CHAPTER FOUR

Gunfire blazed. Mortars pounded—incoming!—then crashed all around. Men died where they fell. In the ruins of a hospital he watched Sean Denton’s eyes go blank. Over and over and over…

Caleb didn’t know how he’d gotten back to the casita. He sure didn’t know why he stayed.

At the store, he’d been so tempted to kiss Daisy when he should just get out of her way. Because even though he was half in love with her already, what did he have to offer? Their conversation about his team and Sean must have triggered the memories. That, and seeing the wounded Marine.

Caleb shook all over until his teeth rattled in his messed-up head.

The memories kept coming.

* * *

Daisy didn’t see Caleb for the rest of the day. At five o’clock, after she’d left Sophie watching a re-run of the Mary Tyler Moore show, she’d found him waiting out front in her car. He hadn’t said a word, but he didn’t have to. She’d seen him bolt after talking to Mark, a veteran whose room was across the hall from Sophie.

At home, Daisy got caught up in cooking for Thanksgiving. She wanted to go to the casita to check on him. But maybe she shouldn’t let her foolish attraction go any farther. Or her concern.

Still, once the cranberry relish was done, the sweet potato casserole prepared and the pumpkin pies baked, she couldn’t seem to sit still. The bad signs were piling up.

After crossing the courtyard, she knocked at the casita door.

“Caleb?” she called out.

He didn’t answer. Daisy took a breath then twisted the doorknob. The small living area was dark, but she could see Caleb slumped on the sofa, staring into space. Trembling. This was a serious setback. She’d have to tread lightly.

“You shouldn’t be alone,” she said. “Come to the house. I’ll even let you have a piece of pie tonight.”

“Mincemeat?” His too-soft tone held no humor.

“That’s really your favorite?”

He studied his hands. “My mom used to bake—before she and my dad decided to go off-the-grid in Oregon,” he said. “After that, my uncle and I ate Thanksgiving dinner in some restaurant or hotel.”

Daisy leaned down to catch his gaze. “This year you’ll have Thanksgiving here. A real extravaganza.” He’d finally started to crack, but he still had defenses to get through, which wouldn’t be easy. So Daisy changed tactics. It was time for the hard approach. “The man you saw at the center today has serious injuries to deal with, yes. But he’s trying, Caleb.”

“To do what?”

“Come back,” she murmured.

Caleb blinked. “That what you think I should do? A week ago, I was still over there, trying to stay alive. Sure, that Marine reminded me—”

Daisy’s patience snapped. “You took one look then split. How do you think he felt? You think you’re the first person to pretend he doesn’t even exist? Because it’s just too hard to try? To make contact with your feelings? That breaks my heart, the same way Bryan did when he—”

“Not the same.”

She framed his face in her hands. She had lost Bryan, and she wouldn’t throw away the chance to help Caleb now. “He died in a fire, trying to rescue other people. He sacrificed his life just as your friends did—but is that what you want to remember about Sean and the others? Or would it be better, healthier certainly, to think of the good times you had and the little girl he left behind? That’s life, Caleb.”

He shook his head. “This from the same woman who told me she’d never care about another guy in uniform. How healthy is that?”

“Fine. Go right ahead,” she said. “Sit here and wallow in something you can’t change. I’ve seen it before. That story doesn’t have a happy ending.” She stepped back, heart pounding. She’d tried but failed. “Until you let out all these ugly feelings, whether or not you decide to stay with your team, you’ll never come back. You’ll still be there in uniform.”

She started toward the door. But Caleb’s voice stopped her.

“Sean was just one of the guys we lost, but he was a really great person. He’d do anything for you, anything for the woman he loved.” Caleb hunched over, both arms clasped around his head as if to press the memories back inside. “After the bomb went off in that hospital, what do you think his last words were?”

Daisy turned. “Tell me.”

“He asked a nurse about Laila. He cared more for her than for himself.”

“Oh, Caleb.”

She crossed the room then, gathering him in her arms. And at last he spoke about what he’d seen, what had drilled so deep into his mind, his memory, that he’d gotten lost inside himself.

Daisy talked, too, telling Caleb the words Bryan had said before the fire. We’re grownups now. We should buy a house. Have a baby.

They’d planned so much, had so little time.

“And you promised yourself you’d never take that risk again,” he said.

“To love someone? Too late,” she told him, knowing that was true. “Were you saying that in my own way I haven’t come back, either?”

“Yeah. I guess I am,” he murmured.

He drew her close, or she drew him. She wasn’t sure which. When her lips touched his face, he didn’t try to stop the tears. Neither did she. And when they kissed, it was like a healing gift.

* * *

“Oh my gosh. The time!”

