Page 53 of The Marine's Homecoming

I just wish my father could see me now.

30

HANNAH

The Mariahhas never looked this good. Gary helped me string lights along the upper deck and Tank brought enough food to feed a small army, which is appropriate because between the town council, my parents, Luke's friends, and a handful of people who just sort of showed up when they heard there was a party on a boat, we've got close to forty people on board.

The warm July sun bakes my shoulders as I stand at the bow with a glass of sparkling water in my hand, watching the coastline drift by while Gary steers us south along the bluffs. The calm water letsThe Mariahglide across its surface as I turn toward my family seated at the table on the party deck.

Mom waves me over with a bright smile. She sits beside Dad, who nurses a bottle of beer and chats with Mayor Grant. Luke stands a few feet away talking with Rico and Colonel Harlan, but his eyes keep finding mine. Every time they do, my stomach flips in the best way. This afternoon feels like the perfect celebration after everything we've been through.

I walk over and slide into the seat next to Mom. She immediately reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “This is wonderful, sweetheart. I can't believe you pulled all this together so quickly after the festival.”

“It felt like the right thing to do,” I say. “Everyone worked so hard, and I felt like we needed one more moment to enjoy what we accomplished.”

Evelyn leans forward, her eyes sparkling. “Have you seen the article yet? The national write-up came out this morning. Bandon made the list of the top one hundred growing small towns in America. They mentioned the festival specifically and how it brought everyone together.”

Dad chuckles and sets his beer down. “Yeah, I read it. They even quoted the part about honoring our first responders and veterans. Luke’s name came up too—said something about local heroes stepping up.”

I glance toward Luke again. He catches my look and gives me that half smile that still makes my knees feel weak. The town’s perception of him has shifted so much in the past few weeks. People who once crossed the street to avoid him now stop to shake his hand. The arrest of Calvin Dorsey changed everything. People finally see Luke as the man who protected us instead of the boy from the past they remembered.

It's a pleasant side effect of the hard work we put in, though it wasn't the point. This whole journey changed my view of him, but I never thought it would ease his transition back into normal life, which he says has been difficult on him. I rest my hand on my knee and feel my whole body tense.

It's obvious to my family that something is going on between me and Luke, though I've been lucky enough to be so busy with festival cleanup that I could avoid Mom's calls. Dad, however, seems to have his radar locked and his cannon's loaded. There's no way I'm finishing this party without some official announcement about why I'm so cozy with Luke all of a sudden.

Tank appears with a platter of grilled shrimp and sets it in the middle of the table. “Eat up, folks. There's plenty more where that came from.” He claps Luke on the shoulder as he passes. “Your boy here knows how to throw a party on the water.”

Luke laughs and steps closer to our group. “Hannah planned it. I just showed up to the boat.”

I reach for his hand and lace our fingers together right there in front of everyone, and he doesn't pull away. Instead, he squeezes mine and stands beside my chair comfortably, making my heart swell at the open gesture. We've kept things quiet long enough. Today feels like the day to stop hiding.

Gary cuts the engine back a little soThe Mariahdrifts gently. The bluffs rise beside us in soft green and brown layers. A few seals pop their heads up near the rocks and draw cheers from the guests. I watch the water sparkle under the sun and feel a deep sense of peace settle over me. This is my town. These are my people. And everything finally feels aligned.

Rico raises his glass toward me. “To Hannah Brooks, the woman who brought this town back to life.”

Everyone lifts their drinks and echoes the toast. I feel my cheeks warm but I smile and say, “Thank you all for coming. I couldn't have done any of this without every single one of you.”

Dinner is served by my staff, and Luke stays close the whole time. He sits next to me, which also draws a few eyes, especially my father's, but no one asks or pries. And when the plates get cleared, he leans down and speaks softly near my ear. “You should tell them about the baby.”

My pulse jumps. I look up at him and search his face. “Now?” He can't be serious. I know my belly is swelling now. I have to use oversized baggy clothing to hide it, but it’s working for now. I just assumed he'd want to do this privately, in my parents' house, not on a boat in front of the town council, the mayor, and his former military friends.

But my God, when he smiles, I think I'd do just about anything he asked me. "They're our people, Hannah. They should know.”

He's so close, and I'm so connected to him now that even if everyone in this town still rejected the idea that I could be with the man they all blame for Nick's death, I'd never care. Luke and I haven't had a conventional relationship so far. We haven't been on a single real date—unless you call this a date. And we haven't even told each other how we truly feel yet. But the baby will come, and my family will eventually learn.

So I take a deep breath and stand up. My hands shake a little but I feel ready. Mom watches me with curiosity as I clear my throat. “Everyone, can I have your attention for a moment?”

The deck grows quiet except for the soft lap of water against the hull. All eyes turn toward me as Luke moves to stand beside me and slips his arm around my waist. The simple public touch bolsters my courage.

“I have some news that Luke and I wanted to share with all of you today.” I pause and feel my voice tremor with emotion. “We're expecting a baby.”

For half a second, the boat stays silent. Then Mom lets out a squeal of pure joy and jumps up from her chair. She rushes over and pulls me into a tight hug that nearly knocks the air out of me.

“I knew it,” she says through happy tears. “I just knew it. You've been happier these past few weeks than I've seen you in years. Oh, sweetheart, I am so thrilled for you both.”

Then she lets me go and hugs Luke, kissing his cheek warmly. "It's like I have my Nicky back again, Luke." Her eyes are full of tears when she pulls back smiling. "I'm so glad you're home."

It's far more than the cold reaction I expected, and it brings tears to my eyes too.