Violin Warrior Romance Read online

  Violin Warrior Romance

  By Kristina Belle

  Violin Warrior Romance. Copyright 2013.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information retrieval or system without express written permission from the publisher.

  Kristina Belle Website

  Table of Contents

  Violin Warrior Romance

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Author’s Notes

  Chapter 1

  Jamie Scott is a little nervous. She looks into the room at the large number of assembled veterans. At the back of the room a few are even standing. Only ten or fifteen years ago the room would have been filled with men her father and grandfather’s age; old men veterans of the Vietnam War or World War Two. Not so this crowd. The men and women filling this room are her age, in their twenties and thirties. It’s unnerving to know every one of them, while serving in far-away Iraq or Afghanistan, was injured in the line of duty. Jamie feared not many of the young veterans would be pleased to hear her sing.

  The young veterans probably would rather be at a concert featuring a hot rock band, maybe in a club laughing at a comedy act, or sitting in front of a favorite TV program. She’s pretty sure most would rather be in their rooms playing the latest video game or surfing the net. Instead the well-meaning but fairly clueless VA Director of entertainment at this facility caused them to be herded together to listen to a classical music quintet featuring her as a soprano operatic singer. Jamie worries her singing will dismay and disappoint most of these wounded warriors. She’s got a great voice but pop, hip hop, and rock beats are just not her thing.

  Jamie tells herself, “what the hell, go for it”, bravely puts on her best face, smiles at the captive audience, and begins singing a Mozart sonata accompanied by her friends who are skilled classical musicians. Her classically trained soprano voice rises and falls, filling the room with the centuries old melody. Jamie looks out into the audience. As expected most of the veterans are politely gazing at her but don’t seem too thrilled by her performance. Some of the soldiers make no effort to show they are definitely bored out of their minds and would like to be elsewhere. A concert featuring classical music didn’t seem to at all agree with them, much less provide enjoyable entertainment. However, as she scans the room she notices one pair of warm brown eyes staring intently back at her. He actually seems to be enjoying her voice and the quintets’ music. She blushes with the intensity of the gaze.

  The eyes belong to a handsome brown eyed soldier sitting upright in a wheelchair. With thick, wavy, long, dark brown hair flowing over his ears and down the back of his neck he doesn’t look very military. He looks much more like the serious musician he is than a soldier. Yet there he sits among the wounded warriors. For a moment her voice pauses, then quickly resumes, as she is held spell bound by his intense gaze. Jamie again blushes at such unexpected adoring attention. She breaks off eye contact and tries to concentrate only on her music.

  Jamie’s not the only one to notice the soldier’s intense gaze. She sees the soldier’s friends unmercifully teasing him. The soldier is not amused. Annoyed, with a wave of his hand, he hushes them as the concert comes to an end. The audience politely breaks into applause. Jamie notices the group which includes the brown eyed soldier claps far more enthusiastically then the rest of the room. His friends seemed to have received encouragement to show appreciation for her performance.

  As they put their instruments and music away the VA program director, John Weber, approaches Jamie’s quintet. He thanks them for the performance, tells them how much he enjoyed it, and asks if he may ask a favor of them. He’s sure they can help with one of the patient’s treatments if only they can find the time.

  “One of our seriously wounded warriors, Sergeant Brad Rogers, is a classically trained musician. His therapist thinks it would be most helpful if we can get him playing violin again. The problem is at the hospital there’re no musicians of his caliber for him to play with. It would be wonderful if members of your quintet could spare a few hours a week and play with him. We would be extremely grateful. I’m sure Sergeant Rogers would be delighted and eager for the opportunity. How about it, are you willing to help?”

  Jamie is quick to response. “Of course, I want to help. I’ll set some time aside. How about it Carol? Can you accompany us on piano?”

  “Yes, count me in. That’s the least I can do to show appreciation for the Sergeant’s sacrifices.”

