Yes, Shane's date with Steve went well but is he falling off his white horse?

Shane walked to the coffee cart like a woman on a mission. Her step was quick and others parted to allow her through. The sun shone brightly and not even the July heat and air, already heavy with humidity, could alter her mood. The birds chirped in perfect harmony. Hydrangeas, gladiolas and peonies in shades of pink and purple were in full bloom. Their perfume wafted through the air and Shane took a deep breath of their fragrance.

Spotting the coffee cart up ahead, butterflies took up residence in her stomach. Scanning the crowd she searched for the sandy blonde head and broad shoulders. There was a brief moment of disappointment when she didn't see him right away but she expected he would show up momentarily. Shane waited, and waited, and waited some more. Was this going to be a repeat of Saturday night? He'd made a point of asking her to come to coffee this morning so where was he?

"Hey, Shane!" Frank the barista called to her waving an envelope. A look of puzzlement crossed her face as she grabbed it and the coffee cup he offered her. Her name was penned on the front of the envelope. Running her finger under the flap the paper's edge sliced through the top of her finger like a razor. A trickle of blood bubbled to the surface. Figures she thought. Digging through her bag she found a tissue to blot the cut. This is not the Monday morning I expected. Ripping open the envelope the rest of the way she pulled out a note.

Shane, Saturday night was great. Sorry I couldn't see you this morning. I had to go out of town for work. Will see you when I get back. Steve

She turned the note over looking for any further explanation. Nothing. Disappointment settled over her but a glance at her watch told her she didn't have time to wallow in it. Arriving at her desk without a minute to spare she spotted a note propped up against her computer screen. Another one? Seems to be a day for notes. Hope this one is better than the last.

Meet me for lunch at 1:00? Can't wait to hear all about Saturday night! Becky

Shane chuckled. Becky told her she would want details and she wasn't kidding.

###

Shane hit enter and watched code skittering across her computer screen. She had her eye on the screen but Steve's note sitting on her desk kept pulling her attention away from the task at hand. The distraction caused her to miss several bugs. In very atypical fashion Shane had to restart the program more than once. Where had Steve gone and why didn't he just call her instead of leaving a note? Ugh…Shane covered her face with her hands. He doesn't have her phone number. She'd meant to give it to him that night but she was swept away by their goodnight kiss and all coherent thought had been lost.

###

Heels clacking across the lunchroom Shane nodded hellos to a couple of people she knew from her department. Becky was at a table tucked into the back of the room. Sliding into a chair Shane set her lunch on the table. Becky gave her a moment to settle then leaned in. "Okay, spill it…how was Saturday night?"

Shane's kombucha can hissed and popped as she snapped the tab. A knowing smile crossed her face as she leaned in to meet Becky across the table. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "It was the best first date I've ever been on."

"That's it?" Becky leaned back in her chair waving her finger at Shane. "Oh no, no, no you're not getting away with that. You're holding out on me."

Shane chuckled. "It almost ended before it began! He was late picking me up."

Becky's mouth dropped. "Wait. What kind of guy is late for a first date? I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd shut the door in his face." Annoyance laced Becky's words.

Shane rolled her eyes nodding in agreement. "Trust me, it crossed my mind. But then I opened the door and saw him standing there and I forgot all about him being late." Shane caught Becky's smirk as her cheeks flushed. "Stop looking at me that way. What can I say? "

Becky chuckled. "You don't need to explain it to me. I get it. They make themselves hard to resist don't they? So, how was the rest of the night?"

Cheeks flushed Shane professed. "It was amazing. He took me to dinner at Fiola and afterward we took a moonlight walk along the mall."

"Ooh, very romantic."

"It was. Everything about the night was perfect." The hairs on her arms stood on end remembering the walk along the mall.

Becky raised her brows. "And how did it end?"

If Shane's cheeks were flushed before they were now on fire, her eyes sparkling. "He brought me home and we made plans to meet for coffee this morning."

Becky drummed her fingers on the table. "That's it? Did he kiss you?"

Shane smiled coyly her voice teasing. "I'm not going to give away all the details."

Becky laughed back. "Fair enough. Is it safe to say you're interested in him beyond the blue eyes and smile?"

Shane's brow furrowed. "Yes, but it looks like things are on hold for the time being."

"What do you mean?"

Reaching for her bag Shane pulled out the note she'd received earlier. "I went to meet him for coffee this morning but he was a no show. Jack, the barista, gave me this." Shane handed Becky the note.

Reading through it quickly Becky shrugged. "Well that's disappointing. John often has to leave town unexpectedly so I've gotten used to it a bit but that doesn't make it any easier. But he left you that note so that must mean something right?"

Shane tilted her head obvious uncertainty in her voice. "I suppose so. I guess I'll have to wait and see how things go when he gets back. Whenever that is."

