This was a rare, complete moment, and I knew none of us would take it for granted. We’d all learned that we couldn’t control the storms in our lives, but we weathered them better when we were together. Phone calls, Skype, texts, and visits—we always made time, and I had the feeling that we always would. Friendships like ours, forged in fire, were the kind that lasted.
Ember lifted Quinn from the carrier, then took off after the spitfire toddler when she made a dash for the waves, scooping her up and blowing kisses on her neck. Slowly, everyone but Jackson and I headed back to the barbecue, leaving us alone on our beach.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, stroking my side.
“How long it will be until we’re together like this again.” I hooked my arm around his waist and leaned into him.
“Bittersweet?”
“A little, but I’m just happy for the time we have.” I looked up at him, and my heart filled to bursting. “I’m happy for every day I have with you.”
“And I’m happy for every night, so we’re even.” His smile made me glad I’d passed the six-week postpartum mark a while ago.
“I love you, too.” I rose on my toes and kissed him long and slow.
Rotor blades beat through the air, and we broke apart, watching as the Jayhawk flew overhead, heading out to sea. My stomach clenched, but it wasn’t in fear. Even though I knew Jackson wasn’t on call, there was always the chance he’d get called in, and I didn’t want to miss him for a single second this weekend.
“Do you think they’ll need you?” I asked as the bird grew smaller and smaller. When I tilted my head to look up at him, I found his eyes already on me.
“No.” He cupped my face and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I’m right where I need to be.”
God, I loved this man.
“Daddy!” Finley yelled. “I saved our seats!” She pointed to the beach chairs she’d claimed.
“We’ll…” Jackson started to yell, then glanced down at Grant and thought better of it.
“Go ahead, I’ll be right over,” I assured him, letting my hand trail down his side, where two more coordinates had been inked. The first led to the very spot we were standing now—where we’d first met. The second, the hospital where Grant had been born.
“Don’t be too long,” he said softly.
“You going to miss me?”
“Nawh.” He smirked, and I felt it between my thighs. The man was lethal. “I’m just not sure I can keep our daughter from eating your share of the cobbler.”
I shook my head as he threw me a wink and walked away, cradling our son carefully.
The water was cool as it washed over my sun-warmed feet, and I let the peace of the moment sink in and fill my soul. My toes brushed against something hard, and I bent down, scooping the object free and letting the water rinse the sand away.
It was a piece of green sea glass the size of my thumb. Its edges were soft and worn, much like the pendant I wore around my neck. I smiled softly at my find, then tossed it underhand back into the sea.
“Why did you do that?” Fin asked, appearing at my side.
“So someone else can find it.” I glanced from my daughter to the water where the glass had disappeared. Maybe one day it would turn up at the feet of another brokenhearted girl and speak to her the way countless pieces had spoken to me as I’d carefully rebuilt myself.
Her brows puckered. “You don’t want it?”
“I think someone might need it more than I do. I have enough.” I took her hand and smiled.
As we walked back to the barbecue, I looked out over our little crowd.
Jagger, Paisley, and their kids were camped out in a set of chairs, with Ember, Josh, and Quinn taking the next set over. On the other side, Grayson held both Sam and Delaney in his lap as he pretended to eat his daughter’s cheeks, much to her delight.
Jackson glanced tenderly at our son, then smiled at us as we made our way to him.
I had more than enough.
I had everything I’d ever wanted.
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Acknowledgments
First and foremost, thank you to my Heavenly Father for blessing me beyond my wildest dreams.
Thank you to my husband, Jason, for being my rock. For loving me more than your wings and pushing me to fly. For being the real-life Jagger, while giving pieces of yourself to Josh, Grayson, and Jackson. Thank you to my children, who never cease to amaze me with their ability to adapt to every new situation—including quarantine—with grace and love. To my sister, Kate, for always listening. To my parents who always understand what “I’m on deadline” means. To my best friend, Emily Byer, for Sonic shakes and Cake.
Thank you to Karen Grove, not just for editing this last Flight & Glory book, but for picking up the first one out of the slush pile. You’ve never let me settle or allowed my writing to slip into complacency. I’ve grown not only because of your faith and encouragement but also your friendship. Thanks for always picking up the phone.
Thank you to my team at Entangled. To Liz Pelletier for agreeing to give the Flight & Glory fans the book they’ve been asking for. To Heather and Jessica for answering endless streams of emails. To my phenomenal agent, Louise Fury, who makes my life easier simply by standing at my back.
Thank you to my wifeys, our unholy trinity, Gina Maxwell and Cindi Madsen, who hold my sanity in their capable hands and keep me at the keys. To Jay Crownover for being my safe place and the wolf to my rabbit. To Shelby and Mel for putting up with my unicorn brain. Thank you to Linda Russell for chasing the squirrels, bringing the bobby pins, and holding me together on days I’m ready to fall apart. To Cassie Schlenk for reading this as I wrote it and always being the number one hype-girl. To every blogger and reader who has taken a chance on me over the years. To my reader group, The Flygirls, for bringing me joy every day—this one is for you.
To the amazing servicemembers in the United States Coast Guard and their families, thank you not only for your service but for giving me a little creative license since Jackson’s station on Cape Hatteras is entirely fictional.
Lastly, because you’re my beginning and end, thank you again to my Jason. None of this would be possible without you.
About the Author
Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and an incurable coffee addict. She is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over ten novels, including The Last Letter and Great and Precious Things. She is also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward from her Flight & Glory series.
Rebecca loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for eighteen years. She’s the mother of six children, ranging from kindergarten to law school, and is currently surviving the teenage years with two of her four hockey-playing sons. When she’s not writing, you can find her at the hockey rink or sneaking in some guitar time. She lives in Colorado with her family, their stubborn English bulldogs, mischievous new kitten, and a feisty chinchilla who loves to chase the aforementioned bulldogs. Having fostered then adopted their youngest daughter, Rebecca is passionate about helping children in the foster system through her nonprofit, One October.
Want to know about Rebecca’s next release? Join her mailing list! Or check her out online at www.rebeccayarros.com.
Don’t miss the rest of the Flight & Glory series…
Full Measures
Eyes Turned Skyward
Beyond What is Given
Hallowed Ground
Also by Rebecca Yarros…
Wilder
Nova
Rebel
The Last Letter
Great And Precious Things
The Things We Leave Unfinished
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The Reality of Everything (Flight & Glory) Page 42