  The ladies setup a time for the following week to return to the VA hospital. Jamie thoughtfully leaves copies of her sheet music with the program director. As they gather their belongings and prepare to leave, Jamie spots the soldier who during the performance was paying her so much attention. He still has his soft brown eyes focused on her and is running his fingers through his long, dark brown hair. Not in a creepy way as his eyes are full of admiration. He must have really enjoyed her performance. Jamie gives him a little smile of recognition. The metallic gleam of a prosthetic limb catches her eye. His left leg is amputated just below the knee.

  When Jamie returns to the Veteran’s hospital the following week she is surprised the Sergeant’s assigned floor is so quiet. No one is rushing around with hectic activity as before. Then she hears it; a wonderful violin solo fills the hallways with soothing music. Jamie instantly recognizes the Mozart sonata music from her performance at the VA. Whoever is playing is an exceptional violinist and everyone on the floor pauses to listen. The notes seem to weep as they leave the bow then as the sonata continues to build toward a triumphant conclusion. Mesmerized, Jamie eagerly follows the music to the source. Sitting all alone in the recreation room near a baby grand piano is the brown eyed Sergeant Rogers playing a violin, completely lost in his haunting music. She silently listens in awe until the music ends, entranced by his performance. Behind her John Weber, the program Director loudly clears his throat. Jamie, thinking she was alone in listening to the Sergeant’s violin music is embarrassed to be caught secretly listening.

  John assures Jamie her reaction to the Sergeant’s violin playing is not unusual. Even people who are not fans of classical music appreciate his talent. He then introduces Jamie to the talented violinist, Sergeant Rogers. She steps forward and shyly shakes his hand. “Please call me Brad.” the handsome violinist tells her. Jamie smiles back nervously “I’m afraid Carol, our accompanist, will be a bit late” She sighs. “It’s a bad habit of hers. She always underestimates driving time.”

  “Don’t worry about it” Brad reassures her. “Do you need to warm up? We can start without her. ”

  Carol finally arrives twenty minutes later and finds the two already hard at work. She takes her place at the grand piano and looks about, first at her friend Jamie, then at the talented violinist. She notices the flush in her friend’s cheeks and the way the violinist Sergeant’s eyes focus first on the sheet music and then rapidly shift to Jamie. Thinking her friend could use a little help Carol decides to play matchmaker for the green eyed, auburn haired, shy soprano. Jamie is such a beautiful goodhearted woman it’s about time she found a good man. It’s obvious Jamie and the Sergeant enjoy working together, have in common a love for music, and are getting along well.

  After playing together for two hours the trio finishes a satisfying practice. Carol turns to Jamie. “Jamie, have you found a date for the symphony yet? Time is getting short.” Carol turns to Brad. “I bought four tickets for the symphony orchestra’s latest performance. My boyfriend and I, Jamie and her sister Sara were supposed to go. Then we found out Sara had to fly to s
ome conference in California.”

  Jamie nods. ”Yes, she regrets she won’t be able to make it but the conference is important to her business.”

  “So now we have one extra ticket… unless you’ve invited a replacement for your sister.” Carol stares at Jamie, knowing full well she hasn’t. “Oh! I know! Would you like to come, Brad? They let you men out of here occasionally, right? It should be part of your therapy to see a good concert.”

  “Well yes, occasionally if our doctor OK’s it we’re allowed to leave the hospital. It’s not like we’re prisoners and locked up here. Are you…” Before Brad can finish his sentence, Carol closes the deal. “Great! It’s a date then. The symphony starts at seven. We’ll pick you up here at five for dinner. Only one condition, it will be my treat! That’s the least I can do to say thanks for your service!” Carol only grins at the two who stare at her with open amazement. “Come on Jamie, time for us to go. It was nice meeting you Brad!”

  Carol is excited at how well her matchmaking went and briskly walks out of the room. In a bit of a daze Jamie starts to follow, hesitating a moment as she reaches the door. “Good bye Brad. I guess we’ll see you Friday?” She gazes directly into the soldier’s warm brown eyes. “Dragons spitting fire couldn’t keep me away.” He replies, smiling. Jamie makes his day as she returns the smile, before chasing after Carol.

