Home for Justice (The Long Road Home #23)

Chapter 1

Tyler Marconi sprinted into the Atlanta International Airport, then grimaced at the line of people waiting to check their bags. His duffel was slung over his shoulder, and another bag was in his hand. His bootsteps were as heavy as his heart when he made it to the counter.

Silently handing his boarding pass and ID to the airline check-in agent, he tried to still the nerves coursing through his body. Finally, blowing out a long breath as she smiled up at him, she said, “I have you all checked in.”

Strangely, her smile remained in place as she said, “There’s been a delay with all flights going to the Midwest due to a weather system over Denver. It’ll be hours before your flight is ready to board. If you’d like to wait in the USO, you can go to the third floor until they call for your flight.”

He’d been through this airport enough times to know the location of the USO but had only used it once or twice. He would typically make his way through security, find his gate, and claim a chair to wait for his flight… usually with earphones and a good book.

“I have to get to Montana,” he said, his words measured. “It’s a family emergency.”

At that, her plastered-on, corporate smile fell. “I’m so sorry, but no flights are leaving at this time.” She held his gaze for a moment, and when he didn’t move, she looked to the side and said, “Next.”

Summarily dismissed, he stepped back and wondered what he should do. It wasn’t like him to be indecisive, but the circumstances were threatening to choke him. He shifted his load and went to the elevator. Once out on the third floor, he made his way to the entrance to the USO.

He stood outside the doors, not wanting to enter. To do so would admit that he was stuck and not boarding a plane to take him home. Or rather to the hospital to be with the man who awaited him there.

Sucking in a deep breath, he forged ahead. Entering, he stepped toward the counter, not surprised to see that a few service members were in front of him. With most flights on hold, the USO would be crowded, and sitting in a packed anywhere was not what he wanted to do.

Finally, he made it to the front of the line, and his gaze fell to the woman beaming up at him.

Her name badge, pinned neatly to her red jacket, read "Blessing." He didn’t know if that was her last name, first name, or just that she wished to bestow a blessing on everyone. Right now, he didn’t care.

And to make him even more of a grump, he didn’t care about her smile, either.

He scribbled his name onto the sign-in sheet and felt enough decency to stow his glower but hadn’t the energy or the inclination to smile.

“Hello, my name is Blessing. And you are Tyler Marconi. Army. Heading to…?”

“Montana,” he replied.

Her smile faltered as her gaze held his. He wanted to look away, but he felt strangely captured.

“Oh, it’s an important trip. I see.”

He had no idea what she saw, so he simply nodded. Swallowing deeply, he said, “Maybe I’ll just go to my gate so I’m ready when the flights can take off—”

“No, Tyler. You’ll be much more comfortable here.” Her smile now seemed to offer comfort rather than just a greeting.

Another woman in a red vest walked up, and Blessing turned to say, “If you’ll take care of signing the others in, I’ll take this gentleman back.”

Tyler was curious, but Blessing hastily stepped around the counter and waved for him to follow her. As they walked down a hall painted red, white, and blue, he spied the large shelving unit holding bags, duffels, suitcases, and even strollers.

“You can keep your bags with you. Where I’m taking you will have plenty of space.”

They passed another room with uniformed men and women spilling out of the seating area, families trying to wrangle young children, and a general hubbub of activity as people moved about.

The idea of getting to his gate seemed more and more like a better idea.

Just as he was about to speak up, she turned down a hall.

“Showers and toilets are there, and where we just came from is the food.”

The idea of eating didn’t sit well with him. He wasn’t sure he would be able to keep anything down. “Thank you, ma’am,” he said.

She stopped and turned to him, once again, staring deeply into his eyes even though she was much shorter than he was.

“Montana… home.”

His chin lowered as he wondered what she meant. “Ma’am?”

“Montana is where you are going, and it’s also home. But you’re uncertain if you’ll make it there in time.”

His blood froze in his veins. He had just completed most of his Army retirement out-processing formalities, planning to return to Montana to spend time with his grandfather, his only living relative, when he received a call.

His grandfather had suffered a heart attack, and the likelihood of his living much longer was in doubt.

He’d made the arrangements, thrown his belongings into his duffel, and hurried to the airport.

Now thwarted, he felt the press of anxiety and fear choking the air from his lungs.

But in no way could this woman have known any of that.

He’d only told his superior and the person handling his out-processing. His voice faltered. “Ma’am?”

She leaned forward and patted his arm. “You’ll make it. You’ll make it in time.”

“How do you know?” Even as the question left his lips, he wanted to pull the words back in. Asking was acknowledging that she might know something, which, of course, was impossible.

Her lips curved gently. “What you seek will be there waiting for you.”

The air rushed from his lungs, and his knees almost buckled. He managed to lock his legs in place to stay standing.

“Have you ever read Leo Buscaglia?”

His mouth opened, but no words came forth. Instead, he simply shook his head.

“He was an author, a motivational speaker, and a professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Southern California.”

Still having no response, he nodded.

