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He nodded slowly. “I’ve seen some things. I might have spent eight years working on vehicles, but I was close to the action in Afghanistan.”
“I can’t imagine what that was like. Where’d you get the courage to go?”
“Go where?”
“To enlist, knowing there was a war going on. Several. You had no way of being sure you’d come back.”
“It’s important to serve.”
She smiled, and the whole world lit up again. “Just like that? You went because it was the right thing to do?”
He didn’t understand her question but answered, “Yes.”
“Wow.”
“That’s not wow-worthy.”
She laughed. “It kind of is, but I’ll let it go. Are you glad to be home?”
“I am. I’m ready for the next part of my life.” He hesitated, then decided to confide in her. “I’m thinking of buying a house.”
“Good for you.”
“The down payment will eat into my savings, but I want to be settled. Right now I rent an apartment over my sister’s garage. I like being close to Adien and her family, but I think it’s time for a little separation.”
“Is she your only sibling?”
“No. I’m one of five. I’m the middle kid, but the oldest boy. My two older sisters are still in town, but my younger sister and brother both wanted to see the world. My folks are still here. My mom has four grandchildren and one on the way, and she’s still complaining she wants more.”
“You’re feeling pressure?”
He grinned. “Every now and then I have to deal with her tears as she tries to guilt me into fathering a few grandbabies.”
“So far you’ve resisted?”
“I think I want to get married first. I’m traditional that way.”
“Me, too.”
They looked at each other, then smiled.
“Want to take a walk?” he asked. “I can show you around The Wreath. It should stay quiet. The 5K ends at String of Lights Park, where there’s a whole barbecue set up for the participants and families. People won’t make their way back into The Wreath for a couple more hours.” He winked. “I can give you all kinds of insider information.”
“I’d like that.”
They tossed their trash and put their soda cans into the recycling bin. Lawson pointed to the first store on their left.
“Navidad Mexican Café. Everything’s good. Seriously, their combo platters are the best, and my sisters and mom swear the margaritas are delicious.”
Shaye grinned up at him. “You’re not a margarita kind of guy?”
“Not my thing. Okay, next is Holiday Spirits. That’s a bar. And they mean what the name says. Spirits.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Hard liquor. No beer or wine. Howard, the owner, is very fussy about that. And while there’s a food menu, he doesn’t like when people order from it.”
Shaye laughed. “Then, why does he offer it?”
