Page 9 of Home Coming

A feeling of dread began to settle in his chest. That was followed closely by the knowledge that he was a damn fool.

Surprises were never a good idea. Not surprise parties. Definitely not surprise month-long visits that required official leave and a flight across the country.

He tried not to panic. Maybe it was like a dinner cruise. Or a sightseeing cruise up the Hudson or something. That was something his mother would be all over.

“Dad surprised Mom with this ten-day paddleboat cruise down the Mississippi as an early fiftieth birthday present. They’re taking their time driving there and back so they plan to be gone for two weeks.”

Two weeks.Fuck.

“And she didn’t tell me?” he asked.

“First of all, she didn’t know. Duh. You do know what the wordsurprisemeans, right?”

“It couldn’t have been a total surprise—”

“It totally was. I didn’t even know. Dad like packed a suitcase for her and everything. Then this morning, he put her in the car and they took off for St. Louis. It was kind of hectic and she knows you’re still deployed so—”

“I’m not.”

“Huh?”

“We got home—” He stopped himself since what was home to him and what was home to his sister were too different things. “Back to Coronado a couple of days ago.”

He’d immediately applied for and been granted a month long leave so he could spend Thanksgiving and his mother’s birthday in New York.

He’d even managed to get a last minute flight for a decent price.

What he hadn’t done was call home to tell them he’d be visiting because—again—it was to be a surprise.

He was starting to hate that word.

“What’s the big deal anyway?” she asked just as an announcement went out over the airport’s speakers. “What’s all that noise? Where are you?”

“Atlanta Airport waiting for a flight to Albany,” he revealed.

“Oh, shit,” Josie breathed out.

Oh, shitwas right. For once his sister was one-hundred percent correct. This whole idea was a waste—of his accrued leave, of money and of time.

“Mom’s going to be so pissed.”

“No. Josie. Do not say a word. You can’t tell them. They’ll both be so upset they won’t enjoy their trip. Okay?”

“Fine. I won’t say anything.”

Trusting his sister took possibly more faith than Quinn had but at this point he didn’t feel like he had a choice.

“Do you, uh, need a ride?” she asked with such a lack of enthusiasm he knew there was no way she really wanted to drive an hour and a half to the airport to pick him up.

“No. It’s fine. I booked a rental car so I could get around without borrowing a car while I’m home.”

“So I guess I’ll see you soon then.”

Not that soon, but the flight delay seemed like the least of his problems right now.

“I’ve got a delay so I don’t know what time I’ll finally land. I’ll text you when I know.”

“Sounds good.” Josie disconnected and Quinn let out a huge sigh.

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