In a Book Club Far Away(58)

Sophie took a deep breath, her smile tight. “I can do this, right? I’m flying into a mess. I didn’t want the girls to have to face a funeral of a grandfather they didn’t know, but I don’t even know how I’m supposed to deal with this.”

“You can, and you will, because of who you are. You’re truly one of the strongest women I know.”

“I don’t feel that way right now.”

“Oh, c’mon, are you kidding? You’re raising twins. You are calm all the time. You are a leader without having to raise your voice. And you know how to read people, how to help them through tough situations. You will do what you need to do in Nassau. But if you don’t go, then you’ll always wonder.”

Sophie nodded.

The squeal of little girls took their attention, and Olivia and Carmela ran up to their mother, each with a chocolate bar in their hands. Trailing behind them was Regina, who dragged a backpack and a tepid smile. The girls’ faces were smeared with chocolate.

“We got sucked in by the magnets and couldn’t get out without bribery.” Reggie was out of breath, hand on her belly. “Man, having two is a handful.”

Sophie lowered her voice. “I’m asking too much, aren’t I? I should stay.”

Adelaide couldn’t let Sophie worry. She touched her on the elbow. “But there are two of us.”

“Sophie, listen,” Regina said, “if for some reason, the two of us can’t handle a few days, we have a bunch of parents at book club who will help us figure it out. It’s a seven-hour flight to the Bahamas, and you’ll be gone four days. Easy-peasy.”

Sophie heaved a breath. “You’re both right. Okay, I should go before I lose my nerve. She wrapped Regina in a tight hug. “Reggie, I don’t know what I would have done without you and your dad.”

“Um… it’s okay. You’ll just owe me one.” She grinned.

Sophie stepped back and got down on one knee. She scooped up her children into her arms and kissed each one on the cheek. She whispered I love yous into their ears, then finally stood. “All right, ladies. Here I go.”

“Godspeed.” Adelaide kissed Sophie on the cheek and, after one more round of extended goodbyes, watched Sophie’s back as it disappeared down the long hallway, toward the security area.

The crying began as soon as Sophie was no longer within sight, starting with a sniffle from Carmela, which turned into a full-blown sob from Olivia. It took both adults to coax the children from the terminal and into the frigid parking lot, then into Adelaide’s car.

“It’s going to be a long four days,” Regina said to her now, and peeked over her shoulder.

Adelaide bit her lip. “I know, I’m worried about bedtime. We might have to get creative, maybe make a slumber party out of it?” She stuck the key in the ignition, and her cell phone rang in her purse. “Let me get that. It’s Matt’s day off today, so I don’t want to miss his call.”

Sure enough, the BlackBerry flashed his name. She answered the call, then turned on the car anyway to get the heat going. “Hi!” She mouthed the word Matt to Regina. Regina turned around and put a finger against her lips.

“It’s Mr. Matt,” she whispered.

And like good military children, they took their voices down to a low roar.

“Hey,” Matt’s voice was rough-edged, and Adelaide pictured him lying in bed, comfy under his fleece blanket. A feeling of yearning shot through her. “What are you doing right now?”

I wish it was you. Adelaide heated as the thought materialized in her head. Six months was a long time to be celibate. “We just dropped Sophie off at the airport. We’re in the car now.”

“Who are you with?”

“Me and Reggie and the twins. What’s up?”

“I can tell you, but you’ve got to keep it on the DL for now.”

She looked askance at Regina, who was playing a game on her phone. “Got it.”

“I’ve got some news. The advance party is coming home in April.”

The advance party was the first wave of soldiers who redeployed back to post to help set the stage for the entire unit to return.

She felt a smile push through her lips. “You?”

“No, not me.”

“Dang it, I was hoping…” Then, when Regina turned slightly in her direction, she smiled brightly despite her disappointment. She should know by now that she couldn’t rely on hope when it came to Army plans. Nothing was real until they actually got on that bus, or plane.

“Sorry, babe. Also, you’ll most likely hear some grumblings about someone specifically who’s coming home. There are other things going on—rumors.”

It was vague, this information, and she would need to find some alone time the next few days to follow up with more questions. The mere fact that Matt didn’t come right out with the rumor told her that it was highly sensitive and important. “All right. Well, I love you and I’ll talk to you soon!”

“Love you, babe.”

As she backed away from the space, Regina asked, “Everything good with the guys?”

“Oh, yeah, everything’s fine. Just fine!”

But as usual, and now against everything she was learning in therapy, she was faking it, because everything was not fine.