Back in the Soldier's Arms by Soraya Lane, Karina Bliss Page B

walk out.
    It only just gave her enough time to flop forward on the bench, her elbows resting on it so she could cradle her head in her hands for a moment.
    Coming home was harder than she’d expected it to be. So hard it made her feel as if a ton of concrete was trapped on her chest, c th±er chest,rushing her lungs.
    She’d expected to be so angry with Daniel that she wouldn’t even be able to look at him. Disgusted with what he’d done.
    But now she was here, it was the memories of what they’d had that kept playing through her mind.
    She still couldn’t forgive him, but forgetting their past seemed to be as difficult as forgetting what he’d done.
    Penny forced her head up and reached for the candles. She chose the five prettiest ones from the pack and pushed them carefully into the cake.
    Daniel had asked for a chance to prove himself last night, to pretend for Gabby’s sake.
    She hadn’t wanted to hear the details before. To talk about what had gone wrong in their marriage.
    Maybe she hadn’t been there enough for him. Hadn’t been emotionally available enough to truly understand what he’d gone through leaving the navy. Just because they’d both joined to get their qualifications, it didn’t mean they didn’t both love what they did. Hadn’t learned to love the camaraderie of their careers, even if they had only signed up for the minimum term each.
    But if the constant tug within her chest was anything to go by, she owed it to him, herself and to Gabby to be brave.
    She hadn’t made a career for herself as a sergeant in the United States Army by being a coward.
    Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

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CHAPTER SEVEN
    PENNY picked up the last paper plate off the floor and dumped it in the trash. She had no idea how so few children could make such a huge mess. “All done in here?”
    She looked up, blowing out her breath so hard that tendrils of hair flew up around her face. “Finally.”
    Daniel collected the garbage bag and tied the top in a knot. “She had a great time.”
    Penny collected a glass to put in the dishwasher. “So did I.”
    He looked thoughtful before carrying the bag into the kitchen.
    “Penny, I know you want to spend time with Gabby, but …” She put the glass down and spread her hands out on the bench. “What is it?”
    It was unlike him to be unsure with his words. Daniel was usually forthright, never hesitated.
    “I was wondering if you’d like to go away. Even just for a night.” His voice was rapid, he was talking too fast.
    Where did he want to take her? And why?
    “Daniel, I only have six days left, I can’t leave her.”
    His face crumpled before the strength returned and he stood taller, looked confident and composed. The man-in-uniform kind of Daniel she was used to.
    ȁhespan cC;One night,” he said, stepping forward so that he was as close as he could be to her from the other side of the bench. “Let me take us away somewhere for one night.”
    She physically squirmed on the spot, unsure.
    “Daniel, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea …”
    He shook his head. “Please, Penny, this is really important to me.”
    She didn’t want to say yes. Or maybe she did. Hell, she’d been so confused since she’d been home she hardly knew what she was thinking. What she wanted.
    “Pen?”
    “I don’t know what to say,” she replied honestly.
    “There’s something else I want to ask you.” His voice was soft now, careful.
    Penny sucked in a breath and bent to place the glass she’d held before in the dishwasher. She flicked the switch.
    Then looked up.
    “I completely understand why you don’t want to leave Gabby, but we need to spend time together.”
    She waited as he paused, not sure what he was getting at. “Let me take you out on a date.” Oh, my. “A date?”
    Daniel looked suddenly serious, solemn even. “This could be it for us, Penny, and I can’t let you go without a fight.”
    “Daniel.”