Free By Honor Bound by Arianna Hart Kate Hill Denise A Agnew

know. All you and Polly do is talk about him. She’s going to make the cutest little flower girl.”
    “She’s all excited about being in the wedding.”
    “I think it’s a wonderful idea that you and Abe are adopting her once you’re married.”
    “He loves her like his own child, Ma.”
    “I believe he does. You know, when your father and I first met him, we weren’t so sure about him, but he’s a good man.”
    “He’s the best.” Angela smiled. When he’d proposed and she suggested they wait almost a year for the wedding, she thought it would fly by, but waiting so long to become his wife seemed to take forever. Just a little longer and she, Abe, and Polly would be a family by law, though in their hearts they already were.
    For the past year, Abe had spent all his free time with Angela and Polly, planning the wedding. They’d decided that after they were married, instead of buying a new home, Abe would move into Angela’s. Already he’d made so many of the repairs on it that Angela had been putting off. Her parents were happy about the forthcoming marriage and, as a wedding gift, offered them a generous amount of money to help pay for the expenses.
    Angela and Patricia glanced out the window as Abe’s car pulled into the driveway.
    “He’s here early,” Patricia said. “Sweetheart, you’d better get out of that dress. You know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in it before the wedding.”
    “Tell him I’ll be right out, will you, Ma?”
    Patricia closed the door behind her as she left. While Angela undressed and carefully packed away the dress, she heard voices from the kitchen. As usual, her belly fluttered at the thought of seeing Abe. She wondered if she’d ever completely get over that giddy feeling almost every time she saw him.
    As she stepped into the kitchen, she knew by his expression he had something to tell her. Even Patricia appeared uncharacteristically quiet.
     “I’ll go pick up Polly at school,” Patricia said, patting Abe on the arm. “I’ll see you two later.”
    “What was that about?” Angela’s gaze followed her mother as she left.
    Abe approached. “I got orders today. I’m going back to ‘Nam at the end of the week.”
    Angela drew a deep breath, stunned. She shouldn’t have been. All along she’d known he could be sent back at a moment’s notice.
    “I’m sorry, darlin’.” He took her in his arms. “I know the wedding’s planned and all, but—”
    “How long?”
    “Eighteen months.”
    She nodded, forcing a smile. “Are you going to marry me first or wait until later?”
    “If you don’t mind getting married without the big wedding, I would love to have you as my bride before I go.”
    “I want that more than anything.”
    Taking her in his arms, he kissed her forehead and lips. “Then let’s tell Polly and your parents.”
    Angela clung to him tightly, closing her eyes. She wished that moment could freeze in time, so the end of the week would never come, and Abe would never have to leave her.
    * * * * *
    The day before Abe was to leave for Vietnam, he and Angela were married by a Justice of the Peace with her parents and Polly as guests.
    Patricia cooked a delicious meal at Abe and Angela’s, but the Francos left early, giving the new family privacy before their separation. That night, Angela listened from the doorway as Abe read Polly a bedtime story.
    “Abe, are you scared to go?” the girl asked as he tucked her in.
    He sat on the bed and held her gaze. “Everybody gets scared about something at one time or another. When I do, I’ll have you and Angela to think about instead. Goodnight, darlin’.”
    “Goodnight, Abe.”
    He kissed her cheek and walked to the door. Taking Angela’s hand, he switched off the light.
    Angela swallowed hard, willing herself not to cry. That would only make it harder for Abe and she certainly didn’t want Polly seeing her all teary. What kind of an example would that be? Tomorrow, when Abe