Page 62 of SEAL's Sunshine
“Neither are we, Sir,” Jake answered. “But we’ll be happy to tell you what we know.”
“Thank you for saving my daughter. And yes, I’ll want a full report.”
“How about we let you and your dad have some time. We’ll be right down the hall, Sunshine,” Cam said, hoping that the man would calm down when he realized she would make a full recovery.
Miranda nodded and mouthed a thank you, as her father shook Jake’s hand. “Call if you need me.”
* * *
“Sunshine?Is that what he calls you?” Richard Stanhope asked as he pulled a chair over to the side of Miranda’s bed.
“Yes. I think it’s sweet.”
“How are you? The doctor gave me an update, but just because it says something on paper it doesn’t give you the whole picture.”
“I’m okay. Just like the doctor told you. Nothing life threatening, just a few broken ribs, and lots of bruises and scratches.”
“How did you get involved in this mess?”
“I don’t know. But it’s the same group as in Afghanistan.”
“Didn’t the SEALs take them out?”
“Yes, but you know how it goes, cut off the head of the snake and two grow back.”
“This isn’t an action movie, Miranda, this is real life. I don’t want to have to worry about my daughter every time she leaves the house.”
“You don’t”
“That’s not true. I think you should come home with me when they discharge you.”
“No.”
“No? What do you mean no?”
“I’m not going with you. I’ll fly back next week like I’m supposed to.”
“Why are you being so stubborn? Don’t you want Mom to take care of you?”
“No. I’m sorry, Daddy, but I’m almost twenty-six years old. You need to let me live my life. Why do you think I joined the missionary group? Yes, I wanted to help, but it was the only way I could get away without you guys flipping out.”
As her father listened to her, emotions spread across his face. Anger, shock, and as her words sank in, resignation. He’d never considered that she’d grown up.
“Is that how you really feel?” Her heart ached as he seemed to age before her eyes.
“Yes, it is. It’s not that I don’t love you both. I do. But I need to live the life I want, just like you did.”
“I’m sorry if you felt that you couldn’t.”
“It’s okay, I should have spoken up sooner. Until all of that happened in Afghanistan I don’t think I realized it. But while I was stuck in that cave and convinced I was going to die, it made me think about how much I still wanted to do with my life.”
Stanhope nodded. “Do you want me to talk to your mother?”
“No, I will when I come home. But you should know, I’m planning on moving here.”
“To live with the SEAL?”
“Yes, but that’s not the reason. I have friends here, real friends for the first time in my life. I’ve had more fun in the last three days than I can remember.”
