A Soldier Finds His Way (14 page)

Hank joined her. His face lit up when a platter of pancakes made its way around the table, and came to him. “Pancakes. My all-time favorite food. Can’t get enough of ’em.” He piled a stack onto his plate and slathered butter and syrup over everything before tearing into them with grunts and moans of delight.

Across the table, the twins averted their eyes each time Hank looked their way. His disheveled hair, unkempt beard, and loud voice seemed to capture their attention. Their gaze kept going back to his eye patch no matter how hard they tried to look elsewhere.

Audra squelched a laugh as a piece of Hank’s pancakes landed near her plate.

She ate her fill and put her fork down.

Hank glanced at her, then pointed with his fork to the link sausage left on her plate. “You gonna eat that?”

“No, you can have it.”

His fork clacked against her plate as he speared the sausage. It disappeared in two chomps.

Dad sat at the head of the table with Cricket sitting on the floor beside him resting her head on his knee. He slipped her pieces of bacon and sausage.

Hank looked over and grinned. “Spoiling my dog, are you?”

The twins whispered back and forth to each other, but their voices could still be heard. “Ask him.”

“No, you ask him.”

Hank looked across the table at the girls. “Ask me what?”

Robin spoke up. “What’s with the eye patch?”

Mom stepped in. “Girls, leave Hank alone. It’s none of your business.”

Hank smiled. “It’s all right, I don’t mind telling them what happened.” He focused on the twins. “When I was in the army I was in a vehicle that got blown up. I lost my eye and my hearing on the same side.”

“Why don’t you get a glass eye?” Robin asked.

Dad shook a finger at the girls. “That’s enough. I’m sure Hank doesn’t—”

“I do have a glass eye.” Hank answered despite Dad’s intervention. “I left it at home, on the dresser.” With a sly smile, Hank added, “I like to keep an eye on the place when I’m gone.” Hank threw his head back with a huge laugh.

In an instant, the whole room broke into stitches. In the middle of downing a glug of coffee, Mike burst into laughter and spewed some out his nose. Vanessa tried to help with a few slaps to his back, but he laughed and choked at the same time while coffee dribbled down his chin.

“A merry heart does good like a medicine,” Dad said as the laughter died down.

Heads nodded in agreement.

Kyle steered the conversation. “After breakfast, I’m going with Hank and Mike to see if we can take care of Edward’s truck. Hank says it’s buried under some snow, so we may be gone for quite a while. I’ve got a buddy who has a tow truck, and he’s offered to help us.”

“Listen.” Dad’s face took on a serious expression, and he spoke with a tone of authority. “I don’t care what it takes or what it costs. I want Edward’s truck returned to him in pristine condition. I owe him that. No, I owe him much more. I don’t care if I have to buy him a brand new truck, for that matter. Whatever it takes, do it.”

* * * *

Audra rose and followed the men to the front door.

Hank stood in the foyer rubbing his belly, and guzzled the remains of a glass of orange juice before putting on his coat.

Dad took his wallet out of his back pocket, handed a credit card to Kyle, and stepped back, putting his arm around Mom’s shoulder.

Mike leaned down and tickled Zoe for a minute before pulling Vanessa into his embrace for a good-bye kiss.

Audra tapped Hank’s arm, then pulled him around the wall into the living room.

She took a cursory look around, making sure they were alone. “Can you ask Edward to call me?”

“I have no idea where Edward is right now. But, I’ll be going down to Fort Bragg in a few days to teach a couple of classes, and I usually run into him there. I’ll tell him to call you.”

He took a pen from his coat pocket and wrote Edward’s cell phone number on Audra’s palm. “Remember, his phone is still in his truck. I’ll get it, charge it up, and see that he gets it. Why don’t you try calling him in a few days?”

A blast of cold air swirled around her.

Hank touched her arm. “I think that was Mike and Kyle walking out the door. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you if I hear anything.” He turned and left.

Audra traced Edward’s phone number with a finger. More than just a number, Hank had written hope into her hand. A lifeline filled with possibilities.

* * * *

Audra stood at the living room window with Vanessa.

Outside, the men loaded into Kyle’s SUV. Cricket jumped into the backseat with Hank and they were on their way.

Even after the vehicle drove off and turned out of their view, she stayed at the window with Vee.

