Free Return of a Soldier (Soldier Series Romance Novellas) by Makenna Jameison Page A

bicycle, leaving it right in the middle of the driveway, and ran over to inspect something in the flowerbed.  The first signs of spring were finally starting to arrive this April, with crocuses popping up and the ground no longer covered in a fresh layer of frost each morning.  The tulips that I’d planted last fall would probably be making their appearance in the next few weeks, and I could see tiny buds popping out of the trees in our small yard.  I smiled, knowing that I’d soon be able to enjoy plenty of time outdoors with Hannah.  She ran off into the side yard, and I headed outside to retrieve her bike.  I’d have to explain to her again that she couldn’t leave it right in the middle of the driveway.  All I needed was for Trent to come pulling in and miss it, running over her newest prized possession.
    I stepped off my front porch, the wind swirling my lightweight green-and-white patterned dress around me.  It was a little cool outside for something so summery, so I’d slipped a white cardigan on as well.  Cute ballet flats added a finishing touch, and I imagined running over to Trent when he finally arrived, throwing my arms around his strong shoulders as he spun me around in the air.  Suddenly I heard crying from the side yard, and I ran over to find Hannah sitting on the ground with a skinned knee.  “Mommy!” she wailed, holding up her arms to me.
    “Honey, you have to be careful,” I called out, hurrying over to kneel down beside her.  Her little knee was covered in dirt, but it was mostly a surface wound.  Still, I’d have to get her inside and get it cleaned up.  At that exact moment I heard Trent’s Jeep pulling into the driveway.  Of course, I thought.  So much for a romantic reunion of running directly into his outstretched arms.  I heard Trent’s car door slam shut, and I called to him.  “We’re over here!”
    A few moments later, h e came walking around the side of the house carrying his rucksack and a dozen red roses.  He paused for a moment to set his things down on the grass, and my breath caught as I watched him.   He was just as handsome as I remembered.  His chiseled face and strong jaw had a trace of dark stubble covering them, giving him a slightly rugged appearance, and they were set off by his shortly cropped dark hair.  His deep brown eyes were gazing at me, and he had a huge smile on his face.
    Hannah glanced up at him, her tears starting to slow as she became distracted by his arrival.  “Mr. Trent?” she asked.
    “Hi Hannah!” he called out with a big grin, walking over toward us with his long stride.  “Was that you or your mom that I heard crying?”
    She giggled as she struggled to her feet, and I smiled as she suddenly shyly clung onto me.  “Hi Meghan,” he said, his voice deep.  He took my hand and bent down to kiss me, a sweet, satisfying kiss that ended all too quickly.  I felt butterflies in my stomach as I met his gaze, and I could see the promise in his eyes of what was to come later when we were finally alone.
    “I t looks like you hurt yourself,” he said, stooping down to Hannah’s level.
    “Yeah.   I was running around the yard and fell.”
    “Is that your fancy new bicycle in the driveway?”
    “Yes!  Mommy gave it to me for my birthday.”
    “Oh, and how old are you now.  Five?” he asked, knowing full well that Hannah had just turned six.
    “No,” she cried out, giggling.  “I’m six.”
    “Six?  Wow!  That is definitely a birthday that deserves a new bicycle.  Maybe you can show it to me later?”
    “Yes, let’s get you cleaned up first, though,” I said, guiding Hannah toward the house.  “Mr. Trent just got here, so let’s give him a chance to sit down.”
    “Mommy!   Mommy!  He wants to see my new bicycle!”
    “I know , Sweetie,” I said with a gentle laugh.  “We’ll show him in a little while.  How about a snack first?”
    “We made cookies!”  Hannah shouted.
    “Cookies sound