Page 134 of A Soldier's Return

“You did the right thing to stay where you were,” Sage said.

“I remembered what we talked about in camp. I tried to do just what you said.”

He couldn’t bear to think about what might have happened if Chloe hadn’t had a little survival training through Sage’s camp or if they hadn’t found her in time.

With the resilience of the young, Chloe was nearly asleep by the time they reached Brambleberry House, her arms wrapped around Conan and her cheek resting against the top of his furry head.

He feared it would be as tough to wean her from the dog as it would be to leave this place.

“Just drop me off,” Sage said. “I can pick up my car at your place tomorrow on my way to the center.”

In the driveway, he put the car in park and finally reached for her hand. “Sage, I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”

She shook her head. “Don’t. You know you don’t need to thank me. I’m just so grateful everything turned out okay.”

He was quiet for a moment, hot emotion choking his throat. He wanted to shunt it all away as he usually did, to lock it down deep inside him, but this wild tangle was too huge, to overwhelming.

He knew he couldn’t leave things between them like this, tainted by this stilted awkwardness, not after everything that had happened.

“I know it’s late but... I need to talk to you. After I get Chloe settled into bed, I would like to call Stanley and Jade, see if they could send someone over to stay with her for a little while.”

She drew in a breath that ended in a little shiver, though he wasn’t sure if it resulted from the cold or something else. “We don’t really have anything left to say, do we?”

He squeezed her fingers. “I think we do. Please, Sage.”

After an agonizingly long moment, she shrugged. “I’ll try to watch for you so you don’t have to ring the doorbell and wake Anna again.”

He nodded. He had no idea what he wanted to say to her, he only knew he couldn’t return home in the morning without seeing her again.

She opened the rear door for Conan and gave Chloe another hug, then hurried into her house.

Chloe said little as they drove back to their cottage. She was nearly asleep by the time he pulled into the driveway behind his rental, her head lolling back against the upholstery.

“Just a few more minutes, baby,” he said as he helped her inside. “A hot shower will help warm you up the rest of the way and wash away the saltwater.”

She sighed. “I’d rather just go to bed. I’m so tired.”

“I know, but you’ll feel better, I promise. You’re not going to fall asleep in there, are you?”

“No,” she said, her voice subdued. “I’ll be okay.”

While he listened to the sounds of the shower, he changed out of wet khakis and shoes. He’d had it easy compared to Chloe and Sage and had only gotten wet up to mid-calf, but just that slight dousing left him cold.

He called The Sea Urchin front desk and, to his surprise, Jade answered. He left out a few details but explained he needed someone to come and sit with Chloe. Despite his best efforts to dissuade her, she insisted on coming herself and said she would be there in a few moments.

He was waiting in the living room when Chloe came out of the shower in her warmest flannel nightgown.

She hurried to him at once and wrapped her arms around his waist. She smelled sweet, like lavender soap and baby shampoo, and he held on tightly as more emotions caught in his throat.

“I really am super sorry I ran away, Daddy. I was just so mad at you but I wasn’t thinking right.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Trying to escape our problems doesn’t work and usually only creates more trouble. Either they come right along with us or they’re waiting where we left them when we get back.”

She nodded, her damp hair leaving a mark against his shirt.

“I love you, baby,” he said after a moment. “Please don’t forget that. No matter what, I love you.”

“I want to stay with you, Daddy. Please don’t send me away. I’ll try harder, I promise.”

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