Morgan smiled at me but it was a sad smile. “My brother. He’s currently serving.”
“Marine?”
“Yeah.”
“How long?”
“Been gone just on six years.”
“When was he last home?”
“We got three days two years ago,” she admitted as the heaviness threatened to weigh her down. Her shoulders sagged and my heart went out to her.
I’d never considered what it was like for the loved ones we left behind. When you’re in, you’re in. You’re so focused on keeping yourself and your unit alive that the outside, home seemed to fade away. It has to. If you keep looking back, you’re not going to be looking where you’re going and that’s dangerous to everyone.
“How often do you hear from him?” I asked, trying to find a way to lift her spirits.
“Every couple of months. Says he’ll be home for Christmas but …”
“Let me guess. You don’t want to get your hopes up,” I finished for her.
“Something like that. Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about this with you. I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. Grace is, well she’s a chocoholic who inhales my brownies, so if you’re ever in the doghouse …”
“I know just where to go.”
“Something like that.”
“Thanks, Morgan. And if there’s anything I can do, please just reach out. I’m sure your brother …”
“Cohen”
“Cohen will be home safe and sound before you know it. Probably driving you crazy and bossing you around.”
She cracked a smile. “Are you sure you haven’t met him?”
“If he’s what I imagine, he’s a good guy and he misses you more than you know.”
“Thanks, Cole.”
“Any time, Morgan.”
Morgan grabbed my arm and then pointed to the steps of the porch where Grace was bouncing down quickly.
“I’ll leave you to it. Looks like someone needs rescuing.”
“Nah. Grace isn’t some damsel in distress who needs a knight in shining armor to rescue her,” I declared loud enough so Grace heard as she closed the distance between us.
“Of course I don’t. But I do need a cowboy in Wranglers and boots to …” I clamped my hand over her mouth, cutting off her words. I wasn’t sure what she was about to say, but from the mischievous look in her eye, I knew no one here needed to know what it was either.
“I’m gonna leave you two to it,” Morgan offered as she edged away. “But, Grace?”
“Yeah?” Grace spun to face her.
“Make sure you get a brownie or two. Gabriella ordered them instead of a cake,” Morgan explained, and Grace’s eyes glazed over. Even if she didn’t think her sisters needed her, there was no doubt about it. They loved her.
“Will do. Thanks. And thanks for coming,” Grace smiled before turning back to me.
When she leaned against my chest and sighed heavily, I knew this wasn’t her scene. I rubbed my hand up and down her back. “You hanging in there?” I asked, slightly worried. I might not know everything about this woman, yet, but one thing I had learned was she was a master at bottling things up. She’d paste a smile on her face and stumble through this afternoon, only to crash in a crying heap the moment she was alone.