  Chapter 2

  Jamie is excited about her date. Friday night can’t come fast enough. That is until Friday morning. As the day finally arrives she suddenly wonders if she’s setting herself up for a major disappointment. She is assailed with doubts “What if he has a girlfriend? What if he just said yes just to be nice? What if he can’t come? What if he only pretends to like her so he can better practice his music? What if he is a womanizer? ” Her stream of troublesome worrying thoughts is interrupted by Carol’s car horn honking.

  Jamie hurries out the door. Carol’s boyfriend Barry is driving. “Hi Barry, you’re looking sharp. Not a bad looking date either.”

  “Yeah thanks. She’ll do for the evening. Maybe quite a few evenings.” He looks at Carol and laughs.

  Carol blows him a little kiss. ”You’re a lucky man and you know it. Just try to keep your eyes on the road. I know driving around with two beauties is distracting.”

  Jamie hops in the backseat and immediately shares her worries with her friend who promptly laughs them off. Carol confesses to checking around. “I spoke to some of Brad’s friends at the VA center. His girlfriend of five years broke up with him before he left for Iraq. After that he hasn’t had an interest in any woman. That is until you. He thinks you’re gorgeous, extremely talented, and is really excited to be seeing you tonight. He thinks he’s a lucky man so relax and have fun!” Jamie hopes her friend is being truthful, not just trying to make her feel better. She leans back in her seat, rolling her eyes at her friend’s effervescence and know it all manner.

  Minutes later the three arrive at the VA center. Brad is waiting for them. In his dress uniform he is truly handsome. He’s standing near the main entrance chatting with some friends, his wheelchair pushed off to one side. Jamie shakes her head in amazement as Carol greets all the soldiers by name. Carol has taken a genuine interest in the VA center’s wounded warriors and donates several hours a week of her time to play piano for the soldiers. Chatting the entire time Carol folds the wheel chair and places it in the trunk of the car. Jamie walks over to greet Brad and gives him a little hug.

  “Hi Brad. You’re looking great in that uniform. Ready for an evening out?”

  “I’m more than ready. I’m really glad to see you. I thought Friday would never arrive.” Jamie is startled and flushes to scarlet as Brad takes her hand and gently kisses it. She carefully helps him into the car, guiding him by holding his elbow in one hand and his hand in the other. A tremor of heat from the contact completely surprises her as it races through her entire body. She hasn’t been kissed in a long time, not even on the hand.

  At dinner, Jamie is surprised to find the dinner reservation has the couples seated separately. As she and Barry walk off to find their own table, Carol happily winks at Jamie as if to remind her once again to relax and enjoy the evening. The food is delicious as is the glass of wine but Jamie barely tastes them. She becomes completely fascinated with Brad’s stories although she has to drag them out of him. Like most combat veterans he’s reluctant to talk about his war time exploits. Finally, after some friendly persuasion, Brad tells how he lost his left leg below the knee while deployed in Afghanistan. He painfully tells her a Taliban IED blew up his Humvee, killing three of his friends. The Humvee was destroyed. He’s lucky to have escaped with his life. Brad confesses at times he feels guilty to have survived while three of his buddies died.

  Seeing the pained expressions of grief, sadness, and anger Jamie wishes there was something she could do to ease his pain. Tenderly she picks up his hand. Saying an emotional “I’m so sorry” she touches it to her left cheek. Surprised and deeply touched and forgetting they’re at a public restaurant, Brad leans over and strokes her long auburn hair.

  “Since I met you I’m once again happy to be alive. I love being with you.”

  The tender moment is interrupted by a cheerful feminine voice. “Sorry to interrupt you two, but we need to leave right away or we’ll be late! I hate those unpleasant faces the ushers give when you try to sneak into the auditorium after the music starts.”

  Carol whispers to her date. “Barry, I think we just might have a couple here. They seem to be getting on quite well.” As she and Barry walk the couple to the car Carol is happy to notice Jamie and Brad are holding hands.

