Homecoming Hero

by Renee Ryan

  Relief, joy, pleasure, all three rushed through her, making her heart stutter in her chest.

  Since Wolf hadn’t noticed her yet, she drank in the sight of him. He wore black pants, a plain white T-shirt and his trademark leather jacket. He looked good. Really good.

  He was standing next to J.T., completely caught up in their conversation. They were both broad-shouldered, lean, handsome men. Hard men with soft hearts—not that either one of them would admit to that last part.

  Wolf looked up at last. The moment he caught sight of her, a smile spread across his lips. It was his wolf smile.

  Hailey’s blood thickened in her veins. Wolf was her man. Her future. Her bold warrior. Hers. Hers. Hers!

  So what was she doing standing here staring at him? He gave her a look that asked the same question.

  She dropped her carry-on and set out at a dead run. On something between a sob and a laugh, she launched herself into his arms.

  He caught her hard against his chest, then buried his face in her hair. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”

  “Oh, Wolf, I missed you.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.”

  They clung to each other, ignoring everyone around them, pretending it didn’t matter that the last time they’d seen each other Hailey had kicked him out of her house.

  She pulled back, went in for a kiss but froze when J.T. cleared his throat.

  Far less embarrassed than she should be, Hailey stepped away from Wolf. But she kept her hand on his arm, half-afraid he might disappear if she gave him the chance. “Hi, J.T. I…I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

  “Sure you did.” His eyes gleamed with amusement. “But no offense taken. You had other…” He gave her a knowing grin. “Priorities on your mind.”

  She let out a little laugh, glancing at Wolf sideways. Their eyes locked and they shared a brief moment of homecoming.

  Wolf moved behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist then rested his chin on her head.

  Still grinning, J.T. lifted his eyebrows. “Okay. I see you two have a lot of catching up to do. And I have the rest of my team to welcome home.”

  Wolf pulled Hailey tighter against him. “You’re not intruding, J.T.” His voice said differently.

  “You’re not,” Hailey agreed halfheartedly. “We just haven’t seen each other in a while and we… Oh, my carry-on. I left it…” She shot out of Wolf’s arms and looked helplessly around her. “Somewhere.”

  J.T. chuckled. “It’s over there, on this side of security. I’ll bring it down to baggage claim for you.” He turned in the direction Hailey had just come. “I’ll meet you two downstairs in a few minutes.”

  “Thanks, J.T.,” she called after him.

  He tossed a wave over his head. “My pleasure.”

  An uncomfortable silence fell in his wake.

  Now that Hailey was alone with Wolf, and the initial pleasure of seeing him had worn off, she felt a flood of uncharacteristic shyness wash over her. Sighing, she twisted her hands together.

  When five long seconds passed and Wolf didn’t speak, either, she lifted her gaze to his. Relieved at what she saw in his eyes, she relaxed. Wolf loved her. He wanted to be with her.

  Everything was going to work out just fine.

  Tugging her gently toward him, Wolf lowered his forehead to hers. She clutched at his arms.

  “Let’s get the rest of your luggage. And then we’ll head home.” He stepped back and caressed her cheek. “I have a lot to tell to you.”

  “Oh, Wolf. Me, too.” She tipped her face up to his. “I lo—”

  “Not here.” He pressed his finger tenderly to her lips. “Let’s wait until it’s just the two of us.”

  Just the two of us. She liked the sound of that.

  A lot.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hailey entered her living room with anxious excitement nearly busting out of her. She was home. Wolf was here with her. The rest would work itself out in time.

  She moved through the room, turning on lights while Wolf set her bags at the bottom of the stairs.

  Once he joined her again, she went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  Feeling at peace, she smiled up at him. He was her big, handsome warrior. His blue, blue eyes were filled with genuine tenderness, the kind of look every woman dreamed she’d see in the eyes of the man she loved. “I’m glad you came to the airport to pick me up. I—”

  “You’re different.”

  “I am?”

