Page 88 of The Forever Christmas Tree

“Do you think you’ll ever come back here to live?”

“I can’t imagine that I will. What would I do here? It’s not like there’s a call for special forces talents. But it’s nothing I have to decide anytime soon. As I’ve mentioned before, I have another six months on my current contract before I have to decide whether to accept another extension.” Wendy didn’t add that she was surprisingly confused after this trip home, by her new association with Ethan. Where she’d been sure of her career plans a week ago, she was now thinking . . . well, enough of that for now.

The day had been so busy that she hadn’t had time to think about Ethan, not too much anyway, but when she went to bed that night, he was on her mind. She hoped Cassie was all right, and she planned to call tomorrow to make sure, and if possible ask the little girl how she liked the gifts her great-grandmother had brought home for her. She wouldn’t go over there, unless invited. She kind of hoped that she was.

But all that changed at 6:05 a.m. on the day after Christmas when Wendy’s beeper went off, and she heard similar ones going off throughout the house. It was the signal from the Coronado command center for SEALs and WEALS to get on their secure cell phone lines ASAP.

Bottom line: Liberty was canceled. They were ordered to report back to the base immediately because of a new terrorist threat in Afghanistan, no other details provided but it must be urgent to recall them en masse. Further highlighting the urgency, command had made arrangements for a helicopter to be available at eleven-hundred, on one of the Outer Banks emergency medical airfields, which would take them to the nearest military base for air transport back to California. That meant that they had to be “good to go” five hours from now, when they would be boots off the ground, but it would take at least two hours to get to the pickup zone.

Allowing an hour to pack and inform Aunt Mildred of her departure, that gave Wendy only a two-hour window of opportunity for a necessary task.

She would not leave Ethan again without warning.

It was only seven thirty when Wendy arrived at Ethan’s home. Thankfully, there were lights on in the kitchen. If her rental car didn’t announce her arrival, Harvey did with his wild barking. The door was opened by Eliza Rutledge, wearing an open robe over a pair of flannel PJs, before Wendy even stepped on the porch, and the dog bounded out to give her doggie kisses.

“Harvey! You bad dog. Get in here,” Mrs. Rutledge said. To Wendy, she gave a sudden look of concern. “Is something wrong? Has something happened to your aunt? All that dancing! I wouldn’t be surprised if she fell and broke a hip.”

Wendy had to smile at the old lady, who was as opinionated as she’d always been. “No, nothing like that. Sorry to barge in so early, but I just got notice that I have to return to base. Is Ethan here?”

“No. He went over to the tree farm—the one here in Bell Cove. They’re grinding up the unsold trees for mulch, and they like to get an early start.”

Wendy glanced at her watch. Seven forty-five.

“Come in and have some coffee, dear.”

“No, I better not.” If she hurried, she could go to the tree lot, talk to Ethan, and get back to the house with time to spare.

Just then, Cassie came limping in. Her hair was a wild sleep mess, but, other than that, she seemed okay. “Wendy!” she exclaimed with pleasure, then hesitated, as if unsure about whether she could come over and give her a welcome hug.

Wendy took that choice out of her hands and not only hugged the girl but kissed her soundly on the cheek, which was thankfully cool. No sign of the fever Mrs. Rutledge had mentioned yesterday. “I came by to wish you a Merry Christmas, sweetheart, since I didn’t get to see you yesterday.”

“I was sick and Nana left without me,” Cassie told Wendy, giving her great-grandmother a dirty look. Obviously, it was a sore point. “Thank you for my presents.”

“Did you like them?”

“I love them. The sweater fits perfect, and it looks nice with my jeans. We can have some tea now.” She glanced over to her grandmother. “Can’t we, Nana?”

Mrs. Rutledge raised her brows at Wendy.

“No, I can’t stay. I just came to say good-bye. I’m leaving for California this morning.”

“Do you have to go?”

“I do. My boss needs me for some important work.”

“I thought we might go to the pool again.” There were tears in Cassie’s eyes.

“Maybe next time I’m home, but you can practice with your dad in the meantime. And here, I’ve written my email address for you to write to me, if you want. Tell me what progress you’re making.” She handed her a slip of paper.

“My dad showed me a picture of you at the dance. You were wearing a pink gown, like a princess. Were you thinking about me when you wore that color because I told you that I like pink?”

The gown had actually been rose-colored, although Wendy supposed rose could be considered just another shade of pink. “Absolutely,” she lied.

“I’ll think about you when I wear the blue sweater, too,” Cassie promised.

Now Wendy was teary-eyed. When she was back in her car, she wiped her eyes with a tissue and had to blow her nose. Twice.

The Christmas Shoppe was empty when she got there, but she could hear a grinding noise behind the building. A high-school-age boy came in carrying a small chain saw. With one synthetic diamond earring and tattoos on his arms, Wendy assumed it was the kid that Cassie had a crush on, according to Ethan.