Page 119 of The Girls of Pearl Harbor
Eva took a big, shuddering breath and smiled over at her friend. ‘I will be.’
They didn’t need words; just one look and they both knew. Some things didn’t need to be said; because of the pain and trauma of what they’d lived since they’d been catapulted into the war, no words could ever convey what they’d been through. Or what they’d left behind.
I’ll never forget you, Charlie,she thought, looking skyward again.I hope you’ve met Poppy up there in heaven, because you two would have one hell of a time together.
The truck lurched, and suddenly everyone was piling out, ready to set up camp again, ready to save more lives, and she followed the others down the crude steps, taking a soldier’s hand to jump the final distance to the dirt below. She had no idea how long they’d be away, whether it would be months or even years, but she was no longer scared of going home, of what the future might hold, and for that she had Art to thank.
She grinned to herself as she remembered the man he’d been; there was no way she’d ever have imagined the grumpy, insolent amputee could ever have captured her heart, but he had. And for that, she would always,alwaysbe grateful.
EPILOGUE
1945
GRACE
‘I don’t think they’re going to make it.’
Teddy’s hand was firm over her shoulder. ‘They’re going to make it. You know they are.’
‘But the weather has been so bad and—’
‘Stop,’ he said, forcibly turning her around, ‘and look who’s here.’
‘April!’ she squealed, running and throwing her arms around her sister. ‘I can’t believe it! You’re here!’
April hugged her back, and they stayed like that until Grace finally pulled back, looking her sister up and down, frowning at how thin she was.
‘You’re as skinny as a rail,’ she said. ‘I’ve never seen your cheeks look so gaunt.’
April laughed. ‘Unlike you, who looks very well fed.’
Grace grinned and placed her hand on her ballooning stomach. ‘Hey, I’m eating for two here, and Teddy likes a little meat on my bones, apparently.’
‘Teddy what?’ he asked, coming over to stand with them and then opening his arms to April. Grace watched as they hugged, overwhelmed at finally having the two people she loved most in the world back in the same place.
‘She was telling me you like her figure a little fuller,’ April teased. ‘And supposedly I’m too bony.’
Grace finally let go of her sister to greet Harry as he walked in, his smile wide as he bent to kiss both her cheeks.
‘Hello, Grace,’ he said.
‘Harry, it’s so good to see you,’ she said, enveloping him in a warm hug. ‘Now tell me, have you made an honest woman of my sister yet?’ she teased.
‘Grace! We’re only friends!’ April looked horrified, but Grace just laughed.
‘You two haven’t been just friends since I left North Africa, so stop pretending,’ she said, then shrugged as April glared at her. But her sister didn’t have time to reprimand her because a wheelchair suddenly appeared around the corner, and there was Eva walking slowly beside Art, her hand on his chair and the biggest smile Grace had ever seen on her face.
‘Well, if it isn’t the gorgeous couple.’ She beamed back at them, winking at Art as he caught her eye. She’d seen Art almost every day until Eva had finally returned, and she’d become fast friends with the quick-witted former pilot. He had a wicked sense of humor, and she smiled whenever she thought of her gorgeous friend marrying a man like him. One legged or not, he was a fine man, and no one deserved him more than Eva did.
They all kissed and hugged until Grace hushed everyone and gestured for them to follow her. It was only a short walk from the park where they’d all met, and she’d wanted them all to make the journey together, to see what she’d managed to do since she’d been home.
They walked in silence until Grace held up her hand, and she almost heard everyone collectively hold their breaths.
‘This is it,’ she said, staring up at the words on the sign above the freshly painted building. Grace turned to her sister and friends, holding Teddy’s hand as she watched the reactions on their faces.
‘The Poppy Baker Home for Returned Soldiers,’ April read out, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. ‘It’s beautiful, Grace. I’m sure she would have loved it.’
Teddy cleared his throat beside her. ‘I’d like to say a few words,’ he said, stepping away from Grace and then facing them all.