  He hesitated, just a little, then ran his hand down her hair, hooking a tendril around his finger. “I mean that in a good way.”

  There was affection in his eyes, and a deeper emotion. Love. He was through fighting the inevitable, through fighting the notion of them being together.

  Hailey’s stomach fluttered in anticipation of the future that lay ahead of them. But first, they had to deal with the obstacles that still stood in their way. “You look different, too.” She angled her head. “More at peace.”

  “I am. I…” He stepped away from her, giving her the opportunity to read his expression as he spoke. “I’m not drowning in guilt anymore.”

  She could see the truth of his words, in the way his gaze held hers without faltering, in the way his shoulders remained straight and unflinching.

  “Oh, Wolf, you’ve forgiven yourself.” Tears of joy welled in her eyes.

  “I don’t know if I’d go that far.” He ran a hand through his hair. “But I’ve given it up to God.”

  She wiped at her cheeks and sighed. “That’s the first step.”

  “I’ll always regret what happened to my men.” The slight catch in his voice revealed his continued grief. “But I’m done questioning things I can’t change. I can’t keep looking backward.” He shut his eyes a moment, then shook his head and reopened them. “I have to start looking forward.”

  He was so courageous, so strong. Was there any wonder she was in love with him?

  With another sigh she moved forward, and placed her palm on his chest, near his heart.

  He covered her hand with his, but didn’t speak again. He didn’t have to. His eyes said everything. He was right here with her. In the moment. Present and awake. Ready for whatever came next. “Looking forward,” she whispered. “I like the sound of that.”

  He smiled at last. “Tell me about your trip.”

  She’d give him the details later. For now she wanted to focus on the lesson she’d learned. “I discovered something very important while I was gone.”

  He lifted an eyebrow.

  “I learned that there are hurting people everywhere, people who need compassion and grace, understanding and mercy. The things I can give them as a servant of Christ.”

  His hand dropped away from hers. “What are you saying, Hailey?”

  “I’m saying…” She let her own hand flutter to her side. “That I don’t have to go to the Middle East to do the Lord’s work.”

  “Does that mean you’re not going to pursue a posting overseas?” His voice remained neutral, as did his gaze. The only clue to his thoughts came in the slight tightening of his jaw.

  Grateful for his subdued reaction, she answered him frankly. “No. It means I’m not going to serve the Lord with blinders on anymore. I’m going to go where He sends me, whether that turns out to be here in Savannah, or a Caribbean island, or the Middle East.”

  Wolf frowned faintly, shaking his head. “Is this change of heart because of me?”

  “Not because of you, no. But you did play a role in my decision. You helped me see past my grief over Clay’s death to the truth. I don’t have to go to the Middle East to honor my brother’s life.” She walked over to the sofa, then perched a hip on the arm. “I can do that anywhere.”

  Nodding, he shifted to face her head-on. “I want you to know that if you’re called to the Middle East,” he said, “you won’t go alone.”

  She instantly understood his meaning and loved him all the more for it. “And who, might I a
sk, would go with me?”

  “Someone who knows the region and the culture.” He stepped closer, staring at her with a serious expression on his face. “Someone who understands the enemy, as well as the locals.”

  “Someone like…oh, say, a United States Army captain?”

  He smiled at last. “That would be the ideal choice.”

  What a generous, selfless man he was. Hailey had found something richer and stronger with Wolf than she’d ever dreamed possible. “But that would mean quitting the Army.” She grimaced as the realization sank in. “I would never ask you to sacrifice your future for me.”

  “You’re my future, Hailey.” He moved closer still, close enough to reach down and cup her cheek. “God has a plan for both of us, together. We’ll make our own family, always looking ahead of us and not behind. That might involve me quitting the Army, or it might not.”

  She closed her eyes a moment and leaned into his hand. “You’re sure this is what you want, Wolf? Are you sure you want me? Us? No more worries over whether or not Clay would approve?”

