CR!93BHZ3MAHS4NVAVVWQG1QCZMZ0ZB Read online

  CR!93BHZ3MAHS4NVAVVWQG1QCZMZ0ZB

  Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

  Back in the

  Soldier’s Arms

  Soraya Lane

  AND

  Here Comes

  the Groom

  Karina Bliss

  www.millsandboon.co.uk

  Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

  Back in the

  Soldier’s Arms

  Soraya Lane

  Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

  Dear Reader,

  Infidelity is such a delicate subject, so I was naturally concerned about embarking upon a book about a marriage in jeopardy as a result of it. But at the same time I also wanted to explore the concept of forgiveness, and whether one person’s love for another means that they can ever truly forgive, even following heartache.

  I was also interested in the many women and men around the world forced to spend long stretches of time apart. Soldiers in particular are regularly posted for considerable periods of time overseas, prepared to serve their country above all else, and often sacrificing their personal relationships to do so. Now many women fill these roles within the armed forces too.

  The question I posed to my characters was whether their relationship could ever be repaired if one partner was unfaithful. Could they fall in love again, learn to forgive and forget, and still have a solid, committed relationship for the rest of their lives?

  I would like to think that we are all capable of true forgiveness, but in the case of Daniel and Penny Cartwright their love was tested in every way possible. After ten years totio„gether, but with so much of that time spent apart, they had to decide whether they should salvage their relationship or walk away for ever.

  I hope you enjoy reading Penny and Daniel’s story—don’t forget you can visit me online at www.sorayalane.com.

  Soraya

  Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

  CR!93BHZ3MAHS4NVAVVWQG1QCZMZ0ZB

  About the Author

  Writing romance for Mills & Boon is truly a dream come true for SORAYA LANE. An avid book-reader and writer since her childhood, Soraya describes becoming a published author as “the best job in the world”, and hopes to be writing heart-warming, emotional romances for many years to come.

  Soraya lives with her own real-life hero on a small farm in New Zealand, surrounded by animals and with an office overlooking a field where their horses graze.

  Visit Soraya at www.sorayalane.com

  Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

  For my mother, Maureen. There is no possible way

  I could have written this book without your help.

  Thank you so much for all the hours and days you

  spend helping me with Mackenzie—you are always

  appreciated and very much loved by us both.

  Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

  CR!93BHZ3MAHS4NVAVVWQG1QCZMZ0ZB

  CHAPTER ONE

  “MOMMY!”

  The high-pitched squeal echoed through the overcrowded airport arrivals lounge.

  Penny Cartwright dropped her bag to the floor, not caring where it fell. She could have been flying, her feet moving so fast across the ground it was as if she had wings.

  “Gabby!” she cried back. “Gabby!”

  Her little girl ducked beneath a barrier, brown curls bouncing, the smile on her face so wide it almost broke Penny’s heart.

  “Mommy!assOIQA">&†” The scream was louder now.

  Penny forgot everything else. The sounds of too many people talking, flights being announced over the speaker—everything. She dropped to her knees, skidded on the floor as her daughter flew into her arms. Her hands gripped Gabby so tight she thought she might have crushed her.

  “Mommy, Mommy!”

  Penny inhaled the scent of her, closed her eyes as tears fell onto Gabby’s soft hair. “I’m here, baby. I’m home.”

  Her daughter wriggled. “You’re hurting me.”

  Penny slackened her grip, laughing as tears started to roll down her cheeks, curling down to her mouth. She didn’t try to stop them. After all these months, these were happy tears. The kind she didn’t mind shedding. The kind she’d been looking forward to shedding.

  “You know what?”

  Gabby gazed up at her. “What?”

  Big brown eyes looked into Penny’s, open and trusting.

  Loving.

  “You’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

  Gabby giggled. “Didn’t you have a photo of me at work?”

  Penny sighed. She’d always called it work to her daughter, wanting what she did to sound normal. Not wanting her to know how dangerous it was to have her mother serving overseas.

  “I went to sleep each night with your photo beside me.” Penny had to look away then. Away from the almost-shy expression on her daughter’s face. Away from the innocent way Gabby gazed up at her, not knowing that her mother was lucky to be coming home when so many of her fellow soldiers hadn’t been so fortunate. “There wasn’t a day I didn’t think about you, honey. I am so glad to be home.”

  Gabby wrapped her arms tight around her again. “Me, too.”

  Seeing the happy, smug look on her daughter’s face made her heart beat so fast she thought it might actually explode from her chest. Having Gabby in her arms made the hours of flying worth it, even if she was only back for a week.

  “Hi, Penny.”

  Penny kept her arms folded around Gabby. Took a deep breath. Then slowly released her daughter, dropped a kiss to her head and straightened.

  “Daniel.”

  This was the only part of the homecoming she hadn’t been looking forward to.

  She didn’t want to let go of Gabby, didn’t want this little bubble of happiness to burst. But Daniel’s deep voice drew her to her feet.

  Penny made herself look up, forced her eyes to lock on his.

  On her husband.

