Home of the Brave (The Long Road Home #25)

Prologue

Bad weather. Flight cancelled. If I were the type to believe in omens, this would just be one more to tip the scales toward permanent misery. Not for me exactly, just for the state of the world.

I hitched my pack up higher on my shoulder and considered my next move.

Since it was bad weather delaying my flight out of Atlanta, that meant they would have no idea when I’d be able to catch another flight to Tennessee.

But seriously, Mike hadn’t had a problem driving here from Augusta and dropping my ass off, so why were these planes grounded?

The man next to me, who was staring up at the departure board, started coughing, not bothering to cover his mouth. I decided to consider my next move while I was walking.

I was almost past the sliding doors of the USO when I realized I’d found my solution.

You’re off your game, Drakos.

I attempted to put it down to a long day, but sitting in the passenger seat for two hours from my home in Augusta, Georgia to get to the Atlanta International Airport, should not have been taxing.

Not sleeping more than three hours a night for the last four weeks might have something to do with your problem.

In my twenties, that would have been a breeze; in my early forties, it was tougher. I grimaced as I headed through the doors to the USO, reaching for my wallet.

"Welcome, Lieutenant Colonel. I'm glad you made it."

I drew my wallet out slowly as I looked up at the smiling woman with just a little bit of suspicion.

"Excuse me, Miss, how did you know—"

"Your duffel bag." She pointed at my shoulder. "You've got your rank patch still attached to the side pocket."

I glanced down. She was right. The Velcro patch I'd forgotten to remove after my final out-processing at Fort Gordon.

Sloppy.

"It’s been ten weeks. Haven't quite made the transition to civilian yet." I handed over my military ID.

"Oh honey, that takes time." She scanned my card and handed it back. "I’m Blessing. I run the front desk here most days." Her dark eyes crinkled with warmth. "You look like you could use some coffee and a quiet corner."

"Coffee would be good."

"Tennessee, right?"

I paused halfway through putting my wallet back. "How—"

Then I looked down and saw my boarding pass sticking out of my jacket pocket. I pulled it out and shrugged ruefully. “I guess I’m giving away all my secrets this afternoon.”

“Not all of them. I hate to tell you, but the storm system’s sitting right over the Smokies. You could be here awhile.”

Fuck.

"You’ll have to let that big family of yours know that you’re going to be late.”

I did a double-take. “What makes you think I have a large family, ma’am?”

“I’ve had another Drakos come through here a time or two. He was in the Navy before he retired. I can see the family resemblance. He never mentioned having a Lt. Colonel as a brother, so I’m guessing you’re a cousin?”

“Uhh. Yeah. Jase is my cousin.”

“Small world, isn’t it?” Her smile would be terrifying if it weren’t so genuine. “We've got coffee, snacks, wifi, and recliners that actually work." She gestured toward the interior of the USO. "If you can give me just a moment, I’ll take you back to the library.”

“The library?”

“You’ll like it.”

She turned away from me back to the desk right before her phone rang.

What the hell? It was almost like she knew it was going to ring.

I listened to her give the USO hours and what kind of snacks they had available for children. When she finished the call, she turned back to me with another scary smile.

“Follow me.”

She walked very slowly, which didn’t match her brisk manner when I first walked into the space.

“You go by Code, not Codell, is that right?”

I nodded.

“Well, Code, just know the days of walking the tightrope between rules versus rights are done. From now on, the path of justice will be clear.”

I stopped short. She couldn’t know what I’d been involved in the last couple of years of my life. Not even Jase knew.

Suddenly she sped up. “Come along, Code, I have other customers coming,” she said briskly.

“What path are you talking about?” I asked.

“The next chapter of your life, of course.” She pointed at an open room.

“This is the family area.” The space was bigger than I expected.

Comfortable chairs, a few service members scattered around, on laptops or sleeping.

Subdued. Clean. A haven from the chaos of the main terminal.

I followed her in a daze. We walked down a longer hall, and got to a quiet room.

Five oversized leather chairs, two of them occupied.

One man had a service shepherd sitting next to him.

“Let me introduce y’all. This is Tyler Marconi, retired Army.” The man tilted his head. “He’s headed to Montana, and this is Seth Hansen who is going to South Dakota with Gomer, who he just adopted. Gomer recently retired.”

I nodded to Seth as well.

“Men, this is Lt. Colonel Codell Drakos, Army. He’s recently retired as well, aren’t you?” She looked back at me. I nodded.

“Is there anything I can get y’all?”

“Just point me to the coffee?” I asked.

“I’ll show you.” Tyler stood up.

“Thank you, Tyler.” Blessing beamed.

Tyler took me around the corner where I could grab a hot cup of black coffee. It was strong enough to strip paint. I followed him back to the library and dumped my backpack and settled down.

My phone buzzed. Jase.

Jase: I was checking flights out of Atlanta. Weather’s shit. Is your flight cancelled?

Me: Yep, flight cancelled. Might not fly out til tomorrow. I’ll let you know.

Jase: Perfect. Gives me time to hide Bonnie's good towels before you use them.

I almost smiled.

“You doing okay?” Tyler asked from the chair beside me. “I’m only asking because Blessing’s thrown both Seth and I for a loop.”

“She has?”

“Yeah, she’s either a really nice kook, or some kind of oracle.”

I took a sip of coffee. “Or a little bit of both.”

Seth looked up. “That might be the right answer.”

“I’m going to see if I can get some shut eye.”

“Good luck,” Tyler said seriously.

It was nice being around some of my own. They got it.