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“I’ll see your earrings and raise you a combat boot.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more. But we’ve only got ten minutes left before Garcia is knocking on the door for his turn to chat with his wife. So, I’ll even take one boot off to get started. I’m trusting you not to cheat.”
“I’d never cheat. I don’t even mind losing a few hands.”
She claimed to lose the first hand to a paltry pair of fives. He’d take it as a win, especially since she left on her earrings and seductively removed her shirt to reveal the lacy black bra from the lingerie set he’d ordered for her. It looked even better on her than the model, though he was biased because helovedthis woman.
A few more weeks and he’d be home. He prayed this time would be different with only good surprises and no “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong” songs to be played.
ChapterSixty-Two
COMING HOME – Keith Urban
The moodin the plane’s cabin grew more and more electrified now that they were flying over land. They were almost home.
John could sleep almost anywhere and long flights home after deployments usually provided the best sleep he’d had in months. This time, sleep eluded him. Memories of his last homecoming ate away at his confidence.
It didn’t help that he’d missed last week’s standing video date with Elizabeth due to being out on a mission. They sent each other their usual daily messages but hadn’t talked in almost two weeks. The upside was that kept him from telling her their planned departure date, which was subject to last-minute changes or delays. His plan was for his first sergeant to drop him off out at Elizabeth’s place where he’d get a nap and be waiting when she got home from work. Though she didn’t love surprises, he hoped she’d like this one.
He’d visualized their reunion, even a few worst-case scenarios, since things rarely went down the way he pictured. While it couldn’t possibly be worse than his last homecoming, it could hurt more. This time, he knew genuine love.
He’d also had an epiphany. One that could change everything.
He believed they wanted the same things, and that she viewed him as good enough. That she would take the risk on a guy like him, even after this sudden deployment and separation. Nevertheless, anxiety churned in his gut as the plane touched down in the bright North Carolina sunshine.
As the jet taxied toward the hangar where a small crowd had gathered to welcome the men home, John peered past Cruz to look out the window. One day, maybe soon, there’d be somebody in that group waiting for him. Not just anyone. Elizabeth. More than anything, he wanted her to be the one.
“You forgetting something, Captain?” Cruz asked.
John stared at him blankly for a second.
“Your homecoming tradition is legendary in Third Group.” First Sergeant Clark grinned across the aisle.
Duh. How could he forget? He fished his phone out of his pants pocket. He scrolled past all the songs that he and Elizabeth had sent to each other to find the right one. He stood, grabbed the plane’s intercom handset, and motioned for the men to stay in their seats.
“Before we deboard, I want to say it’s been an honor serving with Charlie Company. You all performed admirably under difficult circumstances. I have a parting gift for you.” He started Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA” on his phone. Cheers erupted while he played air guitar to the familiar opening lick. He sang the first stanza with Clark, Cruz, and a few others joining him.
“Company dismissed,” he proclaimed when the flight crew opened the door. “If you need anything, my number is 867-5309,” he sang.
“What area code?” A younger team member asked.
“Seriously? I’m overdue for R and R. Call First Sergeant Clark or your momma.”
Laughter filled the plane as the men surged to their feet. Keeping with tradition, John waited at the front and acknowledged each man as they exited.
“You were the right man to step in during a rough time,” Clark said. “You boosted morale and kept everyone mission-focused. We may not officially be your team, but we’ll follow you into battle anytime.”
“Thanks. That means a lot. Let’s go.” John followed Clark. The men congregated at the base of the boarding stairs, which meant he had to uphold another tradition and kiss some asphalt. Why had he started that?
Over the cheerful voices waiting to reunite with loved ones, John picked out a distinctive bark. Jerking his gaze up, he glimpsed Boss running full-bore across the tarmac. That could only mean one thing. He scanned the crowd fifty yards away, his heart racing. When he spotted Elizabeth waiting with the gathered families, tears stung his eyes.
Worries weighing on him fell away.
Clark had to edge past Boss, who tried to squeeze his way up the stairs.
“Stay boy,” John commanded. Boss sat, his tail thumping on the asphalt for two beats until John’s boots hit the ground. He nearly knocked John down before he could drop his pack.
