Tears sprang to Grace's eyes at Paige's use ofMom. Paige had fully accepted her mother-in-law as her own. She'd also accepted Grace as a sister, for which Grace was eternally grateful. She needed all the family she could get right now.
"Tired." Mom's voice was quiet. "Always tired."
"I'm sorry." Paige gently rubbed Mom's arm.
"How was school today?" Mom asked.
"It was good. I'm still getting used to the jump from second grade to fourth and discovering my students' personalities and how to motivate them, but I'm enjoying it."
"That's good. As with any job, it'll take a bit to grow into, I'm sure. Your students will come to love you, as you will them."
"I hope you're right, because I have two boys who are going to be challenging to love."
They all laughed, then Paige looked at Mom. "Do you mind if I sit with you for a while, so Grace can get out of the house for a bit?"
Grace's gaze jumped to Paige who winked at her.
"I don't need a babysitter." Mom's words were full of disapproval.
"I know you don't, but Grace hates leaving you alone. Besides, I want to hear more stories from Gabe's childhood. I thought I'd start writing them down."
"I'm not going anywhere." Grace scowled at Paige. It was her day off, and she'd been enjoying a quiet day at home after all the craziness of the move and the wedding preparations.
"Have you heard from Damon yet?" Paige asked innocently.
A swift arc of concern shot through Grace's chest and midsection. "I got a short text from him yesterday. I texted him back, but he hasn't responded."
"Ugh, I'd go crazy if I had to go more than twenty-four hours without talking to Gabe." Paige's gaze turned compassionate. "You're not the only one who's worried about him. Charity is always a basket case when he deploys. Each time she hears from him she relaxes a little bit, but the longer he goes without calling or texting the more she worries."
"I understand that."
It's going to be a long six months.
Grace wondered if she was cut out to be a military girlfriend and eventually wife. The thought gave her goosebumps, but the constant fear and worry every time Damon was deployed might be more than she could handle.
"I think Aunt Charity could use a distraction too," Paige said. "She mentioned that she offered to teach you how to make her Big Ol' Cinnamon Rolls." Paige gave Grace a hopeful look. "And you know, if you make some, you could always bring a couple home for me and Gabe. We'll gladly be your taste testers."
"Youshouldgo visit Charity." Mom made a shooing motion with her hands. "I'm sure she's worried sick."
"Fine, I can tell when I'm not wanted." Grace pulled her phone from her pocket and texted Charity as she headed to her bedroom to get her tennis shoes.
Whether Charity was up for a visit or not, Grace needed some exercise. Work at the Providence hospital was much slower than the one in Richland.
An hour later, it looked like Paige would get her wish.
"Now, we cover the dough with a dish towel and wait for it to rise." Charity pulled a clean cloth from the drawer and laid it over the bowl of dough.
While they cleaned the kitchen together, Charity asked, "Have you heard from Damon yet?"
"Just a short text from him yesterday as they were getting ready to leave France, but nothing since."
"Me too." Worry lines creased Charity's forehead.
"Is that common? I mean, he said it would be forty-eight hours before he got to Kuwait and received his duty assignment and would be able to call or text. But we're going on seventy-two hours now."
"That's normal. With the military, it's hurry up and wait. But they aren't always able to contact their families, even whenthey’re waiting because they’re 'on duty.’” Charity made air quotes. "Usually, they’re only permitted to contact their families when they’re off duty."
Damon had warned her that he might not always be able to call or text regularly, so Grace thought she was prepared, but the waiting was killing her.