# # #

Three weeks passed and Shane was getting started on her newest project. Despite her short tenure at the USPS Shane was already recognized as someone who thought outside the box. Her boss had thrown several problem projects her way during the first few weeks and she'd successfully resolved every one of them with minimal direction. Because of that she was getting more advanced assignments and with this one she was the lead programmer. It was a good diversion from her thoughts of Steve and why she hadn't heard from him in the weeks he'd been gone.

Shane's fingers flew across her keyboard the staccato of computer keys bouncing off the walls of her cubicle. Out the corner of her eye she saw a familiar figure walking in her direction. His face was concealed by a rather large flower arrangement. Shane stared with wide eyes as she realized he was making his way toward her.

"Hey beautiful! I'm back." Steve announced as though he'd only been gone a few days.

Shane jumped from her chair and trying to hold her voice to a low whisper, she hissed. "Steve what are you doing here? How did you get in here? This is a classified area!" Shane's eyes darted about nervously expecting her boss to come over and usher Steve off the floor but he was nowhere to be found. Instead Shane headed to the small employee break area with Steve trailing behind her.

Shane stood, arms crossed not sure if she was irritated by the spectacle he'd just made or happy to see him. Irritation prevailed. "Let me ask again, how did you get in here?"

A little shrug of his shoulders "Don't worry. I've done work with the USPS and still have clearance." Steve held out the flowers to her and she took what she reasoned was his version of a peace offering. "Aren't you happy to see me?" He took a step toward Shane reaching out his arms to take her into his. I've missed you and couldn't wait until you were finished work to see you."

Shane softened her tone. " Thank you for these" placing them on the nearest surface.

"But, Steve, please not here." Shane wished there was more conviction behind that statement. The truth was she had missed him and she did want to be in his arms but she had too many questions and her office was not the place to get them answered. The last thing she wanted to be was the target of watercooler gossip.

"Okay, okay, I get it. You're at work." Steve backed off. "I was just hoping you'd be happy to see me too." Steve grabbed Shane's hand rubbing his thumb over her knuckles in the way that sent shockwaves through her.

Shane steadied herself. "Of course I'm happy to see you. I was just surprised, and disappointed, when you left so abruptly." Shane pulled her hand away and re-crossed her arms.

Stepping toward her Steve took her elbows in his hand stepping even closer. "I'm sorry. It couldn't be helped. That's just how my job is. I have to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. I would have called you but you never gave me your number." He reached up to push a stray lock of hair back in place.

His touch sent a shiver down her back. Shane pulled her phone from her pocket. "Well, that's easy enough to remedy." She asked him for his number and added him to her contacts. She then called his phone so he would have her number. She slipped the phone back into her pocket. "I'm sorry but I really have to get back to work."

"Sure, but will you have dinner with me tonight?" Steve offered. "Seven o'clock?"

"Sure, that works." She granted him a weak smile.

At least this time Steve wasn't late. And now he didn't hesitate leaning in to give Shane a kiss. Shane willed herself not to react but as soon as his lips touched hers her chest tighten and warmth spread through her from head to toe. Pulling away she saw his eyes focused on hers. There was something unnerving about how instantly her body reacted to him. "Where do you want to eat?" Safe she thought. Talk about something safe.

"Wherever you want to go is fine with me." He took her hand in his and his voice was barely a whisper. "I missed you Shane."

Pulling her hand from his Shane shot him a skeptical look. "Really?" Sarcasm coated her voice. Grabbing her jacket she suggested a café around the corner from her place. The café was a local favorite. No maitre'd, no valet parking, no wine list to be found. Shane went often enough to feel like she was in her own territory and was recognized by the bartender when they arrived. Shane noticed him giving Steve the once over as they walked past. She smiled and gave him a little wave hello.

Shane let herself relax a bit as she and Steve caught up over burgers, fries and beer. She told him about the increasing challenges at work. She probed and prodded him for answers about where he'd been and what he was doing there. He questions went unanswered. She tried another tactic. "When do you leave town again?" She thought it a fair question but Steve shook his head answering that he never knew when he would be called away.

Shane picked up a French fry dipping it in her concoction of mayonnaise, ketchup and tabasco sauce. "That seems like it could be bad for a relationship."

Steve took a gulp of beer, met Shane's eyes and leaned across the table closing the space between them. With sincerity in his voice he said "it doesn't have to be." Followed up by his boyish grin and Shane felt her heart soften. Steve covered her hand with his. "Shane, what's the likelihood that we would run into each other like we did? Maybe it's fate that we met up again."

Shane's fingers did a little dance with Steve's. He had a point. Maybe that's what the universe was telling her. Take a chance. See where it could go. Shane leaned back in her chair pulling her hand from his. "Okay, but under one condition."

"Anything."

"No more notes telling me you're leaving town. I want a phone call."

"Deal."

They stood at Shane's doorstep arms wrapped around each other. His kisses had her leaning against him for support. Yes, she had missed him and yes, she was willing to give it a try but she wasn't willing to rush things. Pulling out her key she gave Steve a final goodnight kiss and went inside leaving him on the front porch. "See you tomorrow for coffee."