  He hadn’t changed a bit. His hair was thick and rumpled; a hint of stubble grazed his chin, dimple peeking out from the corner of his right cheek.

  “It’s great to have you home, Penny.”

  She smiled. Reminded herself that she was here for Gabby. For their daughter.

  It was all about Gabby.

  She had to be strong.

  “It’s so good to be back,” s

  Gabby grinned up at her, twirling away to sidle up to her father. She wrapped one arm around his leg, curling into him.

  Penny ran her hands down her jeans, the denim rough and foreign beneath her fingertips. After so long in army issue clothing, everything about her jeans and T-shirt seemed … unusual.

  Just like standing here with Daniel was unusual.

  “Aren’t you going to hug her, Daddy?”

  Gabby’s innocent question made Penny’s head spin. Of course she expected to see her parents embrace, to be happy to see one another.

  “Ah.” What was she meant to say?

  “Of course,” Daniel said, without a hint of hesitation. “We’ve missed you so much.”

  Daniel took a step forward, looked awkward. Penny could feel Gabby watching.

  She’d missed him so much, too.

  Daniel folded her gently into his arms, his cheek skimming hers as he pressed a barely there kiss against her skin. Penny forced herself to respond, to put her arms around him, too, but it was hard. She so wanted to fall against him, tuck so tight into him that she could hardly breathe, and for everything to be like it always had.

  The thought made her pull back and move away, to put distance between them.

  Penny glanced at Gabby, to se
e her smiling again.

  “Shall we go home?” Daniel asked.

  Penny snapped out of her trance.

  “Sure, let’s go.”

  Daniel reached for her bag but she stopped him. Gave him a sharp glare that made his hand pause, midair. Just because she’d hugged him for Gabby’s benefit didn’t mean she was going to let him off the hook. Was going to pretend like nothing had happened. And she was more than capable of carrying her own bag.

  “I’ll get it.”

  She reached for the duffel, careful not to let her hand brush against Daniel’s. The pain that crossed his gaze, the way he looked at her, made the dull thud of raw hurt propel through her body again, but she forced it away.

  She didn’t want to touch him again. It hurt too much.

  “Let’s go,” she said, bag slung over her shoulder.

  Gabby reached for her hand, her warm little palm fitting snugly against Penny’s.

  “Daddy?”

  Penny looked over her shoulder as Daniel quickened his pace, taking the other hand that Gabby held outstretched.

  Their daughter giggled and laughed, pausing until she was a step behind them so they could swing her through the air.

  “Whee!” she squealed, laughing.

  Penny looked over at Daniel, almost smiled to him at Gabby’s excitement, then stopped herself.

  This was the sort of thing they’d always done, the kind of family they used to be.

  But she wasn’t sure how long they’d be able to pretend they were still the happy he athe happfamily of old.

  Because Daniel had ripped her heart out, and she doubted she’d ever be able to forgive him.

  “How long are you home for, Mommy?”

  She smiled bravely down at her little girl as she swung through the air.

  “Not long enough, honey. Not long enough.”

  Daniel Cartwright was pleased Penny was walking ahead of him.

  Because he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  The curve of her back and the sway of her body as she moved; the gentleness of her expression, the twist of her smile when she looked at Gabby; the strength of her shoulders as she kept them straight no matter whether she was standing still or walking. The way her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders in a silky curtain.

  He’d missed everything about her.

  Only he’d always imagined this day to be different. Had seen his wife with her legs wrapped around his waist, lips pressed to his in happiness. The way it had been the last time. When they’d both finished their tours.

  If he hadn’t stuffed up, that’s exactly the homecoming they’d have experienced this time.

  “Where’s the car?”

  Penny’s voice took him by surprise. He caught up to them again, having lagged behind to sort out the parking charge.

  “Just over there.” He pointed ahead.

  He tried to catch Penny’s eye, to smile at her, to try to connect with her again, but her gaze skipped past him like it was too scared to stop.

  “Mommy, are you back forever yet?” Daniel’s heart thudded to his boots. “Sweetheart, we’ve already had this conversation,” he told her.

  This time Penny did look at him, like she didn’t want to have to answer their daughter alone. Or maybe like she didn’t want to answer at all.

  Daniel took the lead.

  “Remember how I told you?” he asked Gabby, crouching down before her, holding her hand. “Mommy is here for your birthday, for the whole week, but she has to go back.”

  “To where?”

  Daniel heard Penny sigh, like this was a conversation she wasn’t ready to have. Yet.

  “To work,” she said, before crouching down beside him.

  Daniel fought not to close his eyes. It was too close. Her body so near to his that he missed her like a fish deprived of water. Even after all this time, he knew how soft her skin would feel against his, the way her body would mold against his.

  “Why?” Gabby’s lower lip had started to tremble.

  “I promise I’ll only go away one more time,” Penny told her, stroking her hair. “You’ll only have to see me go away once more, and then I’ll be home with you forever. I promise. I won’t leave you again.”

  Daniel glanced at her, met Penny’s eyes, before she looked away.

  They’d said that before. That it was the last time. Only Penny hadn’t had a choice about her involuntary extension of service.

