Chapter 1
Chapter One
PATIENCE
Blood rushed to my ears as the stranger’s words sank in.
“My name is Gunnery Sergeant Rick Hughes, and I am here on behalf of the United States Marine Corps. I regret to inform you that your brother, Corporal Jett Adams, has been listed as Missing in Action. We are doing everything in our power to locate him, and we will keep you informed with any updates during this difficult time.”
Unable to remain upright, I crashed to my knees as a gut-wrenching cry bubbled up my throat and broke free. “H-He c-can’t be missing. He’s my best f-friend, and I-I thought…”
I’d felt like this five years ago—fear, anguish, and despair crushing me almost beyond repair. But this time Jett wasn’t there with his beautiful blue eyes, tender smile, and soothing voice to make everything better.
More words were exchanged between the man and Ruby, but I couldn’t comprehend anything else as the sound of my sobs echoed in my head. It was my sweet boy's words that penetrated through the haze, sending a soul-crushing realization straight to my heart.
“Mommy, what happened to Daddy?”
A gasp slipped past the lump in my throat, but no words formed through the sobs still possessing my body. I wrapped my arms around my son and pulled him into my embrace. Of course he would see Jett as a father figure. He’d always been in his life.
In fact, he’d been there the exact minute Griffin Lewis came into the world.
The past flashed before my eyes as I was transported back in time to the day a boy I didn’t even know became everything I needed.
“You got this, Patience. You’re so strong, and you’re doing amazing.” Jett’s hand brushed the sweaty strands of hair away from my face. “That’s good, you’re almost there.”
I screamed, the pain too much to bear. “I can’t do it! Not alone!”
With one hand holding mine, while his other still tenderly lay against my head, he leaned down close to my ear and whispered, “I promise you’re not alone. You never will be. I swear I’ll always be here for you and your son.”
How could an eighteen-year-old promise something like that to a stranger? I didn’t have a clue, but I grabbed onto that promise like a lifeline and filed his words away in my heart.
Then, I brought my son into the world.
With Jett standing right by my side.
Six months after that, he and his family had taken me into their home, and I’d been with them ever since.
Someone knelt beside me, pulling me back to the present. River’s soft voice floated to my ears as she rubbed slow circles on my back. “Nobody will give up looking for him. You know that.”
My cries strengthened and tears steamrolled down my cheeks.
“I c-can’t l-lose him.”
Rough, weathered hands cupped my cheeks.
Even with the wear and tear of age, along with hard work, Gramps’s palms felt heavenly, sending a healing sensation straight to my shattered soul.
He was squatting down in front of me—the man still limber for his age—staring into my eyes. “Sweetheart, that boy of mine is going to do everything he can to get home to you and Griffin.”
My brows scrunched in confusion. “Y-You m-mean everyone?” I hiccupped through the tears still clogging my throat.
Dropping one hand from my face, he gave me a small smile. “Sure, he will be happy to get back to us all, but right now I’m talking about you and this youngster right here.” He tapped Griffin’s nose softly. “You two are his happy place, his own family unit, and your story doesn’t end here.”
Please make what he is saying true.
“Hear that, Mom?” My son turned into my embrace. “Daddy is going to come home.”
What was I supposed to say to that? I couldn’t crush my baby boy and tell him that the person he looked up to the most—maybe even more than me—might be gone forever.
“I heard, Champ.” Calling him the nickname that Jett always used for him had him beaming brighter than a hundred-watt light bulb.
At least I managed to pull it together for a second to make my little man happy.
The hand that still held my cheek dropped. “How about you help an old man up off this floor and get me settled back in my chair?”
Nodding, I stood. I grasped Gramps's hand, while Griffin took his other, and we pulled him up from the floor.
My gaze roamed the room. River was standing next to Huntley—not sure when she’d left my side—her eyes meeting mine as she gave me a tender smile. It dawned on me that everyone was gathered for their wedding reception, and it was supposed to be their happy time.
I felt my gut clench at the turn of events.
Everyone else was talking amongst themselves, and my eyes landed on Ruby, who still stood by the door in her husband's arms. When her gaze met mine over his shoulder, I saw the anguish written all over her beautiful face.
Gramps pulled a bit on my hand, so I broke eye contact and moved to get him back to his chair. Once he was seated, he gave a gentle tug, pulling me down toward him.
“Don’t give up on our boy,” Gramps whispered.
Jett wasn’t a boy any longer; I noticed that every time he’d come home. Valleys of muscles, tanned skin, an air of authority, and a body to die for. But he still had the most magical voice; his singing could still melt my heart, and his kindness spoke to my soul.
Young, old, pale, tan, skinny, or muscled, Jett had been and would always be the only person for me.
“I never got to truly tell him,” I said softly.
Without elaborating, the wise old man seemed to know exactly what I was saying.
“Deep down, he knew.” He gave my hand a slight squeeze. “And you’ll get your time.”
I wasn’t sure how he knew that.
When Gramps released my hand, I felt a bit lost. I wasn’t sure what to do, or how to carry on, and yet I needed to put on a brave face for my son. However, it looked like he had his own cheerleading squad.
Turning, I saw that Embry and the other kids had rallied around Griffin.
“My daddy and the uncles can find him!” All the kids were nodding at Embry’s exclamation. “They can find anyone.”
Autumn looked at everyone. “My brother is very strong. He can get away.” The kids agreed in some way or another, whether with words or more head bobbing.
Stormi chimed in. “And my daddy can put the bad guys in jail.” More nodding continued. I was afraid they might begin to rattle their brains.
Beyond the kids, I didn’t notice the adults talking any longer. They seemed to all be tuned into what the children were saying.
Little Noelle, at almost six, was still a quiet thing, but the pride in her voice as she looked at Stormi and added her two cents was touching. “My daddy is a lawyer so he can help your daddy take them to court and put them in jail.”
There were some quiet chuckles as each of the kids kept adding more and more about their fathers. I looked around at my family and friends to see all the dads with love in their eyes.
A comforting arm wrapped around my shoulders, and I turned to find Ruby. I grabbed hold and hugged her close.
“We’ll get through this together. Somehow, we will bring him home,” she said softly.
I glanced toward the group of kids, their endless chatter and encouraging words easing something inside me just a fraction.
These children believed that Jett would be found, just like they believed in Santa Claus. And I realized that Gramps was right and that the amazing kids around me were showing me something very important.
Have faith.
Jett had never once given up on me. And I wasn’t giving up on him. I had to believe and be there for him—even if he wasn’t in our presence.
He was in my heart.
All our hearts.