“I thought flight school was a done deal.”
“Being an Army pilot sounds cool, doesn’t it?” Kinley had helped out on a few test flights during her time in Afghanistan. The idea of becoming a pilot sounded epic when Ms. Nova, a warrant officer and test pilot in her unit, suggested as much during their most recent deployment. She made the entire process sound simple with Kinley’s scores and near-perfect vision.
“Did you change your mind?”
When Kinley left on a plane for basic training nine years ago, she had no idea how long she would stay in the Army. Only that it was her fastest—and cheapest—ticket away from the place that most reminded her of her mom. A town that represented nothing but heartache and bad memories.
However, now that she was back, her resentment seemed to be softening.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Kinley said finally. “IthoughtI had it all figured out. I’m still planning to put my packet in when I get back. Just need one final letter of recommendation.” She left out the part about her waiting to sign her reenlistment paperwork, or the ticking clock she was up against. “I should have dates in a few weeks.”
“Well, if youdodecide to move back instead, I’ll be happy to have you around. You’ve always got a home here.”
“Thanks, Fiona.”
“The Army’s been really good for you. I’m proud of you. Your mom is, too. I know it.”
Swallowing back sudden threatening tears, Kinley busied herself with wiping down the kitchen counter while Fiona washed her dishes. Time didn’t fill the void she felt every time she looked at the kitchen table. Her mom should be there, sitting on a cracked vinyl chair, working on a crossword before her shift at the lodge. Words lingered on the tip of Kinley’s tongue.
Fiona looked at her expectantly. “Wait any longer and you might choke on whatever it is you want to say.”
Kinley drew in a deep breath, held it until it burned, then released it with her words in a rush of air. “Mom wrote me a letter.”There, it’s out. No turning back.
“She what?”
“She wrote a letter and gave it to Patty Whitmore before she died. I got it in the mail on my twenty-fifth birthday.” On a handful of occasions, Kinley tried to tell Fiona about the letter, but every time she lost her nerve. Why Cassidy entrusted it to Patty and not her own sister had always nagged at Kinley. She wondered if it was a secret Mom didn’t want Fiona to learn. Kinley had convinced herself thatnotmentioning the letter was a way to protect the only family she had left.
“Two years ago.” The hurt in Fiona’s eyes was unmistakable. “You’re justnowmentioning it?”
“I-I’m sorry, Fiona. I should’ve said something a long time ago.”
Flicking her drying towel over a shoulder, Fiona pulled Kinley away from the counter and into the living room. They settled on the couch almost as one. “Kinley, I love you like a daughter. Always have. But why are you really back?”
“Did Mom really never tell you who my dad was?” She hadn’t asked the question in years. Only once since she left home, when Fiona came to visit her in New York while she was stationed in Fort Drum.
“Ah, so this is about your dad.”
“I could never figure outwhyMom gave the letter to Patty and not you.”
“Well, that’s an easy one.” Pickles hopped away from the window, seemingly bored, and strutted across Fiona’s lap. Fiona ran her hand along the back of his ears as he settled against her thighs. “She probably gave it to Patty because the woman was known for keeping secrets. People trusted her. I would’ve given you the letter right away. I couldn’t hold on to a thing like that, not knowing it contained some big secret that could alter the course of your entire life.”
“Well, the letter only told me to talk to Patty to get the answer. I’m no closer to knowing now than I was before. Maybe I’m not meant to know at all.”
Fiona set her good arm around Kinley’s shoulders, pulling her in tight for a hug. “If you’re meant to find the answer, you will. If not—”
“I’m not going to waste my leave turning up every stone in town,” Kinley said. “I think it’s time to enjoy myself before I make any life-altering decisions about flight school. Might even take Ryder up on his offer to go fishing.”
“Rumor has it you’ve been spending an awful lot of time with Ryder Grant,” Fiona said.
How to explain that one.“I’ve run into him some.” The man did seem to pop up everywhere she was. First, the accident scene, then Whitmore Patio. Warren’s was certainly not her fault, but Ava’s, but the pier walk had definitely happened with her encouragement.
“Better be careful, or that boy might get attached.”
“Doubtful.” Kinley feared it might be the other way around. Not less than three times this morning, she’d thought of stopping by to check on Rowdy and see if that fishing invitation was still open. Though she loved dogs, it was Ryder she looked forward to seeing the most. Spending time with him was dangerous if she couldn’t get a handle on her wandering thoughts. No matter what, Kinley still had to get on a plane next week. “We’re just friends. That’s it.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“I mean it.”
