Page 79 of Rangers Last Promise

Traitor.

Grant.

Afghanistan.

Mara lowers her gaze to the gauze in her hand.

I hate that one word can still steal him from us.

“He told us other things,” I say.

She looks at me again.

“Good things?”

“Mostly embarrassing things.”

“Of course.”

“He kept a picture of you inside his helmet.”

Her hand stills against my side.

“What?”

“You were wearing a blue dress. Your hair was in some kind of braid, and you were missing one front tooth.”

Her eyes widen.

“I was seven in that picture.”

“He said it reminded him why he had to come home.”

The tavern goes quiet.

Mara looks down.

I see her swallow.

“He didn't.”

“He did.”

“I thought Mom lost that picture.”

“No. Grant had it.”

Her eyes shine.

I regret telling her only because I hate being the reason she hurts.

Then she smiles.

Small.

Sad.

Beautiful.