Page 2 of When I Found You

A few hours later, I’ve got all my laundry done and a bag packed to head to Nashville. I don’t have anything else planned, except crashing with my old man, so, with nothing left to do, I jump in my truck and get on the highway.

“Dad,” I call out as I enter his house a couple hours later. “You here?”

As I make my way further inside, I anticipate finding him in his recliner as he watches TV, but the living room is dark and there’s no sign of him. I head down the hall and as I approach his room, I can hear the low hum of the TV.

The door is halfway open and I can see him sleeping half-sitting up on his bed. I take in his sleeping form and it hits me just how much he’s aged since I’ve been gone.

“Dad,” I call out from the doorway and he stirs awake.

“Peyton! When did you get here?” he asks, then breaks out into a coughing fit.

“Just pulled in a few minutes ago. Are you okay?” I ask, concerned.

“Yeah,” he says, coughing once again. “Just this nasty case of pneumonia I’m trying to kick.”

“You been to the doctor?” I ask, knowing how my old man can be stubborn and doesn’t like going to the doctor unless he’s practically dying.

“Went yesterday, finally. They gave me a shot of antibiotics and put me on some medicine. They said if I don’t start to feel better in the next day or so, to come back in. I think my fever’s gone, so I assume I’m starting to respond to the medication they gave me. Enough about me, when did you get back home?”

“About thirty-six hours ago. After we were cleared, I crashed for almost an entire day before getting up and coming here. Figured I’d hang around here for my time off.”

“Sorry I’m not better company.”

“You’re good, Dad. Anything I can get you?”

“I’ll be fine. Just need to sleep it off. I’ll be back to normal in just a couple more days.”

“If you say so,” I tell him, scratching the back of my head.

My dad and I have been super close pretty much my entire life. When my mom walked out of our lives twenty years ago, he did his best to make sure I had everything I needed growing up. It wasn’t always easy with him being in the Army. The one time he deployed when I was younger, I had to go live with my grandparents for the time he was gone. Thankfully, that was only for about nine months. I did my eighth-grade year with them, and even though I hated it when it was happening, it really wasn’t all that bad of a year, looking back now.

“Feel free to head out and go do something. I’m not going to be much company tonight,” he says as he swings his legs over the edge of the bed and stands up. He stops his movements as another coughing fit takes over.

“Yeah, maybe.”

I pull my cell from my pocket. I hadn’t told anyone I’d be in town, so I’m not sure who will be around tonight to meet up. I shoot off a text to my buddy, Ethan, to see if he’s available.

Peyton

Hey, man. I just got into town, I’m on leave and will be here for the next two weeks. You around to grab a beer tonight?

I return my phone to my pocket as I walk back down the hall and out to my truck. I grab my bag and bring it inside, taking the time to put my clothes in the dresser and store my bag in the closet. All my years in the military and living in my dad’s house has ingrained in me to have everything put away. Many of the guys I went through basic training with struggled with keeping their barracks clean and would get in trouble all the time. Not once did I ever get in trouble for it as I’d basically grown up with my own form of a drill sergeant. The one thing my dad knew well was the Army way of life.

I knew when I was about fifteen that I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and join the military. It was the only way of life I knew and I didn’t want to change anything. While my dad was proud I followed his lead, he never pressured me to do so. He encouraged me to find my own path in life, but I knew being a soldier was what I was meant to be. So, the summer after I graduated from high school, I shipped out to basic training at the ripe age of eighteen and a half years old.

In the ten-plus years since then, I’ve been through many good and bad moments. Even with the bad times, I still wouldn’t change my path in life and intend to continue on toward a full career in the military.

Chapter Two

STACEY

“Hey, Cam!”I said, putting my cell to my ear.

“Hey! How are things going? Staying busy?”

“So very busy! Writing a few hit songs for one of the top female acts in country music has increased demand of my time the past few months.”

“I’m so happy for you! You deserve all of the accolades. Are you going to the CMA Awards?”

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