Mom joined them and put an arm around each of their waists. She squeezed Audra. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

Dad entered the room before Audra could answer. He brushed his hands together. “Well now, maybe we can get on with our lives.”

Audra’s tears came without warning. She headed upstairs to her bedroom, hobbling with her sore hip as she went, then slammed the door with a window-rattling bang. Leaning against the headboard with her knees drawn up to her chest, she pressed a pillow against her face and sobbed into it.

Mom came in and sat on the bed beside her. “I stood outside the door for a few minutes and prayed for you. It breaks my heart to know you’re so upset. I’m sure your father didn’t mean his remark to sound as callous as it did.”

Audra wiped her eyes and swollen nose with a corner of the pillowcase. Palm extended, she revealed the numbers Hank had written in blue ink.

Mom cradled Audra’s hand in her own. “Is this Edward’s telephone number?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s talk. Nothing leaves this room. Scout’s honor.” Mom held up a three-fingered Boy Scout sign and took the oath.

A box of tissues sat on the nightstand. Audra snatched a few sheets and wiped her face. “The night before the accident, Vanessa I sat around talking about guys and relationships. Then, the very next day, I met Edward. I may never see Edward again, and…”

Mom nodded. “I see. It’s obvious you’re attracted to this man. Who can blame you? We wouldn’t be sitting here having this conversation if not for him. I wish I could have met him, or at least seen what he looked like. Tell me, what does he look like?”

A salty teardrop ran over Audra’s lips and she licked it away. “Men with his good looks usually only show up in dreams. Yet, there he was, in the flesh. Strong, virile, and alluring. I can’t seem to stop thinking about him.”

“With what you just told me, it’s no wonder he’s still on your mind.”

Audra moved a tad closer to her mom. “Last night, when I closed my eyes, I was transported back to the cabin. I smelled the old musty wood, and felt the warmth of the blanket Edward tucked around my legs and feet. The fire crackled and the rocking chair rungs thumped rhythmically against the rough floorboards as Edward sat and rocked beside me.

“At our feet, Zoe built a tower out of dominoes, and the ivory-like pieces clacked together as the tower leaned and fell to the floor. Cricket slept by the fire, curled up on the braided rug. The wind howled, and she lifted one ear, but only for a moment.

“It was such a beautiful dream, if that’s what it was. I don’t remember falling asleep.” She took her mother’s hand. “Oh, Mom, what am I going to do? Every time I close my eyes, I see him. I’m so confused.”

Mom gave Audra’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Take things slow. Most of all, ask the One who has the answers to help you. If anyone can help you sort things out, He can. You’ve been through a traumatic experience, and you’re an emotional wreck. Go wash your face and take a few deep breaths. It’ll make you feel better.”

Audra sniffled and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

Mom stood with her and kissed her forehead. “Don’t be angry, but your father called Brad and let him know what happened. Brad’s on his way over now.”

“Oh, Mom.” Audra’s shoulders sank.

“I know, I know. Your father’s incorrigible. But,” she pinched Audra’s cheek, “we love him anyway, don’t we?”

Mom left the room.

Audra hobbled into the bathroom. As she reached for the faucet handle on the sink, the doorbell rang.

* * * *

Descending the stairs presented a huge challenge and filled Audra with dread. With the bannister on the same side as her casted arm, there was nothing to hold onto. Last thing she wanted to do was fall down a flight of stairs and add to her injuries.

Brad sprinted up as she stepped down onto the first tread. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Let me help you.”

“Thanks, Brad. Going up is easy, but coming down is a little scary.”

Mom and Dad watched from the base of the stairs. Dad’s face beamed with a radiant smile. “It’s nice having a strapping young buck lend a hand, isn’t it?”

“Joe.” Mom’s warning came with the clenched-jaw skill of a ventriloquist. Her sideways elbow to Dad’s ribs almost made Audra laugh.

A soft moan escaped as she took the last step.

“Are you in pain?” Brad’s eyes exuded concern.

“I’m okay. Going up and down stairs is a little hard on my sore hip.”

Brad guided her into the living room and waited until she eased down into the easy chair before he backed away and sat on the couch.

Mom came and stood nearby. “Do you need one of those pain pills the doctor gave you?”

