Rafe had talked so much about it that she couldn't wait to see it, the family's farm and his father's crop duster. They walked the land while Rafe told her about his boyhood exploits and how he'd broken his leg on the backhoe. A story Danny had told her the night at the Black Cat Cafe when they thought Rafe was dead. That all seemed a lifetime ago now and being with Rafe in the place where he grew up, the war seemed so far away.
But she knew the reason they were there and it wasn't a vacation. Despite the fact they would have some time alone when they were in New York, Rafe would be there for military reasons. And that was a sobering reminder that once they returned to Pearl, he would be flying missions again.
For the moment though, she felt secure with his arm around her. He carried Danny in his other arm as they stopped to watch the sun begin to set. "I can see why you love this place so much." She said quietly.
"It's where I want to come back to when the war is over."
She felt his arm tighten around her waist and she put her head on his shoulder. "That would be all right with me. It's so peaceful here."
He kissed the top of her head. "Let's go inside." And they started the walk back to the house.
When they reached the front porch Rafe's mother was there waiting for them, smiling. "Your father was about to send a search party out for you three."
Rafe grinned at the gentle admonishment. "I'm sorry Mama. I was just showin' Evelyn and Danny all the places I used to get into trouble."
She laughed at her son's statement and looked at Evelyn. "That's what his father used to call him, Trouble."
"That's what I thought my name was until I was ten."
His mother laughed again, a soft sound that Evelyn liked already. She took Danny from Rafe, "If you two want to sit out here for a while longer, I've got a bottle ready for my grandson." And she took Danny into the house.
Rafe and Evelyn sat down on the swing and started to gently sway. "Have I told you yet how much I like your parents?"
"They like you too. I think Daddy's still tryin' to figure out what you see in me."
"You got that right, son." And they heard a laugh from the lengthening shadows as Rafe's father appeared on the porch. "My boy here always was a smooth talker. Could usually talk his way out of trouble with his mother."
Evelyn laughed at that. "It usually works with me too."
When she and Rafe had arrived the previous day, the first thing she'd noticed about his parents was that they laughed a lot. They always seemed to be smiling and it didn't take Evelyn long to realize it was because they were happy and content with their lives. She hoped she and Rafe would be like them someday.
They had also made her feel very welcome and took immediately to their grandson. In fact, Rafe's mother had taken it upon herself to watch after Danny so Evelyn and her son could spend time together. Sarah McCawley had seen her own young husband off to war and remembered how it felt to be separated.
Thomas McCawley stood on the porch looking much as Rafe remembered from childhood, with the exception of some gray at his temples. "I was beginnin' to wonder where you'd disappeared to."
Rafe grinned at his father. "How far could we go?"
"As I recall, you managed to go quite a distance as a kid and scare the life out of your mother." Thomas remembered.
Evelyn looked at her husband in undisguised amusement. "So that's where our son gets that from."
Before Rafe could respond, his father did. "Boy, I think you got yourself a keeper."
That made Evelyn smile.
The screen door squeaked as Sarah came out of the house with a sleeping Danny in her arms. "This little baby is an angel. He took his bottle and went right to sleep." Danny's parents looked at each other and smiled as each shook their heads. Sarah didn't miss the exchange and laughed. "Believe me, I remember. Rafe was always quieter with my mother too. Supper is just about ready, so go wash up and take your son up to bed." And she handed Danny to Rafe.
"Yes, ma'am." And he kissed his mother on the cheek.
"Rafe McCawley, you haven't changed." Sarah told her only child and swatted him on the arm.
"Thank you, ma'am." He laughed as his father opened the screen door and ushered everyone into the house.
His parents headed out to the kitchen and Rafe and Evelyn took Danny upstairs. His mother had set up a crib at the foot of their bed and Evelyn put Danny down, covered him with a blanket and stood and watched her sleeping son. Rafe came up behind her and put his arms around her. "What are you thinkin' about?"
"I'm thinking how much I would love to stay here and forget there's a war going on."
"Me too, honey. But it won't be over until we do somethin' about the Nazis and the Japs."
