Page 100 of Wandering Souls

“No. They won’t. You’re leaving.”

The torrent of tears and red blotches on her fair skin tugged at Abi’s guilt. “I’ll be back to visit.”

The kid squeezed her so hard, Abi thought she’d break a rib. Or two. “It’s not enough.”

Abi rubbed her back and swallowed the flood of tears wanting to break free. She hadn’t expected so many people to come to the airport and while the support and friendship overwhelmed her with love, the sheer number of people gave her cause to question every move she made.

She’d forged real connections here, the kind she’d dreamed about her entire life. Friends who cared, who wanted to help, who wanted her help. For the first time ever, she felt like her wandering heart truly belonged. As Riley put it, she’d found her team. Or as Stevie said, she’d found her tribe.

So why was she leaving?

With a sigh, Abi rested her chin on the kid’s head and eyed her father standing at Ray’s car. Sitting inside, it seemed Ray wasn’t coming over. That stung more than she could have imagined. After all, she had thought they were friends, first and foremost, that he wanted nothing more than for her to be happy. But the distance he kept between them didn’t surprise her. She’d known he wasn’t aflingkind of guy. Ray wanted the works, and she’d let him convince her—and possibly himself—he’d be fine while it lasted.

He wasn’t fine.

Nor was she.

Damien shook his head and began walking back toward her, looking disappointed. Millie sniffed and pulled back. Composing herself, the young girl suddenly looked older than her fifteen years.

“He loves you, with all his heart, but he can’t say it. He’s scared. Viv, his ex-wife, she broke him. You’re going to do that too. I should be mad at you. Iwantto be mad at you, but I’m not. You’re right for him, you belong with him.”

Abi smoothed a hand down Millie’s hair and smiled. “I wish it were that simple.”

The earnest expression on Millie’s face was terribly innocent. “It could be.”

“Look after him for me, honey. He’s going to need you.”

“He needsyou.” Millie looked exasperated. “I need you.”

Damien joined them and touched Millie’s shoulder. “It’s time.”

The girl cried again. Unable to withstand the sorrow, Abi turned her attention to Bruce. Crouching, she let the dog lick her cheek and ran her hands through his thick coat.

“Look after your dad.”

Bruce whimpered and leaned against her. It seemed everyone was out for their pound of guilt. Abi wiped away a stray tear as she hugged the dog properly, before standing up and allowing Damien to steer her toward the plane. The crowd erupted into cheers, though she had no idea why. She hadn’t done anything to earn such adoration but she’d be lying if she said it didn’t feel good.

Inside the cargo plane, Damien turned her to him and held her by the shoulders.

“Are you okay?”

Hidden from the world, she let the waterworks flow. “No.”

He pulled her into a hug and held her tight. “Forget everyone else. You need to do what’s right for you.”

What was that again?

Amidst all the hugs and well wishes, and after all the family gatherings and cozy nights spent with Ray, she had to question whether going back was the right thing. Truth was, she didn’t know.

“Rest assured,” he said at her ear, “we’re always here for you. Come home any time, sweet Abi.”

Home.

The word dragged more tears from her eyes and she leaned on Damien to withstand the onslaught of sadness that pummeled her. Coming here to the Crossing, she had hoped to find out a little more about her father. She hadn’t expected the town to worm its way into her heart, and its people into her soul. They banished the loneliness that had hung over her head like a big black cloud and filled numerous voids in her she hadn’t known existed. While it was true she intended to come back to visit, not seeing them on a daily basis loomed menacingly in her future.

She’d come to Wills Crossing to heal, not find her family, nor someone like Ray, but in finding them, she’d done exactly what she’d planned and recovered.

Abi sucked in a deep breath to steady herself. If she allowed this type of thinking to go on, she’d never let the plane leave the ground. Despite everything urging her to stay, she desperately needed to know if the Army would see the gains she’d made and let her fly again. It wasn’t like she couldn’t. Regular flights with Damien had proven to her she still had what it took to pilot a chopper skillfully. Even he’d been impressed by her deft handling of the aircraft he’d purchased in her honor.

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