  “I read his e-mails.” Wolf dropped his hand. “He wanted us together.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  “He also wanted you to go to the Middle East. As long as I keep you as safe as humanly possible, I will have fulfilled my duty.”

  “No more guilt over his death?”

  “I’ll always wish things had turned out differently, but I’m learning to accept that there are some things I can’t control. Accidents happen.”

  Hailey had never been more proud of him than in that moment. He’d come so far. “Oh, Wolf, I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Hailey.”

  She rose, lifted onto her tiptoes, and then pressed her lips to his in a fleeting kiss that left her mouth tingling when she pulled away.

  “I still have a few years of active duty left.” He placed his hands on her waist, but then let them drop just as quickly. “I will be deployed again in that time. After all you’ve been through, all your losses, waiting for me is a lot to ask of you.”

  She gave him a soft smile. “If there’s anything I’ve learned in the past few years, it’s to take whatever joy I can today because there might not be a tomorrow.”

  He kissed one of her hands and then the other. “You’re amazing.”

  “I want to be with you, Wolf, however long that turns out to be.”

  “I may never leave the military,” he warned.

  She wouldn’t ask it of him, ever. That was between him and the Heavenly Father. “We’ll take each day as it comes.”

  “I’m thinking about going back to school part-time. I want to take a few seminary classes, see if that’s where God is leading me.”

  “I’ll support you, no matter what.”

  “Even if I become an Army chaplain? Despite what you might think, Hailey, it’s a dangerous job, especially in wartime.”

  “Maybe I haven’t made myself clear. I want to be with you, whatever that means, wherever it takes us. You are my family now, and I’m yours. We’ll face the future together, as a unit.”

  “Even knowing our future is uncertain?” he asked, stepping back so he could stare into her eyes.

  “No one’s future is certain. Whether you’re a soldier or a minister, whether I’m called to stay in Savannah or travel to the Middle East, I want us to serve the Lord together.”

  “So we go where God leads us?” he asked. “No personal agendas, no firm plans, just open minds and open hearts?”

  “That sums it up nicely.”

  He lowered to one knee, and then smiled up at her. “Hailey O’Brien—” he took her hand and kissed her knuckles “—will you marry me?”

  “Yes.”

  Laughing, he drew her into his arms and then lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was slow, sweet and full of silent promises for their life together.

  She couldn’t have asked for a better homecoming.

  Epilogue

  One week later, Hailey’s twenty-seventh birthday dawned windy and bone-chilling cold. The frigid air made Wolf’s leg ache more than usual, but he was learning to accept the bad with the good. His leg fell under the bad column, but only when the air turned cold and wet.

  Under the good column, Wolf had signed up for seminary classes yesterday and, today, he was going to make his engagement to Hailey official.

  He’d been awake since 0400, but had decided to be a gentleman and wait until after sunrise to make the drive to Hailey’s house.

  A rush of joy surged through him as he drew Stella to a stop in the front of her home. All the lights were on.

  Hailey was up…waiting for him.

  Life was good.

  The crate beside him shook, followed by a sad, pathetic whimper.

  “Yeah, yeah. All right. You can come out now.” Wolf opened the door to a face full of dog drool and crooked teeth.

  Grinning down at Hailey’s birthday gift, Wolf scratched the puppy’s massive head.

  “I must be in love,” he muttered. “Why else would I buy an ugly mutt like you?”

  The dog’s sorry excuse for a tail started wagging.

  “Hold still,” Wolf said to the squirming bundle of bad breath and under-bite. “You’re making it impossible to put this ribbon around your neck.”

  After more struggle, and a little unnecessary rough-housing, Wolf tied the bow. It hung at a cockeyed angle.

  “You look ridiculous.”

  The miniature bulldog shook his head, sending the bow farther off-center.

  “Hailey’s going to love you.”

  In answer, the fat tongue went for his chin. Wolf dodged to his left and exited the car, puppy tucked under one arm.

