Free BOH 8-21-07 (00178434).DOC by Unknown Page A

took her by the arm and
    led her to the living room where six other women sat.
    “Ladies, for those of you who don’t know Cyn, she lost her
    husband a while back. She’s been staying with Major
    Spencer and today he deployed to Iraq.”
    Cyn squirmed amongst murmurs of sympathy. With
    a smile she said, “I didn’t come here for sympathy. I came
    to share my experiences and to help others.”
    Mona squeezed her arm. “Of course, you did.
    Learning to accept support is sometimes more difficult
    than giving it. Let’s sit down. Rachel was just sharing her
    particularly difficult week with us.”
    Three weeks later, Mike’s buzzing anticipation
    vanished the instant he drove into the yard. The
    darkened house and the bright outside porch light didn’t
    bode well. Out of habit, his gaze went to the dashboard
    clock, although he knew damn well what time it was. Too
    damn late for Katy and Cyn to be out.
    He slapped his palm on the steering wheel. Why
    hadn’t he called when he’d arrived at Fort Drum? He’d
    returned home five days early and had wanted to surprise
    them. Well, the surprise was his. Where could they be at
    this time of night?
    Images of hospital emergency rooms zipped through
    his mind. Stop it. Don’t look for disasters where they don’t
    62

    Bridge of Hope

    exist. With a sigh, he climbed out of the front seat and
    grabbed his bag from the back. Once he’d secured the
    strap on his left shoulder, he plodded toward the house.
    Pausing, Mike saluted the American flag raised on
    the pole in Peter’s honor. It waved gently in the night
    breeze. Several times in Iraq he’d sensed the young
    soldier’s spirit watching over him. Peter had not
    materialized so Mike assumed that he no longer had the
    ability to do so.
    Once inside, he tossed the Army duffle bag on the
    floor, sat down and unlaced his boots, kicking them off his
    feet. The house was spotless. Had Cyn done nothing but
    clean in the time he’d been gone?
    Since he’d showered on base, he poured a drink,
    dimmed the lights and lowered himself into his favorite
    chair prepared to wait—and worry.
    Before he had time to work himself into a state of
    panic, headlights flashed across the wall. His gut
    tightened. Memories of their last night together had been
    a constant source of comfort in Iraq. Soon she’d be in his
    arms again.
    In less than thirty seconds Cyn was in his lap. “God,
    I missed you,” she said between kisses. Why didn’t you
    call to tell us you’d be home early?” She pulled back and
    ran her hands over his body. “You’re okay? Not hurt?”
    He buried his face between her breasts and
    swallowed the emotional lump lodged in the back of his
    throat. “No more than I missed you. I wanted to surprise
    you. I’m fine. Great now that I’m touching you.”
    Cyn covered his mouth with hers. He threaded his
    fingers through her hair, gripped her head to hold her
    still. Their tongues tangled, making up for the past few
    weeks of abstinence.
    Mike dragged his lips away. “Where’s Katy?”
    “She’s staying at Mona Kelley’s tonight. She fell
    asleep and I didn’t want to wake her.”
    He groaned when Cyn pressed her breasts against
    his chest. “I didn’t know Mona was a friend of yours.”
    63

    Pam Champagne

    Cyn sighed and stopped nibbling on his neck. “She
    wasn’t until right after you left. I’ve joined the military
    wives’ group.”
    Mike couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d told
    him she joined a bungee jumping team. “That’s wonderful.
    I’m proud of you.”
    “I’m sorry I didn’t do it as soon as Peter shipped
    overseas. Then I might not have traveled the dark road.”
    “And we might never have met.” His hand cupped
    her breast.
    Her breath hitched. “Keep that up and there’ll be no
    more talking.”
    “Marry me, Cyn.” The words rushed from his mouth.
    He hadn’t planned on proposing tonight. Relief that he
    had made him weak.
    She pushed back, her hands on his