The Soldier's Homecoming

by Patricia Potter

  “Your mother?”

  “A pretty woman who drinks too much and is afraid to say no to him. He’s often away, and I’m sure—and I think Mother is, too—that he’s having affairs. He expects her to entertain grandly, and when everything in’t perfect, he doesn’t take it well.

  “The house was never happy, although I think my older sisters were oblivious. They were cheerleaders, popular among the affluent community. I’ve heard daughters often marry men like their fathers. They did. Successful, charming men who didn’t want partners but a useful wife who stayed at home and didn’t complain when they had affairs.

  “But I was always different,” she continue. “I escaped into books, and I had this intense curiosity that drove my father nuts. I was always disappearing into the local library.”

  Travis was silent but his right hand left the steering wheel and covered hers for a moment before returning to the wheel.

  She put her hand on his leg. “After I was released from the hospital, I was pretty helpless. My mother insisted I stay with them. My father was gone most of the time—he had an apartment in San Francisco where the corporate headquarters is located. He’s head of the firm’s central region. He could be very charming when he wanted something.”

  She hesitated.

  “Go on,” he urged her.

  “I stayed there because Mother wanted it, but as soon as I was well enough to do things on my own, I moved in with my sister, Lenore, and her daughter, Charlie, whom I adore.”

  “And now?”

  “I don’t know. The call that came while we were on the way to the Grand Canyon? It was from the executive editor of one of the news services I worked with.”

  “And?”

  “And I haven’t called back.”

  He smiled. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

  “It’s not,” she said. “But he wouldn’t call to fire me, since I’m not an employee. I’m an independent contractor.”

  “You think he wants you to go back?”

  “Maybe. Part of me wants to return. I want to know what happened in Aleppo the day I was injured, but in the past few days, I’ve learned there are other important stories to tell.”

  She paused, and then she added, “I thought telling war stories was important. I’m learning it’s just as important—no, more important—to tell the stories of people who make a difference. I’ve seen so much in the past few days I want to write about. Not only the places, but the people. People like Karen and Dr. Payne and the ranchers who are pouring their hearts and souls into programs to help veterans.

  “Then there’s Covenant Falls and the woman doctor who chose to work in a small town, and Stephanie, who goes out in the worse possible weather with search and rescue dogs to find lost people. I haven’t met her yet, but I want to. People like Jubal and Eve and the others we met this past week. I’d forgotten how generous people could be.”

  She was afraid she sounded like she was on a soapbox, but ideas were running rampant in her mind, had been for the past week. “People need to read about those stories, as well as the bad,” she continued slowly, trying to find the right words. “I didn’t realize how writing about conflicts and the resulting damage was eating into my soul, until I saw the Grand Canyon.

  “Even sadder,” she added, “I can’t remember when I last laughed before meeting you. I can’t stop smiling now, and I want my words to bring smiles, not tears.”

  She took a long breath.

  “Don’t stop now,” he said. “I like the direction you’re taking.”

  “I just know I want to watch hundreds of sunrises with you, and I want to dance with you in the rain, even if awkwardly. I want to watch you on the athletic field with kids who think you’re wonderful.”

  “Wow. All of that,” he said with that lopsided smile. “That’s kind of a big order.”

  “You think it’s too much?” she said worriedly.

  He burst out laughing. “It’s one hell of a list. But after watching you in action this past week, I don’t think anything is impossible.”

  She looked at him, wondering if he was understanding what she was saying.

  They were on a straight slice of road, and he reached out for her hand and put his over it. “I think it’s a terrific list.”

  The car started to wander to the left, and he grabbed the wheel with both hands again.

  Jenny’s breath caught. The bottom fell out of her stomach, but she tried to make light of it. “Just think?” she asked.

  “Pretty sure,” he added, “but I’m not sure this is the place to discuss it.”

  “I’ll wait,” she said and put her hand on his leg. “When is the next stop?”

  “You’re very forward, aren’t you?” he teased.

  “It’s better than not being forward enough,” she replied.

  “Point taken.”

  They reached Durango and grabbed a quick lunch. While he was getting gas, she called David.

  His hearty voice greeted her. “Your sister said you’re doing better. Well enough to go back?”

  She didn’t answer immediately.

  “I have an offer for you,” he said. “Full-time war correspondent. I keep getting calls from newspapers wanting your stuff.”

  It had been what she wanted these past years. What she had worked for. She looked back at Travis. He was replacing the gas cap. The sun glinted on his hair, turning it to gold. She thought about those warm hazel eyes that smiled. She hesitated.

  “I have other news,” David said. “Rick returned to Syria, found a doctor from the medical unit present when you were injured. He told me how affected you were about a child...that you kept asking about her. Well, apparently, she survived. She’s in a refugee camp in Jordan.” He paused. “Now what about that job?”

  “Did he get the name?” she asked, ignoring his question. “Does she have any family left?”

  “Apparently she does. You’ll have to contact Rick for more information. Now about that job...”

  She swallowed hard. “I’m not going back,” she said. “But I have an idea...several actually. I’ll send them to you.” She hung up before he could say anything.

