Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Oh, come with me.” I look up at Chad and offer him a smile, before taking his hand and leading us down the long hallway in the hotel.
“Faith? Where are we going?”
“Married less than a day and already questioning your wife,” I tease. My voice wobbles, and I clear my throat. I will remain strong for him.
When we reach the door that has a closed for a private meeting on the door, I push it open and step inside.
“What are we doing?” Chad asks again.
“I called the hotel and set this up. I wanted us to have a private place to say our goodbyes.” I shrug like it’s not a big deal. I pretend like my heart isn’t racing so hard it feels as if it might jump right out of my chest.
Chad frames my face with his hands, and his eyes bore into mine. The look is intense, and his eyes tell me everything he can’t say.
Thank you.
I need you.
I don’t want to go.
“My wife,” he whispers. When his lips touch mine, I don’t care that our families are standing behind us, watching. All I care about is the man in front of me, my husband. Giving him the best send-off we can, that’s what matters. Keeping his spirits strong and reminding him of what’s waiting for him on the home front.
That’s my mission before he embarks on his own.
I step back and smile at my mother-in-law. “Sorry, I’ll stop hogging him.”
She shakes her head, tears in her eyes, offering me a watery, sad smile. I step away. Well, I try to. Chad’s hand on my arm stops me.
“I need you close, baby.” His words are low, only for me, and they send a thrill through me.
I’ll be whatever he needs.
I nod and move to stand close to him. He laces his fingers with mine and gives his mom a one-armed hug. I try to pull my hand away, but Chad’s hold is firm. Again, without words, he’s telling me what he needs. So I stop trying to step away from my husband and instead, relish the feel of his hand in mine, as each member of our family steps forward to hug him and tell him to come home safe.
Ford is the last to approach us, and I have to look away. My eyes find Shayne’s and she offers me a weak smile of encouragement. I pull in a deep breath and slowly exhale. I can do this. Just a little longer. I have to keep myself together just a little longer. Shayne’s subtle nod tells me she knows I can do this, and that the minute I need her, she’s there.
“Brother.” Ford’s voice cracks.
I have to bite down on my lip. The subtle taste of blood spreads against my tongue as I fight my battle with tears.
“Check in on her, will you?” Chad asks.
Closing my eyes, I fight against the burn of tears. He’s worried about me. This man who is leaving his loved ones to serve his country, and his worry is for me. My husband is one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. The other three are in this room.
“Always. You take care of you.”
“I have too much to fight for,” he replies.
I don’t know much about why he’s being deployed. I don’t know where he’s going to be or what he’s going to be doing. That’s one of the hardest parts of him leaving. If something happens, I’m depending on the Army to notify us, or him… depending on the situation. Sure, I’ll be able to call, text, and email when the service is available, but what if that service isn’t available? I make a mental note to stock up on stamps and stationery. As soon as I have an address, I’m going to flood him with mail, just in case that’s the only piece of home he gets while he’s away.
I can hear their mumbled words, but I’m too busy fighting tears to hear what they’re saying.
“We should head to base.” Chad slides his arm around my waist. I force a smile and nod.
“We’ll follow you there,” Ford tells him. We got them clearance yesterday so that this morning would be as easy as possible.
Our group heads toward the parking lot. Chad opens my door for me, and I offer him another smile. He closes the door, and I suck in a deep breath and quickly exhale. Just a little longer. I can keep up this act just a little longer.
Once he’s behind the wheel, he slides his hand to my thigh, and that’s where it remains until we reach the base. The drive is quiet. There’s nothing else to be said. We both know the other is hating every moment of this. Rehashing it is only going to make it worse, so we both choose to remain silent during the drive.