At dawn the panic in Daisy’s voice woke Caleb like a bugle call, his system instantly on high alert.

He checked his watch. “It’s just after six.”

Daisy bolted upright and scrambled to straighten her rumpled shirt. Her hair looked wild, tumbling around her face. They’d spent the night on the sofa, just holding each other. Without her in his arms, Caleb felt cold.

“I have to go. Jared and Kim must be in the house. What will they think?”

“Nothing happened, Daisy.” The notion that she might regret last night set his teeth on edge. She’d wakened him from a dreamless sleep. No nightmares for once.

She shot to her feet then headed for the door.

“The turkey has to go in,” she said. “Come help me.”

Slam. In a flash she was gone.

Caleb fell back against the sofa cushions and tried to focus. He hadn’t had a choice after all. He’d told her everything—she’d pulled it from him—and this morning he felt…oh yeah, at peace.

Fifteen minutes later, showered and shaved, he walked into the kitchen with a new mission in mind.

Daisy glanced over her shoulder. “Thank goodness. Jared’s flight was cancelled last night. Well, that’s not good. But he and Kim won’t be here until later today.”

She rummaged in the refrigerator and emerged with several lemons, an orange and some fresh herbs he couldn’t identify. “Get the turkey out of the fridge, please, so I can rinse it then stuff it with these.” She went to the sink and turned on the faucet.

Caleb soon learned that today—Thanksgiving dinner—was Daisy’s own war. Everything had to be perfectly timed, like a military campaign. And Caleb became her lieutenant.

The turkey had been in the oven for several hours when the front door burst open and Jared walked in with his wife.

“We’re here! Better late than never.”

With a glad cry, Daisy flowed into her brother’s embrace before Caleb could move. He and Jared bonded as if they’d never been apart. Caleb really liked Kim, too, though she had a searching gaze like Sophie’s that made him squirm.

Which gave Caleb another idea.

If Daisy wanted an army, she’d have one.

“Jared and Kim are upstairs unpacking,” he told her. “You’re in command for now. I need to do something.”

“You’re not leaving?”

“With the smells coming from this kitchen? No way.” After giving her a kiss, he turned toward the front door. “I’ll be right back.”

Daisy had the dining room table set when Caleb returned.

“Come see,” he said. “I brought guests.”

Daisy sent him a startled look. “But who—?”

She thought he didn’t know anyone else in the area. That he didn’t care about Thanksgiving. But after last night, he did.

When Daisy walked into the living room, she gasped. Sophie held a place of honor in the recliner. And the soldier Caleb had seen at the center, now wearing his dress blues, grinned. So did Caleb.

“Sophie was easy. She’s having a good day. It was a bit more difficult getting Mark’s chair into my rental car, but he’s really looking forward to your turkey. We talked all the way from the center. They were going to eat alone,” he said. “I figured even with some guests, we’ll be having leftovers for a week.” He sent her a silent message with his eyes. He wasn’t going anywhere, not far at least.

“I make great turkey soup,” Daisy said but her eyes looked damp. “Thank you, Caleb. This means the world to them. And me.” She lowered her voice. “Sophie’s family cares about her but they live far away. A phone call was all she could expect today—and dinner in her room. Mark, too. His family has a hard time coping with his wounds.”

“We’re all wounded,” Caleb said. “But very much alive.”

“We made a lot of progress last night—”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “but I’ll need therapy, too. I’m sure you can recommend someone.”

She smiled and said, “I can. Right after we produce today’s feast.”

He drew her around the corner toward the kitchen. In the hallway, out of sight of Jared and Kim, who were making their guests feel welcome, he pulled Daisy into his arms. Then kissed her. Several times.

“I’ve got another idea,” he said after a long while. But what if he was wrong and she didn’t want him? Or wouldn’t take that risk? Too late, she’d said last night. “How’d you like to come to Virginia? To meet Brig and Molly and Laila.”

Daisy beamed. “I’d like that.”

“Brig’s got a job for me,” he said.

“You’re going to stay with your team?”

“No. But I’ll still be in the military. In uniform,” he warned her.

She didn’t even blink. “I’m happy for you. I’m glad we’re friends again, Caleb.”

He cleared his throat. She’d passed his final test with flying colors. But… “What if I want to be more than friends?”

“What if I do, too?” she said with a cheeky grin.

And Caleb hugged her tight. “I love you, Daisy.”

“I still love you, too.”

Laughter and conversation flowed from the living room. Daisy’s holiday table looked beautiful, and so did she. The aromas of a golden-brown turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes, along with mincemeat pie, drifted on the air.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” he whispered in Daisy’s ear and kissed her again.

“Welcome home,” she said.

* * * * *