A Soldier's Journey by PATRICIA POTTER Page A

hungry. She felt sick. And incredibly tired.
    â€œAnything I can get you?” Stephanie asked.
    She shook her head. All she wanted to do was flee, but she didn’t want to ruin everyone’s evening, and that was what would happen if she left now. She had to stop running, no matter how much she wanted to at this minute.
    â€œI’ll be all right,” she said, starting to rise.
    â€œNo,” Nate said. “Your pulse is too fast. Your blood pressure isn’t that great, either. Just relax for a few minutes. Okay?”
    Her eyes asked the question.
    â€œJust some medic stuff I picked up along the way,” he said. “It’s not that hard to feel a pulse or take blood pressure when you have a hostess who keeps a monitor around.”
    She was grateful he wasn’t asking any questions. “I’m feeling much better now, thank you,” she said formally. “I just haven’t had much sleep lately.”
    â€œI certainly understand that,” he said.
    Andy tried to emerge from the dark mist that still lingered. “Where am I?”
    â€œIn Eve’s bedroom,” Stephanie replied. “Feeling better?”
    â€œHow did I get here?”
    â€œNate carried you,” Stephanie said. “He went through medic training in the army. I only treat animal patients.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Andy said. “I’m really sorry. I must have ruined your dinner.”
    â€œWe’re just glad we were here,” Stephanie replied. “Don’t you worry about anything. Every guy here has gone through the same thing. God knows it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
    â€œI should...control them...”
    â€œI still have flashbacks,” Nate said. “Rare now, but they pop up. It’s why we vets meet.”
    â€œBut dinner...”
    â€œNot to worry,” Stephanie said. “The steaks are in the warmer. Everything else is fine.” She paused, then asked, “Or would you like to go home?”
    She wanted nothing as much. She felt lousy and weak and tired but she didn’t want to ruin everyone’s evening, not any more than she already had. And to leave now would be cowardly. She wouldn’t feel any better at home, and maybe, just maybe, she needed company right now. “I want to stay.”
    She looked for Nate, who stood up.
    â€œYou should be fine now,” he said.
    She thought she saw a glimmer of admiration in Nate’s eyes, but how could that be? She had unraveled at the sight of spilled wine. She had made a spectacle of herself. She had, she noticed now, stained his shirt with red wine.
    â€œI’m sorry about your shirt. I’ll pay—”
    â€œNo, you won’t,” he said. “I have several just like them, and this is the oldest. No big loss. In fact, the wine gives it more character.”
    â€œIt looked new to me,” she said.
    â€œLooks can be deceptive.”
    She suspected that he was just trying to make her feel better. “You do know there are ways of removing wine stains?”
    â€œI’ve had some experience. I’ll leave you with Stephanie and let everyone know you’re okay.”
    She didn’t want him to leave, but his tactic worked. She was slowly relaxing. Her head ached. Her eyes were probably red, but to her surprise his light banter made her feel human again. She tried a smile. “Thank you. I’m ready...”
    Nate leaned over and whispered so softly she knew he meant only her to hear, “Good for you.”
    Andy took a deep breath and stood. She could do this.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    A NDY TRIED A smile as she entered the kitchen.
    Eve was checking something in the oven. She straightened as Andy and Nate entered, followed by Stephanie and Joseph. “Okay?” she asked, worry in her voice.
    Andy nodded.
    Nick looked up at her anxiously. “When I feel bad, I want to be with my dogs. Would you like to meet them?”
    â€œNick,