Page 104 of The Summer We Mended
Blaze nodded solemnly, like this was a very serious declaration.“He had a big cut on his head, but he smiled and picked me up.”
Anna bit her lip and turned back to the stove.Her hand gripped the spatula tighter.
Please.Let it be true.
She didn’t say it out loud.She didn’t need to.
As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.
Everyone froze.
Anna’s breath hitched, her heart thundering so loud it felt like it might shake her whole chest.
The kids looked at her.Nora clutched her bunny tighter.
Slowly, Anna walked toward the front door.Her hand hovered on the knob for a moment before she opened it.
The soldier was back, standing there, and flashing a smile back at her.
Anna’s knees almost buckled.She gripped the doorframe for support.
He’s smiling—that has to be good, right?
He removed his hat.“Mrs.Hartman.”
She couldn’t speak.She just nodded, her hand trembling.
He offered a gentle, practiced smile.“We’ve found him.”
She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.Her eyes flooded instantly with tears.
“He’s alive,” the soldier continued.“Your husband was located early this morning.He’s badly injured but stable.He’s being flown to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.”
Her knees did give then, and she sank to the floor, sobbing with a mix of relief and disbelief.
The soldier crouched beside her, his voice calm but urgent.“He’s undergoing surgery right now.The medical team there will call you as soon as he’s out.The hope is, when he’s coherent, he’ll be able to call you himself.”
Anna sobbed harder; her whole body wracked with the force of it.“He’s alive.”
The soldier nodded.“Yes, ma’am.He’s alive.”
She reached out and hugged him, surprising them both.He didn’t hesitate.He let her cry on his shoulder.
Behind her, her mother appeared and knelt beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.The kids were quiet, watching with wide eyes.
Anna pulled away after a minute, wiping at her soaked face.“Thank you,” she said.“Thank you so much.”
He nodded again, stood, and stepped back.“We’ll be in touch as soon as we have more details.”
She closed the door slowly and turned back to her family.
Blaze stood there, eyes wide, mouth open.“Dad’s okay?”
Anna knelt and pulled both children into her arms.“He’s alive, baby.He’s hurt, but he’s alive.”
Blaze buried his face in her shoulder and cried.Nora clung to her tighter than ever.
Her mother joined the embrace, whispering prayers of thanks, her hands trembling.
