Page 257 of Enthrall Shadows
“Who told you I’d be here?” My heart was racing with panic.
He sat next to me on a lounger. “Let’s talk, Ms. Chamberlain.”
Counting the flutes, I realized we’d brought down five.
Idirected Griffin to pull off Sepulveda and park just inside Los Angeles National Cemetery—the final resting place of brave veterans.
I’d dressed casually in sportswear, removing any formality that might get in the way.
This place had a way of bringing gratitude back into focus.
After Lotte had walked out of the gala last night, I’d been left to pretend my night hadn’t crashed and burned.
I’d still delivered that speech. No regrets there.
The fallout in the press could take care of itself. The Cole family was united. My parents found the increased interest in my love life favorable.
This early Sunday morning was dedicated to a young man who deserved as much of my time as he needed.
I retrieved the bouquet of flowers off the back seat.
“My dad’s buried here,” said Griffin, turning off the engine.
Our eyes met in the rearview.
“I know,” I said. “Let’s walk.”
We exited the town car and began the long trek toward where Griffin’s father had been buried.
I felt humbled by the sight of the endless gravestones marking the resting place of these remarkable soldiers who’d sacrificed their lives.
Respectfully navigating the grass around them, we made our way down to a particular row of tombstones.
To our right, a U.S. Marine in a pristine uniform stood not far away.
I threw him a salute of respect and he returned it.
Griffin led me to his father’s grave.
Respectfully, I knelt and rested the flowers at the base of Sergeant Tomlinson’s tombstone.
“Such a brave man,” I said quietly.
Griffin let out a long sigh. He knew we’d learned more. His eyes studied my face as though searching for answers.
Answers I’d managed to find for him.
“Your father was well respected,” I said. “I’m guessing you know that.”
He gave a nod. “I was twenty when it happened.”
When missions go wrong, people are sought out to blame—but very often no blame should be given.
“What were you told?” I asked.
“His troop was on a mission. Something went wrong. Dad died in the line of duty.”
“Your father was involved in one of the most brutal ambushes of the Afghan war. He was one of the military’s bravest. I want you to know that.”
