Finding Faith by Reana Malori

the Army, I could pack eighty pounds of gear into rucksack the size of Madison’s book bag? This is nothing,” he noted with a smirk. He turned on his heel and started walking toward the intersection in the direction of the Washington Monument.  
    “Okay, okay, Mr. I Can Pack Anything into a Thimble.” Looking down at Madison, she laughed out loud when the little girl starting shaking her head.  
    “Daddy, you always say that!”  
    Yup, she was one smart, sassy little girl. Faith loved it!  
     
     
     
    “Wow, I am worn out,” Faith flopped down on Cooper’s couch and laid her head on the back.  
    “Yeah, you and me both.” Cooper had just returned from putting Madison down for a nap.  
    The day trip had been a resounding success. The kites were big and beautiful and they were entertained for hours. Madison had run from one end of the mall to the other, oohing and ahhing over everything in her sight.  
    Faith pulled one foot underneath her as she turned her body in his direction. Staring at him for a few minutes, she admired his chiseled profile as he sat just feet away from her, his eyes closed. “She loved her kite, Cooper. Where did you find a princess picture that looked exactly like her?”  
    Opening his eyes, he caught her staring and she pulled her eyes away, looking at her hands. As he started to speak, she looked over at him again, free to admire him without feeling self-conscious.  
    “There’s this little novelty shop I found in Reston. One day I stopped by the place just to waste some time while waiting for a wom—for a friend,” he said.  
    Noticing his slip and correction, she wondered what that was all about. She knew he dated. He had never hid the fact that he was trying to reclaim some of his life again. They had never discussed it, but she knew. She just tried to not let it bother her. Not too much, anyway.  
    “But how does the kite look just like Madison,” she asked.  
    “Well, they will create anything you want with any material you want. All I had to do was provide them a small picture of Madison and they created a kite that had her face on it. It cost a small fortune, but it was worth it to see her face today,” he smiled as any proud father would after doing something amazing for their child.  
    They fell into a comfortable silence as they both took deep breaths. It felt good to relax after a long day out in the sun.  
    “Thirsty?” Cooper’s voice broke into her thoughts.  
    Lifting her head for a just a second, “Oh, goodness, yes! Do you have any iced tea?”  
    “Of course I do. I know you too well now. I always have iced tea waiting for you.” Getting up from the couch, he toed off his shoes and walked barefoot into the kitchen.  
    Basking in the feeling of just being here with him like this, she wondered what would happen if she let it be known that she wanted more. Would he push her away? Did he have any idea just how much she sometimes wanted to run her hands through his short hair? Her fingers itched to touch his cheek or skim across his chest. To feel his warm skin underneath her palms.  
    This felt good, being with him—with Madison—like this. Uncertainty and fear was holding her back, though. He hadn’t given any indication that he wanted more and she was not willing to risk what they had.  
    Although Cooper rarely talked about what happened to his wife, he did share the basics. She knew he loved his wife more than his own life. Even though she tried not to, she couldn’t help but wonder how much of Madison’s personality was her own, and how much she had received from each of her parents. Cooper seemed so laid back most of the time, but there were moments--dark moments when there was a lingering sadness reflected in his eyes. Knowing what she did about his backstory, it was either memories of his time in the Army or the memories of his life with Heather. Neither one boded well, but only one made her question what she was doing here with