  The girl was safe. That was what was important. She couldn’t wait to tell Travis. But she would wait. Until tonight.

  * * *

  IT WAS 9:00 P.M. before they finally drove up to Josh’s cabin. They’d stopped twice more, each time staying no longer than fifteen minutes. They had been in the car twelve straight hours and hadn’t killed each other. It was a good sign.

  He’d asked whether she wanted to go to the inn, and she looked at him as if he’d just turned green. “No,” she said. “I texted that I wouldn’t arrive tonight.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Taking things for granted, are you?”

  “I think Susan would be happy if I changed my mind.” She teased.

  “No way, woman.”

  He unlocked the door, walked Anna inside, sprawled wearily on the huge sofa and patted the seat next to him. Before she could take it, Anna jumped up and settled next to him.

  “That’s my place,” Jenny said to Anna as she set the dog on the floor. “You have to wait your turn.”

  “It’s nice to be fought over,” Travis said. “What about joint custody?” he shot back.

  It took her a minute to realize what he meant. Or did he mean what she thought it meant? For a moment, she panicked.

  “Joint custody?” she finally asked.

  “We share her,” he said patiently. “But you’ll have to move to Covenant Falls.”

  “What about you?”

  “I called Josh a few nights ago and asked if he knew of any available jobs in the area. I want to see Jubal’s program through.”

  “And?” she asked, holding her breath.

  “Damn if he wasn’t way ahead of
me.” He held out his hand and pulled her down next to him. “There’s a vacancy coming up at the high school. A coaching job. The current coach had a good offer at a larger school but hadn’t wanted to leave until the season is over. Josh mentioned I might be available, and he said there was instant enthusiasm. Apparently I’m qualified to be a coach now on a provisional basis, and I can teach once I get a teacher’s certificate. I can do most of that online.”

  “You’re a shoo-in,” she said. “What school wouldn’t want a former Ranger heading their athletics? Talk about keeping kids in line. And isn’t it what you always wanted to do?”

  “It’s not a certainty,” he warned.

  “Ha!” she said. “I’ve known Josh Manning long enough to know he wouldn’t have brought it up if it wasn’t a done deal. His wife is mayor after all.”

  “A lot depends on you,” he said. “And that list of yours, especially the part about watching sunrises and dancing in the rain even if I am a bit clumsy. Would you consider making Covenant Falls your base?”

  “My base?”

  “I wouldn’t expect to tame that roaming spirit of yours, nor would I want to. It’s who you are, but maybe you can make this your home base. I’ve seen enough people send their spouses off. I know how to make it work.” He paused, and then he added, “Now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Spouse. That’s a scary word.”

  “I didn’t think anything scared you.”

  “You might just have found the one thing that would,” she said. “But I think losing you is even scarier. And I certainly don’t want to get into a custody battle over Anna.”

  She held onto his hand. “I talked to the editor of the news service I’ve been working with,” she said suddenly. “While you were getting gas.”

  He stilled. “And?”

  “He wanted to give me a full-time job overseas. I said no. I want to stay here in the States and tell happier stories. Because of you. You made me see them and how important they are.”

  “Another thing...” she added.

  He raised an eyebrow in question.

  “The girl I told you about. She’s alive. She’s in a refugee camp. Maybe...”

  He nodded. He knew exactly what she was thinking. Maybe he always had... He kissed the tip of her nose. “Have I told you that you have a big heart.” His hand caressed her cheek before adding, “Along with a very nice nose, fantastic eyes and a thoroughly kissable mouth?”

  “Nope. Not yet,” she replied. “Has anyone told you that you are a superb kisser, an extremely nice man...”

  “Ouch,” he said. “That’s the kiss of death.”

  “Be quiet, I didn’t finish,” she scolded. “You’re also the sexiest man and...”

  “Have I...?”

  “Be quiet,” she said and leaned over and gave him a kiss that told him everything he wanted to know.

  EPILOGUE

  Seven months later

  IT WAS A beautiful April morning, and to her amazement, Jenny Talbot was getting married.

  “Are you ready?” Travis asked with so much love in his voice that her heart sang. No reservations?

  “A few quivers, maybe,” she said, her smile belying the words.

  As usual he could read her. He knew she was nervous. She was doing something she’d vowed never to do.

  According to wedding etiquette, he shouldn’t be here, but she’d never paid attention to protocol and tradition before, and this was not the time to start.

  The simple fact was she needed him with her to quash any doubts that lingered.

  It wasn’t that she wasn’t sure she loved him. She did. With all her heart and soul, but the old doubts kept cropping up. Could she let go of that lifelong struggle for independence and compulsion to wander the world? She knew Travis understood that was a part of her. He’d made it clear he would support any stories she wanted to cover, wherever they may take her.

  Her lust for dangerous places and taking chances, though, was fading away. She had found something else. In addition to Travis, she had Anna now and a veteran-trained mustang, thanks to Jubal. She’d become closer to Lenore and Charlie, and the entire Covenant Falls veteran family had taken her into their ranks.