  The two couples arrive at the theatre barely in time to be seated. The usher escorts them to a handicapped accessible portion of the box seats. At once Jamie realizes these are not their original tickets. “I pulled in a few favors,” the well-connected outgoing vivacious Carol whispers to Jamie. The seats are incredible, for viewing and listening they’re in the sweet spot. As the dramatic and romantic strains of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet sweep over the audience, Jamie is transported to another world. A romantic world that to her is heaven on earth.

  As the symphony moves towards the balcony scene Jamie feels rather than sees Brad staring at her. The feeling is that intense. She glances sideways and is swept away by the passion flowing from his eyes. Like something out of a dream, Brad leans over and ever so gently kisses her lips as the soaring music ebbs and flows around them. Jamie hardly remembers the rest of the concert. She’s in a dreamy daze; one she never wants to forget. With Brad’s arms holding her close, Jamie thinks she’s found paradise. On the way to the hospital they sit close in the back seat of the car wishing the ride would take hours, not minutes. The night ends with another searing kiss and a promise to see each other soon.

  The following day Jamie and Carol are practicing with their quintet. When Jamie’s mind wanders back to the marvelous previous night, she completely mucks up a difficult passage. It’s so mangled in a rare display of concern the group’s cellist admonishes her. The quintet has an important concert in two days and the music has to be perfect. Carol takes over leadership and skillfully calms the dispute, assuring the group that she’ll practice with Jamie until she can sing the passage flawlessly. The girlfriends agree to meet at Jamie’s apartment that night for dinner and extensive practice.

  Chapter 3

  That evening Jamie is cooking dinner when the doorbell rings. She calls to Carol to come in. There’s no answer so she goes to the door. Jamie is shocked to see Brad accompanied by his violin and a bottle of wine. Seeing the shocked look on her face, Brad’s a little embarrassed but happily smiles and explains. “Carol told me you need some help with your music. She told me you asked if I could come and help.” Just as he finishes his explanation, Jamie’s cell phone rings. It’s Carol. “Gee Jamie, I’m really sorry. Something I can’t avoid came up and I’m not going to be able to make it tonight. I arranged for a substitute though. I’m sure yo
u won’t mind!”

  “Carol you’re full of surprises. But this is too much. I’m not sure ---” Carol hangs up before Jamie can say another word.

  Seeing how flustered and upset she is Brad pauses at the door. “I can leave if you want.” Brad hastens to reassure her.

  “Brad it’s OK. I’m glad to see you. It’s just such a big surprise. A good one though. Please come in. I’d love to have your help. Dinner should be ready in an hour. Do you want to practice first?”

  Brad agrees, and the two begin performing together. The music is magical; as her voice blends in with the vibrant tones of his violin, the two feel as one. There is a genuine passion burning between the two. As the last notes fade in the air, the two embrace and kiss, only to be interrupted by the oven timer. Laughing a bit nervously, Jamie runs to the kitchen and rescues the meal before it overcooks.

  “Ready for dinner?”

  “I’m starving. There’s something about playing with you that brings out a hunger.”

  As they eat a romantic candlelight dinner, the couple again feels passion building, as if the food contains an aphrodisiac. Jamie’s nerves are calmed by Brad’s charm and his obvious pleasure in the meal and at being with her. After a pleasing meal Brad attempts to get up from the table. He stumbles and almost falls. Jamie rushes to his side and helps him to the couch.

  “Thanks for the help. I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”

  Seeing that Brad is frustrated Jamie sits down next to him. “No trouble at all. I like being near you.”

  Wanting to find a way to soothe his embarrassment Jamie impetuously kisses him. Her tender touch, far from soothing him, excites him and releases years of pent up passion. Her kiss leads to another, and another. The kisses become deeper and ever more passionate. The two have no desire to stop. Without even thinking about it they make love on the sofa. As Brad takes her Jamie cries out. He realizes with surprise and a touch of guilt she was a virgin.