Tara sipped her water and looked around the banquet hall. It was packed full of sailors and SEALs practically sparkling in their uniforms. Mike had been surprised to be invited to the Memorial Day formal event and hadn’t planned to go despite Tara’s repeated attempts to talk him into it. Then Chris had showed up and told Mike he had to go. Just like that, Mike had begrudgingly agreed to attend, though he refused to wear the uniform. He’d worn a suit instead.
His transition back into her life had been remarkably easy. At first, her friends and family had been hesitant to accept Mike’s reappearance. But he’d proven himself time and again, and they’d eventually warmed up to him.
He’d found a job as a civilian consultant on base; Tara honestly had no idea what he was consulting about and suspected she wasn’t allowed to know. Their lives were settling in, stabilizing, and Tara couldn’t believe the contentment and happiness she’d found.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention.” Tara shook off her thoughts and turned to face the front of the room where an older, gray-haired man stood in front of the live band. He didn’t use a microphone, but Tara suspected he hadn’t needed to in a long time. He had more bars and medals on his chest than everyone else combined. His mere presence demanded silence. It had to be Admiral Grey. He’d served with her father, and though Tara had never met him, she’d recognized the name on the program placed at their table.
“I’m not giving a safety brief, but I would like to point out that if I find out who spiked the non-alcoholic punch, you will be signing a DD214 Monday morning.” He paused and looked around. No one spoke and he nodded. “Moving on, then. Most of you remember Chief Davis. He’s a decorated SEAL and an excellent leader to lower enlisted. Despite the fact that he received a medical retirement due to injuries sustained in the line of duty, he’s here with us tonight. Let’s give him a hooya.”
“Hooya!” Tara jumped at the excessively loud battle cry that echoed throughout the room. She looked around. Where was Mike? He was missing it.
The admiral smiled as the noise died down. “Now I’m going to turn it over to Chief Davis. We’re going to let him have the floor for a few minutes in honor of his service.”
Tara furrowed her brow. Mike was going to give a speech? That was…odd. She caught movement from the corner of her eye and turned her head. Mike was walking from the edge of the room toward the admiral. His face glistened with sweat, and he looked a little…twitchy. Tara didn’t blame him. She would be nervous giving a speech to all these people. But why hadn’t he mentioned it to her?
When Mike reached the front of the room, he stood by the microphone in front of the band for a few seconds. He met her eyes, and Tara smiled. Poor thing. He looked terrified. He cleared his throat and reached for the microphone. He nodded at the band, and Tara watched in confusion as they began to play. A country song, no less. Mike hated country music. What the hell?
When he began to sing, Tara held her breath and blinked back tears. She didn’t know the song, but he could have been singing about tractors for all she cared. He was singing to her. His eyes never left hers, and Tara tried to focus on the words. He didn’t have a career in the music industry to fall back on—seriously, he was awful—but it didn’t matter. Someone had told him, she knew. One of her friends had to have spilled the beans she’d always wanted a man to sing to her. Not that she had a thing for rock stars; she just wanted a man to drop his pride long enough to pelt out a love song.
As she concentrated on the words, Tara realized he’d chosen a perfect song. It was about a flawed man who had made mistakes. A man who wanted to change, become better for the people he loved. Tara felt hot tears flowing down her face as she listened, trying to memorize each word. He’d already become that man, and she wanted to yell from the rooftops that Michael Davis was the best of men because he’d redeemed himself.
When he sang the last line, the music softened, and he cleared his throat and glanced around nervously. Tara gave him an encouraging smile and tried not to squirm in her chair.
“Tara…” Mike hesitated, and Tara smiled at him. He was adorably nervous. He started over. “Tara, I’ll never be a millionaire. I don’t think Nashville is going to call me back.” Muffled laughter rang out, and Tara smiled widely. “But I want to be a good man for you and Maddie.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. “I’d get down on one knee, but…” he trailed off as he looked down at the box.
Oh, Mike, you don’t have to. Tara covered her mouth and tried to keep back the tears. She’d known it was coming but had never expected him to put himself out there this way.
He took a deep breath and looked back into her eyes. “I already asked Maddie, and she told me that I should ask you nicely and say please. So, Tara, will you please marry me?”
Tara stood and weaved through the tables, a little nervous at being watched by so many people. When she reached Mike, he smiled down at her, still looking scared stiff.
Tara nodded, held out her left hand, ready to get the ring on her finger already. “Yes, Mike. I will.”
* * * *
Maddie wrapped her arms around Ted the monkey and giggled. Grandma had tucked her into bed a long time ago, but Maddie couldn’t sleep. Her daddy had told her a secret; he was going to ask Mommy if they could be a family. Live in the same house and everything! Maddie wanted Mommy to say yes because she loved her new daddy so much. Even when he told her “no”. He didn’t tell her “no” much though, so it was okay.
Daddy only had one leg, but Mommy had told her it was because Daddy was a knight, and a mean old dragon had eaten it when Daddy was protecting a beautiful princess. Maddie didn’t think there was really a dragon or a princess, but she did think her daddy was a good knight. And it would be so much fun to have her daddy the knight live with them.
Maddie flopped onto her back and held Ted above her head. Daddy wasn’t the only one that told her a secret, though. Mommy had told Maddie a secret, and Maddie was excited about that too.
Mommy told her that she was going to ask Daddy if Maddie could have a little brother or sister. Maddie tossed Ted into the air and caught him.
“Want to know a secret, Ted?”
Ted watched her, his bright-blue eyes wide and unblinking. “I know Mommy and Daddy will both say yes. Daddy will come live with us, and I’ll get a baby brother or sister. They told me but said it was secret.”
Madelynn didn’t know what secret meant, but she was pretty sure it was something really good.
The End
Publisher’s Note
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Author’s Note
PTSD is a very serious and damaging condition. It can ruin lives, tear apart families, and in certain extreme cases, can even end in death. It’s a sad fact that so many who suffer from the condition never seek help and never receive a diagnosis.
As a veteran, sufferer of PTSD, and wife of a sufferer of PTSD, I feel it is my responsibility to share this with you:
You are not alone. There is help and support available at absolutely no cost to you. Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek treatment and advice.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ This is the Veterans Administration Web site where you can find information, advice, and support for PTSD. The Veterans Crisis Line can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. Or you can send a text to 838255.
To talk with other sufferers of PTSD or others who offer support to someone with PTSD, you can visit: www.ptsdforum.org.
I implore you, please seek help. A friendly and understanding ear can sometimes alleviate so much emotional pain. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Until next time…
All my love,
Kristin
About Kristin Leigh
Kristin lives in Georgia with her husband, children, and their two dogs. When she’s not writing or reading, she can usually be found in a canoe or tent enjoying the outdoors. A proud mil
itary veteran and wife of a veteran, Kristin offers her support to the men and women of the armed forces and the spouses that are waiting for their loved ones to return home. You can contact Kristin at www.facebook.com/kleighauthor
Table of Contents
This Time
Blurb
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Author’s Note
About Kristin Leigh
This Time Page 19