Tom looked over at Katie. She was wide eyed. There was no mistaking the beauty of Hawaii. Of all the places he had been stationed, this was the only one he would want to come back to visit.

After she agreed to come with him and therefore marry him, they went to the courthouse alone. She didn't even want her father there, although Murph knew the arrangement. He had pulled Tom aside before they left. "I don't have to ask you to take care of her, because I know you will. I suspect there is more to your motives and all I ask is to give her time. It's good you're a patient man." Did Murph know Tom loved her?

It surprised him and encouraged him when she took his name. He teased her a little. "You know this is a legal name change, so if you want to change your first name you can." At first she thought he meant from Katheryn to Katie. "To Lucy."

She laughed. He had made her laugh. "Only you call me that. I like it that way."

He liked it that way too. They were sitting outside enjoying the light tropical breezes. It felt different from the heat in Georgia. He hated Georgia but would stay for Katie.

"This is ten times nicer than Hilton Head."

He nodded. "I have a bed here."

"What would Alyssa say if she knew about all of this?" She looked down at her plain band. He had bought it for her, but told her she didn't have to wear it. He didn't tell her it was platinum. She assumed it was silver. He wore a matching one. They came to Hawaii as a married couple, so they needed to act the part.

"I assumed she's moved on."

"I bet her husband can't dance like you."

Twenty-four hours in the fiftieth state and she was joking and talking about the past. He was convinced being out of Georgia would heal her.

Before he left, Bella called him. "Tom, now that you've had time to get over your friend, I thought we could get back together."

Did she have any idea it took a lot more than time to get over the loss of a friend? His grief counselor had helped. Katie couldn't explain to her army grief counselor why she got married. Some might consider their marriage fraud. He didn't see it that way because they loved each other, even if it wasn't romantic love for one of them. He would pay for her to see a private clinician if she wanted to.

"Speaking of dancing, Bella called me. I think she thought I missed her. I wanted to tell her I was married but decided it wasn't wise. I told her I wasn't interested in going back to the past. She questioned me and I told her I was leaving Fort Gordon. Hopefully, that will be the last of her."

"Why did you really date her?"

Because you weren't available, he shrugged. "Because I had no one better to date." And I was the third wheel.

Their home was a small bungalow crowded together with others just like it. They heard a voice and saw a woman walking towards them waving. She was older, perhaps in her late forties. Younger than his mother, but almost old enough to be their mother. She carried a plate.

"Hello, I'm Laurie. I live next door. Welcome to Hawaii."

He stood and offered her his chair as there were only two. "Tom and Katie." He wanted to call her his wife, but was afraid it would freak Katie. It was very new for them.

She hollered. "Dean, grab two chairs! I baked some brownies to welcome you."

Katie smiled. "Thank you."

She sat in Tom's chair. "So where were you before?"

"Fort Gordon, Georgia." Katie spoke first.

"We're here for a year. I was here a couple of years ago." A lifetime ago was the real answer.

"So army too, there are a lot of others on base."

He nodded. A large man came lumbering across the yard with two chairs. He looked like a career enlisted man.

"Dean, this is Tom and Katie from Georgia. Did you both grow up there?"

"I was an army brat, but my father ended his career there, so it's the only home I know. Tom's from the north."

He smiled at her. He liked the way she answered questions for him.

Laurie must have noticed. "Are you two newlyweds?" Katie blushed and nodded. He just smiled. "Oh, how sweet. I can show you the ropes. It's not easy being an army wife. I've got years of experience."

Tom asked, "How long have you been married?"

Dean said, "Five years."

It surprised him, given their age and her years of experience.

Katie said, "I won't be an army wife for long." He felt a stab in his heart. "Tom's almost done."

He breathed, as Dean said, "Not making it a career."

Tom shook his head. "I have three years of reserve and plan to work as a civilian doing the job I'm currently doing."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm at cyber command."

He nodded. "What's your rank?"

"I was just promoted to captain."

