Page 85 of The Soldier's Homecoming

Daniel didn’t divert his eyes but she saw his dimple crease.

“We’ll be back in the air again before you know it.”

Penny let her fingers drop back to the door, but her knuckles didn’t turn white this time. Her body was still relaxed, shoulders not tense like they had been when they’d made their ascent.

“I know you’re going to laugh at me, but it’s really nice being up in the air with you, Danny. I have to admit it,” she told him.

His focus remained fixed on flying. “Tell me that again once we’ve landed. I want to look you in the eye and make sure you’re not kidding.”

Wow.

Penny hardly heard his last words. Her hand flew to her mouth.

The field below them was covered in wildflowers, bright colors that seemed to never end.

“Where are we?”

Daniel didn’t answer her. He brought the chopper down slowly, hovering until they touched down carefully on the ground. He flicked a switch to cut the rotors, then removed his headset.

“You like it??

Did she like it? Hell, yes!

“Daniel. I don’t...” She shook her head in disbelief. “How did you know about this place?”

He grinned before jumping out and running around to open her door. He held out both his hands and she slid into his open palms as he reached to guide her out.

“The farmer produces honey and he has this field sown in wildflowers for the bees to pollinate.”

Penny no longer cared how he knew the landowner or how he’d found the place. She didn’t even want to look at the pretty field of flowers.

All she wanted was to stay in Daniel’s arms. To stay in the one place in the world she felt safe and loved.

He took one of her hands and led her away from the helicopter, giving her a look she couldn’t decipher over his shoulder as they walked.

“So about enjoying that ride?”

Penny swatted at his shoulder. “You need to hear it again, huh?”

“Sure do.”

She twirled into Daniel as his arms engulfed her waist.

“You’re an amazing pilot, Daniel,” she told him honestly. “I should have trusted you sooner and gone up with you.”

His eyes twinkled, but there was a seriousness there she couldn’t figure out.

Daniel stepped back, holding her hands, trailing to her fingertips, before letting go.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, worry licking like fire across her skin, making goose pimples appear on her bare forearms.

He looked solemn, reached for her hand again. Just the left one this time. Before dropping it.

“Daniel?”

Daniel looked down at the ground, then met her gaze. Without breaking eye contact, he reached for her necklace and unclipped it. Took it gently from around her neck.

She held her breath as he slid the ring off the chain and held it up.

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