“He was the first to speak about, write about, and promote humanity's need for hugs.” Blessing smiled up at him, her hand still resting gently on his arm. As small as she was compared to him, he could feel her fingers offering warmth through the touch.

“H-hugs, ma’am?” he stuttered, embarrassed that he was rattled.

“Leo said, ‘Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.’” She patted his arm again.

“I like to shorten it by saying not to underestimate the power of a touch, which has the potential to turn your life around.” She nodded as though particularly pleased with herself. “Oh yes… you’ll find what you seek.”

Before he could respond—if there was a response to offer—she turned and pointed at a door leading into a lounge. Plush leather sofas faced each other with a recliner against the wall. Another man was sitting there with a working dog at his feet.

“This room will be a much better place for you to wait,” Blessing said. She looked at the other man. “Seth, this is Tyler Marconi, retired Army. He’s waiting for his flight to Montana.”

Then, turning, she smiled. “I’ll let you know when your flight is ready to leave.” She disappeared, leaving Tyler staring after her, strangely comforted by her words.

He walked over as Seth stood, and they shook hands. The beautiful dog next to Seth was instantly on alert.

“It’s okay, bud,” Seth said.

Tyler inclined his head downward. “He’s wearing an MWD harness.”

Seth chuckled. “Yep. He’s going to South Dakota with me. He’s retired, too.”

Tyler smiled briefly and glanced at his phone as the two men sat.

“Montana home for you?” Seth asked.

“Yeah.” Tyler looked at the dog, feeling the tightness in his chest ease slightly. “Is it okay to pet him?”

“Sure. His name is Gomer,” Seth said.

Tyler stretched his hand out for Gomer to smell, which he did. Then he ran his fingers over the dog’s head. Gomer’s mouth opened, and his tongue lolled out. Tyler smiled. “He’s beautiful.” Tyler glanced at his phone and dropped it on his lap, still petting Gomer.

“Everything okay?”

Tyler glanced at Seth and then focused on Gomer, petting him as he spoke. "My gramps... the last of my family... he's in the hospital and they say he doesn't have long. I was in the middle of out-processing from Fort Moore when I got the call."

"Shit, dude. I'm sorry, man. They'll get the flights going soon. If we’re on the same flight, I’ll make sure you get a seat, even if I have to give up mine."

Tyler looked up, a mixture of surprise and gratitude on his face. "She said I'd make it.” He paused, then added, "Blessing. I didn't say anything to her, but she seemed to know and said I'd make it in time."

Seth nodded. “She seems to know a lot that no one tells her. Trust that feeling in your gut. I plan on it.”

Tyler’s phone rang, and he jumped up, his gut twisting. He walked out while answering the phone. Pacing, he talked to the nurse who had been his constant source of information. Finally, getting the assurance he needed, he walked back into the library.

“Everything okay?”

Tyler nodded and sat back down. “Still good. I have some time. Not much, but some.” His hand went to Gomer’s back, and he started petting the dog again. Gomer moved a bit closer and looked up at him as though he could sense the worry filling Tyler’s veins. Slowly, his heartbeat returned to normal.

Blessing walked in with her arm linked through that of another man. “Seth and Tyler, this is Codwell Drakos. He goes by Code and is a retired Army Colonel.”

Code made a face. “Lieutenant Colonel, and that is just a rank, not who I am.” He reached out a hand to both Seth and Tyler.

Code sat down and asked, “Where are you two heading?”

Tyler and Seth replied, but he was glad Seth conversed with Code, considering most thoughts other than Gramps had left Tyler’s mind.

Blessing came back into the room with the last two men.

“Gentlemen, may I introduce Dean Sinclair and Noah Ziegler?” She turned to the two men and continued, “This is Tyler Marconi, retired Army, heading to Montana. Seth Hanson, who is heading to South Dakota with his newly adopted and retired MWD Gomer. This is Code Drakos, who is heading to Tennessee. Now that you’re all acquainted, can I get you anything? ”

“No, thank you,” Tyler said, his voice tight. The others replied the same before she walked out.

Seth stood to take a break with Gomer, and Tyler knelt to rub his fur. “Thanks for the therapy, Gomer.” Looking up, he stood and reached out toward Seth. “If I’m gone when you get back, it was nice to meet you, Seth.”

“Same, man. And I hope you get there in time.”

Dean looked over. “That lady was dead-on when she guessed my call was from my mom. It was like she knew before I even checked my phone.”

Noah’s brows rose. “You know what’s really funny? She just dumped a whole bunch of personal shit on me that was dead-on too.”

“You talking about Blessing?” Tyler asked.

Dean nodded.

Tyler sighed. “Oh yeah, we’ve all had experiences with her.”

Popping her head back into the room, Blessing smiled. “Tyler, you might want to get your things ready. I was able to make a few changes to your itinerary. You should head to security in about thirty minutes.”

The air rushed from his lungs as he took to his feet. “You… you could make a change?”

“It takes you a different way, but you should still get there about the same time as you had intended.”

Tyler wasn’t sure, but was now more hopeful.

Whatever woo-woo Blessing had, she’d said he would get there in time.