When Claire arrived at the hospital, Chad noted the determined expression on her face but didn’t ask if she was all right. She’d tell him if she wanted him to know what was on her mind.
“Will Patrick be all right?” she asked. “Does he have experience in battle?”
He wished he could tell Claire yes, that Patrick was a seasoned soldier, but he wasn’t going to start lying to her now, and the glimpse of a ropy white scar peeking from the space between her glove and her sleeve reminded him there were no guarantees.
“Even if he was a seasoned soldier, he’d be in danger,” he said. “The best thing to do is stay busy and keep your mind occupied. Worrying about him won’t keep him safe.” Like your parents worrying about you didn’t keep you safe.
“That’s not helpful,” she grumbled, but she followed
