The Soldier's Steadfast Bride by Lorana Hoopes

Author:Lorana Hoopes [Hoopes, Lorana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lorana Hoopes

14

Cory

“Why are we going dress shopping, Daddy?” Bella asked as he helped her put on her shoes.

He sighed and pulled over a chair so he could sit across from her. “Bella, do you know how sometimes your friends’ mom or dad has to go away for a few months and do work in another country?”

She nodded, her eyes wide but not quite filled with the understanding he knew would hit her soon.

“Well, unfortunately, the Army decided that it’s my turn to do that.”

She blinked at him a moment as she processed the information. Then her eyes grew bigger. “But who will take care of me while you’re gone?”

Cory picked up her tiny hands and held them in his. “That is why we’re going dress shopping. You know my friend Heidi?”

Bella nodded.

“Well, she has agreed to marry me so that she can take care of you while I’m gone.”

Wrinkles erupted across Bella’s forehead as her face scrunched in confusion. “So, she’s going to be my new mommy?”

“Sort of,” Cory said. “She’ll take care of you like a mommy, but she’ll never replace your first mommy. Mommy will always live here in our hearts.” He let go of one of her hands to place his hand across his heart.

“But what happens when you get back? Will she still be my mommy?”

Cory knew couples divorced for less these days, but he didn’t want to instill the idea that marriage was disposable in his daughter. “We will still be married when I get back, so yes, she’ll still be your mommy.”

Bella’s lips pursed as her head tilted first one way and then the other. Finally, she shrugged. “Okay, but why do I need a new dress?”

Cory chuckled. If only everyone was as easygoing as his daughter. Of course, there would probably be hard times in the future, but it made him feel better that she seemed to be taking this news in stride. “You need a new dress because Heidi and I are going to have a small wedding and you get to be the flower girl.”

Her eyes grew even bigger than before as her mouth fell open. “I get to dress up and drop the petals?”

“You do.” Cory shook his head at her excitement. If only a child’s sense of wonder could follow them into adulthood. When was the last time he got so excited over something so simple?

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.” She climbed out of the chair and grabbed his hand to tug him to a standing position as well. “Come on, Daddy.”

With a laugh, he let himself be pulled toward the front door.

Half an hour later, they were browsing through dresses in a local shop, and Cory was quickly coming to the realization that he was completely out of his element.

“What about this one, Daddy?” she asked as she held up a purple monstrosity that had more beads and sparkles than he’d ever seen in his life. It reminded him of a costume he might see on a kids’ show, gaudy and flashy and definitely not wedding material.

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