  “I should go,” Travis said as he leaned down and gave her one last kiss before they officially wed. “I have some shaving and dressing to do, and your mother, sisters and Charlie will be here soon. I don’t want them scandalized. By the way, I think Charlie’s turning into another you.”

  “Scary, isn’t it?” she said after kissing him and reluctantly shooing him toward the door.

  “For some lucky guy, yes,” he replied as he opened the door. “See you at our wedding. I love you.”

  He left, and she contemplated the closed door. She hadn’t wanted him to leave, even if he was just walking four houses down to Josh’s cabin. She hadn’t seen much of him in the past few days. He was working long days as the new coach at Covenant High School, and they were now in the midst of baseball season. He was finally doing what he’d always wanted to do, and he loved it. He loved his kids, and the baseball team was winning for the first time in years. Football hadn’t gone that well, but he vowed it would next year.

  She’d stayed at the inn for several months after their return. It had been free because she’d continually worked with Josh, Jubal and Travis in developing the equine program. She also wrote quirky ads and news releases for the inn which was steadily becoming more popular.

  Then a cottage on the lake came for sale and Travis bought it. He stayed in Josh’s cabin while she moved into the cottage. It wasn’t exactly perfect because his new job required a certain amount of discretion. She didn’t think anyone was fooled, though.

  Tonight, it would be official.

  They’d planned a small wedding at the waterfall at noon, the best time for the rainbow.

  It was where she had first started to fall in love with Travis although she hadn’t known it then. Because the park wasn’t suitable for a large gathering, they’d limited the wedding to the group of veterans—and their families. Jubal was planning a much larger reception and barbecue at his ranch at four.

  She thought back to the day she’d met them. So much had happened since then.

  Jubal had followed Travis’s recommendations to develop a program much like Bill’s. It joined the emotional benefit of interaction with horses with building useful skills. The first group of twelve veterans had finished the month-long program and a new group had just arrived. Three members of the first group left with service dogs that Stephanie and her husband, Clint, trained with the long-distance help of Karen.

  There was a waiting list now, and the ranch was receiving referrals from the VA. Donations were coming in, thanks to an article written by Jennifer Talbot.

  The doorbell rang, Anna barked, and Jenny opened the door to receive a hug from her mother who’d arrived yesterday with Lenore and Charlie, who was clutching a small black poodle puppy Jenny had given her in lieu of Anna. Then Stacy stepped out from behind them. “Hello, sis,” she said.

  Jenny thought her heart would explode. She hugged her older sister. “I’m so happy you came.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. We wanted it to be a surprise.”

  “Father?”

  Stacy shook her head. “Business,” she said.

  “Where are you staying?” Jenny asked. “I thought the inn was full. You could have stayed with me.”

  “We didn’t want to complicate things for you,” Lenore said. “Mom and I had reserved separate rooms at the inn. Stacy is staying with me and Charlie is staying with Mom along with the puppy. They’re getting along just fine. By the way, Charlie and I think Travis is terrific.”

  “They’ve been singing his praises,” Stacy said as they walked inside the living room. “I’ve brought along a few items...”


  Lenore handed her a box of cinnamon rolls sent by Susan Hall. “I love the inn,” she said. Then she noticed Travis’s jacket on a chair and two coffee cups on a table.

  “You didn’t?”

  “I did.” Jenny grinned as she took a bite of cinnamon roll.

  “Well, let’s get you ready,” Lenore said. She’d helped Jenny select the classic moss green dress that fit her slim body well, along with matching shoes. “I’ll start on the makeup. Stacy will do your hair...” An hour later, Jenny barely recognized herself. Miracles had happened. Or maybe it was just the glow she felt as, for the first time, she felt like a loved and accepted member of the family.

  * * *

  EVE PICKED THEM up and drove them to the waterfall site.

  To Jenny’s astonishment, the parking lot was full, including two school buses. They were met by Josh and an equally puzzled Travis, who spread out his arms as if to say he didn’t know what in the heck was going on.

  Josh gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Sorry about this,” he said, “Apparently the news got out. The football and baseball teams threatened to crash the wedding if they weren’t invited. It sort of grew from there.”

  Jenny looked around. Probably a hundred or more chairs had been placed in front of an arch entwined with roses. A group of high school musicians tuned their instruments. The park’s picnic tables were covered with white tablecloths, and Maude was guarding several large refrigerated chests of food. The owner of the Rusty Nail stood by with more refrigerated chests.

  Big high school football players bashfully approached them to offer their congratulations. The leaner baseball players sauntered over and saluted.

  “You did good, Coach,” the spokesman said, and the others hoorayed.

  It seemed the entire community had wrapped their collective arms around them.

  Tears came to her eyes. Gratitude swelled through her as she clutched Travis’s hand. For someone who had been the ultimate observer, she was moved beyond any expression. Her hand tightened around his. He squeezed it as ranchers and townspeople surrounded them.

  The sun seemed even brighter as everyone took their seats. A young woman started singing “One Hand, One Heart” from West Side Story as Travis tightened his hold on her hand and they walked down the aisle to face the minister.