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“What’s that?”
“Army takes care of their own – always.”
The two men looked at each other in the silence.
“Don’t get hung up on the label because you aren’t the first man I’ve talked to that struggled with it. It’s not you as a person. It’s you taking what is owed to you from the government for nearly losing your life. You’ve given up a lung, brother. Let them pay you part of your paycheck for that donation that most people are afraid to give of themselves,” Logan whispered passionately. “Take the out, take the money, take a chance at meeting someone, get married, have a whole posse of little baby-jerks that will bully my children in school…”
Jake laughed painfully – and felt himself smile for the first time in over a week in awareness. This was a whole new side of the captain that he never expected to see or know and he understood why people like Mitchell protected and stuck up for him.
“You should be this person around the soldiers.”
“I can’t afford to be because then I get accused of being nice.”
“Why be ‘nice’ now?”
“Because you are going to do the right thing, thesmartthing, and we’ll meet each other again someday – and I’d like to call you ‘friend,’ Ortega.”
“So where’s this ‘new place’ you want to shuffle me off to?”
“Remember Houghton?”
Jake felt his mouth drop open in shock.
“No-morphine-ya-big-baby-Houghton?” Jake blurted out and then winced as Logan laughed loudly. “Sorry, but he is about efficiency, and if it’s not deep or only needed one or two tiny stitches, he just went after it. I had him dig shrapnel out of my upper arm once, and that was enough for me.”
“Morphine is a hot commodity, and we try to keep it for major injuries like yours was this last time – and you are welcome,” Logan grinned. “We used lots for you. In fact, I bet you probably thought you saw puffy hearts, flowers, and unicorns.”
Jake sobered for a moment and hesitated.
“What?”
“I actually thought I saw the light for a moment, and was really afraid.”
“I can only imagine, brother. Let’s try things my way and avoid any blinding lights for at least long enough to have some happy memories to enjoy in Heaven. Okay?”
“Houghton, huh,” Jake said quietly. “Where’s he stationed?”
“He’s living on a ranch outside of Laramie, Wyoming,” Logan offered. “You’re going home, my friend – enjoy this second chance, and let me know how things work out with your new friend.”
“… Who isn’t a pen pal,” Jake added as Logan extended his hand toward him, and he clasped it, shaking.
“Nope. Not a pen pal, something different and hopefully just as wonderful.”
“I’ll take it then, sir. Thank you.”
“You bet.”
* * *
Two weeks later, Jake was landing in Wyoming.
5
LENA
Somewhere outside of Laramie, Wyoming
The last two weeks had been the best Lena had experienced in years. Every morning, she got up early to help with breakfast and found a community building almost. There were two new girls that had arrived in the last few days and each seemed happy.
