Page 7 of The Soldier's Final Mission

“Mommy! Look what I found!”

Becca looked at Riley running toward her,an iridescent bubble wiggling in his hand. Before she could say a word, Riley’sinnocent excitement turned to sheer terror. He stood frozen in the sand as hisscreams rang out, drawing looks from everyone in the area.

Luckily, there were prepared lifeguards onduty which was why Becca had chosen this beach.

Becca ran to her son who was trying tofree himself of the gooey blob. She reached him at the same time as a femalelifeguard who said her name was Tanya.

Becca tried to calm Riley as Tanya went towork freeing the jellyfish from his appendage. Welts were rising on his forearmand many were turning into blisters. Tanya removed a plastic bag of whitepowder from her bag and began dusting it over Riley’s affected areas.“Baking soda,” she said. “It’ll neutralize thestinging.” She reached inside the bag again and brought out a bottle. “It’s Benadryl.See if you can get him to swallow some drops.”

Becca did her best to continue soothingher son and used the dropper to squirt the liquid in his mouth. She wasrelieved when he managed to choke down more than he spewed out.

“It’s all right, big guy, this syrup willhelp. Look, Tanya’s making theowiesbetter with thatmagic powder.” Riley’s screams lowered to air-gulping sobs, and Becca wasgrateful to Tanya for her response and kindness. “Thank you,” she said.

“Absolutely,” Tanya replied. “This is onlya quick fix. You’ll no doubt want to get him to a hospital for an exam,possibly more treatment.”

When that realization hit, Becca’s mindimmediately went to work trying to figure which would be closest, which wouldbe best. She certainly didn’t want to take him to his father. Patrick couldn’t handleRiley’s hysterics. And he was only four, for God’s sake!

“UCSD Medical Center, Hillcrest,” Tanyasaid. “It’s a straight shot out Highway 8.”

“Thank you. Again.” She gathered Riley inher arms and quickly threw their belongings in her bag. She hurried to her car,and after getting her son strapped in his seat, she got behind the wheel andshot out of the parking area.

Within minutes Becca was rushing into theEmergency Department with her crying son cradled in her arms.

“He was stung by a jellyfish.” Becca beganto calmly explain to the approaching nurse, keeping her terror locked down soas not to further upset her son.

An hour later, Becca walked toward theexit with Riley sleeping in her arms. All the activity and anguish hadexhausted him. Thankfully the staff had been wonderful and treated him well. Theysent her home with liquid Benadryl and extra-strength hydrocortisone creamafter cleaning his hand and arms more thoroughly. She was told that he may havea few faint scars from some of the stings, but they’d probably fade with hisgrowth.

Not once did Riley ask for his father, andnot until now did she even think to call him. It was the middle of theafternoon and he’d no doubt be busy. She’d call him tonight and let him knowwhat had happened. There wasn’t anything he could’ve done anyway, other thanprobably upset Riley more.

She hated thinking like that, butsometimes the truth hurt.

Just as the doors swooshed open, anotherparty was walking toward the entrance. Becca noticed two men in Army fatiguesdrawing closer, both wearing sunglasses to shield their eyes. While one walkedtall and confident, the other had a slight limp, but no less confident. Shegave them a smile as she passed, used to seeing many soldiers in the San Diegoarea. Not another thought was given to the men as she became preoccupied withgetting Riley home and comfortable.

Becca had taken only a few more steps whenshe heard her named called out. Puzzled, she turned, and her gaze met withhazel eyes. To say she was shocked would have been an understatement.

“Bob?” she barely managed. She watched ashe approached, the limp doing nothing to deter him. She watched as his eyessoftened and he smiled that roguish smile she thought she’d never see again. Ashe stopped only a foot away, Becca tipped her face up to look at him, herponytail brushing the nape of her neck. He was still handsomely rugged, butdefinitely changed.

Bob’s eyes lacked their usual shine and akeen fierceness she remembered from years ago. They appeared weary and tired asmore lines creased his tanned skin at the corners. A lean face held what hadonce been soft yet skillful lips—lips that now looked as if the smile wasforced instead of genuine. Becca’s heart went out to him, wondering what hemust have seen during his tours, and dearly wishing she could see the man shefell in love with so many years ago.

“What are youdoin’here?” she asked lamely.

“Seeing a friend.” He indicated to theother man who hung back behind him. “Tessa told me you were out in this area. Howare you?”

“I’m good. Well, tired, actually,” shesaid looking down at Riley as he shifted in her arms.

“This must be your son.”

Her head whipped up in surprise, wonderinghow he knew of Riley. Tessa, of course, she immediately thought. “Yes.” Shesmiled down on her waking boy. “This is Riley. Unfortunately, a fun day at thebeach nearly turned into a nightmare. He was stung by a jellyfish.”

Riley spoke sleepily, holding out hisbandaged arm. “I gotowies. The lady put magic powderon ‘emto make the hurt stop.”

Bob grinned and gently stroked Riley’sfingers that were stretched toward him. “Did she now? And did it work?”

“It workedgood. ThenMommy squirted yucky stuff in my mouth.” Riley’s mouth and nose wrinkled as ifstill tasting the “yucky” medicine.

Bob chuckled, and Becca’s stomachfluttered at the sound. She watched Bob interacting with Riley, so tender andconcerned.

“Maybe your mom has better stuff for you. Mymom always gave me ice cream when I gotowies,” Bobsaid.

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