Page 6 of The Soldier's Homecoming

Penny didn’t look back at him.

This trip home was about her daughter. There was no room for nostalgia, for thinking about what could have been. She was home for Gabby’s birthday, and in less than seven days she’d be getting back on a plane, not coming back until her tour was over for good.

Until then, it was all about Gabby.

No matter how much she ached inside.

Daniel watchedPenny move down the hall. He ignored the burning pain in his fingertips as the steaming-hot mug stung his skin. It only made him grip the ceramic handle tighter.

I’m sorry. That’s what he’d wanted to say. I’m so damn sorry and I don’t know how I’ll ever prove it to you.

He’d told her over the phone, but he had wanted to look her in the eye and tell her to her face. Even if it didn’t make a difference, it was something he wanted to say. Needed to say. To convince her that he meant it, that it wasn’t just something he felt he should say.

Instead he watched her walk down the hall toward their daughter’s room. His wife. Powerless to stop her, no matter how much he wanted to beg for her forgiveness.

“Daddy!”

Gabby was hollering down the hall at him now.

“Yeah?” he called back.

“Come over here!”

Daniel put down the mug after taking a sip and followed in Penny’s footsteps.

They were sitting on the bed when he walked in, Gabby cross-legged with toys around her and Penny perched on the edge, a doll in one hand.

Penny looked up at him, gave himthatlook again, and he stared straight back at her. Would have done anything to have looked into her eyes all day, whispered to her and promised to do better, convinced her how much he loved her.

But he couldn’t say anything, and he knew she didn’t want to hear it anyway. Not right now.

“You showing Mom your things?”

Gabby nodded, her eyes bright. “She didn’t even know about my new favorite toys.”

Daniel moved slowly across the room and sat on the far edge of the bed. “That’s why you have to tell Mommy about all the things you do when she’s away. Every time she calls you.”

Gabby shook her head. “But she’s home now.” In complete denial.

Daniel cringed. If only she were. Home for good, that was. It didn’t seem to matter how many times he told Gabby, she was holding on to her mother being back forever.

“Remember we talked about this, hon,” he told her. “Mom is only back for a week.”

Gabby looked down, fingering the doll on her lap.

“Do you want to play with me?” she asked, shyly watching her mother.

Daniel turned away as Penny shuffled across the bed on her knees to sit beside their daughter.

“I’d love to.”

He stood up and walked from the room as Penny spoke, not wanting to see the tears in Penny’s eyes as she snuggled up beside Gabby.

Because he would have done anything to snuggle right up beside his two girls.

Instead he was heading back down the hall to confirm his accommodation arrangement for the night. Preparing to be alone, instead of with his family.

Daniel squared his shoulders and went outside, needing the fresh air.

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