Page 92 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
“How are you, Captain Phillips?”
Lawson shrugged. He wasn’t supposed to talk about his feelings, but he’d already lost this battle. This was probably the last time he’d ever fly as a pilot. “Scared shitless, sir.”
Commander Oakes nodded. “Me, too, Captain.”
They met eyes for a brief moment, then looked back at the dismal scene, still waiting and holding on to that fragile shred of hope.
“There’s a pulse,” someone said over the radio. “He’s alive.”
Lawson choked on the knot in his throat. Then he smiled, fighting back tears that refused to be held in.Fuck it.He didn’t want to hold them in. He wanted to release and let go, as Julie would say.
“He’s alive,” the person on the radio said again.
Commander Oakes patted Lawson’s shoulder. “You did well, Captain. Now take us back to camp. Our work here is done.”
“Yes, sir.” His eyes burned. “Gladly, sir.”
Chapter 27
Julie breathed in the familiar aroma of her childhood. Her mother’s home had always smelled deceptively like sugar cookies. Even though Becky Chandler believed in healthy eating. Sweets were reserved for birthdays and holidays—no exceptions.
Her mother placed a mug of hot chamomile tea in front of her and sat at the table across from Julie. “I am so happy to have you closer to home. I missed you when you lived in Charlotte.”
Julie’s eyes suddenly watered. “Mom, I’m sorry for not visiting more often.” She swallowed thickly. How had she let a man keep her from coming home? On Christmas she’d wanted to be here, but Daren had wanted to take a sunny cruise three years ago. And he’d insisted on visiting friends the Christmas after that.
“Oh, honey. Don’t worry about it. I knew how busy you were. You had other, more important things to do.”
“Nothing is as important as you. And Kat. Family is important to me, and I promise you I’ll never stay away that long again.” No matter if life took her away from Seaside, she’d still visit at every opportunity. She’d be home every Christmas from here on out. No cruise could ever take the place of her mom’s honey ham or Kat’s sixteen-layer chocolate cake.
“I never liked that guy of yours much, you know,” her mother said then.
Julie looked up from her mug of tea. “But you never said anything.” From what Julie could tell her mother had been impressed with Daren. He owned his own business and was always polite when he saw her. Everyone who ever met Daren thought he was the smartest, funniest, most good-looking guy around. Julie’s friends in Charlotte had all envied her for getting to go home with him.
“I didn’t say anything because you’re an adult now. I have to let you be your own woman.”
Julie shook her head. She’d wasted that opportunity by letting Daren control her. “I just hope I become as good a woman as you.”
“Aww. Honey, you already are. I am so proud of who you’ve become.”
Julie’s eyes welled, but she was all out of tears, so instead she blew out a breath and smiled. “Thank you,” she said, reaching for her mother’s hand and squeezing. “That means a lot to me.” The truth was she was proud of who she’d become, too. Who she was still becoming.
They visited for another hour and then Julie drove home. She’d picked up some food at the grocery store earlier and planned on cooking herself a nice meal. It didn’t matter that it was just for her. It would just be her from now on, and that was okay. She couldn’t deny that she missed Lawson. She missed him so much that she tossed and turned most nights. Hopefully that would lessen with time. With time she’d forget how great it had felt to be loved by him, and how horrible it had felt to realize her feelings for him had been stronger than his were for her. To realize that she’d been so wrong about him, too.
Silence greeted her as she unlocked her front door and stepped inside. This was Kat’s home. Her sister had been nice enough to let her stay here, but it was time she found a place of her own. She had a good job now. She was no longer in limbo here in Seaside. Maybe after dinner she’d go online and start hunting for an apartment to call her own.
—
Lawson exhaled as he landed the Huey helicopter after a long day of training with the guys. He’d flown twice since the rescue mission last week, and he’d been fine. In fact, today he’d even enjoyed himself, just like old times.
With everything shut down, he exited the aircraft and started walking toward the building to get his things. He’d heard that the guy they’d rescued last week was doing well. He had a broken leg and a few cracked ribs, but he was expected to make a full recovery. Lawson planned on heading over to the hospital right now to see for himself.
Griffin was standing by his truck as he headed toward the parking lot. “You looked good up there.”
“Thanks, man.” Lawson followed his gaze toward the sky where one lone Osprey was making its way to the landing field. He didn’t shudder or cringe. “I felt good,” he said.
“Glad to hear you’ll be staying at Camp Leon awhile longer. It wouldn’t be the same around here without you. Heroes later?”
Lawson shrugged. “We’ll see. I’m on my way to visit McKinley right now.”
