Page 34 of A Soldier's Return

She gestured to the gate. He was installing some kind of locking mechanism, she realized. “This looks fun.”

“Since my dad’s surgery, Max has decided he’s the canine version of Houdini. He’s learned how to open the latch and take off.”

The dog looked inordinately proud of himself.

“Oh, how sweet. I bet he’s letting himself out so he can go look for your dad!”

“That is entirely possible. Or maybe he just doesn’t enjoy my company.”

That isnotpossible, she wanted to say, but didn’t have the nerve.

“How is your dad? When is he coming home?”

“Not as early as he’d hoped. He’s been doing so well, we thought he might be cleared to come home tomorrow, but I guess yesterday he had a little tumble during physical therapy.”

“Oh, no!”

“He seems to be all right, but the doctor at the rehab center wants to keep him until at least Monday or Tuesday, to be safe.”

“I’m sorry. That must be disheartening for both of you, especially if he thought he was going home sooner.”

On impulse, she held out the loaf of banana bread. “Will you take this to him? Skye and I made it this morning for Julia Garrett and her family, but they’re not home. Your dad particularly enjoys our banana nut bread.”

Eli looked astonished. “Thanks. That’s very kind of you, but are you sure you don’t want to save it and give it to your friend later?”

“Banana bread is best when it’s fresh. When Skye gets home from Portland, we’ll make another batch.”

“Portland. I forgot she was going with her dad. How are you holding up?”

“Super,” she lied. “Except I couldn’t stand how quiet my house was, so I borrowed my neighbor’s dog and went for a walk so I wouldn’t have to be alone there.”

He smiled a little at that and patted Fiona, who gazed up at him with adoration.

She had been holding back her emotions all day, but the kindness in his eyes seemed to send them bubbling over. To her great and everlasting dismay she sniffled a little, a tear dripping down her cheek.

“Hey now. It’s okay,” Eli said, looking slightly panicky. “She won’t be gone long.”

“I know. She’ll be back tomorrow.”

Melissa felt so stupid! It was only an overnight visit. Fiona licked at her hand and it was the absolute last straw. She sniffled again and before she knew it, Eli had set the loaf of banana nut bread on top of the gate and reached for her, pulling her against his hard muscles.

“It’s okay,” he said again.

“She’s never been away from me. Not one single night. She’s seven years old and she’s never slept somewhere she couldn’t call out to me. Her father has taken her before but only for a few hours at a time. He doesn’t know that she needs a night-light on and she has bad dreams if she eats too much sugar past eight, and when she wakes up, she does this sweet little stretchy thing.”

“He’ll figure all that out. The important parts anyway.”

She let out a sigh, wishing she could stay here the rest of the evening so he could help keep her nerves away. “I know. You’re right.”

“Cody loves Skye, right? You said as much yesterday.”

“He does. He doesn’t always do things the same as I would, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love her.”

“They will be fine. Skye strikes me as a clever girl. If there are any problems, she can always give you a call to come get her.”

This was dangerous, being close to him like this. She couldn’t help remembering their kiss the day before, and the way she had flung her arms around his neck and surrendered to her overpowering attraction toward him.

Holding him like this, being close to him and hearing his heartbeat against her cheek, was entirely too risky. It was making her think all kinds of wild thoughts. She was aware of a soft tenderness blooming to life inside her like the spring growth all around them. He was so kind, so concerned about her feelings. He made her feel like she mattered.

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