Page 7 of The Long Way Found

Jack stepped inside, and his eyes fell on Luke across the room.

For a second, as their eyes locked, everything else disappeared, and Luke felt a physical pull toward Jack. Was he swooning? How could that be?

Then Mr. Ellis was there, shaking Jack’s hand, and Julio introduced himself. Mara emerged with a dish towel over her shoulder, wearing the smile she always wore when evaluating someone.

"Jack," she said, extending her hand and not even trying to be discreet as she looked him up and down. "It's been... forever."

"You look good," Jack replied.

"You're sweet," Mara said, clenching her teeth. "But I look like I've had two kids and work at a café." She gestured toward the kitchen. "Come on, let me get you a drink. We've got wine, beer, water, soda..."

"Water's fine."

Mara caught Luke's eye over Jack's shoulder and arched an eyebrow in a silent question: You okay?

Luke nodded. I'm fine.

Dinner was roast chicken, brown rice, green beans, and a salad with Mara's green goddess dressing, Luke's favorite. They sat around the big table—Patty and Mr. Ellis at the ends, Mara and Julio across from each other, Luke and Jack across from each other, and the kids in between the grown-ups.

Luke found himself stealing glances at Jack even when others were speaking.

He could swear Jack kept glancing at him, too.

Was this nervous curiosity between them, or something more?

Throughout dinner, the conversation flowed easily. Jack told them about his job at the university, the places he'd been stationed, and his recent retirement. Patty asked about his parents, and Mr. Ellis asked about his plans.

"Do you plan to settle here?" Mr. Ellis asked.

"I have a few months to decide," Jack said. "After that... we'll see."

Luke clenched his jaw, but so quickly that he was sure no one noticed.

“So, you’re just here temporarily again?” Luke said, silently adding, Why come back at all then?

“For now,” Jack said. “I don’t know.”

“‘We’ll see,’” Luke said, nodding. “Right.”

Nita, apparently bored with adult conversation, asked Jack, “Can I touch your hair?”

Jack smiled, lowering his head. The child walked over and ran her hand over it once, quickly, as if she were afraid of it.

“Scratchy,” she pronounced.

Marco came over to confirm, rubbing Jack's head as well. "Did you fight bad guys?" he asked.

"Mijo," Mara started.

"It's okay," Jack said, looking at him earnestly. "Sometimes."

"Were you scared?"

"All the time."

"Then why did you do it?"

Jack paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. "I served because I wanted to protect the people and the country I love.”