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BOH 8-21-07 (00178434).DOC

Page 8

by Unknown


  clock, although he knew damn well what time it was. Too

  damn late for Katy and Cyn to be out.

  He slapped his palm on the steering wheel. Why

  hadn’t he called when he’d arrived at Fort Drum? He’d

  returned home five days early and had wanted to surprise

  them. Well, the surprise was his. Where could they be at

  this time of night?

  Images of hospital emergency rooms zipped through

  his mind. Stop it. Don’t look for disasters where they don’t

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  Bridge of Hope

  exist. With a sigh, he climbed out of the front seat and

  grabbed his bag from the back. Once he’d secured the

  strap on his left shoulder, he plodded toward the house.

  Pausing, Mike saluted the American flag raised on

  the pole in Peter’s honor. It waved gently in the night

  breeze. Several times in Iraq he’d sensed the young

  soldier’s spirit watching over him. Peter had not

  materialized so Mike assumed that he no longer had the

  ability to do so.

  Once inside, he tossed the Army duffle bag on the

  floor, sat down and unlaced his boots, kicking them off his

  feet. The house was spotless. Had Cyn done nothing but

  clean in the time he’d been gone?

  Since he’d showered on base, he poured a drink,

  dimmed the lights and lowered himself into his favorite

  chair prepared to wait—and worry.

  Before he had time to work himself into a state of

  panic, headlights flashed across the wall. His gut

  tightened. Memories of their last night together had been

  a constant source of comfort in Iraq. Soon she’d be in his

  arms again.

  In less than thirty seconds Cyn was in his lap. “God,

  I missed you,” she said between kisses. Why didn’t you

  call to tell us you’d be home early?” She pulled back and

  ran her hands over his body. “You’re okay? Not hurt?”

  He buried his face between her breasts and

  swallowed the emotional lump lodged in the back of his

  throat. “No more than I missed you. I wanted to surprise

  you. I’m fine. Great now that I’m touching you.”

  Cyn covered his mouth with hers. He threaded his

  fingers through her hair, gripped her head to hold her

  still. Their tongues tangled, making up for the past few

  weeks of abstinence.

  Mike dragged his lips away. “Where’s Katy?”

  “She’s staying at Mona Kelley’s tonight. She fell

  asleep and I didn’t want to wake her.”

  He groaned when Cyn pressed her breasts against

  his chest. “I didn’t know Mona was a friend of yours.”

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  Pam Champagne

  Cyn sighed and stopped nibbling on his neck. “She

  wasn’t until right after you left. I’ve joined the military

  wives’ group.”

  Mike couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d told

  him she joined a bungee jumping team. “That’s wonderful.

  I’m proud of you.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t do it as soon as Peter shipped

  overseas. Then I might not have traveled the dark road.”

  “And we might never have met.” His hand cupped

  her breast.

  Her breath hitched. “Keep that up and there’ll be no

  more talking.”

  “Marry me, Cyn.” The words rushed from his mouth.

  He hadn’t planned on proposing tonight. Relief that he

  had made him weak.

  She pushed back, her hands on his chest. Seeing her

  blue sparkling eyes calmed his insecurity. “I’ll marry you

  any time, any place. You’re my other half.”

  “From this day forward,” he murmured.

  “I’m sorry Katy isn’t here. She’d be over the moon.”

  Mike tightened his grip. “Tonight is for us. Want to

  go upstairs?”

  Cyn rolled off his lap and took off at a run. “What do

  you think? Last one there has to cook supper for a week.”

  Mike grabbed her on the second step.

  64

  Bridge of Hope

  Epilogue

  The Wedding Day

  Cyn scanned the small crowd waiting for her to walk

  down the garden path. A hot sun beat down on the late

  September day, warming the air to an unseasonable high.

  There wasn’t a cloud in sight and no breeze to disturb the

  beautifully decorated tables.

  Happiness bubbling in her heart threatened to choke

  her. She wanted to run wild across the lawns, screaming

  her joy.

  Katy tugged on her dress. “Come on, Cyn. They’re

  starting the song again. People are lookin’ at us.”

  Mike paced on the grass ahead. She grasped Katy’s

  hand and walked toward her husband-to-be.

  The next ten minutes passed in a blur. Cyn had

  wanted to savor each moment. Tonight she’d watch the

  video to see what she’d missed.

  “Cyn?” the minister’s voice penetrated the fog

  swirling in her mind.

  She gazed into Mike’s eyes. “I do…for always.”

  The collective cries of amazement that shot up from

  the crowd had nothing to do with the minister

  pronouncing them man and wife. Everyone stared in

  amazement at the American flag flapping wildly in the

  still air.

  A sense of peace seeped into Cyn’s soul. She lifted her

  gaze to her husband. “It’s Peter wishing us well.”

  The love in Mike’s eyes turned her knees weak. “I

  know. We owe him. He brought me to the Hope River that

  night.”

  “You may kiss the bride…” The guests’ excitement

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  Pam Champagne

  almost drowned out the minister’s words.

  Cyn and Mike sealed their union with a passionate

  kiss. “Let’s grab some alone time,” Mike whispered.

  Hand-in-hand, they started back to the house. Katy’s

  young voice rang out in the still afternoon. “Daddy,

  Mommy, wait for me.”

  Mommy. Cyn’s heart melted. In that instant her

  marriage became real.

  Mike trailed a finger down her cheek. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You and Katy are a package deal. I

  wouldn’t want it any other way.” She turned in time to

  catch Katy as she charged across the lawn. “Come on

  sweet pea. Let’s go change so we can enjoy the fantastic

  food everyone brought.”

  Could life be any better? Cyn didn’t think so.

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