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“It’s good to see you were able to make it to the party,” Jack said.
He’d never been good in a crowd, but he would make this work.
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Erin said. “Mom still lives in town. In fact, she’s at the party too. This gave me a great excuse to get away for the weekend, and, well, we’re going to see the memorial early next week too.” Erin smiled at Alex and then Terra.
Terra quirked a grin. “As if you need an excuse to come see your mom.”
Alex crossed his arms. The guy seemed to have completely clammed up since Jack arrived. Owen approached the group and, tilting his cup, shook ice into his mouth and chewed.
A man marched forward as if on a collision course—and Jack’s reflexes kicked in. He mentally braced himself as the guy almost knocked Owen over when he grabbed him in a bear hug.
Owen’s smile brightened as he turned. “Guys, here’s somebody I want you to meet. My longtime Army buddy, Leif Morrisey. We’ve been through a lot together. Leif saved my life.”
Jack studied Leif, who was a little older than Owen and also a little taller at about six foot. Everyone appeared mesmerized by Owen’s life-saving friend.
“As soon as I learned about Owen’s big welcome, I made sure to head this direction during my furlough.”
Jack rubbed his chin. “What did you do in the Army?”
Leif disarmed him with his smile. “Warrant officer. Helicopter pilot and Owen’s gunner.”
He elbowed Owen, and they laughed like they shared a private joke.
Leif and Owen told stories from their experiences. Owen shared about his helicopter going down, caught in a spin, and how he and a few others had jumped out and landed in a lake before the crash. “Not usually advised, but in that particular situation, it saved our lives.”
Jack spotted Aunt Nadine standing alone and looking lost. Oh no.
He inched around to Terra and leaned closer. “Going to check on my aunt.”
She appeared mesmerized with Leif’s and Owen’s stories and probably wouldn’t have even noticed he’d left.
He approached his aunt and offered his arm. “Hey, where’s Josey?”
“Oh, she left already.” Aunt Nadine pulled a slip of paper from her purse—a poster about Freckles—and handed it to Jack. “Will you help me put up posters here for Owen’s friends to see?”
Taking the slip from her, he smiled for her sake, though his heart ached. “Why don’t we wait for now? I’ll be sure to give this to Terra and Owen, and they can share with their friends. In the meantime, let’s get you something to eat and drink.”
He ushered her over to where burgers were being served. They got plates and grabbed all the fixings, including drinks. Jack found a table where he could sit with his aunt and hoped there would be a good moment to simply slip away unnoticed. He felt out of place.
Then Terra took the seat next to him. She smiled at his aunt. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”
“Oh, Terra.” Aunt Nadine’s face lit up. “It’s been so long.”
His aunt reached across him to touch Terra’s hand.
Jack feared sitting together was a bad idea. Aunt Nadine might say the wrong thing since her mind sometimes went back a few years. She might refer to Jack and Terra like they were still together or remind him he needed to make things right with Terra.
He produced the paper with Freckles’s picture and placed it on the table.
“Oh,” Aunt Nadine said. “Where did you get that? I didn’t realize you had brought a poster.” She squeezed his arm and then looked at Terra. “My nephew is such a thoughtful person.”
“What’s this?” Terra lifted the poster. “Another stray? He’s a cutie. I hope you find his owner soon.”
“You mean, his boy.”
“Pardon?”
“Freckles has a boy, and we’re searching for his boy.”