  He teetered up to Hailey’s front door. “I think you’ve put on weight since we left the house.”

  The dog rolled his enormous eyes.

  With his hands full, Wolf literally leaned on the doorbell. “Remember to smile.”

  Hailey swung open the door. “You’re early.” Her gaze dropped to the squirming puppy in his hands and she gasped. “Oh! Oh, Wolf! You didn’t.”

  He smiled at her, a big loopy grin that probably matched the one on the ugly mutt’s face. “Happy Birthday, sweetheart.”

  “I love him.” She lifted misty eyes back to his face. “I love you.”

  “Now that’s what I like to hear.”

  “Get in here.” She tugged him forward.

  Inside the living room, Wolf set the puppy on the carpet then straightened.

  Hailey yanked him against her and kissed him hard on his lips. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  After another kiss, longer and deeper than the first, Hailey dropped to her knees in front of the puppy. “What are we going to name him?” She raised her gaze up to Wolf. “It is a boy, right?”

  “It’s a boy.” Wolf laughed. “To be honest, I’m partial to…Tank.”

  “Tank.” She studied the dog with his broad shoulders, huge head and bowed legs. “I like it.” She kissed the puppy on the head. “I dub thee Tank. The newest member of our family.”

  She and the dog wrestled on the floor for a while.

  Wolf simply watched them. He was so happy to see Hailey falling in love with her new puppy he’d completely forgotten the other present he had for her. “Check Tank’s bow.”

  Hailey cocked her head at him.

  “Go on,” he urged. “There’s one more gift attached to the ribbon around his neck.”

  “Oh. Oh!” Reaching out, she began carefully untying the bow. She made it halfway through before her fingers froze.

  Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, Wolf.” She blinked at the engagement ring. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Take it off the ribbon. Let’s see if it fits.” A wave of doubt filled him and his stomach rolled. “Unless you’re having second thoughts about marrying me.”

  She twisted her lips at him, clearly insulted by the mere suggestion. “No second thoughts.
None whatsoever.”

  Her quick, heartfelt response loosened the knots in his gut.

  She pulled the bow free and held up the ring he’d picked out. The simple square-cut diamond caught the light.

  “It’s gorgeous,” she said.

  The knots returned. He hadn’t wanted to go too big, just shy of a carat, but maybe he hadn’t gone big enough. “You’re sure?”

  “Absolutely.” She thrust it toward him. “Will you put it on me?”

  He nodded, slowly. Emotion chocked the breath in his lungs. After two failed attempts, he managed to slide the ring on her finger.

  “It’s a perfect fit,” she said, pressing her cheek to his.

  “No, Hailey.” He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her soundly on the mouth. “You’re my perfect fit. In life and in love.”

  She snuggled deeper into his embrace. “Be careful, soldier. You’re on the verge of getting a lifelong commitment out of me.”

  “That was the general idea behind the engagement ring. Ah, Hailey.” He tightened his grip around her, “I want you in my life. Forever and always.”

  “Good thing you feel that way.” She turned her face up to his. “Because you’re never getting rid of me. Not in this lifetime.”

  A rush of love filled him.

  After years of wandering from house to house, Army post to Army post, Wolf was finally home. And ready to build a family with the beautiful, smart, talented woman of his dreams.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for choosing Homecoming Hero. Writing this book was a special treat for me on so many levels. I have many military friends, both men and women, who have inspired me through the years with their commitment to their calling. It was a joy getting the opportunity to explore their daily lives. Any mistakes I made in writing this book are all mine.

  I also enjoyed giving a none-too-subtle wink to my favorite spectator sport: college football. I love college football. And when I say I love it, I mean I love, love, love it! I’ll watch just about any matchup on TV, but I especially like going to the games in person. There’s something infectious about the game-day atmosphere. The crowds, the junk food, the noise, the band, the screaming/booing/cheering fans—all of these individual aspects mix together to form a sensory overload that leaves me pleasantly exhausted. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday.