Chapter 1

Cameron

Relief fills me as thevehicle glides through the departure lane at the airline terminal. Pulling to a stop outside my gate, the private behind the wheel comes to a stop. “Here you are Sergeant, one step closer to your final destination.”

I smile at the thought. “Roger that Private.” I offer him my hand. “Thank you for the ride.”

He grips my hand. “My pleasure, Sergeant Hutchinson. Thank you for your service, best of luck to you, sir.”

I hop out of the vehicle and grab my bags from the backseat. “Stay safe out there, Private.”

“You too, sir,” he replies with a salute I return before closing the door and making my way into the airport. Once inside I locate the check-in station and wait my turn to check my bag.

As I step up to the counter the ticket agent smiles. “Good morning, how may I help you?”

I place my bag on the scales and hand her my boarding pass and military ID. “I need to check one bag please.”

“I can take care of that for you,” she says as she takes my offered items and begins the check-in process. “Getting a little R & R?”

“No ma’am, signed my discharge papers this morning. I’m heading home for good.”

She hands back my boarding pass and ID before attaching a strap to my bag. “Congratulations and thank you for your service. You’re all set, sergeant; you can drop your bag off at the green sign before proceeding to your gate.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

I grab my bag and make my way to the drop-off where another agent is waiting. “I believe I’m supposed to give this to you.”

“You would be correct,” he says as he takes my bag and places it on the conveyor belt. “Have a good flight.”

“Thank you,” I say before proceeding to my gate.

Between my six-foot-three-inch height and wearing the uniform of the United States Army, I’m used to the occasional stares I receive. It’s the looks from the kids I enjoy the most. My imposing height can be intimidating, but a smile quickly puts them at ease. Case in point the little girl sitting across from me as I wait to board my flight. Her eyes light up as I set my Army issued backpack at my feet.

“Hey, my mom has a backpack like yours,” she says excitedly.

The man sitting next to her, whom I assume is her father, smiles down at her as I reply. “Does she, now?”

She nods, making her blonde pigtails bounce. “Uh huh, hers has her name on it.”

I turn my backpack to show her where my name patch is stitched. “You mean like that?”

“Yes! Daddy, it’s like Mommy’s.”

Her Dad grins. “I see.” He turns his attention to me. “Hi, I’m Drew, and this little munchkin is Casey."

"Cameron Hutchinson, nice to meet you both.” I turn my attention to Drew as his daughter turns hers back to the tablet in her little hands. “Your wife is deployed?"

Drew smiles as he gives half his attention to me while the other half remains on his daughter. "Yeah, Jenny has been on active duty in Syria. She’s getting two weeks of leave, so we’re flying to Denver to meet her there so she can see all her family. It’s been over a year since she’s seen them, so it felt right to share her this time.”

“I’m sure they appreciate it, and I bet they are just as excited to see the both of you as well.”

“Yeah, video chats aren’t the same, that’s for sure. What about you? Off to see family?”

“Yes sir, signed my discharge papers this morning. I’m headed to Tucson to surprise my folks, then back to my hometown in Alabama to help my brother and cousin with the family farm.”

“Sounds like a solid life plan. So, where’s home?”

“A little town southwest of Birmingham, Blossom Creek.”

“Ahh, back to small town living after seeing the world, huh?”

A smile eases onto my face and memories of growing up on the farm in central Alabama flood my mind. “Yes, sir. What about you? How much longer does your wife have”?

“Jenny has another two years before she finishes her training. Then we’ll decide if she’ll reenlist or moves on to the private sector.” He turns his attention to the voice coming over the intercom informing us it’s time to board. “Well, it sounds like it’s time to go. It was nice talking to you,” he says standing and offering me his hand. “Best of luck to you.”

I stand and shake his hand. “Thank you and give my best to your wife. My family and I will be praying for her safety.”

His eyes become a little misty as he looks at his daughter before turning back to me. “Thank you, Sergeant.”

I smile, a little at a loss as I lose the moniker I earned over the last eight years. “It’s just Cameron now.”

He takes his daughter’s hand and moves toward the line forming to board the plane. Casey’s bright blue eyes find mine as she waves. “Bye, Cameron.”

I smile and wave before gathering my backpack and taking my place in line.

The flightfrom Philly to Denver was smooth. After a short layover, we land in Tucson, and after claiming my bag, I make my way over to the bank of car rental companies. It takes about thirty minutes for me to reach the front of the line, sign a contract, and drive off in an SUV.

My parents are expecting me to be discharged at the end of the month, but when my commanding officer offered an earlier date, I jumped at the chance to surprise them.

I pull into the driveway of my parent’s home a little after four in the afternoon, grab my bags from the backseat, and walk to the front door. Setting my bags at my feet, I lean in, then ring the doorbell and wait.

“Marie, can you add cereal to the grocery list,” Dad asks as he opens the door, paying no attention to who is on the other side.

I grin as he looks my way, mouth hanging open. “Hi, Dad.”

“Cam,” he whispers, voice cracking as he embraces me tightly.

Dad releases me, then wipes his eyes with the heel of his hand. “I can’t believe you’re here,” he says quietly. Holding up his hand for me to stay where I am, he calls for Momma. “Hey hon, there’s a delivery for you.”

“A delivery? I’m not expecting anything.”

I swallow my laughter. Leave it to Momma to argue.

Dad shakes his head. “Well then, you better come and see if you need to refuse the delivery.”

“Honestly, Mike.” I hear her grumble as she approaches the door. “I said I’m not expecting—Cameron!” She gasps as her eyes fill with tears.

“Hey, Momma,” I manage as she launches herself at me. I catch her easily and wrap her in a hug I’ve needed for way too long.

I set her back on her feet, and Momma cradles my face in her hands as tears stream down her cheeks. “I can’t believe you are here. Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”

I chuckle. “It wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if I had.”

“Oh you,” she chastises as she swats my arm. “Well, let’s get you inside and settled. Mike, help him with his bags.”

I wave Dad off. “I got ‘em, just show me where to put them.”

Dad pats me on the back as I walk through the door and then closes it behind me. “Follow me, son.”