  “Mommy has a really important job,” Daniel explained, shuffling closer to Ga he aoser to bby. “Do you remember how I told you that Mommy works for all of America? That she helps to keep everyone safe, with lots of other brave men and women.”

  Gabby nodded, but her eyes were full to overflowing with tears.

  Penny gave him a sharp stare, like they would be talking about this later, but he didn’t stop. Gabby didn’t know exactly what Penny did, but he hadn’t been able to dodge her questions forever. He’d had to tell her something. Skirting around the fact she was a soldier wasn’t always that easy.

  “So when your mommy is away, we have to be brave, because even though we miss her she’s a very important woman. Lots of other people need her, too.”

  Gabby threw her arms around him, tucked her little face into his shoulder and started to sob.

  Penny looked as though her heart was broken in two, like she was shattering into a million tiny pieces inside. She swayed back on her haunches before rising, pressed her palms to her cheeks.

  Daniel would have said sorry. Felt guilty that he held Gabby when Penny was clearly so desperate to touch, to hold, their daughter.

  But there were only so many times he could say sorry. And the next time he said it, he wasn’t going to stop until Penny was convinced he meant it.

  The short car journey home passed mercifully quickly, Penny content to sit in the backseat alongside Gabby and listen to her chatter away about her life. Daniel sat alone in the front, focused on the road, but that didn’t stop him from casting the occasional glance in the rearview mirror at the tender and somehow blissfully normal scene taking place in the rear of the car.

  Penny helped Gabby out of the car and let Daniel get her bag this time. She kept hold of her hand, listening to her babble, pleased she was so happily unaware of the tension in the air. As soon as they were through the front door, Grabby dropped her hand and shot ahead down the hall.

  It was a strange feeling, coming home. After so long away and so long imagining what it would be like to be back, it was strangely foreign. It was her home and yet it wasn’t all at the same time.

  “It is great to have you home, Penny.”

  She turned at Daniel’s words.

  “I’m pleased I came back.”

  He looked hurt, but she wasn’t going to feel bad.

  “Gabby was so excited when she found out you were coming to her party.”

  Penny walked to the kitchen bench, spying a cake box. She lifted the lid and smiled when she saw what sat beneath.

  “Dora the Explorer, huh?”

  Daniel stepped closer. She fought not to move back. Stood her ground.

  “It’s her favorite,” he said, voice low.

  Penny hated that she didn’t know these kinds of things. What her daughter loved most right now, the things that they didn’t talk about over the phone. The things she’d missed out on. Her favorite television shows, dolls, that sort of thing.

  She’d never imagined herself as an absentee mother. Had always wanted to be hands-on and at home, and she still did.

  “The cake’s beautiful,” Penny said.

  And it was. Pink and purpnde ak and pule swirls of icing surrounded the center figure—every little girl’s dream.

  “It’s exactly the kind of cake I would have chosen for her, Daniel.”

  They stood, not saying anything. Penny’s eyes were still trained on the cake. She didn’t want to look anywhere else. Was too afraid to look elsewhere.

  “Penny, do you want me to move out while you
’re here?”

  Daniel took her by surprise. Move out? She hadn’t even thought beyond arriving home, let alone how they’d manage to spend the coming days together. “Maybe,” she said, unsure.

  “I’ve made arrangements to crash at Tom’s place, if you want me to.” He paused. “I’ll understand, you just say the word.”

  Penny watched as he swallowed, could see the movement of his throat, like he was nervous. Like he was hoping she would say no. Or maybe he was hoping she’d say yes so he didn’t have to be under the same roof as her.

  “Maybe that would be best,” she said, forcing herself to stay calm. Not to get angry.

  Although then they’d have to explain to Gabby. Figure out what to say to her, how to tell her.

  “Sure,” he replied, voice strained. “It’s not a problem.”

  Argh. It was so difficult. The entire thing was just so messy.

  Daniel nodded. Looked somehow like the wind had been blown from his sails.

  She wanted to stare at him, then shake him. Slap him. Yell at him. She had so much pent-up anger that she needed to release, but it was all trapped within her. And she wasn’t going to let it go, not when Gabby was within hearing distance.

  “I’ll hang around for a bit, then head off.”

  She gave him a half smile. While they were under the same roof, around their daughter, what she wanted was to be civil. To maintain her dignity.

  “Coffee?”

  Penny nodded and walked over to the pantry. She opened it and looked at the party supplies. He’d made a big effort. “So you’re all set for Saturday?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, as set as you can be for a fifth birthday party.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  Daniel caught her eye when she looked over at him. She didn’t look away. Something within her stirred, if only for a moment.

  Something deep inside flickered when his pupils locked on hers.

  She swallowed, hard, then focused on the window instead. Forced herself to.

  Because she didn’t have to wonder what that something was.

  It was love.

  No matter how much he’d hurt her, no matter how much pain hammered at her heart, she still loved Daniel. And she probably always would. “Penny, I …”

  She shook her head. “No, Daniel. Let’s not, okay?” He squared his shoulders. “Penny, please.” “Mom!”