The boy, who’d been fighting sleep but now seemed to have found his second, or maybe third wind, nodded. “Can we eat the cake while we wait?”
“No, honey. That’s for your father.”
A large rectangular cake frosted red, white and blue sat in the center of the table. On top it read Welcome Home.
Sadie drew her sweater tight around her, fighting off the chill. It was cold, even for December, with temperatures dipping into the twenties. Sadie had hoped the weather would be warmer in Clarksville compared to New York, but either way it didn’t matter. There was no place she’d rather be. Especially tonight.
This was her first time welcoming Logan home from a deployment. He’d been gone four months, leaving weeks after their national TV appearance. The army had welcomed him back with open arms. And there had never been so much as a whisper about a court-martial for unbecoming conduct. Apparently, a woman in love declaring she would wait for her soldier while he fought for his country generated mountains of positive publicity.
She suspected there would be a downside to the publicity, too. Logan had dropped hints in the days before he’d deployed, while they were still setting up house at the base, that he’d probably be assigned to the “log train” team. Instead of leading the charge, he’d be at the base arranging for supplies and providing support. Not as exciting, but as he pointed out, there was no small job when it came to his missions. Everything they did over there was important. He’d told her again and again, when she’d pushed him to tell his commanding officer that the bad guys probably didn’t read the tabloid reports about erotica authors or watch morning shows, that he felt lucky to be back with his team. He’d do whatever was asked of him. No questions. No complaints.
Sadie had a feeling she’d never know one way or the other if his commanding officer had kept him on the base or sent him into battle. Whatever the mission, wherever he’d gone, he wouldn’t speak of it.
The little boy’s mother leaned toward Sadie, pulling her back into the present—the team room, and the quiet family-only homecoming awaiting Logan and his team. No media or marching bands for the Special Forces soldiers.
“I read that book,” the woman said. “The one everyone is talking about.”
For once, she was not referencing an MJ Lane title. This time the book belonged to Professor Margaret Barlow.
“It’s a great account of the horse soldiers’ ride,” Sadie replied, offering her stock answer.
The woman nodded. “It was nice to read a story that made the men seem human. And I was glad she did not harp on your boyfriend’s mistake. In the end, no one died and they rescued three aid workers. One error does not change the fact that he’s a hero.”
“I agree,” Sadie said. “Though I could do without women coming up to me in the supermarket and telling me they wanted to give my boyfriend a big old hug when they read about how he was trying to juggle grief and his duty to his country.”
The woman laughed, but the sound was quickly drowned out by footsteps in the hall. The soldiers were home. Everyone in the room rose and children rushed to the door. With one hand, Sadie held up the sign she’d made, wrapping the other around the small gift she’d brought.
Men poured in, their faces lined with exhaustion and relief. They found their loved ones, gathering them close, holding on tight. The room filled with welcome homes and I love yous. The small boy demanded they cut the cake.
Sadie scanned the crowd until finally she found him bringing up the rear. Logan. Mr. Ruggedly Handsome. Her soldier. Her love.
“Sadie.” He gathered her in his arms, holding her close. She felt his chest expand as he inhaled. “You smell good. So damn good. Like home.”
She wrapped her arms around him, drawing him tight against her. After all these months, seeing him, knowing he was safe—she didn’t have the words. It was better than apple pie, better than orgasms, though she might reconsider the second point once she got him home. Which reminded her...
“I have a present for you.” She drew back, until she could see his face. “Hold out your hand.”
He did as he was told and Sadie pressed the spool of pink ribbon into his palm. “Are you ready to follow orders, soldier?”
Logan laughed, his eyes sparkling as he pulled her closer and lowered his lips to hers. He kissed her long and hard. When he finally allowed her to catch her breath, he kept his forehead pressed to hers.
“Sadie Bannerman, I’m yours to command
.”
* * * * *