Page 95 of Wandering Souls

Grace’s eyes lit up.

He left them to talk shop and found himself looking for Abi in the crowded tent. She stood with her family, appearing relaxed and comfortable. She chatted easily with Stevie and Penny, laughed at something Damien said and, for all intents and purposes, fitted into her family seamlessly. From across the expanse, she caught him watching, but simply smiled and gave him a subtle nod.

His chest constricted when she motioned for him to join them.

Ray shook his head but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Damien caught their wordless conversation and echoed her invitation. Saying no now was impossible. On his way over, he bypassed a bin filled with ice and cans of soda. He lifted a cola and shook off the excess water as he neared them.

Everyone smiled in greeting. “Thanks for the invite,” he began, shaking Damien’s hand. “And for welcoming my sister and my niece.”

Damien patted his shoulder. “Mate, it’s no problem.”

Ray offered the can to Abi, who accepted it with a smile.

“How are you enjoying the Crossing, Ray?” Penny touched his hand. “It really is a lovely town, isn’t it?”

The grin that lifted his face was effortless. “It’s become my home, now.”

Penny slipped her arm into his to link their elbows and gently guided him away from the group. “Oh, I understand what you mean. I haven’t been here very long, but it has a way of sucking you in and convincing you to stay, doesn’t it?”

He nodded as she steered them to toward the exit. Hot sunshine beat down on their shoulders and he had to wonder why they were out here. “That’s the best description I’ve ever heard.”

She smiled up at him. “My husband tells me you and Abigail have gotten quite close?”

Sensing an interrogation coming his way, he laid his hand over hers in hopes of allaying any fear of him breaking Abi’s heart. “I’ve become very fond of your daughter, Penny.”

“Is she happy?”

The complicated answer to that question eluded him. “She has become happier during her stay. Getting to know you, Damien and Stevie has helped.”

“Good, good,” she hummed. Her expression pleaded with him. “Tell me, how do we convince her to stay? I don’t want her to go back to the Army. I couldn’t live with myself if she got hurt again.”

The same sentiment echoed in his heart as a sweat broke out on his forehead. Today was going to be a scorcher. “Penny, we have to respect her decisions. We can’t force her to do anything.”

“But you want her to stay, don’t you?”

She had him there. “It’s not up to you or I. The best we can do is be here for her and support her. That way, she’ll come back.”

Eventually.

Ray’s heart hurt thinking about Abi leaving but he wouldn’t let himself focus on it. He could grieve after she’d gone.

“You love her, don’t you?”

The thoughts in his head went quiet. “Um...”

She chuckled and patted his hand. “Your secret is safe with me, Ray. We’ll console each other afterward, okay? Now, let’s go inside. It’s boiling hot out here.”

Abi met him as they re-entered the marquee, throwing him an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry. Did she grill you?”

Ray chuckled and tugged her into his arms. He half expected her to clam up but she circled her arms around his chest and squeezed. Her display of affection surprised him. “She just wanted to make sure I was looking after you.”

“I hope you told her you’ve been nothing but a gentleman?”

A gentleman?He liked the sound of that. Before he could answer, Damien brought the gathering together. He motioned for Abi to join him, Penny and Stevie. Ray gave a her a gentle push to send her on her way.

“Thank you all so much for coming,” Damien began. “I know you wanted small, family-centered Christmas gatherings but everyone here knows I’m a man who wants to celebrate the good things in life. Recent experience,” he smiled at Penny and Stevie, “has taught me I’m a very fortunate man, but it goes much deeper.”

He held out a hand to Abi and waited for her to take it. Upon contact, he tugged her closer to his side and draped an arm protectively around her shoulders. The tears in his eyes were sweet and he needed a moment to compose himself.

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