. I know a former Marine who still lives with his Mommy.”

He laughed softly. “I went backwards, from being out of the house at seventeen to back home at thirty. The only thing I hate is curfew and doing my own laundry.”

“Are we breaking curfew now?” Leah asked.

Spencer said he’d take the heat. “Right now Mom’s probably in bed counting future grandchildren. Can you say pressure?”

Leah laughed this time. “You should marry a woman with children, and give your mother two for one.” He smelled like a mixture of cologne and sweat, an intoxicating aroma to her starved senses. She hadn’t been this close to a man for…Leah couldn’t figure how long, but knew it had to be high school. Her mother’s health and the business were first priority and quite honestly, it probably wouldn’t have changed if Spencer hadn’t entered Leah’s life.

And it wouldn’t change now. Leah was just an associate; he had admitted so to his family. Fatigue washed over her in a flood; from the very first day she had harbored feelings toward this man and today she had found that it was unlikely that he would return them.

“Well, Gunny,” she said, using his family’s name for Spencer. “I’m about to turn into that cranky woman I warned you about earlier.”

He shrugged in the darkness. “There’s much scarier things in this world than a cranky woman. And I’ve tangled with much worse. But if you insist, I’ll be on my way.”

With all her heart she wanted him to stay, but the words would not form on her lips. “It’s late. See you on Monday.”

“Are you sure? I mean, we’re almost at the twenty four hour mark,” Spencer teased.

It wounded her heart her to tell him no, but it was the right thing to do. Leah wouldn’t try to tempt him away from Darlene and the boys; they needed him so much more than her. She opened the door and wished him adieu, then slipped inside, closed it and stood, her hand on the knob. He seemed to hesitate, and finally walk away. Leah stifled a tear and went to her room.



Fool. Idiot! She’s not interested! Gunny stood staring at the closed door. She couldn’t have made it any clearer, why didn’t he listen to his inner voice that told him to stick to business? She’s never made any advances toward me; it’s just my foolish, undisciplined heart hoping for something more. He walked back to his car, kicking himself mentally with every step. I should have known; it’s merely her kind nature that makes her say those things to me and I mistook them for a hint of something more. Well, it won’t happen again.

Gunny threw the car into gear and hurried away, trying to remember his way to the main road. Why hadn’t he paid better attention; this was no time of night to be confused about where to turn. He was as lost on the streets as Gunny felt in his heart. There is no one for me; I’m so alone and lost I can barely endure. Turning another corner, he found his car in front of Leah’s again, and he pulled to the curb to get his bearings. There was a single light in a corner room, and as Gunny watched, he could see Leah moving about as she prepared for bed. He turned out the car lights and rolled down the window for a better view. Feeling like an intruder, but unable to look away, Gunny peered through the darkness to the low light of her room. She was in a white gown, pure like her, and she brushed her hair as she walked around the room. He held his breath as she moved close to the window. Can she see me? But if she did, Leah wasn’t letting on. Sitting on her bed, facing the window she stared and brushed until her hand dropped slowly to her lap.

Just before she turned out the light, Gunny was sure he saw her crying.



This would be a week of meetings, and Gunny was glad to be so busy he had little time for anything else but work or business, construction and plans. From the moment he arrived at Quilts, Inc. Gunny was immersed in drawings for the third and fourth floors.

Leah was in and out of her office all morning, but Gunny barely saw her except to ask for her opinion or approval on some item. She again said that this was his baby, he was the expert, and all Leah wanted from him was an overflowing bank account. He determined to make this business so profitable that he would have clients pounding on his door for advice and make his consulting firm a true business.

He kept his lunch appointment at the school, as he would all week, sharing food and stories with the young kids who hung on his every word. Gunny was becoming a familiar presence at the school, so he introduced himself to the principal and asked how he might be of service to the student body.

“Just do whatever you’re doing now,” Mrs. Redrup said as they talked in her office. “The kids talk about you like you’re some kind of hero, and frankly, I’d like to know you a bit more myself. These kids come from broken homes, split families or one parent homes and they need a good role model to show them the benefit of studying and hard work.”

