“Have an idea of what you want?” T.J. asked.
“Whatever will offer her the most protection,” Mark said. “And make her smile when she sees it.”
T.J. shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
* * *
AMY OPENED THE FRONT DOOR and found Jango standing on the other side, tail wagging. She moved out of the way and waited for him to rush past her. But instead he barked and raced to the kitchen.
“Hungry, boy? It’s a little early for dinner.”
The Belgian Malinois sat beside the kitchen table and barked again. Amy walked over and spotted the note. Her stomach sank. Mark had left. Hurt by her words, he’d decided to cut his ties and return to base. Or worse, he’d been called back.
Helpless dread threatened to overwhelm her. Amy closed her eyes and focused on breathing. Part of her wanted to run away now, escape to her kennel and seek comfort in her dogs.
Jango barked, and she forced herself to open her eyes and pick up the paper, her hands trembling. She’d known from the beginning Mark was leaving. Leaving defined a soldier’s life. It was always a matter of time.
Steeling herself, she looked down at the note in her hand.
Needed to pick something up. Might take a few hours. I’ll be back for dinner.
Mark
P.S. I tried texting you, but found your phone beside the coffeemaker.
Amy spun around and picked up her cell. She’d been in such a rush to get away and clear her head earlier, she’d forgotten to take it with her. Then she turned back to Jango, who’d moved closer to where she kept his treats.
“Did he really go shopping?” she asked, reaching into the jar and pulling out a biscuit.
Jango’s tail thumped against the floor, his eyes tracking her hand. She tossed the treat to him. Catching it, he retreated to his bed.
“I guess I’ll find out.”
Hours later, after she’d fed and played with her dogs, Amy headed back to the house. Still no sign of Mark. And this time, she’d kept her phone on her. She’d been tempted to call or text, but then thought better of it. He didn’t owe her anything.
Elizabeth Benton’s car pulled up the driveway, and Amy slowed as she approached the front of her small home. Mark had gone shopping with her former mother-in-law?
“Hi, Ames.” T.J. waved from the open driver’s-side window, adding another layer of confusion. T.J. hadn’t been the one ready to throw punches earlier, but she hadn’t expected him to take Mark, or anyone, shopping.
“Hey,” Mark said as he climbed out and went to the back of the car.
“Hi.” Amy tried to put the pieces of this puzzle together in her mind. Had he gone out for groceries, wanting to fill her empty kitchen before shipping out?
Withdrawing a large rectangular box, Mark slammed the trunk closed and headed for the porch. “Thanks again, T.J.”
“Anytime.” T.J. smiled at her. “Don’t blame me if you don’t like it. I told him to go with flowers.”
Flowers? Why would Mark bring her flowers?
“Ignore him.” Mark opened her front door. Amy followed him inside as the sound of the car on her gravel drive faded away.
Carrying the large box as if it was featherlight, Mark led the way into the kitchen. He wore the same green camo-patterned cargo shorts he’d pulled on that morning, but he’d changed into a faded gray air force T-shirt. Amy studied the lettering across his strong, broad chest. It was the first time he’d worn clothing that labeled him a member of the US military since he’d arrived. Was that a sign he was heading back?
“How are you?” He set the box down on the kitchen table. “Did you feed the dogs?”
“Yes,” she said, staring at the box that did not contain flowers.
Mark smiled and nudged it toward her. “You can open it, you know.”