Forever My Soldier (Love Conquers Life Book 3) Read Online Free

into the phone. I can hear him freaking out on the other end, and she’s trying to calm him down. She tells him that she’s fine and talks about how I arranged for the police to follow us undercover. After promising to see him soon, she finally cuts the call and continues eating.
    “He’s freaking out, huh?”
    “Yeah, but he’s better now that he’s spoken to me.”
    “How are you feeling?” I ask her, concerned about how she’s really handling this.
    “I don’t know. I’m okay, I guess. I’m sorry he’s dead, but I’m glad it’s over.”
    I rub her arm, and we both eat in a comfortable silence.
     
    ***
     
    Patty
     
    I’m in the room changing so we can go over to Derek’s for dinner tonight. I’m thrilled to be seeing our friends, and I honestly need to get out of this house. Carter has been watching over me all day and I understand why, but he’s driving me crazy. I really want to move on from this situation, and soon I’ll be able to. I’ve realized the one thing that will help me to get over this whole thing is to go to Ben’s wake and pay my respects to his father. Now I have to figure out how to tell Carter and hope he’ll support me. My phone chirps, and when I look I have a text from Bella.
     
    Bella: Are you guys still coming over?
     
    Patty: Of course, why?
     
    Bella: Derek has the tickets in for the New Year’s Eve event.
     
    Patty: Awesome! See you guys soon.
     
    Bella: See you soon.
     
    I place my phone in my back pocket and move into the living room, where I find Carter on his phone. “Is everything okay?” I ask as he hangs up the phone.
    “Yeah, that was my mom. She heard what happened on the news and wanted to make sure we were both okay. I told her we were fine and glad it was over.”
    “Great. Are you ready to go to Derek’s? Bella texted me to make sure we were still coming. I think she’s excited to see us.”
    “Sure, I’ll be ready as soon as I put on my coat.”
    We both go to the coat closet to bundle up because it’s getting really cold outside. When we get down to the front door of our building, we notice it’s snowing. It’s beautiful. I love to watch the snow fall.
    My smile grows, and Carter notices. “What are you so happy about?”
    “I love the snow. I think it’s refreshing and beautiful.”
    He plants a soft kiss on my lips. “You’re beautiful.”
    He takes my hand, and we walk through the snow to his Jeep. He opens the door and runs around to the other side so he can start the car and get it warmed up. We pull away a few minutes later, and as he drives I admire the lights and the decorations on the passing houses.
    I look back over at him. “Honey, do you want a real tree?”
    “Sure. I’d love to have a real tree. Is that okay with you?” I nod, very excited that we’re on the same page. “We can go get one next weekend if you want,” he says as we continue on our way.
    “I’d like that. I don’t care where we get it, but I would really like a real one. I love the smell of it on Christmas morning.”
    We pull up to Derek’s huge house, and I’m in complete awe. I didn’t realize he lived in a big, beautiful house like this. I figured he had a nice little apartment somewhere. I look over at Carter and see the same look of shock on his face. Reading my mind, he says, “I had no idea.”
    Carter opens my door. He takes my hand and helps me get out of the car. As we approach, Derek opens the door and welcomes us in. “Derek, your home is beautiful.”
    “Thank you, Patty. My parents were so proud of my work in the Army they gave it to me when I got back permanently and they moved down south to get away from the cold. They come home periodically and when they do, they stay with me.”
    “That is very sweet.” I reply and I swear I see him blush slightly.
    As he and Carter are shaking hands, Bella comes running and scoops me into a big hug.
    “Come on in, guys. Dinner's almost ready. We made lasagna and garlic bread with some