Evelyn clutched the piece of worn paper tightly in her hand, her lips curving up in a small smile as she read the carefully written message inside.
Dear Evelyn,
The weather here is frigid- the type of cold that chills your bones. Making friends is hard. Yesterday I had beer with two pilots. Today, their planes were shot down and they both died. The only place I find sanctuary is here, writing to you. I miss you so much and long for the day when I will see you once again.
Love,
Danny
The words brought hot tears to her eyes and she blinked them back furiously. She had promised herself that she would be strong for him. But God, she missed him so much. She yearned for him to take her into his arms once again and kiss her.
Outside, she could hear the gentle whirring of a car motor in the driveway. She pushed herself off the couch and stumbled to the door, tripping over several magazines that the girls had left lying around. She pulled the door open, blinking as the bright sunlight blinded her.
A broad grin emerged on her face as she recognized Rafe's sturdy figure in the driveway. She opened her mouth to invite him in, but his expression stopped her. His face was taut with pain and she could see the tears shimmering in his chocolate brown eyes. What was going on? Behind him, a military car stood, imposing.
She felt her knees give out under her as she realized what had happened. She heard a hoarse, inhuman cry and then realized it was her own. She covered her mouth with a trembling hand.
Rafe was at her side in a moment. His arms encircled her and she sagged into his broad shoulders. Hot tears flowed freely down her cheeks as a solitary thought ran through her mind. He is gone.