She sighed. "I know that. But every time you go out on a mission, I have to prepare myself for the fact you may not come home."
He pulled her back against him. "I wish there was somethin' I could say to help you. I can only promise you that I'll be as careful as I can."
She turned around in his embrace and put her arms around his neck. "That's all I can ask." And they held each other until there was a knock at their door.
"Supper's ready." Was all his mother said. He gave Evelyn a quick kiss before he let her go and they went back downstairs to eat.
__________________________
As he had told Danny he would, Rafe took flowers to his parent's graves.
Evelyn knew it wasn't something he really wanted to do, mostly because he never really knew Danny's mother and never liked his father. But she knew how much Danny meant to him and he had made a promise.
They stood together holding hands looking at the graves of two people who'd brought someone into the world they both cared about. Between the two of them, they'd cleared out the weeds and brush and Sarah had gathered the flowers she had out of her garden and given them to Rafe and Evelyn.
Sarah had always had a soft spot for Danny and was sorry he had not been able to come home with Rafe. When he'd told her what Danny wanted, she asked him to let her pick the flowers.
"Your mother found some nice flowers. I think Danny would be happy."
"It's more than his old man deserves, that's for sure."
"Rafe." Was all she said.
"You weren't here; you don't know what Danny went through." He said angrily.
"You're right, I don't. But Danny doesn't hold a grudge against his father, why should you?"
"Evelyn, you don't know how many times Danny came to our place because his daddy had kicked him out for not finishin' a mile long list of chores. Or beatin' him because his grades weren't high enough. He was the smartest kid in class and he was always helpin' me because I had trouble with letters. I tried to tell his daddy that, but all he did was tell Danny I was stupid and he was wastin' his time. That made Danny so mad it made him want to help me even more, if only to prove that bastard wrong."
"Rafe, his father is dead. Let him rest in peace."
"I hope that son of a bitch burns in hell for what he put Danny through."
Evelyn sighed, but said nothing. Danny's father was a sore subject and she knew the more she tried to reason with Rafe the angrier he would get so she squeezed his hand instead. "If you're ready let's walk back."
They walked away from the graves, but not before Rafe took one last look back. "Danny always wished he'd remembered his mother."
"At least he had you and your parents. And he did come to live with you after his father died."
"I never saw anyone look so lost and so relieved at the same time. He didn't sleep a whole night for week's 'cause he was afraid his daddy was goin' to come after him. Even though he knew he was dead."
"He really was lucky to have you and so am I."
"I'm the lucky one." He told her and they headed back to the house.
___________________________
That afternoon Rafe was back in uniform. Their bags were packed and Evelyn was having trouble saying goodbye to the baby. She tried not to cry as Sarah held Danny and reassured her he would be fine with them. "The first time away from your baby is the hardest, but he'll be fine."
Evelyn didn't want her to misunderstand. "I don't mind leaving him with you, believe me. But it is the first time I've left him with anyone."
"We'll take good care of him honey. You two just have a nice time."
"We will."
Thomas came in from the kitchen. "Sarah, we've got to get these two on their way or they'll miss their flight."
"Thanks for everything Daddy. As soon as I finish with my business, I'll let you know when we'll be comin' back." And they hugged.
"Evelyn, it was nice to finally meet you." And he hugged her.
"I was glad to finally meet you too, Rafe's talked so much about you." She kissed Danny. "Now you be good for your grandparents young man and we'll see you soon." And she kissed him again.
Rafe took one of the baby's hands in his own and looked into the eyes that were so much like his own. "You be good son. Mama and I will be back as soon as possible."
Sarah smiled at her own son. "Get a move on you two. You can't be late."
"Thanks for everything Mama. I've missed you." And he kissed her cheek.
"I've missed you too son. We'll talk more when you get back."
Thomas and Rafe picked up the bags and headed outside. Evelyn stopped long enough to smile at Sarah. "Thank you."
"We're happy to do this for you."
"I didn't mean that. I meant thank you for having Rafe." And she followed her husband out the front door leaving Sarah holding her grandson and smiling.
"She really is a keeper." And she took Danny into the kitchen for his afternoon bottle.