Page 101 of Wandering Souls

“Ready?”

With a deep sigh, Abi nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”

He smiled. The deep, fatherly crinkles at the corners of his eyes were full of happiness, as were his blue-gray eyes. If anyone understood her need to return to her career, it had to be him.

“You know,” his eyes narrowed wisely, “I never asked. Where do you stay when you’re not on base or deployment?”

Abi felt her cheeks color with heat. He asked the hard questions. “I’ve only ever been on base or deployment since I finished school.”

Surprise lit his face. “Where are all your childhood belongings? Where do you call home?”

Discomfort settled in her belly. “Everything is in storage. I never leave and they never ask me to.”

He shook his head. “Maybe that has worked for you in the past, but Abi, at some point, you’re going to need to settle down. Find a home. You can’t live on active duty for the rest of your life.”

Fear passed through his eyes momentarily but it was gone in a blink. “Forget I asked. You’re free to choose your destiny, but I’m going to make you an offer. Please give it some genuine thought over the next few days or weeks.” He swallowed nervously. “Allow me to bring your personal items here. We will keep them safe until you need them. That way, if you ever need anything, you know it will be looked after.”

Abi studied him for a moment and understanding dawning on her. If her things were here, it meant she had to come back for them. It gave him peace of mind, assuring him that he’d see her again. Seeing how much he wanted her in his life tightened her throat and vindicated the trust she’d given.

Abi didn’t need any time to consider his offer. Reaching up, she laid her palm against his warm cheek. “That sounds very thoughtful. I’d really like that.”

A smile brightened his face. “Yes?”

With a nod, she smiled. “Yes. Thank you.”

He chuckled. “You really know how to make an old man’s wish come true. I’m so glad we found each other.”

“I came here to find out as much as I could about you,” she struggled to say. “Instead, I found you to be the hero that my mother described. I didn’t expect to find my family and I admit, it’s making it hard to go.”

“I see.” He thumbed away a tear. “Look at this way, sweetheart, it’ll make it easier for you to come back. We love you, Abi. You understand that, right?”

She was starting to.

“Your sister needs you and your nephew would learn a lot from you. Penny feels like she’s only just starting to get to know you, and as for me...” He closed his eyes on a sigh and shook his head. “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance. You are an amazing young woman, Abigail Winter. Brave and courageous, your ambition reminds me of myself when I was your age.” His eyes blinked open. “You have family. You belong, and I don’t want to disrespect Margery, but to us, you are and will always be a McCafferty.”

~

“You can’t let her flyaway!” Millie tugged on his sleeve, the urgency in her voice inescapable.

Ray bit his tongue. He would not argue with a teenager. “She’s made her mind up, Millie. She’s going to leave regardless of what I say.”

She glared at him. “So? What are you waiting for? If that’s true and she leaves anyway, then you have to tell her how you feel.”

Fifteen going on forty.“No.”

Millie mumbled under her breath but he didn’t catch the words.

“Pardon?”

Slumping in the car seat, she crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled. “I said, you’re a coward.”

Am not.“Why do you say that?”

“It’s obvious you’re scared and I get it. I do, Uncle Ray, but she makes you happy. Why can’t you just tell her how you feel?”

Because it didn’t matter if he admitted it. Abi would still break his heart by leaving. And it sucked. The hurt rolling through his veins would only worsen and he didn’t know if he could live through it a second time.

Through the open window, he heard the plane’s engines fire. The sound sent his heart into overdrive.

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