Prologue
Afghanistan, Six YearsAgo...
“It’s gonna disintegrate, you keep lookin’ at it all the time.”
Staff Sergeant Jordan Wright glanced away from the tiny picture in his hand, his smile reaching his eyes. “You’re probably right, Briggs.” He shrugged. “Can’t help it.”
Strands of her short, blonde hair peeked out from beneath her helmet as the young petty officer shook her head. “I swear, every time I see you lately, you’re staring down at that thing.”
“Thatthingis my son.” Wright looked down at the black and white image again. Beaming with pride, he ran his gloved thumb over the once-smooth photo. “Jordan Charles, Junior will be here in a little over two months. Still can’t believe our tour will be completed in time for his birth.”
“Careful, Sir. Don’t want to jinx yourself. You never know what could happen between now and then. After all, this is the Army.”
“No, shit,” their driver, Master Sergeant Owens, chuckled from behind the wheel. “Good thing you’ve learned that lesson early on, Briggs. Just make sure you don’t forget it.”
The higher-ranking officer was their escort, as was typical for a ground convoy of this nature. Though theirs was smaller than most, the rough terrain the squad was traveling through had seen a lot of action recently. And none of it was good.
Today, Jordan and the others were making the nearly hundred-mile trek from their base at Bagram to Phoenix, a U.S. Army base located in the Kunar province. The area had finally been liberated from ISIS. With the United States’ help, its people were making great strides to rebuild what was once thought to be doomed.
Jordan’s squad was split up between three cargo trucks. Five were riding in the Deuce-and-a-half in front of them, another five in the truck behind them, and the M36 carrying Jordan, Owens, and Briggs was sandwiched in the middle.
“I don’t know how your wife does it, Staff Sergeant.”
“What do you mean?” Jordan asked Briggs.
“Having to take care of everything back home while you’re over here for months on end.”
Jordan grinned. “Stacey’s a saint, that’s for sure.”
The woman snorted. “She must be.”
“What’s the matter, Briggs?” Owens asked. “Don’t you and your new husband want kids?”
“Sure, I guess. Someday.” She looked out at the sharp, rugged mountains surrounding them. “We’ve talked about it, but we’ve been married for less than a year. I’m thinkin’ maybe once I’ve done a few more tours.”
“Why wait so long?” Jordan asked.
Briggs rolled her pretty eyes. “I’m only twenty-four, Wright. We have plenty of time. Plus, I’m pretty sure Corban would have himself committed if he had to be a stay-at-home dad. I love my husband dearly, but he’s too much of a busy-body.”
“Oh, he’d be busy, all right.” Their Master Chief smirked. “But, there’s nothing better in the world than raising a child. Hard as hell sometimes, but still the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
“That’s saying a lot for a man like you, Master Chief,” Jordan commented, knowing all Owens had done in his military career.
“It’s the truth. Of course, like you, I couldn’t have accomplished half the stuff I’ve done if it weren’t for the unwavering support of my wife.” The middle-aged man grinned. “My Bree is the sweetest, most patient woman in the world.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, Master Chief”—Briggs slid a glance his way—“how many children do you and Mrs. Owens have?”
“Four.” Their leader’s smile grew wider. “Plus, seven grandchildren and another one due next spring.”
In his mid-fifties, Owens had salt-and-pepper hair and a few well-earned wrinkles. He was one of the best military leaders Jordan had ever had the pleasure of working with.
Briggs’ brows rose at that. “Wow.”
“Yep. Wasn’t always easy. But you just wait and see. There’s no love like the one you feel the moment you meet your child for the first time. Doesn’t matter if it’s your first or your fourth. The love just grows and grows. Ain’t that so, Wright?”
“Yes, sir.” Jordan looked down at the ultrasound image of his unborn son again. “Heck, I already love this little guy, and he’s still cookin’.”
“Cooking?” Briggs laughed.
