Page 19 of Pride

“What?”

“Don’t do anything to get sent back to prison.”

I stepped onto the porch, rang the doorbell, and then glanced over my shoulder. “I can’t make that promise.”

The solid wooden door opened, revealing a wide-eyed Major Pratt. He’d aged a little since I’d seen him last, but he was still every bit the Marine officer he was during my three-year tour in the Corps.

“Sergeant Knox.” He swallowed hard. “What a surprise.”

“I can either pull you out here on the lawn, or you can invite us in,” I said dryly. “Your choice.”

He cocked his head, looked at Anna, and then stepped aside. “I’m sure you’ve got questions. Come in.”

With a tight jaw and clenched fists, I walked past him and into the spacious living room. Anna followed, positioned herself at my left side, and then placed her hand against the small of my back.

“You can do this,” she whispered. “And when you’re done, we’re going to the beach.”

I let out a short breath.

She was right. I could do it.

I simply wondered if I could do it without spending the rest of my life in prison.