Page 47 of Peach

She laughed and spun in his arms. “Now go get your stuff. I’ll be waiting here for you.”

“I love you.”

Andy had his bag and was ready to go in minutes. She wanted him to stay, and he would if he could. But this was his job, and she would support him faithfully.

“I’ll hold out as long as I can. I love you.”

“And I love you.”

She watched him leave, tears filling her eyes as his vehicle disappeared down the street. Her phone rang, and she glanced down, seeing it was Haisley. At least she had friends to get her through this. She was thankful for all their support. They would keep her believing that Andy would come home because she had to believe he would make it back.

Chapter 31

Haisley wassurprised that all the women came over that night. The ones with kids had arranged for someone else to watch them for a few hours. What surprised her even more was that they had such good attitudes about the men leaving.

Ava cracked a joke, and everyone laughed, but Haisley felt the worry too deeply. She tried, but the idea that Peach was going somewhere dangerous made her feel like she would lose him.

After a few more jokes, they noticed. "Are you okay?" Ingrid asked.

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m afraid.”

Jessica reached out and took her hand. “We’ve been here before. It may seem weird that we’re using humor, but they are very capable people. This is what they train for.”

Haisley bit her lower lip, wondering if she was making too much of her worry. “Will they be in danger?”

Rory shrugged. “They could be. I do know that they have people watching over them.”

“Really?” Haisley asked.

“Yeah. They have support. The military wants them to survive. They want them to win for multiple reasons. They have training for stuff like this,” Rory said.

“How long will they be gone?” Haisley asked.

“It could be a few days or weeks,” Ava said.

Haisley didn’t know how she would last for more than a week away from Peach. She didn’t really know too much about military life. He’d tried to warn her that he would have to spend time away, but she didn’t realize it would happen so soon.

“It will be fine,” Mel said.

Haisley shook her head. “But how do you know?”

“We have to believe that it will,” Jessica said.

Haisley blew out a breath. “I know Peach is strong. He has to come home.”

Jessica pulled her close, hugging her. “We’ll keep you sane over the next few weeks. Call any of us if you need support.”

“Yes,” Ava said.

“And I’ll be here,” Mel said.

“I’m thankful that you will be staying with me. We’ll have fun. And we’ll make sure you really are ready for the baby.”

“Ugh,” Mel said. “I need to wait until he gets home.”

Ingrid laughed. “Like you have any say in that. That baby is going to come out when it wants to. You can think you have a choice, but you don’t.”

Mel chuckled. “I know. I just would like him there. But this is our life. I’m not going to complain to him ever. If I have this baby tonight, I’ll be happy when he comes home.”

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