Cait shook her head. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to give you a chance to talk to Jack alone,” she explained.
“Gannon’s a man of few words.” Biederman grinned. “Unless he has a few whiskeys in him to loosen his tongue.”
Jack was shaking his head when he turned to explain what Biederman meant. “That was during R and R—and only during R and R. Marines, I’d like you to meet Cait Mulcahy.”
“Caitlin?” Miss Trudi called her.
“Oh, sorry, gentlemen,” she said. “It must be time to start slicing up the pie.”
“Lead the way,” Biederman said with a grin.
Dan Eagan was one of the first to come over and congratulate Jack, while PFC Weinstein finagled a third piece of pie out of Cait. Jack was still smiling when Biederman announced that they had a plane to catch.
“Thank you for coming,” he said, knowing the words couldn’t convey even half of what he was feeling at the moment.
“Thanks for saving our lives,” Biederman said.
Jack shook hands and waved as the three left with his father and Joe Mulcahy.
Was it really that simple? Jack wondered a few hours later, as he helped rearrange chairs and tables for tomorrow’s vow renewal. Maybe he could start to let go of the guilt over Napolitano’s death and acknowledge that he was an instrument of healing—not the one who decides who survives and who doesn’t.
“I’m proud of you, Jack.” Cait was dragging a garbage bag in each hand.
“Let me take that for you.”
She gave him one and kept the other as they made their way over to the dumpster behind the drugstore.
“I have a confession to make,” Jack said, walking back to the gazebo. “When I recognized those marines, I was ready to walk. I didn’t want to talk about it, especially in front of everyone.”
“I’m glad you stayed,” Cait told him. He pulled her into his arms and gazed into her eyes. “You’re one hell of a woman, Caitlin Mulcahy.”
“Took you long enough to realize that fact, Doc Gannon.”
He let his lips convince her how much he treasured her. When he could finally bring himself to break this kiss, he asked, “Do you have a date for Honey B. and Mitch’s shindig tomorrow?”
Her laughter was music to his ears. “I was hoping that you’d ask me.”
“It’s a date then,” he said, tugging on her hand to get her moving toward his Jeep. “Oh, and Cait?”
“What?”
“Try not to outdo Honey B. Remember it’s her day to shine.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, smacking him on the arm. “Let’s go. I’m beat.”
“Your wish is my command.”
“Really?” she said as he held the door open for her.
Unable to interpret the look she sent his way, he asked, “What did you have in mind?”
“I’d love a root beer float…but can wait.”
“That’s one thing that I love about you—your mind. I’m never sure what you’ll say next. Keeps me on my toes.”
“Then we’re even because there are times when I can’t figure you out, but chalk it up to what Meg told me is part of the male mystique.”
As they drove back to his house, he slowed down as they approached the McCormacks’ farm. “We have a lot in common, Cait.”
She looked at him and smiled. “The smell of fresh-turned dirt.”
He nodded. “We love animals.”
She laughed. “The rascally the better.”
Driving past the farm, he smiled at the image of McCormacks’ ship’s mast. “God, I love this town…and everyone in it.” He reached for her hand and then turned his palm up so he could feel the calluses that reminded him of who she was and what she did. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles.
“I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.” There was a short pause and then she said, “It is wonderful to see your parents again. I know you’ll miss them when they leave, but they’ll come back for visits.” She drew in a shaky breath and said, “When Gracie leaves…I don’t know if she’ll come back.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder and he put his arm around her, sliding his hand to her hip. “Grace has strong family ties,” he told her, “but you shouldn’t begrudge her the chance to spread her wings if Apple Grove isn’t what she wants.”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “But that leaves one more hole in my life. There have been so many lately.”
“You can always count on me, Cait.”
She sighed. “I do and I will. Thanks, Jack.”