“No thanks. I’m all right.” Audra lifted her pink cast and wedged a small throw pillow under it. “Besides, the pills make me sleepy.”

Dad sidled up beside her Mom. “Why don’t we leave these two alone so they can talk?”

“You don’t have to go.” Audra swept her hand toward the loveseat and recliner. “I’m sure Brad would enjoy visiting with all of us together.”

Dad’s, steady smile may as well have been tacked to his cheeks with pushpins. He flipped his hand as if shooing a gnat. “You two don’t need us old fogies hanging around. Come on, Jo,” he placed his palm on Mom’s back, “I’ll help you roll out the crusts for those pies you promised to bake for the church bazaar.”

When they left the room, Audra turned to Brad and shook her head. “Sorry. He still thinks we’re together.”

Brad chuckled. “I know.” His smile faded. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look like you’ve been crying.”

A thread hung from the seam of the pillow. Audra twirled it around her finger. “I’ve been having emotional ups and downs. I suppose that’s normal after what I’ve been through.”

“I imagine so.” Brad cleared his throat. “Your dad was amped up when he told me what happened to you and Zoe. He said a soldier pulled you and Zoe out of the car after it fell into the river.”

“That’s right. His name is Lieutenant Edward Giordano. Of course, I don’t remember any of that. It’s as if I flew off a cliff and landed on a dusty old recliner in the cabin.”

Brad crossed an ankle over his knee. “I’m glad he was there. But, what I don’t understand is why he was out in the middle of nowhere in the first place.”

“Edward’s brother owns the cabin. When Edward came home on leave, he went there hoping to find some peace and quiet. But then we showed up.” She laughed. “And, what a grand entry we made.”

“I still can hardly believe you were brought home in a Black Hawk by a team of Spec Ops guys. Your father said it was quite a sight, something he’d never forget, when it landed in the field beside the house. Said it was like watching a scene from a movie.”

Audra flipped her hand up with a little shrug, “I guess I’ll have quite a story to tell my grandchildren.”

“That’s for sure.”

Audra repositioned her self in the chair and leaned her elbow on the armrest. “Have you heard anything more about that promotion you were telling me about?”

Brad’s eyes brightened. “McAllister, the head honcho in the Chicago office, has decided to retire sometime around Easter. The company’s sending me up there to work alongside him until he leaves. They haven’t officially offered me the job, but I’m almost certain they will.”

“Oh, Brad, that’s great. You’ve worked hard for this and I’m sure that in the end, you’ll get the position. When will you be leaving?”

“Tomorrow evening. I’m stoked about it.” He pushed up his cuff and glanced at his watch. “I better go. I’ve got a lot of things to do before I leave.”

Brad rose, gave her a hand, and helped her out of the chair.

Audra followed him to the door and waited while he hung a dark gray scarf around his neck and put on his coat.

He opened his arms. “One last hug for an old friend?”

Audra stepped into his embrace. “Thanks for coming to see me. You’ll do great in Chicago. I know you will.”

“Thanks.” Brad kissed her cheek. “Bye, Audra.”

“Bye.”

Audra closed the door and turned to leave the foyer. Down the hall, standing near the kitchen, Dad stood with a floured rolling pin in his hands and the same plastered-on smile beaming from his face.

With a shake of her head, she climbed the stairs and went back to her room.

Edward stood with his team outside the brick monstrosity with M4s slung over their shoulders. The old warehouse was in shambles. Broken glass lay strewn about the ground below the windowless frames. A few shards remained intact, but needed only a wisp of a breeze to dislodge them. The building’s wooden doors had been blown off their hinges by explosive charges, and the doorframes bore shadowy-black markings from being singed by the blasts.

Marcus eyeballed the building. “This looks more like a scene from London after the bombings of World War II than present-day North Carolina.”

Sanchez raised his rifle. “We go in loud, and we go in hard. Hooah!”

“Hooah!” the whole team echoed.

Stanley and Zook sat on a half wall outside the building’s entrance picking globs of duct tape residue from their wrists and ankles.

Zook flicked a wad of glue from his finger. “Next time this training exercise comes around, you can find some other fool to play the hostage. I’m not doing it again.”

Edward laughed. “It was your turn, so quit complaining. Besides, we wiped out the entire opposition force to save your sorry hides. You should thank us.”