Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
For my future and for those I love.
Just when I throw my bag over my shoulder, I spot a man and woman approach the old man. They have a little girl with them, maybe five or six years old, and as soon as he sees them, he drops the handle of his suitcase and throws his arms around the trio. I can’t help but stop and watch the exchange.
When he releases his family, he picks up the little girl, while the gentleman grabs the luggage. They start to walk away, but suddenly the older man stops and faces me. He gives me a big smile, raises his hand, and salutes me. I do the same and wave goodbye, feeling a little lighter than I did before.
I don’t know what’s in store for me.
I don’t know what will happen with Faith.
I don’t know where I’ll end up next in this big world.
But I do know I’ll always carry her with me, wherever I go, whatever I do.
And maybe someday we can be together.
It’s that thought, that hope, I hang on to as I step through the sliding doors, into the hot California sun in San Bernardino.
Next stop, Fort Irwin National Training Center.
A bubble of anticipation erupts in my chest at the change in destination and job. I can’t wait to see what awaits me with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. It’s going to be weird to be here, to do it without my best friend, Ford, but I’m ready.
This is my destiny.
CHAPTER
TWO
Faith
It’s been forty-eight hours since his flight left. That’s the last I’ve heard from him. While I know he’s safe, I’m still worried. I can’t seem to help myself where Chad is concerned. I might be keeping him at arm's length, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about him.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I grab my laptop so that I can continue looking for jobs. I’ve been accepted as a substitute teacher at our local school here in Cooper and the surrounding areas, but I want to have my own classroom and students.
I’m currently living with my twin brother, Ford, and his fiancée, Shayne. Shayne and I were roommates before my brother left the Army, and she insisted that I live with him instead of moving home with my parents.
I have to admit the thought of moving home didn’t sit well with me. Don’t get me wrong. I love my parents. They’re incredible, but once you have a taste of freedom, it’s hard to go back. Not that they would butt into my business, too much, but it’s just my childhood bedroom makes me feel as though I’m still a teenager. Besides, I’m only here until I find a teaching position and start getting a regular income. Then, I’ll find a place of my own.
Needless to say, I took them up on their offer. I’m hoping that it’s only going to be for the rest of the summer, but right now, the job search is looking grim. I’m making it sound worse than it is. I’ve applied to several schools and even have a few offers, but they’re not the offers I was hoping for. I want to teach kindergarten. Yes, I’m aware that I’m being super picky, but that’s what my heart is set on. I know that I should just accept and hope that a kindergarten spot becomes available, but as I sit here applying to more schools, branching out a little farther than I originally hoped, I can’t help but send up a silent plea that what I’m looking for will fall in my lap.
My phone rings, and I jump at the sound. I grapple to grab the device and end up knocking it off the bed. Tossing my laptop to the side, I slide off the mattress, grab the phone, and swipe at the screen. “Hello,” I say in a rush.
“Faith?” Chad’s deep voice wraps around me like a warm embrace. “Are you all right?”
“Chad! Hi! Yes, I’m fine.” I huff out a deep breath as I try to calm myself down.
“What are you doing?”
“Now? Or when you called?” I ask.
“Both.” He chuckles. “Tell me about both.”
“Well, when you called, I was searching and applying for jobs.”
“And now?” he prompts.
“Now, I’m sitting on my bedroom floor, trying not to be a heavy breather into the phone.”
“I’m going to need you to explain that to me, darlin’,” he drawls.
Damn, I miss him. “Fine.” I sigh dramatically, and I can already practically see him smiling in my mind. “When my phone rang, I had to wrestle the comforter for it, and I lost the battle. The phone slid off the bed, and in my attempt to get to it before it stopped ringing, I ended up on the floor too.”
“Are you okay?” I can hear the concern in his voice, and my heart clenches in my chest. I miss him so much.