Laurie met Katie the minute she pulled the car into the driveway. "I've missed you. I liked it before you worked."

Katie laughed. "I pick up three shifts a week. I'm around plenty."

It felt good to be working again. She had tried different shifts, but liked the day shift best. She preferred to be home with Tom in the evening and not sleep alone. She frowned because she would sleep alone soon. He had to go back to Korea and no amount of pleading could stop him. She was trying to be brave for him. At least she had Laurie so she wouldn't be completely alone. Maybe she would pick up overnight shifts, so she wouldn't have to face the dark hours alone.

"Come on over and keep me company."

Katie looked at her watch. She had to change out of her scrubs and pick up Tom from work. One car had created a challenge, but he was so easygoing he always made it work. He had even brought clothes to change into and ran home a few times.

Katie shook her head. "No time."

"Right, you need to get your lover boy." She smiled. "I can always make you blush."

Katie shook her head. She'd be dead if she wasn't aware she was sharing a bed with a gorgeous man. She wasn't stupid either and knew Tom gave up a lot being married to her. He hid it well, but he was attracted to her, at least physically.

She was waiting for him when he emerged. He smiled, and she felt something she tried to ignore. They had been living in Hawaii for almost ten months and had survived the anniversary of Paco's death. It was a dark day. She felt as if no time had passed. The torment on Tom's face reminded her he had lost his best friend, too. She heard as he told Laurie she was sick. When she woke with her head on Tom's damp shoulder the next morning, she felt better. The sun was shining, and she had survived a year without him. Unfortunately, Laurie was convinced she was pregnant, and she had to convince her she had probably picked up a bug at the hospital. She didn't enjoy lying to her friend.

"Hey Luce, you want to grab dinner?" He slid into the passenger seat. He didn't feel the need to drive all the time.

"In your uniform?" She remembered the night they ate wings without Paco.

"No wings." He smiled. He remembered too.

"Where too?"

He suggested a bar they had found. It reminded them of the Barracks. Luckily, the food was better, including the salads. Her father didn't hire the best kitchen help, but his customers never complained. They were there to drink.

It wasn't crowded, because it was still early and they found a table in the corner. They had been around enough to recognize faces. The bartender knew them and waved. She felt a rush of emotion for her father. Leaving Hawaii would be hard. She really didn't want to return to Augusta, but she missed her father.

They had three more nights before he deployed. Laurie insisted they come for dinner the next night, and the last night would be just them at home. Katie didn't want to think about her last night with Paco. It wouldn't be the same. Tom wasn't going on a secret mission, he was filling in for someone who was going stateside on leave. His replacement had already arrived in Hawaii. He would leave active duty after they returned to Georgia.

"Don't frown. You'll keep busy."

"I've never lived alone before."

"You'll hear from me every day and even Jon said he'd Skype to check in on you."

"Great, so now instead of one, I'll have two Hayes boys. The hairy one and the not so hairy one." She reached up and rubbed her hand at the nape of his neck. She had loved the feel of a fresh clipper cut, since she was a little girl.

Tom captured her hand and gave it a squeeze. She was sorry he let go. Conflicting emotions were running around her head. Maybe some time on her own to sort out her life was what she needed.

They ordered drinks and food. Tom ordered a burger, and she asked for a salad. She had gained back most of the weight she lost. When she complained Tom told her not all, but really how would he know? Her clothes fit better than they had when she arrived in Hawaii.

They talked about nothing while they ate. She jumped up. "Come on, let's play darts."

Tom looked at her. "We've never played before."

"I know, but I used to play all the time."

"I would have played with you before." Before was code for when Paco was alive.

"I didn't want to show up my boyfriend."

He laughed. "Now you can show up your husband."

She liked when he reminded her they were technically married. They were probably better friends than plenty of married couples. She went first but was disappointed with the results.

"I'm rusty. It's been awhile."

Tom threw and was slightly better than her. On her second turn, she concentrated and just missed the bull's eye. She jumped up and down and he smiled. She was having fun and refused to feel guilty.

After a few games, Tom begged for mercy. "I concede. I found your hidden talent."

"What's yours?" She teased.

He shook his head. "I don't think I have one. The only thing I'm good at is my work."

She put her arm around him and leaned into him. It felt natural. "Not true. You're good at taking care of me."

He looked down at her and frowned. She felt that turmoil inside again. Being close gave her a warm feeling, but the way he frowned caused her belly discomfort. Unable to read his mind, she asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Nah. I was just thinking about being away. I can't take care of you when I'm not here."

It wasn't late, but they left and when they entered the house, he went to change. Once in comfortable clothes, he joined her on the sofa. She clicked through channels, unable to find anything to watch. When he put his arm around her, she leaned into him. He kissed the top of her head. She suddenly wondered what it would feel like if he kissed her for real. He kissed her head and forehead and she kissed him on the cheek, but their lips had never met.

When they went to sleep, she curled up on her side facing out and he did the same on his side. Only when she cried did he hold her. She didn't want to cry, but she wanted to rest her head on his shoulder and hear his heart beating. When she woke, the bed was empty. He was on his run. Her first thought was forty-eight hours and they would say goodbye.

She was drinking her tea when he entered the house with his phone out. She called out. "Hi Jon."

"Katie. Don't worry, I'll check in with you." Tom stood beside her, so she could see the screen.

"Will you share all his secrets with me?"

Jon laughed. "You are his secret."

She thought about his comment. His family didn't know he was married. He had confided he was afraid it would upset his father and oldest brother. She knew she wasn't good enough to be his proper wife. That thought made her sad, as she denied even to herself she wanted just that. Pushing those thoughts away, she replied, "How about your secret? He won't tell me why you both ran away."

"Really? Tom, it was a long time ago. You can tell her."

She looked at Tom's face, but couldn't read what he was thinking. Instead he said, "You two can talk. I need to hit the shower."

He left her holding his phone and looking at his brother who looked like him, but different. His hair was lighter and there was so much of it, including on his face. He had blue eyes to Tom's hazel. "Did I say something to upset him?"

"I don't know. I think he regrets running the way we did."

"Because of Tori? He still loves her, doesn't he?"

"No, he definitely doesn't love Victoria. He may have regrets, but he doesn't see her in his future."

"Why did he leave?" She had been curious for years.

Jon sighed. "Because our brother's wife cornered and groped me. Trey and my father believed her when she said it was me who started it. Tom believed me. I wanted to leave, because they hurt me, but also I didn't trust her not to try it again. I didn't like her."

She never imagined anything like that. "And they're still married?"

"Yup, although my sources tell me they're not happy. They attend functions together, but Trey keeps to himself. I don't know why he doesn't divorce her."

"If he's unhappy in his marriage, he should apologize, so you can come home."

"I'm happy here with Alana." Katie felt jealous he had found love. "I'll sign off. Bye, Katie. Give my brother a kiss for me."

"How about a hug?"

He laughed and disappeared.

Tom appeared ready for work. "Did he tell you?"

She nodded. "Why does it still bother you?"

He shrugged. "Sometimes I feel like I overreacted and wish I could go back."

"What would be different? Would you have left me to mourn on my own?"

"No! The only thing that would be different is I wouldn't have shut that part of my life out. I would have visited and seen the people who once meant a lot to me."

"Like Tori."

He shook his head. "Luce, I truly believe Tori and I were never meant to be together forever."

Katie wondered who he was meant to be with and felt jealous of whoever she was.