\u201cYou\u2019d better,\u201d Marin said, then stepped back, tugging his arm so he\u2019d turn to face her. She was smiling when he did, though it was a familiar sad smile that made his heart give a painful squeeze.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he said, trying and failing to suppress the urge to gather her in against his chest and not let go. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d She sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist again. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t make it easier and it\u2019s not going to stop me from worrying. I know that you guys are going to be careful and I know you\u2019re going to do everything you can to make sure you come home\u2014and my gut knows that. It\u2019s just the state you\u2019ll be in when you get back that concerns me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thom frowned, pulling back just enough that he could look her in the eye. \u201cDid you\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n
Marin shook her head. \u201cNo. Nothing solid, nothing that I can say for sure was this time, this trip, for sure, for real…but I can never know. I never do<\/em> know. That\u2019s the worst part about our gift. You can think you\u2019re sure, but there\u2019s always the doubt that creeps in.\u201d<\/p>\n He kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek. \u201cWe\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d She squeezed him, then stepped back, glancing at the pack horse, then toward their friends, each in the middle of their own similar private good-byes. She sighed quietly and leaned against him.<\/p>\n \u201cThis won\u2019t be the last time this happens,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo doubt,\u201d Thom agreed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. \u201cBut we\u2019ll always come home, Mar. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcept for when we don\u2019t,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n Thom couldn\u2019t suppress the shiver that worked its way down his spine. The cold certainty in her voice was unmistakable.<\/p>\n Someday, sometime\u2014they wouldn\u2019t<\/em> make it home.<\/p>\n But not this time.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cYou\u2019d better,\u201d Marin said, then stepped back, tugging his arm so he\u2019d turn to face her. She was smiling when he did, though it was a familiar sad smile that made his heart give a painful squeeze. \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he … Continue reading