Page 10 of Wyatt the Military Veteran

Wyatt

P.S. Here’s an origami swan. It mails well since it lays flat before the last step—inflation—which is where you blow into the hole at the bottom to fill out its body.

P.P.S. Yes, I realize how that sounds LOL.

P.P.P.S. Are three post-scripts a thing? I’m glad you were safe despite car trouble, and I’m happy to read/listen to whatever you want to tell me—babies included.

***

Kennedy:*sends a GIF of a penguin waving ‘Hello’*Our first text exchange. Hopefully, this is okay…

Wyatt:*a picture of ‘Hello’ written in the sand*More than okay! :) What's on your agenda today?

Kennedy:We’re hosting homecoming parties for the high school's 10th, 25th, and 50th reunions this weekend, so there's a lot of prep work being done. I'm also babysitting my niece's bunny. Look how cute he is! *picture of white bunny chewing a carrot*

Wyatt:You're adorable, and so is that bunny. What's his name?

Kennedy:Whiskers :D I've been thinking about getting a pet, but I'm not sure.

Wyatt:What's holding you back? I always wanted a dog… Thankfully, now I get to hang out with our K-9 companions when they're off duty. *picture of a Belgian Malinois*This is Rex.

Kennedy:*heart eyes emoji*I'm so jealous! Honestly, I psych myself out with how much responsibility it is. A lifetime commitment, you know? And generally, I don't shy away from responsibilities or commitments, but I worry about not being able to give a pet its best life. Maybe it's because I don't have a lot of experience. We didn't grow up with pets. Our parents always said five kids was enough.

Wyatt:Don't sell yourself short. You can conquer anything you put your mind to, including pet parenthood. I mean you're juggling three major parties this weekend like a pro, and this is just one of the many events you organize. You're a fucking rockstar, Kennedy.

Kennedy:...

Kennedy:Thank you *blushing emoji*

Kennedy:Speaking of rockstars, or at least celebrities… Celebrity-adjacent? You'll never guess who just made reservations to stay at the lodge…

CHAPTER SEVEN

WYATT

Before Kennedy, I planned on re-enlisting.

Now there's someone waiting for me outside of the army, or I hope that's the case. It's taken me a few weeks to get everything sorted, but I'm officially free of my military obligations and driving across the bridge welcoming me to Suitor’s Crossing.

Kennedy isn't expecting me, and a frisson of worry seeps into my mind.

We've exchanged letters and text messages for months, so it's not like we're strangers anymore, but there's still a level of anonymity between us—one I’ll be demolishing with this visit.

Is this too soon?

Will I scare Kennedy away by visiting without warning?

Questioning the wisdom of my plan, I park along a gravel road where other trucks and sedans are. Kennedy texted earlier about how eager she was to help her friends set up Holiday Lane, a light tour through the forest for town residents and visitors alike.

I figured meeting her in front of a crowd of trusted friends might be better than appearing at her doorstep, so that's why I asked the gas station attendant on my way into town where Holiday Lane was located and made my way here.

People eye my rental suspiciously, and as soon as I exit the SUV, a large man approaches.

“Everything okay? Are you having car trouble?”

“Not exactly. I'm here to see Kennedy.”

The man's brows raise to his hairline as he jerks to a stop. “Kennedy Caldwell?”

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