"Jesus Laurie, the kid outranks me."

"Did you go to college? My boys both went to college. They're scattered, but they call me."

He nodded. "West Point."

"And he's smart too."

He smiled. He liked them. He turned to Laurie. "Where did you grow up?"

"Kansas. I'm a Midwest girl."

She was ready to embrace them, but Katie looked uncomfortable.

"I'm from Tennessee myself. My boy's overseas in Iraq."

Katie's entire body tensed. Tom said, "We were going to go pick up a few things. We're still getting settled."

Laurie waved her hand. "Oh, I can take her tomorrow. I'll show her around and she'll be feeling at home in no time."

Katie surprised him. "Would you?" Her voice was quiet.

"I'll take you right under my wing. I always wanted a daughter. Maybe someday I'll have some daughter-in-laws. I'm excited about tomorrow! Dean, we should let them rest. They're probably still jetlagged." She stood and walked away. "See ya in the morning. Enjoy the brownies. I make 'em from scratch."

Dean stood and looked at them apologetically as he lifted their two chairs. "She can be a bit much, but her heart is pure gold."

Tom looked at Katie. "Hey Luce, are you okay?"

She nodded. "She's something."

"Do you really want to go with her?"

She nodded again. "I promised myself I would do something every day. I think she may help me. I don't want to miss Hawaii waiting for you to come home from work."

He wanted to gather her in his arms and tell her he loved her. Instead, he reached over and squeezed her hand. "I'm proud of you, Luce."

He looked down at their joined hands and twisted his ring. He was still getting used to wearing it. Sometimes he felt like an imposter, other times it felt like a twist of fate.

"Do you think her shirt could be any brighter?"

Laurie was wearing shorts and a knit shirt splashed with orange, yellow, reds. It was brighter than the fall foliage in New England.

"My neighbor growing up, Bea always wears the brightest colors. At events where everyone is wearing black." She gasped. As if reading her mind, he shook his head. "Even Bea knows some occasions call for being subdued, but what do women call it? The little black dress. In a roomful of those and dark suits, Bea will be the only splash of color. She was always fun. I loved going to her house." He could use a visit to her garden.

"You never talk like this."

He shrugged. "She just made me think of Bea."

They went inside and he set the brownies on their small kitchen table. He was eager to try one. "I'll hold my verdict until I've tasted one of these." He peeled back the plastic wrap and bit into one. They were delicious. "I think I love her. Try one." She shook her head. "Just a piece." He had pinched off a tiny piece. "Come on." He coaxed her until she opened her mouth and he fed her.

She laughed. "Now we're married. You fed me."

She picked up a brownie and smashed it into his face. He laughed and shoved it in his mouth. Once again, he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her.

Later they laid in bed together. She always curled up with her back to him. He saw her shoulders tremble. He rubbed her back, and she sighed. "Are you sorry you came?" His biggest fear was if he made her unhappier.

"I laughed and now I feel guilty. How can I ever be happy?"

"Turn around." She did, so they were both on their sides face to face. She smelled of mint and her face wash. It was musky yet feminine. That scent had replaced coconut as his favorite scent. "What did your counselor say about feeling other than sad?"

"That it's okay, but it doesn't feel okay."

"Baby steps. I have guilt too." Katie was in his bed, no matter how platonic it was. "Luce, you don't see it, but you've come a long way. You are strong and together we will find our new normal."

She nodded and leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. He felt a stirring which couldn't happen. She may have his ring and his name, but he didn't have her heart.

Katie was asleep when he woke. He showered and dressed as quietly as he could. He was just leaving when Laurie came speed walking toward him. "I've just had my walk. I was wondering when she'd be ready."

"She's still asleep. Give her a few hours. She needs her rest."

She smiled and nodded and winked. "You look good, captain."

He smiled. All he needed was a woman almost his mother's age to have a crush on him. He wanted only one woman to feel that way about him.

A/N So many of you missed the cover. I don't blame you. They are hard to see. So here it is. (not blonde)