Page 66 of A Soldier's Return

Why wouldn’t she? The man was irresistible. Her heart ached when she pictured him in a hospital nursery, holding a tiny baby who shared the same name as someone dear to him, someone he had lost.

She was suddenly deeply grateful she would have the chance to watch this Miri grow up. She would be here to see her learn to walk, to ride a bike, to go on dates. Melissa, at least, wasn’t going anywhere.

“Maybe Julia can keep in touch with you after you’re back on active duty and send you pictures of her.”

He was quiet, his hands on Max’s leash. “That would be great, except I’m not going back on active duty.”

She stared at him in the gathering twilight. “You’re...what?”

He returned her shocked look with an impassive one she couldn’t read. “I called my commanding officer on my way back from the hospital and told her I wouldn’t be signing up for another tour.”

“But...but why? I thought you loved what you do in the military. You were doing important work. Necessary work.”

“I am. I was. But today when we were delivering Miri, I realized something.”

He gazed toward the ocean and the dramatic rock formations offshore, his features in shadow.

“There is more than one way to make a difference in the world,” he said slowly. “Sometimes that involves focusing on helping out those in critical situations. That’s a good and honorable thing to do, and I will always be grateful I had the experiences and learned the lessons I did.”

He glanced back at her, blue eyes glittering in the fading light. “I’m glad I had the chance to serve. I’m a better doctor and a better person for it. But I have no obligation to do it forever. Even Justine was never planning to serve for the rest of her life. She was making plans for after she left Doctors Without Borders. She was going to adopt Miri and take her back to France with her.”

“Yes. That’s what you said.”

“If she could make plans for a different future someday, why can’t I?”

“What kind of future?” Her heart now seemed to be racing in double time as she tried to absorb this shocking information.

“I want to be home. I want to help my neighbors and be around when my dad needs me and watch Miri and any other babies I deliver grow up and have babies of their own.”

“You’re leaving the army.” She couldn’t seem to process it even after his explanation.

He shrugged. “I’m leaving active duty. I’ll stay in the reserves. If my country needs me, I may end up being called up in emergencies. I’m more than willing to do that on a temporary basis, but I want something else. I want to go into practice with my dad. Sanderson and Sanderson. Has a nice ring, don’t you think?”

Oh, that would make Wendell happy beyond words. “Your dad will be thrilled.”

“He will. With me here to share the burden, who knows? He might even slow down a little and start to enjoy life outside of medicine.”

She wasn’t sure that would happen, but she hoped so for his father’s sake.

As she processed the news, the magnitude of what he was telling her began to soak through her shock. He was staying in Cannon Beach. Staying at the clinic where she worked. That would only mean one thing.

She would have no choice.

“That’s great. I’m happy for you. You’ll be gr-great.”

Tears began to burn behind her eyes, and she had to hope he couldn’t see them in the dusky light.

Unfortunately, she forgot how sharp-eyed the man could be. His gaze narrowed and he watched her with an intensity she couldn’t escape.

“What’s wrong? I was hoping for a...different reaction.”

“I’m happy for you. I really am. This is exactly what your father would have wanted.”

“So why do you look like I just started clear-cutting the Brambleberry House gardens?”

She wanted to come up with something clever that would explain the tears she was afraid he had seen, but she was too tired to tell him anything but the truth.

“I love working at your dad’s practice,” she said softly. “But if you’re coming home for good, I’m afraid I’ll have to quit.”

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