Page 29 of Between Two Shores

He faced his parents’ house. The living room’s light glowed through the lace curtains. Home. He adjusted his strap. Well, for tonight, it would be. He wanted to see family on his first day back, not arrive at his empty bachelor pad.

Sprinkles of rain touched his cheek. He clamped his jacket collar closed as he strode toward the front door. He hoped Mom had heated the spare room.

He pressed the doorbell, then ran his fingers over the familiar wooden door, well-worn over the years. He stood back and faced the peephole, waiting to hear Mom’s squeal.

“It’s Lachie.” Muffled words from the other side.

Yes. Open the door. Freezing out here.

The door flung wide. “My baby. Come in, come in.” Mom grabbed his sleeve and yanked him inside.

As the door closed behind him, his bag fell with a thud as he wrapped his arms around his little mother. “Missed you.” His voice rattled with emotion.

“Son.” Dad embraced him next. The human contact refreshed his soul like drinking a gallon of water after months in a lonely desert.

Dad squeezed his bicep. “Your guns are loaded. Man, you got big.”

Lachlan chuckled, wiping away an escaped tear.

“Let’s sit in the dining room.” Mom pointed down the hallway. “I have some of your favorite chicken noodle soup warming on the stove. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.” He tapped his belly. “Saving room for my mamma’s cooking. The ship’s food isn’t bad, but nothing compares to your recipes.”

She pinched his cheek and grinned. “You’ll keep.” Mom always said that.

Once they settled around the ten-seater walnut table, Lachlan dug into the soup as his parents told him the latest family news. The warm liquid soothed his throat, along with the familiar voices that relaxed him.

“Mark’s flooded with work. So, if you need a job in the interim, he could do with a laborer.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He didn’t want to do bathroom renovations, but if he didn’t find work in the first week with his qualifications, he could help his brother for a while.

Mom placed her hand on the table and leaned forward. “And Kayce’s dating again. She’s met a nice fellow. A young widower with two children.”

“Wow. Instant Brady Bunch. That’s big news.” He took another sip of his soup.

Dad gave a wry grin. “Everyone’s engaged or married off since you left.” He peered over his thin-framed spectacles. “Did you meet anyone overseas?”

Lachlan gulped hard and glanced from his bowl, the condensation warming his chin. “No.” A pair of blue vivid eyes flashed in his mind. He sat straighter. “I wanted to wait until I finished with the Navy. Less complicated that way.”

“Well, there’s always online dating. That’s how Kayce met Daniel.”

“Really? That’s good for her.” He preferred not to rely on Internet dating after the majority of horror stories he’d heard.

Dad continued to chat about Kayce and Daniel, but Lachlan’s mind wandered back to Beth. How did life pan out for her? The image of Beth looking up at him with innocent eyes, almost vulnerable at times, remained in his head. If she’d met someone, he hoped the guy would treat her well, love her like she deserved.

An upstanding woman like Beth would be his benchmark. If he could meet an American version of Bethany Michaels, he’d be a happy man.

That night, as Lachlan stared toward the ceiling in the dark, he contemplated the conversations he’d had. Life in San Diego seemed to move on well enough without him here. He adjusted his position on the memory foam mattress. The bed was super comfortable compared to what he’d been used to in the last few years. Why couldn’t he just fall asleep? Many sailors found civilian life strange for a while. He’d need to keep himself busy and establish a new routine. He’d get up early and exercise first thing. That seemed to clear his mind and help him focus for the day. That and coffee.

“What is my life about?” he whispered into the chilly night. Should he stay in San Diego? He’d been gone for so long. Did he belong here anymore?”

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and released it slowly. There were no decisions to make right now. He’d take one day at a time and wait to see what doors opened.

The next day, back at his own place, Lachlan crouched low, and pulled the weeds from his garden bed. It was a monotonous job, but he needed to keep occupied, and the front lawn and hedges needed trimming next. Mark must’ve been too busy. The tenant moved out four weeks ago, and the house smelled stale from being locked up for a month. The people before must’ve liked curry or something. There was an unusual smell, and it wasn’t his. He smiled to himself.

The next-door neighbor’s garage squeaked as it opened. Lachlan stood with a crack from his back and brushed the dirt from his hands. A blue Lexus reversed over the brick-paved driveway, then the car braked when Arnold noticed Lachlan. His neighbor switched off the engine, got out, and strode across his lawn. Lachlan greeted him over the half-fence.

“Buddy, you’re back.” Arnold gripped his hand in some kind of cool handshake, then they bumped shoulders.

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