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Mac watched as Dad dolloped savory stew into four bowls.
As he passed his wife, Hank grinned and planted a kiss on Inez’s cheek and she
playfully swatted at him. Watching them together, Mac realized his parents had
the kind of marriage he’d always wanted. Helping each other, loving and
considerate. Putting each other first.
    But Mac hadn’t put Toni first. At
the age of twenty-eight, he’d thought Toni was the right girl for him, but
their relationship hadn’t worked out. A year earlier, he’d been unwilling to
compromise. Too caught up in the excitement of war and special operations that
took him far from home.
    Since their breakup, Mac’s
priorities had changed. He wasn’t sure what he wanted anymore and needed time
to sort it all out.
    Toni brought him a bowl of stew. As
he accepted it, his fingers brushed against hers and she stepped back fast.
    He couldn’t blame her. She didn’t
want him anymore. Not after he’d pushed her away.
    “Mac, will you bless the food?” Dad
asked as he took his seat at the table.
    Mac tensed, unable to comply with
his father’s request. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t
come. A heavy foreboding settled over him, clogging his throat. He couldn’t
pray to God anymore. Not after He’d abandoned Mac and his men during their
darkest hour.
    Moments ticked by and he glanced at
Toni, conscious of her watching him quietly, her blue eyes filled with surprise
and disappointment. He looked away, glad she couldn’t see inside his anguished
heart. She’d find nothing there but black, ugly anger.
     
    Chapter Five
     
    “I’ll say the blessing.” Inez
folded her hands and bowed her head. In a firm voice, she thanked the Lord for
their bounty and for saving Mac and Toni’s life.
    Afterward, they began to eat, but
Mac had little appetite. Mom spread creamed butter and jam on two biscuits and
poured a cool glass of water for him. Toni’s gaze followed every movement of
his mother doting on him and he squirmed with embarrassment.
    “I can do it myself, Mom,” he told
Inez.
    His mother leaned over and gave him
a gentle hug. “You know I love waiting on you, son. Besides, the doctor said
you need to rest your leg. You overdid today.”
    “Here, take one.” Dad tossed Mac
his bottle of prescription pain killers. “And don’t tell me you don’t need it.
I can see the way that leg’s bothering you. Doc said you’d heal better without
pain.”
    Mac gave in to wisdom and accepted
the pills. He popped one into his mouth and swallowed it with a gulp of water.
    Something about the out-of-doors
made a person ravenous and everyone but Mac wolfed down their food. He forced
himself to eat enough so the pain pill wouldn’t upset his stomach.
    Inez smiled at Toni. “It’s so good
to see you again. We’ve missed having all you young people around to liven up
the place.”
    “I’ve missed you, too.”
    “Is this a social call, or did you
have a special purpose for your visit?” Dad asked.
    “Hank, don’t be rude,” Inez
scolded. “It’s none of our business.”
    “It’s okay,” Toni responded. “I do
have a special reason for coming. I need to speak with Mac.”
    Her gaze rested on him. He looked
away, longing to confide in her and free his heart from this heavy load
weighing him down.
    Inez tossed an uncertain look in
Hank’s direction. “After supper, we’ll give you two sometime alone.”
    “Thank you,” Toni said.
    “How’s your grandmother feeling
after her last stroke?” Inez asked.
    Toni glanced at Mac, her cheeks
flushed, her eyes wary. “She’s doing as well as can be expected, but she needs
a lot of rest.”
    “You give her my love, won’t you?
Eric’s death can’t be easy on your sister, either. Our prayers are with you and
your family.”
    “Thanks, I’ll tell them.” Toni
reached out and squeezed Inez’s hand.
    Mac watched his mother with mixed
emotions. Dear Mom. If anyone knew the pain of losing a child, she did.