Page 50 of The Marine's Homecoming

In a few moments we'll take down Calvin Dorsey, and then the partnership between us effectively ends. There's no more bad guy to chase and no more festivals to plan for or pier repairs. We just go back to landlord and renter who just happen to have slept together. We've been so busy, we never took time to define what we are or say what we want.

"Hannah, that was…" He stops and clears his throat. "You really didn't have to say all that."

"Yes, I did," I tell him, hooking my arms around his elbow.

He turns to my parents and squares his shoulders. "Mr. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks."

My father reaches out and shakes his hand. "Good to see you, Son," my father says, eyes tearing up. It's been a long time since these two men have stood face to face. And in that time, a lot of healing has taken place. I don't know how my parents feel about Luke anymore, but I know how I do. And I pray they can see how much my heart has changed.

Luke swallows hard. "Good to see you too, sir," he says.

"Luke, the new pier looks sensational. Your crews did such a fantastic job. You’ll be able to house two or three more shanties out there." Mom's eyes are misty too. I wonder if she pictures Luke as a teen, coming over for visits when I used to crush on him and tell her all about how dreamy Nick's best friend was. I wonder if she sees parts of Nick in Luke today and wonders what my big brother would've been like. It almost feels like the family is back together.

"Well, Tom Whitaker did a good job with it. It's all to his credit. I just bankrolled it." Luke runs a hand through his hair as I rest my head on his shoulder. My dad looks at me oddly, but he'sgoing to find out soon enough that something's happening in my heart.

I want this. I want Luke beside me when this baby comes, and I want him there when our child grows up in this town. I want him here for a long time. And I want my parents to accept that he is and has always been a part of this family.

I guess it's time to have that conversation and stop running from it.

But that's for a quieter day, and today isn't quiet. Today is loud and bright and full of people, and it belongs to Bandon.

29

LUKE

I'm watching Hannah work the crowd near the food trucks when I spot Rico coming through the main entrance to the festival grounds. I'd recognize that stride from a hundred yards out. He walks like a man on a mission even when he's off duty. Colonel Harlan is right behind him, looking out of place without his uniform on. I don't think I’ve ever seen either of them in civilian clothing.

I excuse myself from Tank and his taco stand and walk toward them. Rico grins when he sees me. He pulls me into a handshake that turns into a hug and slaps my back.

"Look at you," Rico says, stepping back and looking around at the festival. "Small-town hero throwing a party."

"Hannah threw the party," I say. "I just own the dirt."

Harlan extends his hand and I take it. His grip could crush a coconut, same as it's always been. "Good to see you, Colonel," I say. "Thanks for coming."

"I wouldn't miss it," he says, scanning the grounds. "Nice setup. Your girl did good work."

"She really did," I say as I turn and spot Hannah near the welcome table, laughing about something with Debra Langley. "Come on, I want you to meet her." Having this part of my life intersect with the life I've lived for the past twelve years feels good. I get to show Hannah some of what I've been doing, even if it's only briefly.

When we reach Hannah, she looks up at me with curiosity. I almost kiss her on the cheek but manage to pull back before I make this too awkward. I'm feeling so comfortable around her lately, I just want to make this official. But we've been so busy with investigating Dorsey and planning this festival, I haven't had a spare second to tell her how I feel.

"Hannah, I want you to meet two people who've been a big part of all this," I say, putting my hand on the small of her back. "This is Sergeant Major Elias Ramirez. We call him Rico. He's the one who did all the research on Dorsey's operation."

Rico takes her hand and shakes it. "It's an honor, ma'am," he says. "Luke's told me a lot about you."

Hannah laughs and looks up at me. My ears are burning. "It's nice to finally meet you, Rico," she says. "Thank you for everything you've done."

"And this is Colonel James Harlan," I say. "My commanding officer through three tours. He's the one who connected us with the ATF."

Harlan takes her hand and holds it gently. "Ms. Brooks, Luke speaks very highly of you," he says. "It's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is mine, Colonel," Hannah says, bowing at the shoulder as if he's a dignitary, not a Marine. "Luke told me you're the reason he survived the service."

Harlan glances at me sideways. "Nah, he's just too stubborn to quit," he chuckles. "I just pointed him in the right direction."

"That sounds about right," Hannah says, and Rico laughs with her.

"Hannah, if we might, I'd like to speak with Luke privately?" Colonel's eyes lift in a question, and Hannah pats my belly, stepping back. She understands why this has to happen, and I can tell she wants to be a part of it. But I've already told her it's safer if she stands back.