# # #

Summer turned to Fall and Steve was gone more than he was home. When he was in town they saw each other two or three times a week for dinner, or a movie, or just a quiet night at home cooking dinner with each other. Every time he left Shane told herself this would never work but every time he came home her heart overruled her head.

Thanksgiving was fast approaching and Shane's mother wanted her to spend it with her and to bring Steve. Shane wasn't sure she was ready for her mother to meet Steve but they'd been dating for four months and though her mother knew about him, they'd not yet met. Shane also invited, actually she begged, Becky and John to come. Knowing her mother's inquisitive nature she really needed Becky to run interference between her mom and Steve.

"Sorry Shaney. I promised my family we'd be there." Shane groaned both at Becky's decline of her invitation but also her use of "Shaney." One day over lunch they'd gotten talking about their childhoods. Shane mistakenly told Becky that her mother called her Shaney. Shane did admit to herself that Shaney was better than Crackers, but Becky would never know that name because it was no longer used. Her mother stopped calling her Crackers after her husband left them. It was too painful of their family in happier times.

Ultimately it wouldn't matter anyway. Shane was just pulling a pumpkin pie out of the oven when the doorbell rang. Checking her watch it was 8:30 pm. Who could that be? Setting the pie on the counter she pulled off her oven mitts and went to the door. The back of the sandy blonde head she saw through the peep hole was unmistakable.

"Steve, I wasn't expecting you." Shane swung the door open so he could enter.

Before she could say another word he wrapped her in his arms kissing her until she melted into him. "Hey babe, sorry to come without calling but I thought you would prefer to hear this in person."

Shane pursed her lips and furrowed her brows. She didn't need to hear anything. She knew what was coming. She'd heard it enough times over the last few months. "Save your breath. I think I know what you're going to say." Extricating herself from his arms she turned her back to him.

Steve raked his hand through his hair. "Listen, Shane, Babe, I'm sorry. I just got the assignment late today. I have to leave in the morning." He tried to grab her hand but Shane pulled away and moved quickly to the other side of the room trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

"Why don't you just go. I'm sure you need to pack or something." Shane stood arms crossed determined he not see her eyes watering. Turning her back to him she wiped her tears.

Steve walked over to Shane pulling her into his arms. She was too tired to resist. Holding her and kissing the top of her head. He tilted her chin up so she couldn't help but look into his eyes. "I promise I'll make it up to you when I get back."

He let himself out and as soon as the door shut Shane allowed her tears to fall.

Steve returned the week before Christmas. Shane had grown weary of the constant cycle of leaving and returning. When Steve was gone she found her head raising every time someone unfamiliar walked into her work area. At night she peeped out the window of her townhome every time a car pulled up. She checked her mailbox hoping for a card or a note from Steve. Every time her phone dinged she looked for the source. The longer that went on the more frustrated she became, not with Steve, but with herself. It was a pattern of behavior she was all too familiar with and hated repeating.

Steve's first night home he texted Shane asking if he could bring dinner over. He arrived with a bag of sushi from their favorite restaurant and a bottle of red. Steve questioned Shane's lack of Christmas décor.

"I don't celebrate Christmas" she said flatly.

"Why not?" Steve questioned back.

Clearing the dishes from the table Shane could only manage "I just don't."

Later as they sat together on her couch Shane gathered her thoughts so she could speak as articulately as possible. She knew if she didn't Steve could talk rings around her. His arm around her holding her close didn't help. After a few minutes she sat up straight and turned to face him.

"Steve, I'm not sure I can keep doing this."

"Doing what?"

"This. The leaving and returning with no idea when you'll be gone or when you'll be home." Shane pulled a pillow into her lap her fingers threading through the tassels on each corner. "I'm not angry with you, really I'm not. I just, I just need someone who's here."

Steve took the pillow from her lap throwing it to the other end of the couch. "Shane, I know it's not easy and my schedule can be difficult but I don't consider this just a job. This is my duty." He tightened his grip on her. "I believe in all that stuff we used to sing as kids 'The Grand Old Flag', 'The Halls of Montezuma.' After I got out of the army I knew I wanted to do something that made a difference." His blue eyes rested on hers. "I think what I'm doing does make a difference."

Shane was taken aback. She hadn't realized how seriously Steve took his job. But, while she understood, could she live with it?

Putting his hand behind Shane's neck Steve pulled her to him his lips lingering on hers. "Shane, I care about you, I really do. I'll ask to be kept stateside more than I have been."

Guilt washed over Shane. "No, I, I don't want to be the reason you can't do your job. I didn't realize you were so passionate about it." Shane was torn. She respected Steve for his commitment to the country but wasn't sure she was ready to make that same kind of commitment.

"My work isn't the only thing I'm passionate about." Shane was thankful she was sitting because Steve's tender kiss turned her to jelly.