“I’d love to help,” Gunny replied. “This whole generation of kids will be lost if we don’t point them in the right direction and put our foot in their back to make sure they go that way.”

She nodded, but leaned on her desk and looked at him steadily. “I believe that too, but what I need from you is a long-term commitment. These kids have seen do-gooders with big ideas that come and go, then get bored and move on. My children need a mentor who can guide them for their growing years.”

Gunny thought for a long moment. He had left the Marines for good, but in the back of his mind he always felt it was the only place he really belonged. And he missed it, the discipline, the missions, being part of something so very vital. What if he ever wanted to go back? He couldn’t desert these kids. It was something he needed to work out before making a big commitment either way. Gunny thanked the principal for her time and promised he wouldn’t let the kids down no matter what the future held. Driving back to work he tried to find a way to satisfy both yearnings in his life and fill the hole left by both his father’s death and leaving the Corps.

Leah was discussing the catalog with her employees when he returned and she didn’t acknowledge him as he passed by on his way upstairs. Darlene stopped him in the hall and asked him to dinner with her and the boys at the apartment, and he agreed knowing that Devin wanted to see him tonight. Gunny needed to get to the gym and work off some of the eating he had done lately but this young boy was in need of masculine attention. Tonight after stopping to see Devin I’ll get to the gym. He went to his makeshift office and stopped in the doorway. Pam was inside measuring and smiled as he entered.

“You need more than just a desk and chair,” she explained. “With all the time you’re spending here we can’t have you in such bleak surroundings. Leah wants you to have an office you can feel comfortable in and don’t argue because we’re going to decorate anyway. We’re women, it’s what we do.”

Gunny knew better than to get between a woman and her measuring tape so he worked at his desk, made phone calls and prepared for his afternoon meeting while Pam flitted around, talking while she measured and wrote on a pad. After a while he was able to block her from his mind completely and just nod once in a while to keep her happy. I sure hope I’m not agreeing to make this room pink, Gunny thought as he nodded at another of her suggestions. It didn’t matter, he was temporary anyway.

By five, Gunny was tired and still had to visit Devin, work out at the gym and help his mom hang pictures at home. Busy is good, thought Gunny as he closed his office door and started down the stairs. Leah was going up and they met in the middle.

“Spencer, I’ve got the first draft of our catalog ready for your input.” Leah carried a big three-ring binder and fabric samples. “Do you have a moment?”

“Yeah, sure.” He followed her to the office. She laid the fabric on a chair and placed the notebook on her desk.

They went page by page, but he made few suggestions or corrections because it was good just as she presented it.

“I get the feeling you worked on this all weekend,” Gunny said, turning another page.

She nodded and showed him a list of printers. “I have one who has done work for us but I want someone who knows this kind of advertising.”

He looked at the list without seeing a single name; Leah’s perfume was distracting, wafting into his head and staying in his mind. Discipline, Gunny. He moved away enough that the smell was faint and tried to appear casual as they discussed the goods in her catalog. She doesn’t want me Gunny remembered and immediately pushed the words from his mind. Business, no pleasure. Be the man she pays you to be and don’t make a fool of yourself again.

As she showed him yet another page, Gunny glanced at his watch. Almost six.

“Am I keeping you from something?” Leah stopped, holding the page in her hand.

Gunny shrugged. “Ah, I have to get to Darlene’s for dinner. I’m sure the kids are starving, so I don’t want to be too much longer. I could come back tonight if you need me.”

“Oh…No, go! This can wait.” Leah closed the book before he could protest and tucked it into a file cabinet. She dismissed him with her eyes and Gunny left, hoping he could visit quickly and still get quality time at the gym before he lost muscle tone completely.



by Diana Mylek (email: Drmarcia1@aol.com)

More About the Author:
Diana Mylek has published Melody of the Heart, Paperback, I-Universe, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Target.com. Pick up her book today!




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