Free The Long Road Home by Cheyenne Meadows Page B

wish there was some way you could return to the job you love. If not that, then perhaps something similar."
    He accepted her sympathy and wrapped the emotion around himself. "I do, too."
    "You know…"
    "Yes?"
    "I'm sure the people at Walter Reed are full of information and knowledge. Perhaps one of them might have some suggestions. Either the doctors, nurses, or your physical therapists. Surely they've seen other patients who dream of the same thing as you?"
    He considered her idea for a moment. "Probably. Some of the guys are much worse off than me, so they'd face more limitations. Maybe with just a single prosthesis, there's something I can do."
    "I think there's a lot you can do. You just don't know it yet."
    "I hope you're right."
    Her tone brightened. "Of course, I'm right. Condom testers always are."
    He snorted and found his sadness ebbing beneath her encouraging words. "I'll take your word for it."
    "You should. If one of my condoms can't pass the water balloon test, then the country is gonna have one heck of a population explosion."
    Laughter struck out of the blue. "Good point."
    "Logan? Dinner's ready," his mother hollered from the kitchen.
    "I guess I'd better go. Mom has food on the table."
    "Logan?"
    "Yeah?"
    "Thanks for coming to my rescue."
    "No problem. Thanks for making my holiday one to remember."
    "You're welcome. I'll see you Sunday?"
    "Count on it." With that said, he clicked off.
    The day couldn't come soon enough.

Chapter 17
     
    "Sit down, Logan. I'll get your plate ready."
    "Thanks, Mom. But I can get it myself."
    "Nonsense. I'm already up."
    He took a seat at the dining table and sipped the glass of water on the placemat.
    "This looks good, Tilly." Logan's father carried his chinaware to the stove and loaded up with steaming food.
    His mother bustled around the kitchen, dipping hot vegetables and a pork chop onto the plate before placing the food in front of him. "Thank you. It's Logan's favorite. To celebrate his being home."
    Home forever. Logan cringed at his mother's unintended reminder of his hopeless situation. She'd pampered and fussed over him every minute since he had met them at the airport. First, she lectured him on getting out in the ice to meet them, clucking when he told her Gwen dropped him off so he didn't have to hike in the mess. Five times in the past three hours, she'd inquired if he was comfortable or if she could bring him something. Each time, he had clamped his back teeth and chided himself for his short temper and sensitivity. After all, she only did those things and said what she did out of love.
    "Thanks." He waited for his mother to sit down with her own meal before picking up his silverware and digging in. Though tasty, the awkward tension in the room made each bite difficult to swallow. He drained his glass of water in no time, using the liquid to assist in moving each portion from his mouth to his stomach.
    His mother glanced at his glass. "My, you're thirsty. I'll get you a refill." She started to stand up.
    "No. I'll get it." Logan hastily stood and whisked the cup out of his mother's reach.
    She frowned. "I can get it for you." Standing, she met him at the sink, turning on the faucet. "If you'll just sit down, I'll get this."
    He counted to ten, then refilled his drink, absently turning the faucet off before returning to his seat. "Thank you, Mom. But, really, I can take care of myself."
    "I know you can. It's just that… sometimes a person needs some help. Just until they can get back on their feet." She blushed crimson once her words sunk in. "I'm sorry. I didn't…"
    Logan sighed heavily. "Okay. Let's get this out in the open. I'm not an invalid."
    "I didn't say you were." She sat up straight, her face pinched in annoyance.
    His father leaned back in his chair, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two.
    "Don't baby me. It only pisses me off." He lowered his voice and purposely tried to keep from sounding defensive and petty. But if he didn't nip this